Genius Bar Can't Disclose Inventory

[chefwong]

I forgot the verbiage but on 2 occasion.

- Called up. Asked if bring MBP for battery. Is topcase in stock
- Second time asking relevant to Bullet 1. They are relacing the logic board. I asked if it the part did ship (which confirmed availability) and or due logic board being 2tb, 64, etc.....it was not a common logic board in stock.

Both time ,the genius rep stated we cannot disclose stock status or availability for security reasons.
The 1st time I was was before my appt. visit, as I did not want to waste my time if the part was not in stock.
Second time was simply because I'm in Day 8 of them with the laptop, and now with the logic board swap, was I looking at Day 16 on turnaround or maybe even longer

 

[dmccloud]

Most retailers will not disclose specific inventory numbers, even if merely confirming whether a given product is in stock or not. With respect to service parts (for any company that does both sales and service, not just Apple), it is not uncommon to have to order parts because no store has the space to store all possible combinations of product for the sales floor as well as service parts.

 

[chefwong]

I called in to the Bar to see if the -part had shipped from depot, etc- , which at least confirms availability of the part
I was told they don't even have tracking of parts ordered and they only know when it's in stock is if/when it arrives at the store.

I suppose it will play out like my previous repairs.....will need to wait till X days, then they tell me they can't get the part, etc and they end up replacing the whole unit. It's mainly IME due to the config.

I would think the repairs had visibility on just something as basic as confirming part stock when they order it or even if it has shipped, but per todays convo, it doesn't appear to be the case. Either that have it after5 days or they don't

 

[PotentPeas]

Wonder if this is a new-ish thing, or it just varies by store or rep. About a year ago I had my MBP serviced. They were to replace the display panel (or I guess the entire top part of the laptop). They did confirm for me that they had the part in stock for the repair. However, they shipped the machine off to the (Tennessee?) depot for repair anyway, because that only took two days and the wait time to have it serviced in the store was about a week.

(It actually took four days to repair this way but that was over the weekend. Shipped the system out Friday, repair happened Saturday, shipment back didn't happen until Monday and then I got it on Tuesday.)

 

[chefwong]

I decline mail repairs. It's serviced by 3rd party *apple authorized* facilities that is contracted out. I only came upon this on one nightmare repair.....and that's when I learned this detail. I've never needed repair on my phones, but for comps, I always ask for in-house repair. If it'd a longer wait.....it' still worth it.

I just don't think my delay is going to end up due to long queue...as my build is a full spec CTO.
I guess I just to wait until surpassed the next update time, etc before something else get's triggered.

YMMV on 3rd party repairs. Mine was just so abysmal.....I swore off the Depot mail order options

 

[Yebubbleman]

I've NEVER had issues with Apple Depot repairs other than that the turnaround time might've been TOO quick.