Other Apple Return/Exchange Policy when Apple Stores are CLOSED?

[doxielover]

I think if you purchased the silicon case along with the iPhone on a single order, you may have to return both in one tracking but I bevelive there is away, but you may have to ask apple.

Thanks one more question when I try to chat it now uses my message app and which option would I use to ask these questions? It comes up as business chat. Is this something new? It’s been a long time since I’ve used chat.

 

[Shadowbech]

Thanks one more question when I try to chat it now uses my message app and which option would I use to ask these questions? It comes up as business chat. Is this something new? It’s been a long time since I’ve used chat.

I'm not sure, I always used the chat system on my safari or by phone. I think you should be fine. Once they pull up your web order, they may realize it's not a business but still continue one with initiating it.

 

[DexBell]

I’ll take my chances if they don’t open before the 8th and if they don’t and absolutely refuse to return then I’ll just keep it. I’m not worried about it they’ve always been very accommodating at that store. I’ll contact chat and see what they say. I’m not going through the headache or worry mailing it back. In store return or I’ll just keep it.

I live in California too. Apple won’t be opening anytime soon. I don’t want to get too political here but you can expect this shutdown to last well into summer at least, possibly longer. I’m moving out of here ASAP. Should have left years ago.

 

[Shadowbech]

I live in California too. Apple won’t be opening anytime soon. I don’t want to get too political here but you can expect this shutdown to last well into summer at least, possibly longer. I’m moving out of here ASAP. Should have left years ago.

Yea I highly doubt that it will open anytime soon. It also depends on location and how bad it is. Apple store near me temporarily closed like 4 times already and just recently reopened on 12/17/2020 after the in-door gathering ban was in effect from 11/17 - 12/16. After they loosened up the order Apple Store reopened in my area and still opens. But of course that is subject to change at anytime depending on how bad it is.

 

[Renho]

You have till the 8th to initiate the return. You'll likely need to order another one. After they receive it in the mail it can take 5-8 business days (not counting weekends) for apple to process the return.

Well that’s ****ed up. I have to fork out another $1200. What a ****** situation

 

[Shadowbech]

Well that’s ****ed up. I have to fork out another $1200. What a ****** situation

Yea it does suck that you'd have to spend another $1200 for the time being, and wait for the refund on the return once Apple receives it. Have you phoned Apple? I read that in a different post in Macrumors about this guy phoning apple and that they are sending him a brand new phone while the iUP is untouched, but that poster had to send in his defect phone first and is without a phone. Maybe they could do something similar, but then, you'd be without a phone.

I'd prefer to spend another 1200 on the phone and return the other phone and get a refund.

Otherwise, you could check on 1/7/2021 and check https://www.apple.com/retail/ and search for your nearest Apple store and see if they will re-open on 1/8/2021.

 

[valinda]

I returned a iphone 12 pro recently through the mail. They have received it, just have to wait 5 days for the credit back.

 

[doxielover]

I have a feeling the CA Apple stores are not going to open again or at least till end of 2021 now they’ve pushed back temp closed through Jan 11 because increase of Covid.

 

[C DM]

I have a feeling the CA Apple stores are not going to open again or at least till end of 2021 now they’ve pushed back temp closed through Jan 11 because increase of Covid.

Pushing back at smaller intervals implies the stores won't open at all or won't be open until the end of the year?

 

[Shadowbech]

I have a feeling the CA Apple stores are not going to open again or at least till end of 2021 now they’ve pushed back temp closed through Jan 11 because increase of Covid.

Most Apple Stores usually shows 7 days in advance so tomorrow you'll see 1/12/2021 as closed and so forth. When Apple is ready to reopen the status will change.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I check my local Apple Store daily. My local store is currently closed through Jan 14th. I think Apple will be closed until the majority of people are vaccinated. This Pandemic got me thinking. Should Apple be closed through the Summer or even Fall, people might just return their phones and wait for iPhone 13. This Pandemic is allowing use of an iPhone 12 for free, because they can return their phones and upgrade to a 13 with no loss of value if these stores decide to reopen by the time iPhone 13 is released, this of course, depends how close the 14-day return policy (date stores reopen) is to the date the iPhone 13 can be pre-ordered.

 

[Shadowbech]

I check my local Apple Store daily. My local store is currently closed through Jan 14th. I think Apple will be closed until the majority of people are vaccinated. This Pandemic got me thinking. Should Apple be closed through the Summer or even Fall, people might just return their phones and wait for iPhone 13. This Pandemic is allowing use of an iPhone 12 for free, because they can return their phones and upgrade to a 13 with no loss of value if these stores decide to reopen by the time iPhone 13 is released, this of course, depends how close the 14-day return policy (date stores reopen) is to the date the iPhone 13 can be pre-ordered.

I'm sure it will open sooner than Summer or even Fall. I believe Apple does monitor COVID and if it appears to be bad then they will just close, or if there is a government imposed ban on gathering etc. Which happened to the apple store near me and they closed and reopened 4 times since the pandemic started.

That may be a good question, while they will allow 14 days after the store reopen but is there a fine print that says that after certain amount of days, that they won't allow it?? IDK.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I'm sure it will open sooner than Summer or even Fall. I believe Apple does monitor COVID and if it appears to be bad then they will just close, or if there is a government imposed ban on gathering etc. Which happened to the apple store near me and they closed and reopened 4 times since the pandemic started.

That may be a good question, while they will allow 14 days after the store reopen but is there a fine print that says that after certain amount of days, that they won't allow it?? IDK.

My receipt just says Jan. 8th. for last day returns. Apple Care and many here have verified that returns/exchanges are accepted 14 days the stores reopen which is why I check daily.

 

[doxielover]

My receipt just says Jan. 8th. for last day returns. Apple Care and many here have verified that returns/exchanges are accepted 14 days the stores reopen which is why I check daily.

I bought my pro max online with home delivery knowing I could return in store like I’ve done the last 8 yrs not by FedEx. I chatted with apple that my return is until the Jan 8th but all stores are closed in CA they said just keep the phone in very good condition until they reopen which I do anyway she didn’t think it would be a problem. I bought with apple gift cards so it shouldn’t be a problem getting another GC because it has to be used at Apple anyway.

 

[Hal~9000]

Well... since I don’t have any idea how long the Apple stores would be closed (months maybe?), I said screw it and simply sent the phone back to Apple via FedEx.

In order to make myself feel more secure from liability if the package somehow gets lost on its way to Apple, while in my car at the FedEx office location I made sure to take a single continuous video of:

• The phone working and being free of any scratches or damage.
• The phone being signed out of iCloud and erasing all content and settings.
• Putting the phone back in the iPhone box along with its other accessories.
• Putting the iPhone box back in the brown shipping box and sealing it via heavy duty tape.
• Putting the shipping label on the box and walking into the store to drop it off to the FedEx office person + the receipt they gave me.

Should be back at Apple by this Tuesday *fingers-crossed* 🤞

 

[Shadowbech]

Well... since I don’t have any idea how long the Apple stores would be closed (months maybe?), I said screw it and simply sent the phone back to Apple via FedEx.

In order to make myself feel more secure from liability if the package somehow gets lost on its way to Apple, while in my car at the FedEx office location I made sure to take a single continuous video of:

• The phone working and being free of any scratches or damage.
• The phone being signed out of iCloud and erasing all content and settings.
• Putting the phone back in the iPhone box along with its other accessories.
• Putting the iPhone box back in the brown shipping box and sealing it via heavy duty tape.
• Putting the shipping label on the box and walking into the store to drop it off to the FedEx office person + the receipt they gave me.

Should be back at Apple by this Tuesday *fingers-crossed* 🤞

lol. I never had to do this for the returns I made to apple. I didn't make any video's nor take any photos of me packaging. I simply boxed it up, drove to fedex, and dropped it off and simply requested a receipt in return, saved the tracking number on my Deliveries app. So far did not have any issues and all the returns I made in the past. *knock on wood.

 

[Hal~9000]

lol. I never had to do this for the returns I made to apple. I didn't make any video's nor take any photos of me packaging. I simply boxed it up, drove to fedex, and dropped it off and simply requested a receipt in return, saved the tracking number on my Deliveries app. So far did not have any issues and all the returns I made in the past. *knock on wood.

Glad to hear it’s worked out for you 🙂

I’ve had a few issues with FedEx in the past so I don’t mind taking a simple 3-minute video as proof to not have any issues or headaches getting my $1,300 refund back.

I also have a dash cam in my car for the same reason. Just makes things easier to have proof in case something happens.

 

[Shadowbech]

Glad to hear it’s worked out for you 🙂

I’ve had a few issues with FedEx in the past so I don’t mind taking a simple 3-minute video as proof to not have any issues or headaches getting my $1,300 refund back.

I also have a dash cam in my car for the same reason. Just makes things easier to have proof in case something happens.

Yea well for me, I prefer Fedex over UPS. UPS is a headache for me and I'm glad Apple isn't using UPS for return labels. At least where I am that is. 😉

 

[doxielover]

Yea well for me, I prefer Fedex over UPS. UPS is a headache for me and I'm glad Apple isn't using UPS for return labels. At least where I am that is.

It’s the opposite here with me in OC CA UPS is more reliable. I’m going to wait it out until they open to return my phone. Chat said they would as long as I kept it in good like new condition even though I bought online. I NEVER would have purchased online before Christmas if I had to return by mail. Apple stores were open when I bought it online then closed shortly after.

 

[Shadowbech]

It’s the opposite here with me in OC CA UPS is more reliable. I’m going to wait it out until they open to return my phone. Chat said they would as long as I kept it in good like new condition even though I bought online. I NEVER would have purchased online before Christmas if I had to return by mail. Apple stores were open when I bought it online then closed shortly after.

Yea I just hate UPS to death. But I'm glad they are using Fedex for return labels. When i order stuff I always hope for FEdex and always has been Fedex. I'm okay with UPS but i just don't like them. But then I don't have a choice that they use UPS for launch day devices. That's the only exception.

Just keep checking the store hours at your local area though. I'm sure they will reopen soon.

 

[doxielover]

Yea I just hate UPS to death. But I'm glad they are using Fedex for return labels. When i order stuff I always hope for FEdex and always has been Fedex. I'm okay with UPS but i just don't like them. But then I don't have a choice that they use UPS for launch day devices. That's the only exception.

Just keep checking the store hours at your local area though. I'm sure they will reopen soon.

I’m reading possibly April. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[MisterMillz]

I didn’t read all 150 responses, but I can confirm the apple store will accept your item for return within 14 days of the store re-opening; so long as your return date did not pass before the store closed—i.e. trying to return a phone on day 15 or 16. Also, if there are any nearby stores open for “Express pickup and genius services only” you can go there and return the item. No purchase or QR code required. I have encountered both experiences and the reps there confirmed those options.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I bought my pro max online with home delivery knowing I could return in store like I’ve done the last 8 yrs not by FedEx. I chatted with apple that my return is until the Jan 8th but all stores are closed in CA they said just keep the phone in very good condition until they reopen which I do anyway she didn’t think it would be a problem. I bought with apple gift cards so it shouldn’t be a problem getting another GC because it has to be used at Apple anyway.

New York Apple Stores in Manhattan are all OPEN. I'm flying to New York tomorrow for work 2/14/21. There's 2 Apple stores near my hotel. One at Upper East Side, the other on 5th. Ave. I'll go to one of the them to see if I can return the phone. This also depends on whether its snowing heavily. My receipt does say Jan. 8th. I've monitored stores in Southern California and still "CLOSED". Hopefully, they'll see that in their site and know the stores here have been closed prior to Jan.8th. I'll report back and let the thread know if it was a success.

 

[Shadowbech]

New York Apple Stores in Manhattan are all OPEN. I'm flying to New York tomorrow for work 2/14/21. There's 2 Apple stores near my hotel. One at Upper East Side, the other on 5th. Ave. I'll go to one of the them to see if I can return the phone. This also depends on whether its snowing heavily. My receipt does say Jan. 8th. I've monitored stores in Southern California and still "CLOSED". Hopefully, they'll see that in their site and know the stores here have been closed prior to Jan.8th. I'll report back and let the thread know if it was a success.

Good luck. Hope it goes well and a safe flight. I think if they try to give you an issue, you could just explain the situation and the Apple store is still closed where you live.

 

[doxielover]

New York Apple Stores in Manhattan are all OPEN. I'm flying to New York tomorrow for work 2/14/21. There's 2 Apple stores near my hotel. One at Upper East Side, the other on 5th. Ave. I'll go to one of the them to see if I can return the phone. This also depends on whether its snowing heavily. My receipt does say Jan. 8th. I've monitored stores in Southern California and still "CLOSED". Hopefully, they'll see that in their site and know the stores here have been closed prior to Jan.8th. I'll report back and let the thread know if it was a success.

Did you buy yours online or instore?