One Bite Technology, a computer, tablet and cell phone repair shop specializing in Apple products, was voted No. 1 in three St. Albert Gazette Readers’ Choice categories.
St. Albert residents cast their votes for Best Computer/Cell Phone Sales/Repair, Best Electronic Shop and Best Customer Service. The votes suggest tech shoppers appreciate innovative connectivity and quality support.
“This says a lot. We are super appreciative. There are a lot of cases we get where other places haven’t done a good job,” said Jeff Baker, who founded the business along with wife Jessica. “We’re not the cheapest, but I like to take the time to help people when no one else has.”
The Bakers started One Bite Technology in 2018 out of their house in Grandin about 18 months before COVID erupted in Canada.
“Once COVID came out, our business exploded. Everyone was working from home, and they needed a computer. All the computers I had in inventory disappeared,” said Baker.
By January 2021, the home-based business was cramped for space. While driving by Discovery Computers on Muir Drive, the St. Albert resident noticed it was no longer open. The old owner had retired. Baker inquired about renting the space and brokered a lease.
“But after roughly 18 months, we quickly outgrew it. Fortunately, the landlord was a local family and they let me out of the lease, and I came here in July of last year.”
The immaculate new store, located in Tudor Glen shopping centre, is an open structure with an atrium-like space. There is heavy use of glass with computers, phones and accessories lined on minimalist, functional shelves that project a futuristic vibe. Essentially, the minimalist design mirrors the products.
Baker was always partial to the Apple brand since his parents gave him his first Apple Mac in 1995.
“I’ve stuck with Mac since then. It wasn’t built for gaming, but it has a better user interface,” said the 2004 École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d’Youville graduate. “As a product, the quality is the best. It’s user friendly, but the business model is not the best for consumers. Apple doesn’t make it easy to repair.”
Due to popular demand, the shop fixes all Apple phones and computers. Before releasing a fixed product to the owner, it must pass One Bite’s rigorous quality control test.
“Somebody that hasn’t worked on the product does a quality control check. They go through the list and check for any problems we might have missed or customers missed. Once everything is fixed, we call the customer. It doesn’t go out the door unless we’re sure.”
In fact, One Bite backs up its claim by offering a one-year warranty with all product repairs, a policy not offered by all computer repair shops.
Although the St. Albert entrepreneur is partial to Apple products, Baker is also familiar with windows operating system.
“Back in 2006, I provided tech support for Dell. They were hiring anyone with a pulse. I told them I’d never used windows, but they hired me anyways. I learned a lot about tech support and how good customer service helps business. I learned a lot about empathy. When people have problems with a computer, you’re not just fixing their computer. You’re providing a solution to their problems. Everyone is so deep in technology today, and it’s important to remember it.”
One Bite Technology can be contacted at 587-290-0200 or online at onebitetechnology.ca.
