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Always Buy at an Apple Store

cmvsm

cmvsm

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 12, 2004
784
0
Had an interesting experience today. I bought my iPad at Target, and noticed that when I pushed the home button on the front, it created a backlight bleed on the screen. Didn't do that at any other spot, so not sure what that is all about. Anyhow, I knew that Target didn't have any replacements, so I decided to take to the Apple store to have looked at and replaced.

Once i got there, no problems at all. The Manager at the Apple store said that they were being very lenient on returns of the iPad 2, as they were gathering info for the Apple engineers, and that an exchange would be no problem.

Waited 5 mins, and the girl helping me came out and told me that she would be unable to exchange since I bought at Target, and recommended that I go there. So I pointed out that even though I bought at Target, Apple warranties my product for a year, so if for some reason Target wouldn't take it back without a restocking fee, etc., what was I supposed to do?

So I told her that if that happened, I'd be taking a ticket out with Apple CS anyway, and probably would end right back at the Apple store. She made mention that if that happened, it might take a while to get a new iPad, as they didn't have any parts to fix. She didn't know what she was talking about here, as it seems once you take an iPad 2 apart, good luck on getting it back together again.

Target took the iPad back without issue and gave me a refund, but lesson learned that its much easier to deal with Apple directly instead of including the middle man of a Target, Best Buy, or Walmart if an issue comes up.
 
cmvsm said:
She didn't know what she was talking about here, as it seems once you take an iPad 2 apart, good luck on getting it back together again.
Click to expand...

Have you seen ifixit lately?
The glass on top of the screen is ****ing glued to the aluminum.
Good luck putting it back together again is right!
 
So you expected the Apple store to give you a new iPad even though you didn't buy it from them? I think what she meant was that there were no refurbished iPads available to swap yours out.
 
I suspect someone was confused. You wanted an in-warranty exchange for your iPad, correct? Did you have a Genius Bar appointment?

Regardless, I would have gotten that employee's name and made sure a manager knew. She's not very understanding of what their policies are.
 
i dont see how. iphones purchased at att & verizon are serviced at apple. yeah, i woulda totally asked for a manager.
 
I'm confused- you say to only buy at Apple but it seems like Target did a fine job handling your issue without Apple's involvement.

P.S. Bought mine at Target and didn't have a problem with the device
 
Wait, so if I buy my iPad from Best Buy, I have to deal with them regarding issues that come up? or can I schedule an appt at the genius bar and get it fixed/replaced at the Apple store instead? I'd much rather have an Apple genius dealing with my apple equipment than someone from the Geek Squad.
 
You should have been able to swap it in store for a refurb unit although it would be a new unboxed iPad 2 as there are no refurbs!

However maybe they didn't have any yet to change it with... But then she also sounded confused.

Whilst there are some lovely helpful people at apple stores and some geniuses are actually knowledgable most of them are clueless.

I have been in to ask questions in store just to clarify a point and they will wander over to a mac and use google!?

And without sounding like a ego maniac I'm pretty knowledgeable. I have a pinned post on jail braking on the dev team forum and well over a thousand posts here - most of them technical in nature.

Funny thing was I applied for a job at Apple about 2 years ago - I had an interview but didn't get a job. Clearly I knew too much! Lol
 
If you buy somewhere outside of the Apple Store, you can not "exchange" or "return" items to the Apple Store.

You can however make a genius bar appointment and the Apple Store will swap your iPad with replacement iPads under warranty, regardless of where you purchased it.

If you went in asking to exchange, that is the reason. You need to make an appointment at the genius bar and have them issue a replacement themselves.
 
You do realize you were right she was wrong. Your iPad has the Apple 1-year warranty, she was supposed to take it due to warranty reasons. Next time you face something like this call the manager.
 
Fuchal said:
If you buy somewhere outside of the Apple Store, you can not "exchange" or "return" items to the Apple Store.

You can however make a genius bar appointment and the Apple Store will swap your iPad with replacement iPads under warranty, regardless of where you purchased it.

If you went in asking to exchange, that is the reason. You need to make an appointment at the genius bar and have them issue a replacement themselves.
Click to expand...

Ok that is how I thought it is. I was worried for a bit.
 
Imsuperjp said:
So you expected the Apple store to give you a new iPad even though you didn't buy it from them? I think what she meant was that there were no refurbished iPads available to swap yours out.
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Actually, there were some in the back room. The Apple salesperson made specific mention that those replacement iPads were only for people who actually bought from the Apple store. Not sure why that would make a difference?
 
I had a problem with the iPad I bought last year and exchanged it at an Apple store with no problem. I bought it from an authorized reseller. They could actually see where I bought it, I guess the serial numbers are tracked.

My iPad 2 also needs a replacement. I bought this from best buy. The Apple store near me has a replacement coming in. I saw them today.
 
jav6454 said:
You do realize you were right she was wrong. Your iPad has the Apple 1-year warranty, she was supposed to take it due to warranty reasons. Next time you face something like this call the manager.
Click to expand...

For the record, the manager was involved. He was the first person that she brought me to right after I walked into the store. I wanted to give Target an opportunity to take it back. If they had laid some kind of resistance out, like Best Buy has done in the past, then I would have raised cain at the Apple store.

I easily got my money back and had no issue. But to the point of a couple of responses, this whole other retailer thing is a bit new with Apple employees I think, and there is still lots of confusion on how to handle a non Apple store purchase at the Apple store itself.

I have the luxury of having all of these retailers close by, so for those in the same boat, its just easier dealing directly with Apple.
 
cmvsm said:
I easily got my money back and had no issue. But to the point of a couple of responses, this whole other retailer thing is a bit new with Apple employees I think, and there is still lots of confusion on how to handle a non Apple store purchase at the Apple store itself.
Click to expand...

I hope it's all just a matter with knowing what to say when requesting for assistance (appt with Genius vs exchanging right away). Apple's been selling iPods and Macs at other retailers for a while now so I'm pretty sure they should be familiar with the process.
 
cmvsm said:
ut to the point of a couple of responses, this whole other retailer thing is a bit new with Apple employees I think, and there is still lots of confusion on how to handle a non Apple store purchase at the Apple store itself.
Click to expand...

It's not that difficult and I'm sure most Apple employees know the difference.

Purchased @ Apple store or Apple.com = 14 days to exchange for brand new, or return for refund. After 14 days you can exchange for a refurbished unit, but with the first iPad most exchanges in the first month or two got new iPads since refurbished wasn't available yet.

Purchased anywhere else and you fall under 1 year warranty and can exchange for refurb. However, I don't know why you would want to do this if you are still under the return period for the retailer your purchased from. I understand that stock isn't available atm, but it doesn't sound like your iPad was dead and you got it from Target (90 day return policy), so you could wait until stock was available and do an exchange for a new iPad (and you could do it almost 3 months later if you wanted to).

Honestly, Apple's return exchange policy is nothing special, it's the same as Best Buy and Walmart. The only advantage you get right now is that they probably have the stock available.
 
I wouldn't buy from "Worst Buy" even if there were no Apple Stores. I HATE those @ssholes! :mad:
 
lPHONE said:
I wouldn't buy from "Worst Buy" even if there were no Apple Stores. I HATE those @ssholes! :mad:
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What's wrong with them? I've purchased lots of stuff from there (in addition to Target, Walmart, Fry's and etc) and have had any problems with returns or exchanges or anything.
 
Target has a 90 day return policy, I'd just keep taking it back and getting my money back until they had more in stock and got a good one.
 
miamialley said:
Have to agree. Buying at Apple saves a lot of trouble later.
Click to expand...

How much later are we talking? Because after 14 days it doesn't matter which retailer you bought it from.

I get that Apple stores are nice, pretty, friendly, and an overall cool experience. I would shop at one more often if it were closer. But when it comes to buy a new item you've got your return policy and then the warranty. Apple's return policy is specific to direct Apple sales (i.e. Apple.com or Apple Store), but their return policy is not any better than most the other stores. After that you have the warranty, and everyone is entitled to that during the first year of their iPad no matter which retailer you bought it from.
 
Ok, you do realize the title of this thread completely contradicts your story, right?

the title implies some sort of caveat, like buying from target was a huge failure, that they were difficult and unwilling to give you a refund for (let's face it) a very minor issue. . . which was not the case at all.

so... instead of "always buy at an apple store", it should be "I'm an idiot and this thread is a complete waste of your time"
 
lPHONE said:
I wouldn't buy from "Worst Buy" even if there were no Apple Stores. I HATE those @ssholes! :mad:
Click to expand...

I would rather buy from Best Buy and have 45 days to return or exchange, than only have 14 days from Apple. Plus get $10-$20 back.

This assumes you are a silver premiere member.
 
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