Apple Informs Some Customers About Delayed Repairs Due to Hurricane Harvey

[MacRumors]

Apple appears to have informed some customers that its repair center in Houston, Texas is unsurprisingly closed due to Hurricane Harvey, which has caused catastrophic flooding and damage in the area since making landfall five days ago.

In a discussion on Reddit, one user said his Mac has been sitting at a FedEx shipping facility since Friday. FedEx, UPS, and the United States Postal Service have temporarily halted service in many areas of coastal Texas and western Louisiana.

Another user from Austin, Texas said he visited an Apple retail store and learned that Apple has supposedly been calling customers with repairs routed through Houston to inform them about the possible delays.

Apple appears to be diverting at least some new repairs to its other repair facilities elsewhere in the United States.

Apple's retail stores in the Houston area are also unsurprisingly closed, including its Highland Village, Houston Galleria, Memorial City, Willowbrook Mall, Baybrook, The Woodlands, and First Colony Mall locations.

In related news, accessory maker Twelve South said it will be donating 12 percent of all sales from Wednesday, August 30 through Monday, September 4 to the American Red Cross, in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

Harvey made another landfall in western Louisiana on early Wednesday as a tropical storm. Heavy rains continue to be expected along the Texas-Louisiana coast as the storm makes its way farther inland and eventually dissipates.

Article Link: Apple Informs Some Customers About Delayed Repairs Due to Hurricane Harvey

 

[avanpelt]

As someone who just had a repair completed on my MBP at the Houston depot within the past month, I feel for those who are waiting for their computers; and also for the people in the Houston area, many of whom are going through hell on Earth right now.

That depot was amazingly quick on the turnaround time. Brought the computer into an Apple Store on Wednesday night after FedEx had already picked up for the day; so the computer shipped out to Houston on Thursday. It was delivered to my home on Saturday morning.

 

[man3ster]

Well thats just great, I need my iPhone back today. What am I going to do without my Angry Birds and Carpool Karaoke D:

 

[beanbaguk]

It must be terrible having to wait a few more days for your repaired phone. I suggest diverting rescue efforts and resources to those affected so users can be reunited with their Apple devices once more. Tragedy must be averted at all costs!

 

[Greenlee]

I like Twelve South, but going with the Red Cross?

 

[ArneK]

How could they not have thought of that a couple of days earlier? What is this Mickey Mouse country ever getting done properly?

 

[jmkinny]

I brought a Mac to the Apple Store yesterday and he did let me know that it would take a few extra days. I am totally fine with that, as it wasn't my Mac, but one of my end users (I'm a Mac tech).

I hope that everyone in the Houston area is ok and they make a quick recovery from this horrible time. I remember going through something similar with family and friends from NJ with hurricane Sandy.

 

[HammerofTruth]

Well thats just great, I need my iPhone back today. What am I going to do without my Angry Birds and Carpool Karaoke D:

Phones don't go to Houston. They either go to Austin or Elk Grove, Ca. The facility that Apple uses in Houston only repairs Macs for Apple. They also repair PlayStations, Xboxes and other PC manufacturers products.
[doublepost=1504110799][/doublepost]

How could they not have thought of that a couple of days earlier? What is this Mickey Mouse country ever getting done properly?

Well first of all they weren't sure how bad the storm was going to be. Second, not all Mac repairs go to Houston, some go to Memphis and you won't know until the repair actually is created, so when you call Applecare or go into a store, they don't know where it goes specifically.

As far as the Mickey Mouse comment goes, what country are you from? Goofy?

 

[macTW]

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

 

[britboyj]

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

Back when the iPad 2 came out, supplies were limited due to a component disruption from Japan. One of the factories involved was located in the region impacted by the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima plant meltdown. People used to get SO pissed that a natural and humanitarian disaster was preventing them from getting THEIR iPad.

 

[5105973]

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

It can be very disruptive and difficult for people to be without their computers but there are people there who have lost everything. One little girl was found clinging to her dead mother. I know someone down there who is trapped in his house. He didn't say much about it to anyone other than he and his wife are alive and well, considering. I don't know if he has water inside his house or just around it, he didn't say. The message was very brief. He has had to conserve battery so it's not like he can hold conversations about what's going on.

It's fun to come to this forum and talk about tech rumors but I appreciate the moment to acknowledge there's suffering going on and I hope our fellow MR members in the affected areas are staying safe. Our thoughts, well wishes, prayers and practical support are with them.

 

[justperry]

Meanwhile... on the other side of this globe

http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/29/as-st...es-floods-are-devastating-south-asia-6887164/

It's a disaster much bigger than what happens in the states now yet we don't hear much about it.

Don't get me wrong, nobody should be in this situation, sad thing is, not all places are safe to live.


Don't think many will complain about delays, but then again, there are stupid people everywhere.

 

[md2433]

How could they not have thought of that a couple of days earlier? What is this Mickey Mouse country ever getting done properly?

You could just leave
[doublepost=1504120580][/doublepost]You could leave

 

[akadafni]

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

Agreed. I used to work for a cable company and we had a hurricane

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

I used to work for a cable company retail location. Our area had been affected by a Cat 1 hurricane. Some people including myself were without electricity for 2 full weeks. Customers would come to our location complaining about not having cable service. When asking if they had electricity they would answer no. Nothing we can do if you don't have power.

 

[AlexH]

Understandable under the circumstances. Safety and saving lives comes first.

 

[xbjllb]

Looks like Texas state tax breaks came at a horrific cost. Repair center there? Seriously?

Wasn't there an active volcano flank somewhere that would have been even cheaper?

 

[beanbaguk]

Phones don't go to Houston. They either go to Austin or Elk Grove, Ca. The facility that Apple uses in Houston only repairs Macs for Apple. They also repair PlayStations, Xboxes and other PC manufacturers products.
[doublepost=1504110799][/doublepost]
Well first of all they weren't sure how bad the storm was going to be. Second, not all Mac repairs go to Houston, some go to Memphis and you won't know until the repair actually is created, so when you call Applecare or go into a store, they don't know where it goes specifically.

As far as the Mickey Mouse comment goes, what country are you from? Goofy?

Somebody didn't get this......

 

[VGC5051]

Phones don't go to Houston. They either go to Austin or Elk Grove, Ca. The facility that Apple uses in Houston only repairs Macs for Apple. They also repair PlayStations, Xboxes and other PC manufacturers products.
[doublepost=1504110799][/doublepost]
Well first of all they weren't sure how bad the storm was going to be. Second, not all Mac repairs go to Houston, some go to Memphis and you won't know until the repair actually is created, so when you call Applecare or go into a store, they don't know where it goes specifically.

As far as the Mickey Mouse comment goes, what country are you from? Goofy?

[doublepost=1504224460][/doublepost]My only problem with this is my MacBook was sent there Monday night 5;30 pm from Chicago. Why would you even take anything at that point everything was shut down. Why weren't already re-routing?

 

[ArneK]

[doublepost=1504224460][/doublepost]My only problem with this is my MacBook was sent there Monday night 5;30 pm from Chicago. Why would you even take anything at that point everything was shut down. Why weren't already re-routing?

That was actually my point as well. I feel with those in need in Texas but I can’t understand how a company like Apple can’t plan ahead more than a couple of days in advance apparently. They have the resources to get it repaired somewhere else. Why would someone think it’s a good idea to send expensive water-sensitive goods to a place with a storm and flooding coming in?

PS: i did enjoy the goofy comment. I’m however more from a Scrooge McDuck country

 

[VGC5051]

I absolutely care about those in the hurricane I have good friends who lost everything. That horrific. But this past Monday at 5:30 pm when the took my computer in Chicago and shipped it down there it was already a disaster. No I didn't lose everything but I have an employee with no computer I have to pay regardless if she has the tools to do her job and I can't afford to spring for a 2nd MacBook for her if this goes on another week or two. Definitely not the same as losing your home and possessions. But why was anyone sending anything to Houston on Monday night??

That was actually my point as well. I feel with those in need in Texas but I can’t understand how a company like Apple can’t plan ahead more than a couple of days in advance apparently. They have the resources to get it repaired somewhere else. Why would someone think it’s a good idea to send expensive water-sensitive goods to a place with a storm and flooding coming in?

PS: i did enjoy the goofy comment. I’m however more from a Scrooge McDuck country

luyely
[doublepost=1504266657][/doublepost]

Anybody upset with this delay doesn't deserve their repair.

I'd say that's a blanket statement. If 3 weeks goes by when they shipped my stuff down in the middle of a hurricane I can be annoyed by that. There were other options. I'm glad it wasn't my main work computer and since I own my own business without our tools we can't operate and I have people who depend on that.