Resolved Close to giving up on owning an iPhone altogether

[M5RahuL]

Wow.. people are un-usually cold on MRs, and the word * OCD * is quite loosely thrown around here! I suppose people using said word do not understand what OCD actually is!!

Apple's CS has been getting on people's nerves lately! I've had a few bad experiences myself. Whenever I visit any Apple B&M store, there is always someone speaking to a manager about a rude Genius! [ why are these people called 'geniuses' is amazing when 9/10 are an insult to that term!! ]

Saying Apple has won the best CS over X number of years is meaningless to that one person who didn't get A+ CS!

To the OP, try a different store or even a different Tech at the same store on a different day! Every person sees/approaches an issue in a unique way. You might get a more friendly tech who will swap out the phone w/o making a huge deal of it!

We pay a premium for Apple products for a reason! No one should settle for sub-par screens. It's only a phone is true, but it's something you're looking for a good chunk of the day, so one shouldn't have to live with a visually inferior product!

The other thing the OP can do is, Jailbreak [ provided the phone is still on 5.0.1 ] and download [ purchase ] Color Profiles from Cydia and get rid of the yellow hue/tint!!

 

[macjunk(ie)]

i am with u OP. i am on my 5th replacement and i am gonna change this one next week!!! Even i am fed up with Apple's and the reseller's arrogance in this matter. My requests for a refund are not being catered to. So i have decided to be extra - patient...swap the phone every time i find a problem. So, the past months - 5 swaps. Sux..but no choice. The 6th phone - i might put it on the market straightaway provided HTC One X/Galaxy S 3 arrive here (Singapore)

 

[mkruck]

Wow.. people are un-usually cold on MRs, and the word * OCD * is quite loosely thrown around here! I suppose people using said word do not understand what OCD actually is!!

You've noticed that, have you?

It's one of the negative consequences of mass Apple product adoption. When I joined MR in 2008, it was full of very helpful, friendly people, real enthusiasts of Apple products.

Now?

Yeah, ummm, not so much. A side effect of putting Apple in everyone's hands at an affordable price.

 

[Sedrick]

We pay a premium for Apple products for a reason! No one should settle for sub-par screens. It's only a phone is true, but it's something you're looking for a good chunk of the day, so one shouldn't have to live with a visually inferior product!

Says it all right there. In addition to paying that premium, we're sold a story that Apple is the best and their products are the best... except when you come in here with a problem phone. Then you're the problem.

 

[JediZenMaster]

Stop being baby and just live with it. Oh on, the screen has a more yellow hue! It's a phone, just relax

Now wait a minute. Just because you will expect a subpar build quality doesn't mean anything. I know if i was the OP i would be pissed too.

It's not being OCD its getting and expecting the product quality that was paid for.

 

[bri1212]

If it comes across that way then thats fine. However, fact is the replacement screen wasn't as good as the previous and even the genius agreed but said his hands were tied at that point.

...and yes i don't like dealing with their customer service however well voted. If anything i much prefer Executive Relations. Have only dealt with them once a few years back (perpetually faulty PowerBook G4) and its probably the best service/experience i've ever come across. With the regular CS staff there's usually but not always "I'd like to help you BUT..." if the problem isn't 100% straightforward. You either fit into the 'system' or you're bust.

I'll try again next week but i'm not holding my breath.

You see the problem you have is not that you are wrong, but you do not understand or not willing to work the system. They can only exchange one phone per day, per phone. If your next phone has problems while your still in the store. Ask for the Manager. Don't be upset. They will help you if they can. They have a bit more leeway then the Genius bar Genius'. If that does not work you can always try executive relations. Personally I would try to save that for the big issues, and not because your tired of dealing with their customer service. And Like I say, I have had several items which were fixed or replaced out of warranty, or damaged out of warranty, and were completely satisfied that they helped even though I did not fit into the system.
Oh BTW, saying things like "i'm not holding my breath". Drama.

 

[ChrisTX]

Men chilax.

You lost me after this.

 

[ixodes]

why are these people called 'geniuses'

It's an old practice from the Steve Jobs Era. Being the supreme leader and a known narcissist, he loved to portray any Apple employee with the slightest technical knowledge as some super special being.

I've personally seen Apple business cards designating some employees as "Rocket Scientists". At first I thought it was in jest. A little humor if you will. But oh no! It was dead serious.

Tim Cook is such a refreshing breathe of fresh air. Maintaing a rather low key profile publicly, he's making big improvements in the internal side of Apple. Soon the results of his efforts will speak for themselves.

I haven't been this enthused with Apple Operations in a very long time.*

 

[swingerofbirch]

For those of you who use the word OCD and show that you don't really know what it means, you are very lucky to not have to suffer with a very difficult-to-treat, debilitating disorder.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

This is my first iPhone - the 4S; are you really allowed one swap without defects for any reason? Does this apply to anyone whether the iPhone was purchase through ATT, Sprint, Verizon or directly through Apple within one year? Or do you have to have Apple Care for this?

 

[Kariya]

Following up; Went to try again today and luckily i managed to get a decent genius. The guy who checked me in was already putting out the 'within spec' disclaimer.

But the actual genius who served me did a side by side comparison with his phone and agreed something was off but initially fed me the 'within spec' line and that "some manufacturers use yellow tint screens and thats just the way things are"

Still he understood my plight and offered me a replacement if i still wanted one but warned if the new one was also yellow then he would have no choice at that point for the above reasons

Luckily the new phone is miles better. Whites are whites and everything is evenly lit. Colour me a Happy Camper with no more 'Drama'.

Thanks to all who empathised. As for the rest...well...

This is my first iPhone - the 4S; are you really allowed one swap without defects for any reason? Does this apply to anyone whether the iPhone was purchase through ATT, Sprint, Verizon or directly through Apple within one year? Or do you have to have Apple Care for this?

There has to be a tangible defect. Some will let you swap for minor ones. Others won't oblige you unless the phone is virtually melting or about to combust. Depends on the genius.

 

[Stealthipad]

Went to my local Apple store to get my 4S swapped out because the screen had some light bleed and the first half of the screen was duller/dimmer than the second half. Genius recognised it immediately and swapped out.

However the new screen he game me was not great either and was very dingy/browinsh yellow. I told him i didn't want this one and to return my old one (whilst unevenly lit was more colour neutral) if he can't do another swap. He refused...saying terms and conditions don't allow...blah blah blah.

I told him "You can see for yourself this screen is yellow and not great" to which he agreed but said there was nothing he could do because they can't reverse transactions and you're only allowed one swap if no physical defect. He then proceeded to feed me the glue drying line and to come back in a week if i'm still not happy.

In the end i had no choice but to leave the store with a crappy screen. I can't use the phone knowing what i know cos i keep getting reminded yellow yellow yellow. Now i'm worried because convincing a genius of a light bleed problem is far easier than a yellow tint one.

I'm tired and frustrated. I'm thinking of selling off the phone altogether and forget owning an iPhone because i really don't like dealing with Apple's CS staff and i'm fed up of the screen lottery bullcrap...and no, i'm not picky. Far from it. I just want a decent screen.

Rant over.

TLDR: Swapped out iPhone and got something worse than what i went in with but wasn't allowed another swap or to take back my old one. And the new one will likely be harder to get replaced.

If your Apple phone and Apple can not make you happy, I am willing to BET that the next poor phone maker will not either!