ATT & Apple Policy on exchanges for the iPhone 5 at Launch

[KBS756]

Say for some reason you receive an iPhone that has some kind of defect and would like it to exchange it or replace it at launch. Or you pre-ordered an iPhone from AT&T and decide soon after receiving it that you'd actually like a larger capacity. Does anyone know how AT&T would treat this and if this would even be possible? Thanks

 

[KBS756]

Noone knows?

 

[Nikos]

You have 30 days to return the iPhone. If you purchased from Apple online, you aren't able to return it in a retail store; you'll have to send it back via mail. That's pretty much the only limitation, I believe.

 

[saving107]

You have 30 days to return the iPhone. If you purchased from Apple online, you aren't able to return it in a retail store; you'll have to send it back via mail. That's pretty much the only limitation, I believe.

You have 30 days to return the phone, but you have 3 days to return your phone and get your activation fee back, after 3 days AT&T keeps the $36.

In the last 30 days I tried out two other phones and now I owe an extra $70 on my bill and come friday they will add another $35.

Keep that in mind when returning/exchanging your phone.

 

[KBS756]

Thanks for the info

 

[dwreck]

FWIW, Apple's changed that policy. You can now return online purchases at their retail stores.

Certain restrictions apply:

"Note: An iPhone purchased on the Apple Online Store is ineligible for return to an Apple Retail Store."

http://store.apple.com/us/help/returns_refund

 

[aristobrat]

Certain restrictions apply:

"Note: An iPhone purchased on the Apple Online Store is ineligible for return to an Apple Retail Store."

http://store.apple.com/us/help/returns_refund

Thanks, I didn't notice that.

 

[Iphoneness]

I'm guessing if a 5 is preordered from Apple.com, it cannot be exchanged at an AT&T store, correct?

 

[schizbomb]

If it's defective, the genius bar will take care of you.

If you simply wanna change capacity or color, gotta send it back to Apple, they won't help you in store, at all.

 

[extraextra]

Certain restrictions apply:

"Note: An iPhone purchased on the Apple Online Store is ineligible for return to an Apple Retail Store."

http://store.apple.com/us/help/returns_refund

WTF? Why is this? If something was wrong with my iPhone I can't take it back to the Apple store for an exchange? Or does the above only apply to returns (e.g. I don't want my phone anymore).

 

[Diode]

Defects are handled by the Apple Store and they should have stock from day one for swaps. You would need a genius appointment for this.

Exchanges purchased from AT&T would be handled by AT&T and you would most likely have to wait for it.

 

[brianbunge]

If you ordered it directly from AT&T you can take it into a company-owned retail store and exchange it for a larger capacity device if you would like. You will pay the difference plus a $35 restocking fee. The ONLY way the restocking fee is waived is if the phone has not been opened at all.

If there is a problem with the phone, AT&T will not exchange it. You will have to take it to an Apple Store to take care of that.