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Apple Reportedly Offering 15% Refunds to Purchasers of Troubled 27-Inch iMacs

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Apr 12, 2001
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As Apple struggles with flickering and yellow-tinting issues on the displays of its 27-inch iMac models, Gizmodo has been continuing to closely follow the situation and has learned that Apple has been offering refunds of 15% of the machine's purchase price to users experiencing repeated service issues with their machines. The news comes just days after Apple issued a second firmware update that appears to be taking care of the flickering issues for many users.

Yesterday, Gizmodo reported that it had received information from an Authorized Apple Service Provider in the UK that Apple is experiencing a shortage of replacement 27" LCD parts in Europe, with a backlog of over 230 machines waiting to be serviced. According to the report, Apple was apparently offering affected users the ability to return their machines for a full refund, as well as offering all affected users a refund of 15% of their purchase price.

A follow-up report today suggests that a similar program is in effect in the United States, with Apple apparently offering 15% refunds to users who have exchanged their iMacs multiple times in seeking to have the issues addressed.
15%. Cash. So on a $2000 machine, we're talking about a $300 apology straight from Apple customer support. From the handful of reader anecdotes we've received thus far, it sounds like you need to be a repeat iMac returner who's dealt with multiple 27-inch iMacs that have been busted in some way (but they may accommodate first time buyers as well, we don't know). One reader had multiple yellow screens, then received another new model with broken Bluetooth. He took the 15% and just returned it.
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Despite the apparent refund program in effect and Apple's efforts at addressing the flickering issues, the company has yet to publicly acknowledge the yellowing issue generating significant numbers of complaints from customers. The company has, however, reportedly published an internal service memo for its service providers alerting them to the issue and offering instructions on how to handle it.

Shipping lead times for new 27-inch iMac orders placed through Apple's U.S. online store remain at two weeks after improving from a three-week margin earlier this week.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Offering 15% Refunds to Purchasers of Troubled 27-Inch iMacs
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/02/04/apple-reportedly-offering-15-refunds-to-purchasers-of-troubled-27-inch-imacs/
pretty nice of apple to not only continue giving you a new computer, but $300 cash as well. They will get things sorted out quickly
 
A good gesture by Apple.

Here's to hoping the early adopters for the iPad don't go through this crap. :(
 
It seems like the problem is now getting so bad that they are having to initiate damage control measures. It looks like the 27" models were rushed out the door a little too fast.
 
While i have a flicker screen currently, I just so glad it doesn't have the yellowish screen problem. I was considering sending mine back before this and this news brings me closer to the decision, but I have to say that it doesn't happen that often yet for me to put forth all the effort of removing from my system integration, boxing it up, and then the downtime of waiting for a replacement that might or might not have the yellowish screen problem that I don't have now. I've got 3 years on AppleCare and I'll wait to see if anything worse happens.
 
It's a shame my screen has no problems...I wouldn't mind getting 15% back :p
 
Some vendor will be losing bundles of money. If the issue is large enough to cause customer returns, big computer makers often charge repair costs to the responsible vendor. Somebody is gonna have an awful Chinese New Year.
 
Take that Microsoft and Dell.

Dell; You need to call Microsoft is a softwore problem,
Microsoft: you need to call dell is Hardware problem

Thats why I love Mac
 
They're going over and above in California

All Apple is required to do under the Lemon Law in California is offer a full refund, or offer a replacement. Although I'm no lawyer, I don't know of any requirement to offer a 15% refund on top of that.

If that is in fact what is happening, Apple is doing something I've never seen any other company do. Most companies in California don't abide by the requirements of the Lemon Law (that is, they don't OFFER a refund, they wait until the customer complains or sues), and it's amazing to see Apple go beyond.

This isn't the first time Apple has had manufacturing defects or problems, and I'm sure it won't be the last. You can't manufacture a perfect product. Apple must realize that this time, people have really been inconvenienced.

It would be great if all companies acted like this!
 
That's nice of Apple. It would have been even nicer if they had acted similarly when my MacBook Pro died on me due to the well known nvidia issue, and Apple did not do anything, even though Apple extended the MBP warranty to 3 years for this issue....
 
macsimcon said:
All Apple is required to do under the Lemon Law in California is offer a full refund, or offer a replacement. Although I'm no lawyer, I don't know of any requirement to offer a 15% refund on top of that.

If that is in fact what is happening, Apple is doing something I've never seen any other company do. Most companies in California don't abide by the requirements of the Lemon Law (that is, they don't OFFER a refund, they wait until the customer complains or sues), and it's amazing to see Apple go beyond.

This isn't the first time Apple has had manufacturing defects or problems, and I'm sure it won't be the last. You can't manufacture a perfect product. Apple must realize that this time, people have really been inconvenienced.

It would be great if all companies acted like this!
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They are not nice. 15% is damage control. The issue must be one hard and expensive to solve. I venture they are trying to minimize a class action suit and further bad press.
 
Dang

My 27" iMac has never had any problems... bummer, too, because $300 could've bought that Apple TV I've been fiddling with the idea of getting! :)
 
The 15% refund is a very nice gesture by Apple. Good damage control. People are getting very frustrated and they needed to do something.
 
As they should. Neglecting their faithful desktop users while focussing on flat panel touchy thingy...SHame on them. I say it should be +30%.
 
When I hear about a 15% refund I read it as a 85% restocking fee. We will give you 15% of your money back if want to return your iMac because of the problems you get.

I am sure it is 15% of your purchase price plus they will fix the iMac and you keep it.
 
I have a 27" with the yellow screen problem. I have an open case with Apple. i wanted to go on record with the problem. If i ask, will they replace it? How does the replacement work? Will they send me a new machine, then I send mine back?
Thanks.
 
The damage has already been done, it seems.

Glad folks are getting some compensation for their troubles.

I bet there are a lot of people who settled for a slightly yellow screen and are now considering a refund. I was told by a CSR that due to the nature of the widespread problems, you can get a FULL REFUND beyond the 14 days without incurring a restock fee.

Let's see what 3 weeks will do. Supposedly, the new screens will be available by then. Wait for reports.
 
i wonder if quality control slipped

mrochester said:
It seems like the problem is now getting so bad that they are having to initiate damage control measures. It looks like the 27" models were rushed out the door a little too fast.
Click to expand...

Got to wonder if it was a rush or that quality control at apple has gone down as they have gone up. I also worry about 1st gen ipad could it also come out with problems because of quality control. :(
 
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