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Just return it, the policy is clear, no questions asked. Just remember Apple is worth $2T, don't lose any sleep over it.

Keep in mind that Apple is worth $2T because they keep things profitable. They aren’t just going to take the hit for watches that are returned damaged like this, instead they are going to raise the price of the watch, so people like you and me who buy the watches are going to be the ones who cover the cost of people returning damaged watches.
 
"Scratches easily" is a relative term. We are talking about a glass screen exposed to the outside elements and all that your wrist may contact. This is why I bought the Series 5 SBSS! 1. I plan on keeping it for a couple of years and 2. I have no worries about the screen OR the body getting scratched! I say pay the extra money and enjoy peace of mind!!
I’m not going to worry too much if I scratch mine as it was only £399 and will be chucked in a drawer in a couple of years. I can’t see the point in paying £699-799 just to have a few less scratches on a screen personally. If that floats other boats then fair enough. These things have such a short shelf life.
 
The ionX glass scratches pretty easily.

I 2nd this. Very easy means just by rubbing your watch screen gently on the painted wall surface you'll get scratches. I have a Casio proTrek which I use for camping and doesn't have Saphire glass but it has -0- scratch on it.

I guess apple's claim about ionX is nonsense.
 
Not necessarily unless you are that way inclined. The sapphire display breaks more easily if you knock it based on its mineral properties.
Sure, scientifically speaking but real life - if screen scratching is a concern. The Sapphire glass models are worth the cost. I have had one since 2015 and never had a single scratch on any of the models.

I've also owned aluminum nike models and they always had scratching when I have sold them
 
Sure, scientifically speaking but real life - if screen scratching is a concern. The Sapphire glass models are worth the cost. I have had one since 2015 and never had a single scratch on any of the models.

I've also owned aluminum nike models and they always had scratching when I have sold them
If you don’t scratch your screen then it’s not a concern. You made a comment which sounded like anybody with an aluminium watch was ‘going’ to be experience scratches like it was certain. Not everybody scratches their watch faces and some of us have had aluminium watches for years and not done it. They are perfectly durable for reasonable everyday wear.

If someone was reading many of the comments here and had never owned an AW, they might be scared into paying double the price over members exaggerated viewpoints on the fragility of the Ion-x screen. Sure it’s worth knowing the difference between the two types of glass, but I detest the scare tactics used to portray one as being ‘easy to scratch’ when it’s all down to the user.
 
Sure, if you want to be totally dishonest and commit fraud. Chances are you’ll not be caught but it’s acts like this that bump up the costs for everyone.

If he/she is within the AppleCare period (and it is, the device is brand new) then I don't see the problem. Apple would cover this if you paid for AppleCare; paying for AppleCare within the window = no harm no foul in my book. It's factored into the cost of AppleCare.
 
I had an aluminum Apple Watch before upgrading to the ss model this season and that thing was tough. I’m a clumsy person and have literally scraped/bashed my watch into walls, and had it vibrate off my nightstand and dresser onto the floor more times than I can remember without a scratch or crack. I hope the ss model is as tough.
 
If he/she is within the AppleCare period (and it is, the device is brand new) then I don't see the problem. Apple would cover this if you paid for AppleCare; paying for AppleCare within the window = no harm no foul in my book. It's factored into the cost of AppleCare.

Section 4.1 (“What is not covered”) states:
(h) to repair pre-existing conditions of the Covered Equipment if you purchased the Plan after you purchased the Covered Equipment;
As I stated, the risk is microscopic, however it’s still fraud, no matter which way you look at it.

And “Apple factor it in” and “Apple can afford it” are excuses, not reasons.
 
Section 4.1 (“What is not covered”) states:

As I stated, the risk is microscopic, however it’s still fraud, no matter which way you look at it.

And “Apple factor it in” and “Apple can afford it” are excuses, not reasons.
Is it fraud if Apple exchange the watch or issue a refund after a visual inspection though?
 
Is it fraud if Apple exchange the watch or issue a refund after a visual inspection though?
I don't think it's fraud one way or t'other. I ordered a Ti watch and after seeing how long it would be before I received it, I went to the store and ended up buying a SS model. Deciding which to keep was a painstaking process until I actually received and wore the titanium.

I returned the SS the following day and they didn't even open the box to make sure everything was in it, which is sad because I really would have liked to keep the black sport band that had come with it. I very well could be wrong but my guess is it all goes back to wherever they refurbish their products whether or not there's visible damage.
 
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I don't think it's fraud one way or t'other. I ordered a Ti watch and after seeing how long it would be before I received it, I went to the store and ended up buying a SS model. Deciding which to keep was a painstaking process until I actually received and wore the titanium.

I returned the SS the following day and they didn't even open the box to make sure everything was in it, which is sad because I really would have liked to keep the black sport band that had come with it. I very well could be wrong but my guess is it all goes back to wherever they refurbish their products whether or not there's visible damage.

I think it’s true that all the opened and returned watches go back to one place to be inspected and refurbished, if necessary. But the point is that a watch without damage (visible or otherwise) will cost less to refurbish than one that does have visible damage (or a missing strap). And that extra cost is going to be passed on to everyone in the form of higher prices. The reason I care when people abuse return policies is not because I’m some jerk who wants to control what other people do, it’s because their abuse of the return policies will wind up costing me (and you and everyone else who buys these products) money.
 
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it's not terrible but enough to be noticeable!
this to me looks like a scratch in the oleophobic coating, almost nothing you can do about it ...
I've had 2 alu, S0 and S3, both had scratches, my S4 SBSS has a scratch too, only visible at a certain angle and not bothering me. I do not want to pay attention to a watch while doing my every day activities, so I guess I am "hard" on them, in my experience, all watch scratches way easier but so be it. it's a smart watch, some replace it every year, other less frequent but it is clearly not a forever timepiece.
Obviously it's up to you what you're going to do, just expect that you will see this again ...
 
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it's not terrible but enough to be noticeable!

What I see is that you have the band that Apple knows will scratch a SS watch. Return it for a replacement and get a different band. Apple said that band was not coated with DLC but that appears to not be the case. So you are doing nothing wrong by returning it.
 
I’d take it back and see if they accepted it. The OP has nothing to lose and perhaps something to gain. If it fails the inspection then fair enough
Sure. Be honest "I scratched it, what can you do?" Then it's up to the local Apple representative how they handle it.
 
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I think it’s true that all the opened and returned watches go back to one place to be inspected and refurbished, if necessary. But the point is that a watch without damage (visible or otherwise) will cost less to refurbish than one that does have visible damage (or a missing strap). And that extra cost is going to be passed on to everyone in the form of higher prices. The reason I care when people abuse return policies is not because I’m some jerk who wants to control what other people do, it’s because their abuse of the return policies will wind up costing me (and you and everyone else who buys these products) money.
Sorry but I just don't think that's the case. Apple's prices rise because of inflation just like everything else in this country, not to mention the extra components that are added over the years enabling new and improved technologies. All that being said, the price of the base model watch has fluctuated over the years, rising and falling between S1 and S3 and staying consistent from S4 through S6. If there's some sort of proof that Apple is raising their prices because of people returning slightly damaged hardware, please share it for us.
 
Sorry but I just don't think that's the case. Apple's prices rise because of inflation just like everything else in this country, not to mention the extra components that are added over the years enabling new and improved technologies. All that being said, the price of the base model watch has fluctuated over the years, rising and falling between S1 and S3 and staying consistent from S4 through S6. If there's some sort of proof that Apple is raising their prices because of people returning slightly damaged hardware, please share it for us.

I’m certainly not saying that’s the only reason that prices go up, but honestly it’s just common sense. It costs money to refurbish damaged returns and just like the cost of materials it is going to be factored in to the price of the products that Apple sells so that they can remain profitable. It’s crazy to assume that Apple (or any other company) is just going to absorb those costs.

There’s always going to be some of abuse of policy that costs the company money and you can say that it’s just the cost of doing business. But the way Apple pays the cost of doing business is by selling products. And if the cost of doing business goes up then the cost of the products will go up as well.

Sure, one person returning one scratched watch will probably be imperceptible to Apple’s bottom line, or the cost of watches. But if it’s OK for one person to do it, then what about 10? Or 1000? Or 10,000? Suddenly you get into a lot bigger numbers.
 
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The deal that Apple offers is that it can be returned for any reason, no questions asked, in 14 days. This is a business decision by Apple. Do not let others guilt you into thinking this is wrong. However, I think deliberate abuse of this policy, such as repeatedly buying, damaging and returning products, is unethical will likely lead to being fired as a customer by Apple. (As some Amazon customers have discovered to their chagrin.)

One exception to this is for Apple Edition watches. To quote directly from Apple's official return policy:
"Apple Watch Returns
Apple Watch from the Edition collection may only be returned or exchanged if it’s in its original, undamaged and unmarked condition after passing inspection at Apple’s offsite facility. Depending on your original form of tender, a check, wire transfer, or refund to your debit/credit card will be issued within 10 business days provided the returned item is in its original condition."

I think a very valid reason for returning a watch (aside from Edition watches) in the 14-day period is the discovery that it scratches too easily!
 
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