Grr. Stupid MacBook. Stupid Apple "Concierge." [View All]

So, my MacBook won't boot. Last night, it wouldn't even recognize a startup CD. Today it recognizes a startup CD but can't find the hard drive. So, it's probably a drive problem. Damn. At least it's under warranty, and at least this happened before the semester started.

At 8 am, I try to make a Genius Bar appointment via "Concierge" for my local Apple Store. The store does not even open until 10. I am told by the system that there are no remaining appointments today. (You can only make a same-day appointment.) So, I call Apple Care.

Apple Care tells me that "well, we start appointments at 12:01 store time, and many people receive iPods and other Apple equipment for the holidays...I think many of them logged on late last night and made an appointment knowing there'd be a rush."

Hello...my computer DOES NOT WORK. The only way to make an appointment seems to be via COMPUTER. Assuming I do not have another functioning computer in my house, how the hell am I supposed to make an appointment in the middle of the night?

The store itself will be open in 10 minutes, and they will be getting an earful.
Grr.