Does Apple check serial numbers for returns?

[GGJstudios]

No I am not trying to commit fraud. If Apple didn't compare the serial number with the invoice, then it's very simple for me to do the exchange. Apple would be getting back the exact same type of computer - that's not fraud.

It is fraud. You're trying to replace a less-than-14-day-old computer with an older one, circumventing Apple's 14 day return policy. It's fraud. Pure and simple. It doesn't matter if it's the same type of computer.

Please get your facts straight before fraudulently saying "fraudulent". While the normal return period is 14 days, they increased it for the holidays - anything purchased after Thanksgiving can be returned until January 9.

We can only post based on the information you've given. You said "a couple weeks ago" but didn't specify exactly when you bought it. A couple weeks ago is before Thanksgiving, so the increased time frame still doesn't apply.

 

[slapple]

It is fraud. You're trying to replace a less-than-14-day-old computer with an older one, circumventing Apple's 14 day return policy. It's fraud. Pure and simple. It doesn't matter if it's the same type of computer.

Please see my latest post, which MacRumors appended to the post you quoted. Apple increased the return period for the holidays. Anything purchased after Thanksgiving can be returned until Jan 9.

 

[GGJstudios]

Please see my latest post, which MacRumors appended to the post you quoted. Apple increased the return period for the holidays. Anything purchased after Thanksgiving can be returned until Jan 9.

I already responded. Unless you were not truthful in your first post, you bought yours "a couple weeks ago", which was before Thanksgiving, so the 14 day return policy still applies.

 

[slapple]

I already responded. Unless you were not truthful in your first post, you bought yours "a couple weeks ago", which was before Thanksgiving, so the 14 day return policy still applies.

OK. To be exact, I purchased it on November 28, which is over 1 week ago, but not quite a couple weeks ago. So I can return it until Jan 9. In this case, I don't think my idea would have been fraud. But I agree with what you are saying - if I had purchased it before Thanksgiving, then yeah, that'd be fraud.

 

[Neolithium]

You bought laptop A. You want to buy laptop B, send back A while claiming it's B. Apple is expecting B. How in the hell is that not fraud?

 

[Ccrew]

I love this place. You can't get entertainment like this anywhere and it's FREE!

 

[Mojo1]

Time To Grow-Up...

OP, live with the dead pixel or return it. Your rationalization is B.S. and we all know it...

So is that single dead pixel worth an extra 10% to you?

 

[old-wiz]

My new MBP has a dead pixel. But since it is a custom configured one (hi-res anti-glare screen, and 7200 RPM hard drive), I doubt the local Apple store will have any in stock that I can exchange with.

Also, I bought it with a credit card that was offering 10% cashback a couple weeks ago, so I don't want to just return it and buy a new one. If I did that, I'd lose out on the 10% cashback.

So I'm wondering if I can order second MBP which hopefully won't have any problems, and then I'll return the first MBP under the second order. If Apple doesn't check serial numbers, then I'll be able to do that. If they do check serial numbers, then I won't be able to do that.

So does anyone know if they check serial numbers on returns?

This is fraud. Apple would be well within their rights to charge you for the 2nd computer and not refund the first.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

It's fraud, plain and simple. You're telling Apple you're giving them one thing while giving them another. Even if your intent is not fraud, that doesn't make it not fraud.

 

[SDColorado]

I had to exchange one last month. They scanned the RO number on the bottom of the receipt. That pulled up the entire order along with the computer and serial number. You won't be able return a different computer with your original receipt, regardless of whether it is the same *type* of computer or not. Your only option is to return the original computer, with the original receipt, suck up the 10% loss if you have to, and get a new computer without a pixel defect.

 

[ABernardoJr]

You bought laptop A. You want to buy laptop B, send back A while claiming it's B. Apple is expecting B. How in the hell is that not fraud?

Because the OP said it isn't

But on a more serious note, trying to circumvent things like this is indeed fraud, illegal, etc. I know that everyone is dishonest here and there but what you're trying to do is over the line, and if you don't see it that way then I'm not sure any of us will be of use in trying to convince you otherwise considering you seem dead set against considering it to be fraud.

As noted above, you're trying to return one product in place of another. That should spell it out quite clearly.

 

[thundersteele]

OK. To be exact, I purchased it on November 28, which is over 1 week ago, but not quite a couple weeks ago. So I can return it until Jan 9. In this case, I don't think my idea would have been fraud. But I agree with what you are saying - if I had purchased it before Thanksgiving, then yeah, that'd be fraud.

Ok, just to answer your original question: Have a look at your receipt from the purchase. Mine has the serial number printed on it. So the serial will be on the return documents. Then there is a serial on the machine, and on the box. Even if they didn't care about fraud, they would still scan the invoice and the box (and probably the MBP), and the system would immediately complain about non matching serials.

Btw, I still think it's fraud. You would send back machine A, but pretend that you are sending back machine B. That's fraud, even if the machines are identical and even if no extra damage occurs to apple from this procedure.