Apple Offers Extended Return Period Due to Store Closures, Will Accept Returns Two Weeks After Stores Reopen

[MacRumors]

Apple on Friday shut down all of its retail stores outside of greater China for a two week period in an effort to cut down on the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States and other countries.

Following the store closures, Apple has published an FAQ that answers key questions customers might have about repairs and returns.

When it comes to returns, Apple says that it will accept returns for up to 14 days after its stores reopen, giving customers who need to return a product or an accessory a grace period while the stores are shut down.

Q: I want to return a product I recently purchased but the 14-day return period will end before March 28--what should I do?

A: Don't worry. We'll accept your return up to 14 days after we reopen.

The return policy excludes contracted iPhones in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia and carrier-financed devices in the United States.

As for repairs, Apple says that it is working to complete all repairs and that if a device is awaiting parts or is ready for pickup, an Apple employee will be in touch. Apple Stores have kept some staff available for customers to pick up devices on March 15 or 16 between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Devices ordered for in-store pickup prior to when stores closed can also be picked up between March 15 and 16.

For repairs that are not already in progress, Apple directs customers to its online support staff who will be able to assist customers with mail-in repairs while Apple retail stores are closed.

Apple says that Genius Bar appointments will not be accepted until Apple Stores are reopened on March 28, which is when Apple plans to open stores once again. At this time, it is not clear if that date will be pushed back.

More info can be found in the full FAQ on Apple's website.

Article Link: Apple Offers Extended Return Period Due to Store Closures, Will Accept Returns Two Weeks After Stores Reopen

 

[citysnaps]

Good move by Apple! I'm def buying the new Powerbeats on Wednesday. Hopefully they'll fit fine. If not, I can easily return them later on.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I was wondering about this---good idea.

 

[nutmac]

Maybe Apple should do the same with warranty? I realize one can always use traditional mail-in warranty service, but Apple Genius is far more convenient for those living near Apple Store.

 

[SteveJUAE]

This only applies to the countries where they give a 14 day return period in the first instance

Many are not so lucky

 

[titans1127]

Very smart idea that I'm sure we all expected. Thankfully I was able to return a sealed refurb MBP that I was having issues getting a return label to my local store with zero issues. I was in and out in 5 minutes.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Will the retail locations open up again? They are mostly located in malls. Most malls were in financial trouble before the virus. If the malls go four months without traffic, I doubt they will be around.

 

[california_kid]

LOL, I thought Apple gives a 30 day return like most retailers. Had no idea it was only 14.

 

[FightTheFuture]

LOL, I thought Apple gives a 30 day return like most retailers. Had no idea it was only 14.

Retailers have different return windows and policies for certain products. Drones are a good example of this. It keeps customers from treating retailers like libraries.

 

[44267547]

Will the retail locations open up again? They are mostly located in malls. Most malls were in financial trouble before the virus. If the malls go four months without traffic, I doubt they will be around.

The difference being, malls are open, Apple stores are temporary closed. I have three Apple stores in my region, but the mall associated with one of the Apple stores is open to the general public for any other shopping needs.

There’s quite a few Apple stores that are not associated with malls either. It really depends on where you live and how large demographic your city has.

 

[Tivoli_]

I am tired of this corona virus hysteria. Almost all the articles here is virus this and virus that. I'll stop checking MacRumors website for a few months until things go back to normal!

 

[unobtainium]

I am tired of this corona virus hysteria. Almost all the articles here is virus this and virus that. I'll stop checking MacRumors website for a few months until things go back to normal!

Poor you. So sad.

 

[jpn]

if the product was purchased through apple's web store, does this new policy allow a return to be made two weeks after apple's physical stores open?
or, did the product need to have been originally purchased at a physical store to use this new policy?

 

[TiggrToo]

I am tired of this corona virus hysteria. Almost all the articles here is virus this and virus that. I'll stop checking MacRumors website for a few months until things go back to normal!

Good grief - MR can't even post a positive message without upsetting some folk...
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if the product was purchased through apple's web store, does this new policy allow a return to be made two weeks after apple's physical stores open?
or, did the product need to have been originally purchased at a physical store to use this new policy?

My guess is yes based upon the FAQ

 

[RalfTheDog]

The difference being, malls are open, Apple stores are temporary closed. I have three Apple stores in my region, but the mall associated with one of the Apple stores is open to the general public for any other shopping needs.

There’s quite a few Apple stores that are not associated with malls either. It really depends on where you live and how large demographic your city has.

The malls are open today. How about five days from now? How about five months?

 

[imnotthewalrus]

I am tired of this corona virus hysteria. Almost all the articles here is virus this and virus that. I'll stop checking MacRumors website for a few months until things go back to normal!

byeeeeeee

 

[Tech198]

The FAQ is good.

The problem everyone falls into is, we all stage this on a 2 week basis.. How do we even now people will not just reinfected from an "unknown" person when they get back to work ? There probably would be more cases of "unknown" people out there than actually "known" cases right?

 

[MaskedCarrot]

I ordered a Mac Mini on Apple's webpage on 4/9, and it got delivered on 4/15. I am out of my 14 day return window, but I am thinking I might want to have the i7 version instead of the i5 version.

But before I go ahead and order an i7 version, I wanted to make sure I could still return my i5 version to the store when they open even though I am past my original 14 day window with Apple's extended return window.

I did an online chat with Apple, and he did say it would apply to me, but then he adds in the "Better to wait until you return it before you order a new one just in case". So he said I can return it, then backtracks. hehe. Sounds like he wasn't too sure of himself.

So does it sound like I'd be fine to return my i5 whenever the stores end up opening? I don't want to be stuck with an extra MAC I don't need.

 

[titans1127]

I ordered a Mac Mini on Apple's webpage on 4/9, and it got delivered on 4/15. I am out of my 14 day return window, but I am thinking I might want to have the i7 version instead of the i5 version.

But before I go ahead and order an i7 version, I wanted to make sure I could still return my i5 version to the store when they open even though I am past my original 14 day window with Apple's extended return window.

I did an online chat with Apple, and he did say it would apply to me, but then he adds in the "Better to wait until you return it before you order a new one just in case". So he said I can return it, then backtracks. hehe. Sounds like he wasn't too sure of himself.

So does it sound like I'd be fine to return my i5 whenever the stores end up opening? I don't want to be stuck with an extra MAC I don't need.

I kinda had the same thing just happen to me. I was told multiple times in late March that I would have no issues returning a MBP I ordered online right as the stores shut down. I tried to return via mail but myself nor any specialist I chatted with could generate the return label for me to print. So I was told that I could return in store once they re-open. It looks like my local stores are allowing shoppers to come in now vs being curbside pickup only, I chatted with a specialist just to confirm if that was true and if I will be able to return the laptop, I gave the guy order number and he told me that I was misinformed and that my return period ended in April. Would not back down at all for me despite having proof that I was given different info. All he could do is refer me to call customer service and speak to a manager to explain the situation. I was honestly expecting this to be handled a bit better considering the circumstances.