Since ipads are in such short supply, I was wondering if anyone was able to do an exchange if the one they bought had issues? I just got mine yesterday from an online order and it has several, very noticeable, dead pixels.. so I want to try and get another one. Were you able to get a replacement on the spot? I heard last year they put some ipads aside just for returns/exchanges.
I was allowed to exchange my iPad 2 one time. They would not power the second one on in the store and said that if I was unsatisfied with the replacement that my only recourse would be to return it and wait in line at 6am if I wanted to try to get another one.
Honestly, I understand why I was told this, but I believe its unacceptable. The replacement iPad I received is MUCH worse than the one it replaced and it has 3 dead pixels as well. My first iPad had some definite light bleed, but I could deal with it if I had to. The second one is terrible, its visible in broad daylight, then add 3 pixels that are red no matter what is displayed on the screen and it really sucks
If you are considering exchanging your iPad 2 at an apple store right now, DON'T! You've got probably a 50/50 chance of your replacement iPad having the same problem, if not worse. Wait the full 30 days of your return period, and if you're still unsatisfied, then go in and see what they can do. If they do a retail swap, you'll get another 30 days. I was also told that this probably will not be considered a warranty issue as most iPads have the same light bleed problem. So once the 30 days is up, I'm apparently out of luck - even though I have dead pixels in addition to light bleed now.
I'm going to call Apple's national number tomorrow and see if there is anything they will do, but overall, I'm pretty disappointed in the quality control and customer service that went on here. Especially where the genius bar acknowledged a problem and said that my only recourse was to stand in line all over again.