Apple to Charge $69 to Replace a Lost or Broken AirPod

[ksnell]

$69 x 3 is a lot more than $159...

Yeah but $69x2 is $138. What would keep two friends from going in, splitting the purchase of one pair, and then each going back claiming the other one was lost? Are these parts serialized?

Either way, that is a lot for a replacement, but who am I to judge. It would probably be smarter to just save the $69 for next year's model (likely with Bluetooth 5), and use the individual for calls/at your desk.

 

[critter13]

Total ******* ripoff.

Tim Cook is a joke. The sooner he is fired, the sooner they can get someone in there to save Apple.

How this incompetent has lasted this long is beyond belief.

got any intelligent options to propose?
[doublepost=1481824965][/doublepost]

Yeah but $69x2 is $138. What would keep two friends from going in, splitting the purchase of one pair, and then each going back claiming the other one was lost? Are these parts serialized?

Either way, that is a lot for a replacement, but who am I to judge. It would probably be smarter to just save the $69 for next year's model (likely with Bluetooth 5), and use the individual for calls/at your desk.

but you need to use the case... i think it would be hard to share a case dont you? most will need to be charged more than once a day if you are using them at work for example

 

[bibigon]

Total ******* ripoff.

Tim Cook is a joke. The sooner he is fired, the sooner they can get someone in there to save Apple.

How this incompetent has lasted this long is beyond belief.

The stock is up 117% since he took over. Don't hold your breath.

 

[Brookzy]

Yeah but $69x2 is $138. What would keep two friends from going in, splitting the purchase of one pair, and then each going back claiming the other one was lost? Are these parts serialized?

Either way, that is a lot for a replacement, but who am I to judge. It would probably be smarter to just save the $69 for next year's model (likely with Bluetooth 5), and use the individual for calls/at your desk.

The case is needed to charge them up! Otherwise you'll be sharing a charging case.

And yes they are serialised.

 

[ksnell]

got any intelligent options to propose?
[doublepost=1481824965][/doublepost]

but you need to use the case... i think it would be hard to share a case dont you? most will need to be charged more than once a day if you are using them at work for example

Lol don't mind me, good point.

EDIT: As for your other comment, would love to see Elon Musk there, but don't know if he would be interested. We are talking about Apple here so it is not like money would be an issue.

 

[critter13]

So, complete battery service is $147.

That’s only $12 less than a whole new kit.

And that’s some fresh BS. Indefensible.

I'm guessing if you have to have all 3 batteries serviced then its time to move on and by then there will probably be a new version that is more affordable?

 

[tech3475]

Perhaps you should read this:
http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

I know, which is why I also said good luck because outside of the usual warranty you have to prove more and there are potential loopholes e.g. Whether these things are expected to last up to six years.

Of course, if I end up being wrong in practice, thats great.

 

[dwnss]

Can we buy these in store yet?

 

[andy.ringwood]

Wow, seems like some sort of revenue enhancement scheme to me. Seems a little excessive to me, but then I think the price for them is a little too high

How? You'd pay for price for anything else, why should this be different?

 

[carletonguy]

None of these prices surprise me. Seems like normal Apple pricing, so if you're already buying a lot of Apple gear, this is a non-issue.

 

[applezulu]

Total ******* ripoff.

Tim Cook is a joke. The sooner he is fired, the sooner they can get someone in there to save Apple.

How this incompetent has lasted this long is beyond belief.

You signed up just to say that? What's the going rate per-post for trolling?

 

[Pupi]

I'm guessing if you have to have all 3 batteries serviced then its time to move on and by then there will probably be a new version that is more affordable?

I think the batteries will wear out fairly evenly, surely between the AirPods themselves, maybe a bit of a longer life in the larger battery for the charging case.

But still, full battery service for 92% of the cost of product is mind blowing for me.

Although, I think there’s a chance that in due time cost may come down.

 

[B2k1977]

This is what I think happens next. iPhone 8 drops. It will me "more awesomer" because it will come with "free" airpods but the base phone will cost $800 instead of $650 but hey, you get "free" airpods and people will slobber all over apple and wait in line for 10 miles to buy it.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Now, an event that happens all the time if you take the subway (people bumping into you), or run outside can cost you $69. LOL. Biggest joke of a product Apple has come out in a long time.

But oh wait I know what people will tell me "don't bump into people" or "move to Montana" or "just don't seek human contact"

No, just don't buy them if they don't fit your lifestyle. There are plenty of other corded BT earbuds if you fear non-corded ones popping out. Also these are not sports buds. They are not intended to be worn while running or being active.

$69 is not unreasonable for a lost bud. I have a pair of Shure 535s. I tripped hard on the sidewalk landed on my right ear. The right bud cracked -- also had to get stitches in that ear. The replacement bud was $80. I was just happy I didn't have to buy a whole new pair. These are not inexpensive buds.

The $49 battery fee is a bit steep, but it's Apple. Reality is, like any BT buds, these are meant to be disposable with a two year life expectancy. Just another reason to hate BT buds as a category.

 

[citysnaps]

Yeah but $69x2 is $138. What would keep two friends from going in, splitting the purchase of one pair, and then each going back claiming the other one was lost? Are these parts serialized?

Either way, that is a lot for a replacement, but who am I to judge. It would probably be smarter to just save the $69 for next year's model (likely with Bluetooth 5), and use the individual for calls/at your desk.

Do both friends want to charge them? Are you going to share the charger?

 

[applezulu]

For all the trolls and whiners on this thread, I have the perfect solution for you!

Use the earbuds that came with your phone! They're tied together and to your phone, so even with all the contact sports you seem to be playing on the subway, you're almost sure not to lose them! Also, there are no batteries to wear out and replace! Also, they were 'free' with your iPhone! Finally, even with all that, if you still manage to lose them, smash them, or your barber accidentally snips one loose, you can get them replaced for only $29!

Problem solved.

 

[Karma*Police]

So basically if you want a second pair of AirPods for yourself or a gift, just claim to Apple you lost them and you'll get a discount

It wouldn't make financial sense since for only $20 more, you'd get a brand new battery pack.

 

[Sylvan]

This actually seems pretty reasonable. I can't think of any other companies that would let you buy just one if you happen to lose it.

 

[Darryl.Jenks]

...that's the price to pay if you lose one...

Literally.

 

[iisdan]

Now, an event that happens all the time if you take the subway (people bumping into you), or run outside can cost you $69. LOL. Biggest joke of a product Apple has come out in a long time.

But oh wait I know what people will tell me "don't bump into people" or "move to Montana" or "just don't seek human contact"

The product isnt a joke, the price is. But thats the beauty of capitalism, the market decides what price they sell for. If nobody buys them, the price goes down. If enough people think its worth it, well then, they are worth that price.

 

[jclardy]

So basically if you want a second pair of AirPods for yourself or a gift, just claim to Apple you lost them and you'll get a discount

If you don't want a way to charge them...otherwise $69 * 3 = $207

 

[calzon65]

I can see it now, if you think Apple makes money selling dongles, look out, they will probably make a ton selling single AirPods for the ones people are defiantly going to loose.

 

[Workerbee Redux]

Wouldn't it be better if they had a form like a hearing aid so they are kept in place by the ear? Or something like a string between them?

 

[Peter K.]

For all the trolls and whiners on this thread, I have the perfect solution for you!

Use the earbuds that came with your phone! They're tied together and to your phone, so even with all the contact sports you seem to be playing on the subway, you're almost sure not to lose them! Also, there are no batteries to wear out and replace! Also, they were 'free' with your iPhone! Finally, even with all that, if you still manage to lose them, smash them, or your barber accidentally snips one loose, you can get them replaced for only $29!

Problem solved.

Awesome.

 

[kingtj]

For all the things Apple is doing wrong these days, these AirPods aren't really one of them I'm that concerned about.
If you want to talk about total ripoffs in audio, you might start with the ridiculous Beats product lineup. The fact Apple not only bought out that company but continued to sell Beats audio products on its shelves after that (alongside the regular Apple branded earbuds, no less) is much more an example of doing things wrong.

These EarPods aren't anything I'm willing to buy, but people spend this kind of money on headphones and earbuds all the time. They *do* represent one of the only devices supporting the proprietary enhancements to the Bluetooth standard that Apple built into the iPhone 7. So you're actually buying into that technology with them, vs. getting little but "branding" with Beats.

Total ******* ripoff.

Tim Cook is a joke. The sooner he is fired, the sooner they can get someone in there to save Apple.

How this incompetent has lasted this long is beyond belief.