Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Best Buy Return Help

T

trixter11

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 13, 2009
10
0
I bought a 16GB iPhone 3GS from Best Buy without a contract last week and paid $600. I had some issues with the home button and so I went to Apple and they gave me a brand new sealed one for replacement.

After thinking for awhile, I decided that I don't want an iPhone anymore because it is just going to be too expensive for me. So I want to return the new replacement to Best Buy. The Best Buy receipt though has the original phone's IMEI number on there. So my question is, would I still be able to return the new replacement phone to them since it is factory sealed, or will they give me a hard time because the IMEI's don't match?

Thanks for the help.
 
Did you get paperwork from Apple about the exchange? Can you bring both that AND the BB receipt as proof?
 
I agree with the other poster, you need to provide a paper trail on what transpired. Even then they may give you a bit of a hassle in returning it, when the IMEI numbers don't match up
 
I did get a sheet from Apple after the exchange but it doesn't have anything about the IMEI or serial number even. All I have is the Best Buy receipt...
 
trixter11 said:
I did get a sheet from Apple after the exchange but it doesn't have anything about the IMEI or serial number even. All I have is the Best Buy receipt...
Click to expand...

The confirmation apple should have given you should show the Model and Serial number of the original... followed by the replacement Serial ID and IMEI under the "Repair Estimate" portion....
 
I had the same type of situation with the Apple store. They only needed the original receipt and original IMEI number.

However... I bought it there as well... maybe Best Buy will be different.

I think you should bring your genius bar receipt and your original Best Buy receipt.
 
I don't have a sheet from Apple stating that info, maybe I lost it :(. Would it still be possible to return the replacement since it's still sealed?
 
It's "Worst Buy", prepare for a fight. You'll probably also get hit with a 10% or 15% restocking charge which is their policy for cell phone returns.


trixter11 said:
I bought a 16GB iPhone 3GS from Best Buy without a contract last week and paid $600. I had some issues with the home button and so I went to Apple and they gave me a brand new sealed one for replacement.

After thinking for awhile, I decided that I don't want an iPhone anymore because it is just going to be too expensive for me. So I want to return the new replacement to Best Buy. The Best Buy receipt though has the original phone's IMEI number on there. So my question is, would I still be able to return the new replacement phone to them since it is factory sealed, or will they give me a hard time because the IMEI's don't match?

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
 
MisterEdF said:
It's "Worst Buy", prepare for a fight. You'll probably also get hit with a 10% or 15% restocking charge which is their policy for cell phone returns.
Click to expand...

I'm not worried about the restocking fee because I asked the best buy rep before I bought the phone if I would be charged and he said I wouldn't be if the phone was still sealed, which it is.

The apple store is very far from where I live so I'd rather head to best buy and see if they can return the replacement, but even they are pretty far. Anyone know for sure if there is a chance I can return the replacement?
 
Forgive me for saying, but this sounds about as fishy as it gets. Nothing personal, just my cynical nature I guess.

In any case, the only way this is going to work is if you bring your Apple paperwork, showing the exchange, to Best Buy (this can be easily obtained by going back to the Apple store and asking for a copy). Even then, don't expect the process to be painless by any means.
 
trixter11 said:
I'm not worried about the restocking fee because I asked the best buy rep before I bought the phone if I would be charged and he said I wouldn't be if the phone was still sealed, which it is.

The apple store is very far from where I live so I'd rather head to best buy and see if they can return the replacement, but even they are pretty far. Anyone know for sure if there is a chance I can return the replacement?
Click to expand...

It's obviously not sealed anymore because you have a different phone that the original one that you bought. You exchanged it after having a hardware issue. You will be charged the restocking fee.
 
HUH? Did they (Apple) give you a BRAND NEW PHONE in a factory sealed retail package or a "white box" swapped reconditioned phone? If it is an original retail factory sealed package you might pull off your scam but if it's not you're SOL for at best a 15% restocking fee or at worse they'll send you home with nothing.





trixter11 said:
I'm not worried about the restocking fee because I asked the best buy rep before I bought the phone if I would be charged and he said I wouldn't be if the phone was still sealed, which it is.

The apple store is very far from where I live so I'd rather head to best buy and see if they can return the replacement, but even they are pretty far. Anyone know for sure if there is a chance I can return the replacement?
Click to expand...
 
And are you saying that the Apple Store didn't open the box and change out your sim or anything? They gave you a SEALED box? I thought most of the time they would "get you going" so to speak with the replacement rather than just send you out the door. Especially if you returned the original for a defect. Maybe I'm wrong in assuming that
 
Apple gave me a brand new sealed iphone in it's retail package guys. They told me they didn't have replacements so they gave me a new one. How is what I'm doing a "scam" MisterEdF? Are you just trying to cause a problem? Seriously, there is no need for stupid assumptions.

I will just head over to Best Buy and just try to return the phone since no one seems to really know if I can return it or not.
 
Well "Trixter", If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck .... it's a duck.
trixter11 said:
Apple gave me a brand new sealed iphone in it's retail package guys. They told me they didn't have replacements so they gave me a new one. How is what I'm doing a "scam" MisterEdF? Are you just trying to cause a problem? Seriously, there is no need for stupid assumptions.

I will just head over to Best Buy and just try to return the phone since no one seems to really know if I can return it or not.
Click to expand...
 
MisterEdF said:
Well "Trixter", If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck .... it's a duck.
Click to expand...


I tend to agree with this statement.

Most replies have stated, in order to return the phone to BB, you're going to need your Apple paperwork. This is common sense. At least for those not intent on doing something less than ethical. You, on the other hand, seem to be looking for a way around this.

To quote MisterEdF: If it quacks....

Just sayin......
 
bredfan said:
I tend to agree with this statement.

Most replies have stated, in order to return the phone to BB, you're going to need your Apple paperwork. This is common sense. At least for those not intent on doing something less than ethical. You, on the other hand, seem to be looking for a way around this.

To quote MisterEdF: If it quacks....

Just sayin......
Click to expand...

If it quacks... get some gwooo. Quacking is a pwoblem with da iFone ThweeGee. They shouldn't use such weak pwastic.
 
trixter11 said:
I'm not worried about the restocking fee because I asked the best buy rep before I bought the phone if I would be charged and he said I wouldn't be if the phone was still sealed, which it is.

The apple store is very far from where I live so I'd rather head to best buy and see if they can return the replacement, but even they are pretty far. Anyone know for sure if there is a chance I can return the replacement?
Click to expand...

Why would you even take the phone to Apple in the first place for a hardware problem if it's so far away?? You could of just gone to Best Buy and exchanged within your first 30 days.
 
First off you stated you purchased from Best Buy, so the iPhone you have now is not from Best Buy so they likely won't take it as a return, as you said number don't match. IF the Apple store is "very far away" as you mentioned why did you take a phone from BB to Apple vs just returning/swapping it out at BB?

I guess if it's worth $600 bucks you will get the proper paperwork from the Apple store. Then again why not just call the BB you purchased it from? They can probably give you the answer :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back