Apple watch repair insanity

[Cansalt]

My perfectly functional and well used series 4 apple watch has a weak battery. I was hoping to painlessly send it to apple for a new battery. The watch was mailed in. The message back from apple is that the speaker ports and microphone ports have debris in them. The only option is that they do nothing and send the watch back with the semi dead battery or I pay $460 for a “complete“ repair. This a insanity. Basically apple can just arbitrarily reject a repair on whim, wasting my time and seriously aggravating a loyal apple user. I guess the watch is just disposable 😕

Basically your watch has to be in perfect condition or you will be completely denied any repair. Infuriatin. Now i have to investigate shady third party options.

 

[Howard2k]

They don't replace the battery in the watch, they send you a refurbished watch and then they recycle your old one. You're (indirectly) asking them to replace your busted watch with a refurb.

I agree, it's a crappy situation, but at the same time, you can also come away with a "new" watch for $79 if you take care of your current one. You win some you lose some.

 

[Cansalt]

They could replace the battery but have chosen to implement a ridiculous policy of “if your watch is in perfect condition“ we will replace it, otherwise you can pound sand. Imagine if in order to have your car motor fixed by the dealer all dings and scratches would have to be fixed also, Or they refuse to fix it, your other option is to pay full price for a 4 year old model. Insane

 

[Howard2k]

They could replace the battery but have chosen to implement a ridiculous policy of “if your watch is in perfect condition“ we will replace it, otherwise you can pound sand. Imagine if in order to have your car motor fixed by the dealer all dings and scratches would have to be fixed also, Or they refuse to fix it, your other option is to pay full price for a 4 year old model. Insane

I’ve never used the battery replacement service but I haven’t heard that the Watch needs to be perfect, just free of significant damage. Similar to phones too AFAIK. If your phone has a smashed screen Apple won’t replace the battery until the screen is fixed. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but there are limits. Apple would be able to clarify though.

 

[Cansalt]

Just to clarify, apple sent me pictures of my microphone port, which is microscopic and showed that there was dust and dirt in it. Not completely clogging it. everything functions. Microphone works, speakers work. Apple tech claimed that dirty ports = hardware / case damage. Repair denied. Super ridiculous - hence my frustration. There is no actual damage to the hardware, short of light cosmetic scratches. I’m a carpenter by trade, so yes i work with dust and dirt.

 

[Howard2k]

Just to clarify, apple sent me pictures of my microphone port, which is microscopic and showed that there was dust and dirt in it. Not completely clogging it. everything functions. Microphone works, speakers work. Apple tech claimed that dirty ports = hardware / case damage. Repair denied. Super ridiculous - hence my frustration. There is no actual damage to the hardware, short of light cosmetic scratches. I’m a carpenter by trade, so yes i work with dust and dirt.

Could you blow it out with compressed air?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I wonder if you could override their decision if you have AC+?