Resolved Buying several iPads and refund the "bad ones"

[MacManTexas56]

Funny thing that you are still trying to convince me But yea, as I've already mentioned, sadly for you, it won't bother me at all, since my rMBP got a slight light bleeding as well and I'm using it for more than a year

not trying to convince you....just will wait for another thread that the bleed was too much

 

[Seiley]

I was skimming the topics on here and noticed how active this one is and thought I would share my experience.

Since the Air came out, I have gone through about 7 of them.

#1. Ordered on launch day from Apple.com, received and used for a few days, Decided I wanted the mini, returned it. The screen on this one had perfect color saturation.
#2. Re-bought the Air because of color gamut issues reported about the mini. Screen on this one was again excellent, but I experienced frequent self-reboots (not app crashes), exchanged for another one.
#3. This one also self-rebooted, which convinced me it's an iOS 7 bug. (Let me know if any of you have experienced this). However, the screen on this one did not have good saturation. It was more yellowish and most disappointing, blacks were not deep. Exchanged again.
#4. Screen on this one same as last one, exchanged.
#5. Screen is perfect, however, there is a small yet noticeable chip on the chamfered edge. Really had to convince the manager to let me return this one (she said "no iPad is perfect" and said this would be my last exchange)
#6. Screen is perfect, but again, a graze on the chamfer out of the box. I couldn't stand this. I went to the same local Apple store when the previous manager wasn't around and exchanged it again.
#7. FINALLY. I don't like saying "perfect" because it makes me sound like a "perfectionist" (which some call me, but I don't believe I am) but this iPad Air I have now is perfect. The aluminum and glass are quite flawless, and the screen is ravishing.

A person could call me crazy for exchanging my iPad this many times. But I'm not. Apple should deliver a fairly flawless iPad out of the box, not one with defects. I'm paying a large premium for a 128 GB 4G model for one thing, and the materials, while attractive, are not expensive. If they're going to make major profit on me, I want a "perfect" iPad.

 

[Wando64]

If they're going to make major profit on me, I want a "perfect" iPad.

I'd be fairly certain Apple did NOT make a major profit from you on this occasion. In fact I'd be surprised if they made any profit at all. If I were a retailer you'd be my biggest nightmare. For goodness sake, you exchanged at least three units that had no problems whatsoever (of you own admission).

I don't like saying "perfect".

That's must be why you only said it 5 times in your post.

 

[Wando64]

Double post

 

[Fattytail]

I'd be fairly certain Apple did NOT make a major profit from you on this occasion. In fact I'd be surprised if they made any profit at all. If I were a retailer you'd be my biggest nightmare. For goodness sake, you exchanged at least three units that had no problems whatsoever (of you own admission).

Let's just all ignore the fact that Apple probably has some of the most advanced retail analytics in the world. Return rates are tracked extremely carefully, I'm sure. And budget/manufacturing/profit projections all take into account the very generous Apple return policy. It's a business after all - you'd better believe they're tracking all of the important metrics.

 

[Wando64]

And budget/manufacturing/profit projections all take into account the very generous Apple return policy.

Sure, but not 7 returns for each unit sold.

 

[mtneer]

Sure, but not 7 returns for each unit sold.

Why wouldn't they? They may not like it, they may not want it - but some bean counter could have plotted out multiple returns on some graph. Apple may have looked at the frequency of such cases and decided not to limit the number of returns. They sure have a limit on the amount of time available to request a return.

 

[bevsb2]

Why wouldn't they? They may not like it, they may not want it - but some bean counter could have plotted out multiple returns on some graph. Apple may have looked at the frequency of such cases and decided not to limit the number of returns. They sure have a limit on the amount of time available to request a return.

Not to mention that this probably doesn't happen all that often in the big picture. I'm sure most people keep their original iPad except for some that are bothered by defects or those who buy to borrow or exchange for a different model.

 

[rowspaxe]

I don't understand how people can defend the premium price of an iPad and at the same time tell consumers that they should settle for less than a premium product. These same people are then insulted when they are accused of being blind Apple fanatics. If it walks like a duck...

Premium price? We're talking about a $500 gadget here. Not even coffee money, really, The ipad remains in my view an outstanding bargain. Yes it is undersold by google--but I think you must view the device and ecosystem as a package.

Anyone who returns a product 7 times is a narcisist--wildly self involved with
fantasies of a perfect tablet. Good luck with that. Do yourself a huge favor---do not buy at the beginning of the production run.

 

[masterpace]

Net result will still be the same. Could be a few opened boxes.

Real question is why customers are thinking so creatively....because they want a perfect ipad that they're paying top dollar for and apple just can't fulfill that expectation.

Net result won't be the same. A customer who buys five iPad at the same time will open all five boxes and pick the best iPad. On ther other hand, a customer who buys one iPad at a time will open that iPad and check if it's good enough for him. Since there's no guarantee the next iPad would be better, he'll probably keep that one.

So, instead of opening fives boxes, there's a good chance he finds the right match after the first or second iPad. In worst case scenario, he'll go through five iPads.

If you buy five iPad and return four of them or even worse, all five, then I guess you'll either get denied for doing so or, in best case scenario, you'll be blacklisted by the store.

 

[Plutonius]

What would you suggest me to do? By the way, there is no apple store near by. I have to buy the iPads online.

I would wait a few months before buying one (I'll probably get one in March). All Apple devices seem to have issues when they are first released but they almost always clean things up by the third production run.

 

[sracer]

I would wait a few months before buying one (I'll probably get one in March). All Apple devices seem to have issues when they are first released but they almost always clean things up by the third production run.

This has been my experience as well.

Some don't want to wait. Some don't think they should have to. Not that I agree with that sentiment.

 

[Jbru187]

I would wait a few months before buying one (I'll probably get one in March). All Apple devices seem to have issues when they are first released but they almost always clean things up by the third production run.

The problem being, at that point it is closing in on being a half year old. If you've survived that long without it, you might as well wait until the new one comes out.

 

[Plutonius]

The problem being, at that point it is closing in on being a half year old. If you've survived that long without it, you might as well wait until the new one comes out.

Then you will have the same issues if you buy the new one right when it comes out. The only way to avoid the quality issues is to not buy right away.

 

[617aircav]

OP congrats. My friend is about to do this since he leaves an hour away from the apple store. He can't drive back and forth to exchange them. If they all turn out bad he will wait a few weeks and try again.

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The problem being, at that point it is closing in on being a half year old. If you've survived that long without it, you might as well wait until the new one comes out.

So nobody should buy iPads right now?

 

[thadoggfather]

Then you will have the same issues if you buy the new one right when it comes out. The only way to avoid the quality issues is to not buy right away.

I disagree. The issues never stop in terms of LCD quality no matter where in the production cycle it is. For all devices/computers

 

[Nevaborn]

Some people on here need a slight reality check. Yes there are issues that need to be addressed but people need to remember this is a forum of a relatively few enthusiasts that have high standards and know what to look for in screen technology. I see this all the time on other AV enthusiasts forums. The mass populace don't notice these blemishes as they just accept they have an iPad, it works and they happily get along with their lives.

We sit here and complain about colour gamut and saturation and hue and dpi.... Meanwhile they are all out using their devices and enjoying their lives. Not saying we shouldnt demand better for the price we pay, i do think we should ... However we need to keep some perspective.

I am fine that people here buy 3+ ipads at a time as we are such a small number doing it Apple don't care and it just means more refurbished models for average users that are as good as new with a defect they will never notice or even consider to be one.

 

[Lucille Carter]

Premium price? We're talking about a $500 gadget here. Not even coffee money, really, The ipad remains in my view an outstanding bargain. Yes it is undersold by google--but I think you must view the device and ecosystem as a package.

Anyone who returns a product 7 times is a narcisist--wildly self involved with
fantasies of a perfect tablet. Good luck with that. Do yourself a huge favor---do not buy at the beginning of the production run.

You need to realize that $500-$800 is a lot of money to some of these people. So they expect perfect. This money seldom buys anything perfect. If this is that much money to some, they maybe should be spending it on health insurance!

 

[bevsb2]

The issue isn't money for me. I just want a device with a good screen without yellow tints or color shifts and I will return a device until I get one I am satisfied with - doesn't mean it has to be perfect. It seems however, that a lot of members here are in school or college and for them $500 -800 is a lot of money. People pay more for an Apple device which is promoted as a premium product and it's not unreasonable for them to expect a good quality screen on that product.

 

[vgamedude]

The issue isn't money for me. I just want a device with a good screen without yellow tints or color shifts and I will return a device until I get one I am satisfied with - doesn't mean it has to be perfect. It seems however, that a lot of members here are in school or college and for them $500 -800 is a lot of money. People pay more for an Apple device which is promoted as a premium product and it's not unreasonable for them to expect a good quality screen on that product.

No matter which way you look at it the ipad air in comparison to other tablets is VERY costly. When I had my ipad air it was the 128gb LTE and that is 929 dollars. That's insane for a tablet and there's no way that ill accept such trash from a device that expensive.

 

[sracer]

I disagree. The issues never stop in terms of LCD quality no matter where in the production cycle it is. For all devices/computers

From an historical perspective, yields improve over time as the manufacturing process is improved. In the early stages of a production run tooling needs refining calibration and correction.

That's from a strictly manufacturing perspective with regard to the build specifications. A poorly spec'ed LCD will be produced at no better than those specs.

 

[nj1266]

You need to realize that $500-$800 is a lot of money to some of these people. So they expect perfect. This money seldom buys anything perfect. If this is that much money to some, they maybe should be spending it on health insurance!

Having bought and returned several iPad rminis, the people who are still buying them are suckers for pain. They know perfectly well that IR and yellowing are issues for THEM. They have the option not to spend the money on what they believe is a defective device. They have choices. They can buy an HDX, Galaxy Tab, Nexus 7, yet they persist in buying the iPad over and over again. If in their eyes Apple is not up to their standards, then they can go elsewhere.

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The issue isn't money for me. I just want a device with a good screen without yellow tints or color shifts and I will return a device until I get one I am satisfied with - doesn't mean it has to be perfect. It seems however, that a lot of members here are in school or college and for them $500 -800 is a lot of money. People pay more for an Apple device which is promoted as a premium product and it's not unreasonable for them to expect a good quality screen on that product.

Why not get a different tablet? Why insist on getting an ipad that is extremely hard to find, ie, without yellowing and IR.?

 

[Plutonius]

They have choices. They can buy an HDX, Galaxy Tab, Nexus 7, yet they persist in buying the iPad over and over again. If in their eyes Apple is not up to their standards, then they can go elsewhere.

or they can wait a few months until the manufacturing issues are resolved.

 

[bevsb2]

Having bought and returned several iPad rminis, the people who are still buying them are suckers for pain. They know perfectly well that IR and yellowing are issues for THEM. They have the option not to spend the money on what they believe is a defective device. They have choices. They can buy an HDX, Galaxy Tab, Nexus 7, yet they persist in buying the iPad over and over again. If in their eyes Apple is not up to their standards, then they can go elsewhere.

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Why not get a different tablet? Why insist on getting an ipad that is extremely hard to find, ie, without yellowing and IR.?

Because in my opinion the iPad is the best tablet out there and the one I have used since the first generation. I had to return 3 Airs but was able to get both an Air and rMini with very good, if not perfect, screens that I am happy with. I'm not sure how many I would have returned, but I understand the drive to find a good one. It seems that there are not many "perfect" ones out there and of course this is very subjective. The screens on my Air and mini aren't quite as good as the one on my iPad 4, but the weight... well the weight makes all the difference for me.

 

[bobr1952]

I always get a bit amazed after I buy a new Apple product. I am on this forum every day and read a lot of comments about manufactyuring problems. In 2012 for me it was the rMBP--I eventually got one from Amazon and it was perfect--at least to my standards. So this year it is an iPad--so off to the Apple store to get my new Air--again--looks perfect to me. And for me this is the same story for every Apple product I've bought. Maybe I am just not critical enough.