wow. seems like apple could lose a lot of money with this program. but i know they have a lot of confidence in their batteries
but what if the battery shorts out? I have that occur on several computer devices and the shorted battery prevented the device from starting. Removing the battery fixed that of course but you are talking non removeable batteries here.
also they imply that if you hacked or jailbroke the device and they found out then the exchange program is voided.
1) What if you send in a scuffed up iPad expecting to get a new one for $99, but they refuse the service because it's "damaged"? Now you're double screwed: no new iPad, plus once the battery in your current iPad dies, you're SOL.
2) Even if that's not the case, they'll just keep replacing your iPad with the same model iPad. 4+ years from now are you ACTUALLY going to be interested in paying $99 for a refurbished iPad that's older than the first iPhone is now?
$99 replacement fee? Sign me up. What if returned ipad has scuffs/scratches/cracked?
Why does it take a week to get the replacement? It's not like they have to do any work on yours... they could just give you a swap when you visit the store.
My Nokia 2630 at 9.9mm thin seems to manage quite well.
This is the part I have a problem with. Exactly what "damage" would result in ineligibility for the program? What if a small chip in the corner of the screen, for example, is considered "damage" by Apple? Then if the the battery stops working I'm SOL? Who are they to decide who gets the "privilege" of paying $100 to replace the battery just because they can't figure out a way to engineer the device to have a user-serviceable battery?
The fact that people here consider paying $100 to replace a battery "normal" is itself pretty ridiculous
Apple made a device that even THEY can't get into. Nice.
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User damage makes it inelegable for battery replacement?
So if I've got a small dent at the corner of the ipad I've been using for two years daily they would refuse my battery replacement? Personally, I'd sue Apple in small claims court if they refused a battery replacement on an otherwise perfectly functional unit.
fail. this shows they are expecting problems. not to mention if the battery is dead how the hell am i going to sync it?
This is the part I have a problem with. Exactly what "damage" would result in ineligibility for the program? What if a small chip in the corner of the screen, for example, is considered "damage" by Apple? Then if the the battery stops working I'm SOL? Who are they to decide who gets the "privilege" of paying $100 to replace the battery just because they can't figure out a way to engineer the device to have a user-serviceable battery?
The fact that people here consider paying $100 to replace a battery "normal" is itself pretty ridiculous
How does this show they are expecting problems? They have a battery replacement program for several of their products and have for sometime. As for the sync question, I hope you were kidding because it's not hard to figure out that once you plug it in to sync it, it gets power from the USB.fail. this shows they are expecting problems. not to mention if the battery is dead how the hell am i going to sync it?
...never ceases to amaze me the comments I read on this forum and the 'outbreak' displayed on the other forums like Engadget and TUAW.
Here in the UK, if a battery is dead on something even after lets say 12 months, most manufacturers just don't want to know. You will NOT get any kind of replacement offer/warranty/cover, other than buying a new battery yourself, if that is possible, or the only other option is: tough luck, you are out of your 12 month warranty!!
When Apple does something what I consider to be reasonable, and logical - people still complain.
You should be pleased they are giving you the option of having your battery replaced, with a refurb or no refurb unit, no questions virtually asked.
If your are going to whinge and complain and moan like old people, then please be at least fair and reasonable in your argument. Apple, like many others, is not a charity.
Anyway, stop moaning, be lucky your have a great company like Apple that cares about it's customers.
1) What if you send in a scuffed up iPad expecting to get a new one for $99, but they refuse the service because it's "damaged"? Now you're double screwed: no new iPad, plus once the battery in your current iPad dies, you're SOL.
2) Even if that's not the case, they'll just keep replacing your iPad with the same model iPad. 4+ years from now are you ACTUALLY going to be interested in paying $99 for a refurbished iPad that's older than the first iPhone is now?
I work in an Apple Authorized Service center and never ever have we seen Apple give a new unit as a warranty replacement.
They are always refurbished units when exchanged due to service issues.
This is only for out of warrantee. Math: $105.95 divided into $499 => failure has to happen within 4.7 years. That is longer than the $99 battery warrantee. In other words, it ain't worth it folks. Add in the % probability >0 of refusal due to some "customer abuse" and it gets even worse.
Based on standard math for warrantees I come up with the cost to consumers should be $49 to be worth it. That should include standard shipping.
The fact that you'll be without the device for a week is a further reduction in value of the warrantee. Apple once kept my PowerBook for a very extended period. In fact, they thought they had lost it. Most annoying.
I'll pass on this warrantee. Statistically it is better to just get an extra iPad.![]()
You're implying a fraudulent service request on a device you cosmetically damaged, sent in under the false pretense of a "battery replacement" when the battery is still working normally?1) What if you send in a scuffed up iPad expecting to get a new one for $99, but they refuse the service because it's "damaged"? Now you're double screwed: no new iPad, plus once the battery in your current iPad dies, you're SOL.
As long as it's normal wear and tear, you're fine. Extensive physical damage or hardware failure would make it ineligible, not a scratch from your keys or a sticker on the back.so if i scratch my ipad or engrave it or put a sticker on it then apple will still replace the ipad if the battery goes bad after 2 years?
i already can envision the threads: apple refuses to replace my iPad because it was badly scrated (or engraved or dented). now I have to buy a new $800 ipad instead of replacing a battery for $99.
If the battery shorted out after warranty, it's almost always due to physical damage, which isn't covered. If there is no sign of physical damage upon inspection, they'd probably remove the battery and test it specifically to ensure a battery failure. Once confirming that, you'd get the replacement.but what if the battery shorts out? I have that occur on several computer devices and the shorted battery prevented the device from starting. Removing the battery fixed that of course but you are talking non removeable batteries here.
also they imply that if you hacked or jailbroke the device and they found out then the exchange program is voided.
Not wrong, just unlikely. If his scenario occurred, it would prevent him from restoring the device. The unusual nature of the problem (being unable to switch on at all) also calls for special testing. If no battery problem was found, the device would be returned to the customer saying "not a battery problem. Schedule a flat rate repair."Wrong. Software hacking is not detectable via any of the procedures that Apple Retail Stores or Apple Authorized Service Centers will use to replace devices (especially if they've been "Restored" before service). Many, many, many unlocked and jailbroken iPhones have been replaced or received Apple service.
At first I wondered how this replacement battery policy would coincide with Apple's environmental stance, assuming that the iPad's would be "disposed of" rather than conservatively reissued. However, after reading the article and the following comments it seems logical that Apple would rather obtain iPad's. This program strengthens Apple's insistence in maintaining quality and environmental control by recycling parts and reissuing systems that are mechanically sound. E-waste is a MAJOR contributor to environmental toxins as more companies are producing cheaper "throw away electronics". With cheaper electronics arrives the tendency for consumers to simply discard their electronics rather than recycle used parts and properly dispose of parts unused. I commend Apple for demonstrating to electronic as well as companies in general that environmental awareness does not equate to bad business. Kudos.
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Don't people read the thread before posting? I mean come on how many times will we have to read over and over about the policy? I cannot believe that many of you are smart enough to send your iPad in to Apple because you are not smart enough to understand what it is after dozens and dozens of answers here to the same stupid questions. Read the prior posts before asking the exact same questions please.You're implying a fraudulent service request on a device you cosmetically damaged, sent in under the false pretense of a "battery replacement" when the battery is still working normally?
Of course you'd be SOL. If they turn on the device, test its battery capacity and find it does not need to be replaced, then they would send your unit back without performing service.
When the battery does require service, so long as the iPad has suffered normal wear and tear (light scratches and dings), it would be replaced.
Cracked screens, dents deep enough to deform the iPad frame, and mechanical failures would result in a rejection. You'd have to pay for their flat rate repair service in order to fix your broken iPad before it would be eligible for battery service.
As long as it's normal wear and tear, you're fine. Extensive physical damage or hardware failure would make it ineligible, not a scratch from your keys or a sticker on the back.
They deal with these the same way they handle all battery replacements.
If the battery shorted out after warranty, it's almost always due to physical damage, which isn't covered. If there is no sign of physical damage upon inspection, they'd probably remove the battery and test it specifically to ensure a battery failure. Once confirming that, you'd get the replacement.
If it was determined not to be a battery problem (for example, a corrupted bootloader due to tinkering), it would be sent back to you with a "sorry, you killed it" letter.
Not wrong, just unlikely. If his scenario occurred, it would prevent him from restoring the device. The unusual nature of the problem (being unable to switch on at all) also calls for special testing. If no battery problem was found, the device would be returned to the customer saying "not a battery problem. Schedule a flat rate repair."
It's simply not true for you to suggest that repairs have ever been denied due to software modification. If you can successfully restore factory firmware, then yes, you're in the clear...but if you can't and there's no evidence of an unrelated hardware problem, then you're going to be denied.
The $99 battery replacement is exactly that: battery-related service. If you submit hardware that has no battery problem, you're not going to get a replacement. It's an an "oops, I scratched it" or an "oops, I tried to program my own bootloader and fried everything" replacement service.
fail. this shows they are expecting problems. not to mention if the battery is dead how the hell am i going to sync it?
I wonder what they class as "damage"? What if you looked after your iPad and got a scuffed up refurb as a replacement?