Delays between receipt of returned Macbook by Apple and refund?

[newbie94114]

Hi everyone - had a question about returns by FedEx. I recently purchased from the Apple Store a 2020 MBA i5, but when I ran into the throttling issue, I realized I needed something with more processing power, so I ordered a refurbished 2019 MBP 1.4GHz model from Apple. Unfortunately, the refurbished model's fans had an issue, so I decided to return both. My local Apple store was shut down due to protests, so I decided to ship them back via FedEx. I shipped them on the same day, and FedEx shows both packages were delivered today. But so far I've only received an email that they received the refurbished MBP, and nothing on the MBA, whose order status still shows "Your return request has been initiated" and "Please send this item back to Apple."

Any experience with how long it takes Apple to process and send a confirmation email when the MacBook has been returned? I'm wondering if maybe I mixed up the print labels with the RMA #s - if that happened, would Apple still process the return correctly? Thanks!!

 

[0128672]

I've done numerous Apple returns via Fedex, and often the status doesn't update for at least 24 hours after they've received the device. If it's more than 48 hours, just call or chat with Apple Store Support and have the original order number and Fedex tracking number handy.

 

[maflynn]

Any experience with how long it takes Apple to process and send a confirmation email when the MacBook has been returned?

It could take a couple days, was there signature required on the laptop?

 

[supergt]

I'll echo what others have said. Returned a product recently and it it took a few days after receipt to update the status. Since physical stores are still closed in may areas, the return center is overloaded. My advise is to be patient.

 

[0128672]

I'll mention too that once I get the "received" email and the status shows as received in the Apple Store app, I usually see the credit card refund the next day. Banks have different timeframes for processing the credits, so YMMV but it's been pretty consistent in my experience. Hope you'll see it soon.

 

[naturalstar]

When I sent a couple of returns back in April and early May, I received the email that my refund was being processed barely an hour after the package was signed for at the warehouse. I just assumed that the process was normally fairly quick.

Once Apple began to open stores here in the US (just in four states initially), it must have had an affect on the return warehouse volume. My last return a couple of weeks ago was received and signed for on a Thursday. I didn't see any immediate email for my return being processed. I called Friday afternoon and was told that typical time was 3-5 business days for processing, but if I didn't see an email by Monday to give a call back. Sure enough, nothing all Monday morning, so I called Monday afternoon to have someone manually process it. Mind you, I did this based on what I was told to do.

I am sure the return warehouse is slammed even more now that more stores are re-opening. So give it the 3-5 business days for processing through Apple returns and then another 1-2 days for your bank to show the money back to your card/account.

 

[newbie94114]

Thanks everyone! Update -- the MBA status updated this morning, about 24 hours after FedEx showed it was delivered.