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Apple Extends Free Repairs of Anti-Reflective Coating on Select MacBook and MacBook Pro Models
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Hey, I bought a 2015 model-brand new- in early 2017. What are the chances of this happening to me?
according to the article support will end in 2020 which is in 3 years which is the same time this issue might start to appear?! I don't have $2600 every 3 years for a new laptop.
according to the article support will end in 2020 which is in 3 years which is the same time this issue might start to appear?! I don't have $2600 every 3 years for a new laptop.
A couple of months ago while cleaning my screen on my late 2013 13 inch MacBook Pro caused the Anti-Reflective Coating to come loose and show stains. I thought it was my mistake so I will really mad at myself and accepted the fact that I did it myself.
Today I was reading a news site and came across an article that let me to https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/17/apple-extends-free-staingate-repairs/. I could not believe that the Anti-Reflective Coating stains wasn't caused by me but has been product defect for quite some time. Apparently there has always been a repair program but I did not know about.
As this was the first time I found out about it I directly contacted Apple support to see if I would be able to get my screen repaired. After talking to the first advisor he said it wasn't possible as the warranty only covered 3 years after purchase. I told him about the article and he consulted a Senior Advisor which I eventually end up with on the phone.
He indicated that the warranty was extended to 4 years from purchase date.
I bought my MBP Pro on October 23, 2013 so calling them today meant that I was 26 days too late to get a repair and no exception could be made.
26 days too late... for damage that I always thought was my own fault.
Very disappointing in this experience as how could I have know there was a repair opportunity for a product defect as apple did not communicate this to me personally or I wasn't triggered to find out as I thought it was my own fault.
Now I have a screen with stains and no chance of a repair which basically sucks.
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I pushed the advisor to talk to a senior advisor who actually confirmed that it was 4 years now. I would call again.
Today I was reading a news site and came across an article that let me to https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/17/apple-extends-free-staingate-repairs/. I could not believe that the Anti-Reflective Coating stains wasn't caused by me but has been product defect for quite some time. Apparently there has always been a repair program but I did not know about.
As this was the first time I found out about it I directly contacted Apple support to see if I would be able to get my screen repaired. After talking to the first advisor he said it wasn't possible as the warranty only covered 3 years after purchase. I told him about the article and he consulted a Senior Advisor which I eventually end up with on the phone.
He indicated that the warranty was extended to 4 years from purchase date.
I bought my MBP Pro on October 23, 2013 so calling them today meant that I was 26 days too late to get a repair and no exception could be made.
26 days too late... for damage that I always thought was my own fault.
Very disappointing in this experience as how could I have know there was a repair opportunity for a product defect as apple did not communicate this to me personally or I wasn't triggered to find out as I thought it was my own fault.
Now I have a screen with stains and no chance of a repair which basically sucks.
[doublepost=1511012116][/doublepost]
I pushed the advisor to talk to a senior advisor who actually confirmed that it was 4 years now. I would call again.
Thank you Joe. I'm glad MacRumors have such a concerned editor.
Your work and your words have a huge value for us.
Yes, that sucks. You have my condolences.
Reading your post got me worried that I might not make the cut, either. Apple doesn't make it easy to look up the purchase/registered date (unless I'm missing it somewhere), and I didn't keep my receipt in a handy place to pull it up. So I had to do some searching through my tax records (came up empty - I guess I never took it as a deduction for my side business) and then search through my emails and forum posts. Finally found it. Looks like I made the purchase online from Best Buy (using some AmEx rewards points) on 12/4/2013. I'll take some time this weekend to backup my files and then schedule a Genius Bar appointment and will report back on how it goes.
Well hot damn. How "bad" does this issue have to be? Only involve the outer edges? I've got a Mid-2014 MBP 15", with the biggest issue being a dead pixel and more smudges and other imperfections on the main screen itself rather than the edges. I'd really like to get the screen fixed/replaced before the deadline.
Just thought of another thing that has me worried...I never purchased AppleCare for my 2013 MacBook. As I mentioned in my last post, I purchased my MBP on 12/4/2013. Does this extended coverage on the screen only apply if you had AppleCare coverage?
That is unfortunate. It's exactly why I feel this information should be shared publicly here:
https://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/
But it's not, so I try to relay information from Apple's internal documents as best as I can.
My advice to anyone being told the program doesn't exist or has ended is to go to an Apple Store preferably with a Genius Bar appointment scheduled in advance, go to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or request escalation to a Senior Advisor by phone.
I just got mine shipped to the Authorised Service Provider. I wrote "defective anti-reflective display coating" on the shipping box. And also wrote my email and phone. 2 Days later I got an email - they were asking for my permission to do the service. And the keyword they used to describe the situation in their documentation was "via program". A couple of more days later I got it back with brand new display. No one asked me any other questions. So my advice is to just go for it guys.
Does Apple replace just the screen or the entire top "lid" of the MBP?
Do I get to keep my stickers or not?
Do I get to keep my stickers or not?
I must have been real fortunate with my Early 2013 15” MacBook Pro. No battery issues; no screen issues. Nothing.
Thanks for the reply. Bit sad - but now have room for new stickers !
I just got off the phone with a senior account rep and they said the replacement is only good for three years and they don't have anything on the computer about the program being extended. I'm going to make an appointment at the apple store and see what they say. The area on my screen that is coming off is right above the trackpad between the keyboard.
Same what they told me on the phone ... let's hope it just needs a few days til it shows up in their systems ...
So lets get this straight. The issue has existed since 2012 yet Apple have continued to release a sub standard product over a span of Five Years.
Speaks volumes of Tim Cook's Apple. Steve Jobs would never have tolerated such poor standards of workmanship as he took pride in the Mac range.
Pity those who have 2012 models that are affected. A Mac that costs in excess of £1500 should be expected to be fully functional well after Five Years.
The problem with modern Apple is they are more interested in iPhones and iPads than producing High Quality Macs.
Speaks volumes of Tim Cook's Apple. Steve Jobs would never have tolerated such poor standards of workmanship as he took pride in the Mac range.
Pity those who have 2012 models that are affected. A Mac that costs in excess of £1500 should be expected to be fully functional well after Five Years.
The problem with modern Apple is they are more interested in iPhones and iPads than producing High Quality Macs.
This brings up memories of my experience with this issue - in fact I was one of the ones who got my screen replaced for free before the official programme started due to my research world-wide regarding this issue. In the end the screen was replaced at no cost then 6 months later it started again, and then I politely demanded my whole computer be replaced with the latest model at no additional cost to me - they agreed.
Now over a year on the programme is extended again which indicates to me the issue has still not been resolved. Makes me really wonder why this fault is still ongoing around the world.
Now over a year on the programme is extended again which indicates to me the issue has still not been resolved. Makes me really wonder why this fault is still ongoing around the world.
Good news: they seem to do the replacement without any fuss. Had it done on a 13" MBP, and it was quick and well done. No question asked.
Bad news: newer versions still have the issue.
I find it concerning that even after the issue is well known and documented, the recent re-designs of MBs and MBPs do not alleviate the issue. I am also using an MBA which has a very, very thin keyboard mark on the screen after much more use than the above 13" MBP, so maybe Apple considers this replacement program is a fair price to pay for ever thinner laptops. Too bad. I would rather buy a more robust design. But, if they offer replacement for a nice period, I still feel fine, and appreciate the service.
Bad news: newer versions still have the issue.
I find it concerning that even after the issue is well known and documented, the recent re-designs of MBs and MBPs do not alleviate the issue. I am also using an MBA which has a very, very thin keyboard mark on the screen after much more use than the above 13" MBP, so maybe Apple considers this replacement program is a fair price to pay for ever thinner laptops. Too bad. I would rather buy a more robust design. But, if they offer replacement for a nice period, I still feel fine, and appreciate the service.
I can still get brand new parts from the dealer for a 25 year old Benz............
can't wait till they repair the USB-C problem, you know, the one type of port so I don't need dongles!
I fully agree. The screen of my early 2015 macbook pro was recently replaced (at no cost). So far so good, but I was really surprised te hear the Apple Store employee say that the problem can very well occur again with the replaced screen. So they have not solved the issues, but instead of doing that they will continue to replace screens with the, by now, well known issues. Very disappointing, especially since macbook pro's are a serious investment for most people and people expect high quality standards in return...
My friend had the same thing. Only keyboard marks were there. He took it to an Apple authorised store. They quoted the issue as 'Anti reflective coating on the job sheet' and replaced the display for free. They didn't ask any questions either
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My friend had the same thing. Only keyboard marks were there. He took it to an Apple authorised store. They quoted the issue as 'Anti reflective coating on the job sheet' and replaced the display for free. They didn't ask any questions either
In mid-October, I brought my 2012 MBPr in for the battery/power system issue and the genius noticed that the screen was degrading. He had a long chat with his Mgr and said that they would give me a new display (I didn’t ask for it). They didn’t have the power sys part so I kept the computer until it came in so that they could do both repairs at once. Now this news hits specifically stating that 2012 models aren’t covered.
If I had left it in October I would have gotten a free display. Now I suspect they’ll want to charge me in which case I won’t do it. It’s still perfectly usable and I doubt the repair cost will go up if I choose to do it in a year.
If I had left it in October I would have gotten a free display. Now I suspect they’ll want to charge me in which case I won’t do it. It’s still perfectly usable and I doubt the repair cost will go up if I choose to do it in a year.