Battery Replacement--How Long Should I Wait?

[smithdr]

Hello:

I took my Apple Watch Series 8 stainless steel in for battery replacement under Apple Care. There is no damage or other issue with the watch. Apple has acknowledged that repair has been completed but are sending me replacement watch. It has been in this status for 3 days and no watch has been shipped. How long should I expect to wait before Apple gets around to sending the replacement watch?

Don

 

[jz0309]

Hello:

I took my Apple Watch Series 8 stainless steel in for battery replacement under Apple Care. There is no damage or other issue with the watch. Apple has acknowledged that repair has been completed but are sending me replacement watch. It has been in this status for 3 days and no watch has been shipped. How long should I expect to wait before Apple gets around to sending the replacement watch?

Don

do you still have your original watch? if yes, it might take a week or two as they might be out of inventory.
If no, then contact support.

 

[smithdr]

do you still have your original watch? if yes, it might take a week or two as they might be out of inventory.
If no, then contact support.

No original watch, just the Series 8 stainless steel. They have plenty of refurbished Series 10 titanium on their website. I would expect one of these. After all, I paid for Apple Care and expect the service.

 

[jz0309]

No original watch, just the Series 8 stainless steel. They have plenty of refurbished Series 10 titanium on their website. I would expect one of these. After all, I paid for Apple Care and expect the service.

What I meant is if you still have the watch or did you turn it in at the Apple Store? With AC+ you get express replacement, meaning they send you the replacement and after receiving that you send in the "original".
AC+ covers to replace your S8SS with another S8SS and sometimes they run low on inventory. That's why I said it might take a couple weeks...

 

[smithdr]

What I meant is if you still have the watch or did you turn it in at the Apple Store? With AC+ you get express replacement, meaning they send you the replacement and after receiving that you send in the "original".
AC+ covers to replace your S8SS with another S8SS and sometimes they run low on inventory. That's why I said it might take a couple weeks...

Watch was already sent to Apple for battery replacement. AC+ is a new program that pre-dated the regular Apple Care and I have not transitioned. Actually, I am not even certain how to transition to AC+ for all of Apple products since they have different start dates and some are paid annually and others are paid monthly.

I do not care what they replace my watch with as long as it is in the same product category and color.

But as of now, I sit here Apple Watch-less and I depend on this product. Taking a couple of weeks is not acceptable. If that is what Apple is planning on doing, they should just change the battery and send it back to me.

 

[goldmac2006]

Watch was already sent to Apple for battery replacement. AC+ is a new program that pre-dated the regular Apple Care and I have not transitioned. Actually, I am not even certain how to transition to AC+ for all of Apple products since they have different start dates and some are paid annually and others are paid monthly.

I do not care what they replace my watch with as long as it is in the same product category and color.

But as of now, I sit here Apple Watch-less and I depend on this product. Taking a couple of weeks is not acceptable. If that is what Apple is planning on doing, they should just change the battery and send it back to me.

Did you contact AppleCare about it and checked the tracking information on the replacement watch?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Taking a couple of weeks is not acceptable.

Apple will upgrade you to a newer model if the delay is “too long” but where that threshold lies, is up for negotiation. Certainly a week is too short and a month is too long but where the actual line is…?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[goldmac2006]

Apple will upgrade you to a newer model if the delay is “too long” but where that threshold lies, is up for negotiation. Certainly a week is too short and a month is too long but where the actual line is…?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If OP says AppleCare senior advisor and management can’t do anything about it then this can be the result

But he may have to email Tim Cook first… tcook@apple.com 😉

 

[arc of the universe]

@smithdr

i had a very similar experience with my Series 8 (aluminum).

bought it when it first came out. battery finally fell to 79% so i wanted to get the battery replaced.
however, in my case i did have Express Replacement type of apple care. and have continued paying for it (monthy).

however, i made the mistake of just taking it into an authorized repair center. and they sent it to apple for repair.

there were no stocks of Series 8. i waited and waited and waited for a replacement of any type.
contacted the authorised repair place and they were of no help.
finally i called apple myself. and after two calls it was escalated within apple.
at this point i was about 3.5 weeks without a watch.
in my case, after it was escalated within the apple org, they did take action. and they went out of the country i am living in and actually moved a Series 8 from the USA to my country.
finally got the watch about 6 weeks after i sent it in.

now, i made the initial mistake of not taking advantage of Express Replacement.
going that route would likely have escalated the situation automatically since, as you also wrote we are paying for a replacement and if apple can't or doest do that within whatever time frame they themselves think is reasonable, then the whole purpose of apple care is meaningless.

i learned a lot as a result of this (it was really the first time i have ever had to send an apple product in for repair of any sort, over twenty years of buying all type of apple devices).

in the future i will always get Express Replacement option if available, and definitely use that way next time.

 

[smithdr]

I took the watch in for battery replacement on May 27. On May 28, Apple showed on their website that the repair had been completed and that they would be shipping me a replacement watch soon. It has been in that status since. On Thursday, June 04, it will be one week since Apple reported they will be shipping me a replacement soon.

What is "soon"? Seem to me, if they do not have a replacement watch, Apple should have replaced the battery and returned my watch to me. Instead, what Apple is doing is screwing around and making me a wait for a replacement. I took the gamble and paid for Apple Care for this watch for over three years. Now, when I need the service, Apple is taking their good ole time either replacing the battery or sending me a replacement.

Apple service is a true disappointment for someone that has purchased multiple devices over the years and currently owns: Mac Studio M3 Ultra, Mac Studio Display, M1 Max MBP16, M2 MBA, 2019 Mac mini, Apple TV, iPhone 15 Pro and a Series 8 stainless steel Apple Watch that sits in their service center for over a week.

So much for brand loyalty. Zero stars for Apple. To register my disappointment maybe what I should do I is buy an Apple Watch Ultra return it before the 15 days are up. And then keep doing it until they get me my watch. That will fix'em.

 

[smithdr]

Deleted. Duplicate.

 

[chrfr]

I took the watch in for battery replacement on May 27. On May 28, Apple showed on their website that the repair had been completed and that they would be shipping me a replacement watch soon. It has been in that status since. On Thursday, June 04, it will be one week since Apple reported they will be shipping me a replacement soon.

What is "soon"? Seem to me, if they do not have a replacement watch, Apple should have replaced the battery and returned my watch to me. Instead, what Apple is doing is screwing around and making me a wait for a replacement. I took the gamble and paid for Apple Care for this watch for over three years. Now, when I need the service, Apple is taking their good ole time either replacing the battery or sending me a replacement.

Apple service is a true disappointment for someone that has purchased multiple devices over the years and currently owns: Mac Studio M3 Ultra, Mac Studio Display, M1 Max MBP16, M2 MBA, 2019 Mac mini, Apple TV, iPhone 15 Pro and a Series 8 stainless steel Apple Watch that sits in their service center for over a week.

So much for brand loyalty. Zero stars for Apple. To register my disappointment maybe what I should do I buy an Apple Watch Ultra return it before the 15 days are up. And then keep doing it until they get me my watch. That will fix'em.

Why not call them and find out what's going on?

 

[smithdr]

I will call on Thursday, June 04, when they have had my watch in "shipping soon" status for 1 week.

 

[goldmac2006]

I will call on Thursday, June 04, when they have had my watch in "shipping soon" status for 1 week.

Lmk how it goes.

And dude also try emailing Tim Cook many folks who run into AppleCare troubles do it

 

[FreakinEurekan]

@smithdr
in the future i will always get Express Replacement option if available, and definitely use that way next time.

Express Replacement is best if you have AppleCare+… if there is a supply shortage you’ll still wait for it, but you still have the old watch/phone/ipad in the meantime.

I will call on Thursday, June 04, when they have had my watch in "shipping soon" status for 1 week.

That seems reasonable to me. A week delay is uncomfortable, for sure, but tolerable. Beyond that point it’s time to start making some noise.

 

[smithdr]

I do not believe there to be a supply shortage. There appears to be plenty of refurbished Series 10 titanium watches on Apples website. And even if there is a supply shortage, then Apple should just replace the battery and send it back to me.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I do not believe there to be a supply shortage. There appears to be plenty of refurbished Series 10 titanium watches on Apples website. And even if there is a supply shortage, then Apple should just replace the battery and send it back to me.

Apple doesn't do "battery replacements" on watch - yet - as far as I've heard. They just recycle the components into future Service or refurb devices.

 

[smithdr]

That is fine for Apple to recycle devices. But if they do not have repair watches to send out in timely manner they need stop recycling and start replacing the batteries. As I have stated before, Apple has Series 10 slate titanium refurbished watches they could send me. Apple has plenty of watches. This is not a supply problem, this is a management problem.

If Apple does not state they are sending me a replacement watch tomorrow I will begin to complain and do a DIY loaner program by buying an Ultra and returning it before the 15 day return window. And, I will keep doing this until they get me my watch. i took the gamble and paid for Apple Care for over three years. Now it is time for Apple to my get me watch!

 

[smithdr]

It is 7 days since Apple reported to me that they "would be shipping my replacement watch soon". I called Apple technical support and explained the situation. They called the Apple Store then told me that they were waiting for a replacement. I told the Apple representative the things I have mentioned in the this post and got the usual "I understand your frustration and that they would report my concerns up the chain of command." Do they understand my frustration? No! Will expressing my concerns up the chain of command do any good. No!

Long gone are the days where Apple was throwing sledge hammers through glass walls and telling people to "Think Different". They have become a Leviathan. But you can still stick it to the man. I went out a purchased a Watch Ultra 3 from Costco where I have 90 days to return. Hopefully, Apple get can my watch back to me during this time.

 

[goldmac2006]

It is 7 days since Apple reported to me that they "would be shipping my replacement watch soon". I called Apple technical support and explained the situation. They called the Apple Store then told me that they were waiting for a replacement. I told the Apple representative the things I have mentioned in the this post and got the usual "I understand your frustration and that they would report my concerns up the chain of command." Do they understand my frustration? No! Will expressing my concerns up the chain of command do any good. No!

Long gone are the days where Apple was throwing sledge hammers through glass walls and telling people to "Think Different". They have become a Leviathan. But you can still stick it to the man. I went out a purchased a Watch Ultra 3 from Costco where I have 90 days to return. Hopefully, Apple get can my watch back to me during this time.

But still no turnaround time right?

 

[smithdr]

No turn around time. My guess this may go on for weeks. You would think that someone at Apple would say to themselves "this is just not right" and do something about it. Someone posted that I should write Tim Cook. But it is too early for that and he is getting ready for the WWDC and transitioning to Ternus. But if this goes on 1 month, I just may do it.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

No turn around time. My guess this may go on for weeks. You would think that someone at Apple would say to themselves "this is just not right" and do something about it. Someone posted that I should write Tim Cook. But it is too early for that and he is getting ready for the WWDC and transitioning to Ternus. But if this goes on 1 month, I just may do it.

Writing “Tim Cook” doesn’t actually GO to Tim Cook. There’s a whole department that gets and handles those emails. So WWDC & CEO transition aren’t going to be factors.

That said - this department is going to look at your case and decide if the situation is “abnormal” or not. As discussed earlier, a week isn’t abnormal; a month is; in between is up for negotiation. So yeah, I’d hold off a few more days but if there is still no movement into next week - I’d say it’s worth a try.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Took my AW S10 in last Wednesday, because the crown was faulty.

I am due to collect a replacement next Wednesday, so in all it will take a week.

I'm assuming you will see a similar timeframe?

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[smithdr]

Writing “Tim Cook” doesn’t actually GO to Tim Cook. There’s a whole department that gets and handles those emails. So WWDC & CEO transition aren’t going to be factors.

That said - this department is going to look at your case and decide if the situation is “abnormal” or not. As discussed earlier, a week isn’t abnormal; a month is; in between is up for negotiation. So yeah, I’d hold off a few more days but if there is still no movement into next week - I’d say it’s worth a try.

Thank you. I thought that might be the case that the eMail did not go directly to the CEO. My plan is write to "Tim Cook" at the 30 day mark.

Don

 

[smithdr]

Took my AW S10 in last Wednesday, because the crown was faulty.

I am due to collect a replacement next Wednesday, so in all it will take a week.

I'm assuming you will see a similar timeframe?

Hope you get it sorted.

Hi CR,

Thank you for writing and please let me know when you get your watch back. As for now, I am at 11 days and counting and still am in "Your replacement product will be shipped to you soon" status.

Don