Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Exchanging Some 2012 and Early 2013 MacBook Pros Needing Battery Service With Newer Models [Updated]
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Date of appointment: Tuesday July 25th 17:15 pm PST
Not offered a replacement upfront. Was offered a free battery if I wait until after August 8th. Was given a printed sticker with my Name, a hand written "Alt:" note saying "Post August 8th, 2016", the work order number / barcode, my serial number/ barcode and a single letter in large print. No email. No online status.
I am hoping that when August 8th rolls around the replacement parts haven't turned up, at which time I'll be offered a replacement. I have owned this computer for years and I'm disappointed I didn't get in early enough and luck out with a replacement, as the computer has been a nuisance in many ways. All ports except for the USB ports are intermittent which has been mentioned to geniuses on several occasions.
Not offered a replacement upfront. Was offered a free battery if I wait until after August 8th. Was given a printed sticker with my Name, a hand written "Alt:" note saying "Post August 8th, 2016", the work order number / barcode, my serial number/ barcode and a single letter in large print. No email. No online status.
I am hoping that when August 8th rolls around the replacement parts haven't turned up, at which time I'll be offered a replacement. I have owned this computer for years and I'm disappointed I didn't get in early enough and luck out with a replacement, as the computer has been a nuisance in many ways. All ports except for the USB ports are intermittent which has been mentioned to geniuses on several occasions.
Went on the "last day" they offered the replacement on the 25th and they read the note that said that this was the last day that they could offer the $199 replacement of my battery in september or $199 replacement of an equiv laptop. I obviously took the replacement laptop and they told me that they would need to take my laptop. I begged and pleaded to keep my laptop (I had to be productive) so they were super nice and let me keep mine and placed an order for my replacement. My credit card was charged yesterday and then this morning I was called that my replacement was delivered and to come pick it up. I had no idea what model it was going to be replaced with. They said that it would be at least a 2015 MBP. When I picked it up it was a late 2016 model GOSH55LL/A. It is a screaming machine. What a wonderful support team! Thank you Apple!
Last edited:
I took my device in on 25 July and Apple kept my device to run tests. The repair authorisation is dated 25 July but Apple have not told me whats wrong with my device and what the repair options are. Does this count as a repair date created before 26 July or would a repair date be the date a repair is confirmed as being required?
From reading other posts the decision seems global.
I took my machine in on Tuesday but the device was left with them for testing. Not heard from Apple yet. I have no idea if I would be eligible for a replacement though as received before 26th but no confirmation of repair by this point).
Same here... They took my machine to one of their authorized service center and not heard a news from it yet.
I’m not hopeful of getting a replacement offered now. The Genius, while nice enough, wanted to go home and was quick to say that he wanted to bring it in for testing. I had to ask several times for him to run their ininitial tests first, which he was reluctant to do. He eventually agreed but the test failed to complete (hence they took the device). So unlike many others, I did not have an immediate diagnosis and offer of a replacement (although he did mention the replacement program).
Same here, we'll see what happens. I'll post what happens later today.
Just a quick update.. I went for my scheduled appt on Friday mid-day. Had made the appt Monday (and didn't have the time to wait the three hours to see a genius without an appt on Tuesday).
the tech mentioned the severe constraint on the batteries, and that for a period of a couple weeks they had to be letting people have new computers for the 199$ price of the battery replacement. but, even though my battery was clearly toast and "service now" and only 62% of original capacity, they would still put in the order for the battery and let me know when it arrived.
I'm not really going to hold my breath that a "well, we can't get enough batteries and housings made, so we'll have to get you a 2016 model of similar or better spec for the 199$" call is going to come in the days, weeks till the battery arrives, but stranger things have been known to happen.
the very nice and competent tech did tell me that people have been COMPLAINING that people had been getting free 2017 touch bar rmbp's because they were going to be losing out on all the ports and etc., etc., I just laughed. Who on earth would complain with getting a nice new (refurbished) computer for 200$? really, I mean REALLY!
the tech mentioned the severe constraint on the batteries, and that for a period of a couple weeks they had to be letting people have new computers for the 199$ price of the battery replacement. but, even though my battery was clearly toast and "service now" and only 62% of original capacity, they would still put in the order for the battery and let me know when it arrived.
I'm not really going to hold my breath that a "well, we can't get enough batteries and housings made, so we'll have to get you a 2016 model of similar or better spec for the 199$" call is going to come in the days, weeks till the battery arrives, but stranger things have been known to happen.
the very nice and competent tech did tell me that people have been COMPLAINING that people had been getting free 2017 touch bar rmbp's because they were going to be losing out on all the ports and etc., etc., I just laughed. Who on earth would complain with getting a nice new (refurbished) computer for 200$? really, I mean REALLY!
Have to agree there - a couple of $5 dongles and away you go (for connecting most USB existing devices anyway).
$199 for a battery replacement that gets you a new top case isn't expensive. That means new keyboard, trackpad etc. I know most people who would benefit from it because it would be a brand new machine basically externally and resale value would be much higher then a worn out machine. Of course this depends on the person but most MacBooks I've seen are worn. Nicks, scratches, keyboards have been hammered but on, etc
I found out I meet the criteria, but I've obviously missed the deadline.
Do you guys think it's still worth trying to get the replacement, or is that highly unlikely at this point?
Has anyone tried getting their battery fixed after the deadline? Did they fix the battery, or did you get a new one?
Please let us know!
Thanks
Do you guys think it's still worth trying to get the replacement, or is that highly unlikely at this point?
Has anyone tried getting their battery fixed after the deadline? Did they fix the battery, or did you get a new one?
Please let us know!
Thanks
Not true. My appointment was the 25th, agreed and signed for the replacement and told I now won't be getting it by my store. I'm in the situation that I'm not angry that I'm not getting the replacement, but it is such a good offer that I feel I should be a bit cheeky and push to see if I can get one after being told twice that I would.
Spoke to the online support who's advice to me is that I show up to the store without an appointment and demand to speak to a manage and ask them to honor it. I'm not really good at demanding or pushing my case but it's worth giving it a go!
Not true. My appointment was the 25th, agreed and signed for the replacement and told I now won't be getting it by my store. I'm in the situation that I'm not angry that I'm not getting the replacement, but it is such a good offer that I feel I should be a bit cheeky and push to see if I can get one after being told twice that I would.
Spoke to the online support who's advice to me is that I show up to the store without an appointment and demand to speak to a manage and ask them to honor it. I'm not really good at demanding or pushing my case but it's worth giving it a go!
I was initially told that they would no longer be replacing. I didn't take that. I don't feel entitled to a new machine, HOWEVER, I do feel entitled to what Apple assured customers when they first announced the rMBP. They said it would be easy to have the battery replaced in the store same day. I waited for 3 hours with a crying 8 month old baby because they got my appointment mixed up and had back ups. After that they said they didn't have the part and would replace it for me. I said perfect and signed the work order. Once they commit to something like that backing out is bad customer service in my book. They tried to tell me "we should have the parts sooner than September 15... probably the first few weeks in August." I replied that that wasn't good enough and that this battery issue is really affecting my business' productivity. If they commit to a replacement don't let them back out. They have an agreement with you they can't just change their minds even with a policy change.
Similar case here. I went in on Tuesday and had to leave device with them. Got confirmation Saturday that they will replace the battery free of charge. While I would love to have the call today about a delay and to explore other options, I don’t think it will happen, especially when they have already checked the restock date (the batteries are due in on 3/4 August apparently).
The genius I saw on Tuesday was nice but didn’t seem like a genius to me (had to keep checking with others, and left poor information for the tech team in the store). The tech I spoke to yesterday was great though. Shame I didn’t speak to them in store on Tuesday as I may have got a replacement decision that day and been eligible for a refurbished model. Still, at least I get a new battery, keyboard and trackpad (the latter was functioning but not right after the logic board replacement last year).
I went in to an Apple Store and they tried to charge me something like $750 for a battery replacement until I pointed out that it should be cheaper just to replace the battery.
Does Apple replace that much (keyboard, trackpad etc) when changing just a battery? That is just shocking waste if true, no wonder battery replacements costs have gone up.
Did you get a replacement? I had a similar situation re business and baby but my guy wouldn't budge.
[doublepost=1501515433][/doublepost]Went in for my Genius Bar appointment this Saturday 7/29 morning for my MBP (Mid-2012 2.6G / 16GB / 750 GB SSD) that has a service battery notification. Made it Monday 7/24 after reading about this exchange program on reddit. Unfortunately I didn't think that Apple would be so fast on changing their policy and didn't have time to go in earlier in the week. I can confirm that they only offered a battery replacement, that it will be 30 to 45 days for it to come in and it will cost $199 at time of service.
After calmly making a point that I have would like to have it done sooner due to work travel schedules, he did not offer any solutions. Upon checkout he said he "just got an update" and he thinks I will get the part in the first week or two of August. Who knows. That was odd.
Obviously, like others have said it would have been great to get a new computer. But looking at a globally, I am happy to at least get a new battery before they phase out this model year. Clearly Apple looses money on the battery replacement as the parts and labor must add up to well over $199.
I've had battery issues for almost 2 years. Have gone in three times into the genius store during that same period only to be denied a battery replacement each time. I could not replicate the service battery notice while in store and they would say I need to not have as many apps open at once. As a web designer I find that answer hard to believe, I think they didn't want to replace it under AppleCare.
The last time I went in they said to update my operating system to Sierra which I did and only gained about five minutes, netting at best 25 minutes of battery life when off power.
When going in for the replacement, I will be asking for this replacement to be comped as I was having the same issues while covered under Apple Care. And thankfully I live in California where they have to achieve to consumer rules more for situations like this.
Ultimately I am happy that I am getting the battery replaced because (sadly) this mid-2012 MBP is not that much different from the MBP's today or arguably could be better with this brand new battery. Hopefully it will last another two years and Apple will include more advanced components in their next MBP…
I don't think it's a loss, but a breakeven at worst. I put the cost of the parts at probably 23-55$ all in. Labor for 1 hour is probably about 25$. even if these are off by 100% (which is highly unlikely) it's still less than 199$.
To let people know what happened to my situation. I went in on the 25th, started the replacement process. Apple took my CC info on the 27th. I revived my replacement machine today.
I had a base model 2012, but somehow received a 2016 Space Grey with 2.9GHz, RP 460 & a 2TB SSD (I only had 256MB before). This is a $4000 machine brand new!
Love Apple's Customer service!
I had a base model 2012, but somehow received a 2016 Space Grey with 2.9GHz, RP 460 & a 2TB SSD (I only had 256MB before). This is a $4000 machine brand new!
Love Apple's Customer service!