Exchange/Return AT&T Next at Apple Store?

[Stacked]

Hey all,

Does anyone know or have experience with exchanging a phone at the apple store under the AT&T next plan while under the 14 day return time period ? My 6s has an extremely dark corner; I've tried to ignore it but I just can't.

Do they just bring out a brand new phone for the exchange? Do they have to reset the AT&T next plan or anything of the sort? Thanks!

 

[Shadowbech]

Hey all,

Does anyone know or have experience with exchanging a phone at the apple store under the AT&T next plan while under the 14 day return time period ? My 6s has an extremely dark corner; I've tried to ignore it but I just can't.

Do they just bring out a brand new phone for the exchange? Do they have to reset the AT&T next plan or anything of the sort? Thanks!

If you do the return/exchange route, yes they will have to reset the AT&T Next. Done this last year and this year isn't any different. So they have to process the return, get your eligibility back (this can take a couple of seconds or so), then buy new one using AT&T next.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Or you can just get a Genius bar replacement. They are all brand new right now. it usually takes 1-2 months before replacements are remanufactured.

 

[Stacked]

If you do the return/exchange route, yes they will have to reset the AT&T Next. Done this last year and this year isn't any different. So they have to process the return, get your eligibility back (this can take a couple of seconds or so), then buy new one using AT&T next.

Oh. I was under the impression that if I took it back they could just bring out a new one without having to do the whole process of return and eligibility reset . Also heard that the reset takes about 24 hours...

Or you can just get a Genius bar replacement. They are all brand new right now. it usually takes 1-2 months before replacements are remanufactured.

Does the genius bar do swaps while you're still under the 14 day return window or does something legitimately need to be wrong with the phone as determined by the genius?

 

[89007132]

They will most likely return the phone, which will reset your eligibility, then have you start a new Next agreement with a new phone. The eligibility reset should be instant but they can call AT&T if it's not.

A genius technician could probably do a swap but that would take a lot more time to make an appointment and process everything.

 

[Jayjew]

Or you can just get a Genius bar replacement. They are all brand new right now. it usually takes 1-2 months before replacements are remanufactured.

Don't you need to have purchased the phone from Apple?

 

[Mlrollin91]

Don't you need to have purchased the phone from Apple?

For a genius replacement?

 

[Jayjew]

For a genius replacement?

Yeah, I went in with my gold, trying to swap for a black. They told me I couldn't because I bought it from T-Mobile not Apple.

 

[Shadowbech]

Don't you need to have purchased the phone from Apple?

Technically whether you purchased an iPhone from AT&T or T-Mo, or Best Buy, etc, you can still take it into Apple and get a replacement unit. But they will only replace like for like, meaning same color, same model, same size. They won't swap it for a different color.

If you wanted a different color, you would need to return the device and buy a new one.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Yeah, I went in with my gold, trying to swap for a black. They told me I couldn't because I bought it from T-Mobile not Apple.

As Shadowbech said.
If you want a different color you need to go to where purchased and return. Genius Bar replacements is for the same exact color, size and model. It's a replacement for a defective or broken device only.

 

[Jayjew]

Technically whether you purchased an iPhone from AT&T or T-Mo, or Best Buy, etc, you can still take it into Apple and get a replacement unit. But they will only replace like for like, meaning same color, same model, same size. They won't swap it for a different color.

If you wanted a different color, you would need to return the device and buy a new one.

Lol so if I wanted a TSCM chip, I could go get it?

 

[Mlrollin91]

Lol so if I wanted a TSCM chip, I could go get it?

Umm no. Because you get what you get and only if you have a defect with your current phone.

 

[Stacked]

I honestly don't feel like playing the exchange game...I mean its slightly darker in the top left and generally a slightly warmer tint on the left which gradually gets cooler to the right. With my luck if I do decide to swap it then the next phone is going to come with some new issue

 

[Mlrollin91]

I honestly don't feel like playing the exchange game...I mean its slightly darker in the top left and generally a slightly warmer tint on the left which gradually gets cooler to the right. With my luck if I do decide to swap it then the next phone is going to come with some new issue

On launch day, I got an iPhone 6s with a shadow across the top. Went back to the store a few hours later and got a replacement. No shadow, but had a slightly warmer screen tint that I like, but I kept it. The shadow is pretty bad defect, the warm screen, not so much. I would get a replacement if I were you. 2 hours with my shadow was driving me crazy.

 

[Stacked]

On launch day, I got an iPhone 6s with a shadow across the top. Went back to the store a few hours later and got a replacement. No shadow, but had a slightly warmer screen tint that I like, but I kept it. The shadow is pretty bad defect, the warm screen, not so much. I would get a replacement if I were you. 2 hours with my shadow was driving me crazy.

Did you get the phone full price or through the AT&T next plan or some other carrier financing?

 

[Mlrollin91]

Did you get the phone full price or through the AT&T next plan or some other carrier financing?

Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.

They did the return, paid off my loan, filled out a new loan application and I was on my way. Took about 15 minutes.

I offered to just do a genius bar replacement to save them the hassle of the loan stuff and they told me that its day one, I should leave with a new sealed box.

 

[Stacked]

Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.

They did the return, paid off my loan, filled out a new loan application and I was on my way. Took about 15 minutes.

I offered to just do a genius bar replacement to save them the hassle of the loan stuff and they told me that its day one, I should leave with a new sealed box.

Yea, I think I'll pass by the Apple Store tomorrow when they open for what it's worth. *fingers crossed*

 

[Mlrollin91]

Yea, I think I'll pass by the Apple Store tomorrow when they open for what it's worth. *fingers crossed*

Bring your box, cable, charger and headphones just in case.

 

[AndrewR23]

Bring your box, cable, charger and headphones just in case.

Did they run your credit again? I did this too, and it ran my credit twice so now I have two hard checks within 3 days on my credit all bc Apple sold a defective phone.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Bring your box, cable, charger and headphones just in case.

I would also suggest a full encrypted backup via iTunes before they went too.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Did they run your credit again? I did this too, and it ran my credit twice so now I have two hard checks within 3 days on my credit all bc Apple sold a defective phone.

They ran the whole application, but no, not another credit check.

 

[AndrewR23]

They ran the whole application, but no, not another credit check.

Why did it run mine twice ? The store manager said every time the app is redone, it runs your credit.

 

[0388279]

I think a bigger issue is will you get the same iPhone 6S? If you purchased your iPhone 6S at an ATT store then you received a phone that has Band 30. If you got your ATT phone at an Apple store then there is no Band 30. Band 30 is hardware dependent.

So the question becomes if you return your ATT iPhone 6S that you purchased at an ATT store to Apple will they replace with another Band 30 iPhone 6S or give you their non-Band 30 phone.

I am currently faced with this problem as I may have a hardware issue with my iPhone 6S that I purchased at an ATT store and bought the AppleCare warranty.

Don

 

[Mlrollin91]

Why did it run mine twice ? The store manager said every time the app is redone, it runs your credit.

Unsure. I would take it up with citizens one. Because I was told because I was approved it wouldn't hit again. Maybe because I did it the same day?

 

[Stacked]

I think a bigger issue is will you get the same iPhone 6S? If you purchased your iPhone 6S at an ATT store then you received a phone that has Band 30. If you got your ATT phone at an Apple store then there is no Band 30. Band 30 is hardware dependent.

So the question becomes if you return your ATT iPhone 6S that you purchased at an ATT store to Apple will they replace with another Band 30 iPhone 6S or give you their non-Band 30 phone.

I am currently faced with this problem as I may have a hardware issue with my iPhone 6S that I purchased at an ATT store and bought the AppleCare warranty.

Don

I actually bought the phone at the Apple Store and did the AT&T next plan there. I find it much easier and less hassle than when you get the phone directly through AT&T