No, I’m the one missing something. It tends to make people assume I don’t know what’s up technically.

Based on your experiences, I am going to assume you are not in the same situation. You will likely have better results for an otherwise identical request.

Have a good day.

I've never had technicians be sexist to me but they've definitely been condescending and think I don't know what I'm talking about.

They didn't refuse you service, because you never explicitly asked. I think if you just said "please just take my money and replace the battery like I ask" they almost certainly would have.

I actually have had people be condescending to me as well. I've found it simplest to just say - sounds great! Could we try X first? I'll pay. Oh, that worked, cool!

Even better, if it doesn't you haven't annoyed someone too much who now has to do the fix they suggested.

Flip side - union workers at some telecom co's are hilarious -

me: "why are you here?" them "I don't know, they told me to roll the truck." me: "OK - but this is a software thing and they fixed it online yesterday?" them "OK - I'll sit in my truck for 2 hours reading. Can I run some diagnostics after that so it logs my visit as a success?" me: "Sure!"

Reality though - I love that they actually send someone - because then if it is not fixed yet it tends to get fixed if their guy is sitting there!

If you read the article you would have learned that the Apple store staff was trying to convince her into buying a new iPhone instead. They told her they would need to swap the iPhone‘s mainboard.

I understand that - they are doing a script - no health check problems on other components -> go to mainboard. I don't fault them for that.

That said, I've never had a problem just saying things like sounds great, I'd love to pay for and try replacing battery first. Done.

Next time I go in I might try this as an experiment actually. Just ask, could I get a battery replacement

the fact that is exactly what the writer did.... and they refused?

That some people like learning how to fix things themselves?

Then why go on and on about how stupid apple is. Sure, they may not give you a free battery etc, but maybe just schedule the apt and do the standard replacement if you want to? This guy goes to best buy and then apple.

Did they literally turn down his offer to pay the $49 for a replacement?