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Apple replaced 2 week old new iPhone 5s with refurbished model
- Thread starter JackieAprile
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They did, in fact, tell the OP that it would be replaced with a refurb. He even signed a contract permitting such.
This debacle is entirely on the OP from his sense of entitlement, bad attitude, and impatience.
That's fair enough.
I am happy to be proven wrong on the first point. Though like I said, I cannot find confirmation of it anywhere.
While I agree that nobody has enough facts to conclusively say that an assembly worker caused a physical blemish on an iPhone, given the fact that there are a lot of posts here on MacRumors from people who received a brand-new iPhone (shipped to them directly from the assembly line in China) that came out of an undamaged product box with physical blemishes on it, I don't think it's unreasonable to come to that conclusion.
Here are quotes/links from Apple's online refurbished store where Apple states that they replace the shell (and battery) on all iPads and iPods (inc. iPod touch). IIRC, part of the reason this is done is because these devices get new serial numbers, which are printed on the back of the exterior shell.
iPad
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad
Or for the UK:
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad
iPod (including iPod touch)
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod
Or for the UK:
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod
Apple doesn't sell refurbished iPhones, so there's nothing on its website to quote/link to. My evidence comes from my training when I worked for Apple Retail.
Correct. Apple doesn't replace exterior shells on Macs.
Well thank you, that is what I wanted to know. Your the first person to have explained they actually worked for Apple and know how the process works. I stand corrected.
I understood why Ipads and ipods had to have thier cases replaced, due to the serial numbers.
Though as I stated with the Iphone, the SN live on the Sim Tray, hence replacement of the shell would be optional.
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I'm not sure when that changed, but there's no SN (IMEI for iPhones, but same difference) on my iPhone 5s tray. Maybe that changed back when iPhones went to nano-SIMs?
Yeah, they're tested to "the same basic technical guidelines" as factory new, which means the same tests that let the bad unit through in the first place
People often try to claim that refurbs are "better than new", to which I always wryly reply, "Then why does Apple charge so much less for them?"
If you REALLY believe that a used refurb is as good as new, then I have a deal for you: you buy an iPhone 6 new in the box and hold onto it until I can buy a refurb iPhone 6 for hundreds of dollars less.
Then we'll trade. You should be so happy getting something "as good as or even better", right?
Heh. Right.
Look, I buy Apple refurbs all the time, but only because they're cheaper, not because I think they're somehow better.
"in Fact"??
I must have missed the bit where the Rep told the OP they were getting a refurb when they bought in their phone.
I know you're getting at the fact it was written and the OP signed it but that's not the same as telling someone personally.
Sense of entitlement? They went to Apple because they were told they could.
Bad Attitude? They only got the hump because of the way Apple handled the situation. (very unlike Apple)
Impatience? Would you prefer to return something via post or in person?? I know which one i'd do.
I'm not saying Apple are in the wrong here but a simple clear bit of advice regarding the refurb would have been helpful.
HUH???Yeah, they're tested to "the same basic technical guidelines" as factory new, which means the same tests that let the bad unit through in the first place
People often try to claim that refurbs are "better than new", to which I always wryly reply, "Then why does Apple charge so much less for them?"
If you REALLY believe that a used refurb is as good as new, then I have a deal for you: you buy an iPhone 6 new in the box and hold onto it until I can buy a refurb iPhone 6 for hundreds of dollars less.
Then we'll trade. You should be so happy getting something "as good as or even better", right?
Heh. Right.
Look, I buy Apple refurbs all the time, but only because they're cheaper, not because I think they're somehow better.
So you're saying that if I went online or to an Apple store and asked them for a refurb 5s 64GB I would pay much less than a new 5s 64GB?
Or are you saying that there are current model iPhones in the Apple refurb store selling for less?
Or are you saying both?
I ask, because I've never heard of Apple selling current model refurbs either online or at an Apple store.
In the case of previous models the price drop is explainable because it's not current and it's not new either. But nether of those automatically suggest that is not as good as new.
Again, my own refurb iPhone 5 is better than the one I got on launch day.
Or were you referring to the refurbs that you get anyplace other than directly from Apple? Because, quite honestly, I don't know where those come from (I'm guessing not Apple) and I'm not incline to buy a refurb non-current model from any place other than Apple.
Yeah, they're tested to "the same basic technical guidelines" as factory new, which means the same tests that let the bad unit through in the first place
But all mass produced assembly lines, only a small select number in each run is tested for QA. Much too costly if every one is tested. This is why refurbs are considered safer since all units must pass QA procedures.
Apple once tried to pass off a 5s refurb to me as well; my phone was a couple days old. I ended up going home with it but then realized I was foolish to take a refurb for a week old phone. I simply brought the refurb back to them with the box and accessories for my original phone, and they processed a return/exchange for me.
I've not been back to CPW since they refuse to swap a phone a day after the 28 day warranty when the handset (Samsung GS2) developed a mic fault. I don't ever want to give them my custom again. This time around I've had nothing but good things to say about Apples customer service and thorough assistance when upgrading in store and leaving with a fully functioning device! Apple I'm sure would have been more lenient towards a fault.
That is the difference. You bought your phone directly from Apple and you were within the return period. Therefore, you could have returned or exchanged your phone for another one for any reason.
The OP bought his from a third party, therefore it does not fall under Apple's return policy.
Trust me, I have a much better job than you
That I would be willing to be is not a true statement. Then again I no longer need to work but still own the company.
Just don't be ashame and go out and get a job!
I feel like I've been too trusting of Apple. Every iPhone I've had I needed a replacement for one reason or the other and I will say however that I've had very good experiences with the Apple store and they handle my replacement request very easily. The problem is I have to go once or twice more before I can stop visiting. I've never had hardware issues such as scratches or dents but I have had a lot of software problems which required me to go in again.
Yes I will be happy to PM you. Im in the US our time zones are quite different.
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not sure, I'm in the US.
Where Apple says its refurbs are put in a new shell is BS. Ive had every iPhone since 2007, and every single replacement Ive ever got had scratches on the band and marks. The shell is not replaced. It was like this with my 2g, 3g, 3GS, especially the 4. Idk about the 4S, the 5 was awful, and the 5S is actually decent in terms of refurb quality.
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I'm pretty sure they do. I've had a replacement 3GS, 4 and two 5's and they've all been perfect cosmetically, and functionally. Maybe I was lucky on the function of the refurbs, but the 5's (which are infamous for the anodising being worn around the edges) were both perfect - just like buying it new.
For the second 5 that was replaced, it was earlier this year, so it was definitely a refurb.
Of course, the amount of replacements I've had to have don't paint a pretty picture, but I have to say my experience with refurbs have been great.
I have had to have my iPhone 4 and 5 replaced under warranty. Both of my replacements looked like they just came out of a new retail box. Had I not seen them take it out of the white box in front of me I would not have known the difference.