Got a scratch on my S6 screen already!

[BrettDS]

Actually, what they’ll do is refurbish the damaged watch and turn around and sell it back at a discount while still making a profit. Assuming the customer buys another watch following the return, they get to record revenue for three watches (two new, one refurbished).

Yeah, I mean obviously they’re not just gonna throw out the returned watches. They will refurbish them and sell them at a discount or use them as warranty or AppleCare+ replacements. Processing the return and replacing the damaged components still costs money. And costs are always going to be passed on to the consumer so the business can stay profitable. That’s just how business works.

 

[jonblatho]

Yeah, I mean obviously they’re not just gonna throw out the returned watches. They will refurbish them and sell them at a discount or use them as warranty or AppleCare+ replacements. Processing the return and replacing the damaged components still costs money. And costs are always going to be passed on to the consumer so the business can stay profitable. That’s just how business works.

Refurbished products and AppleCare+ replacements still result in revenue that at minimum break even for Apple. If they didn’t, Apple wouldn’t offer them. Warranty replacements generally don’t occur on a scale broad enough to materially impact Apple’s profit margins, and if they do, well, it’s Apple’s fault by the very nature of (most) warranty replacements.

Like I said, either way, they get to report topline revenue for three watches instead of one.

 

[AndrewR23]

Lol erasing my comment in case it bites me in the future. Carry on!

 

[throAU]

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.

I'm not talking about the terms of the AppleCare agreement.

I'm talking about being morally OK with it.

This thing is brand new, and AppleCare includes damage insurance - and repairs are charged for anyway. The fact that this damage has occurred days after ownership and within the AppleCare grace period for purchase means that for me, I would have ZERO qualms getting it covered with AppleCare.


But if you want to be pedantic with the contract: get AppleCare, smash the crap out of the screen and THEN claim? That would then not be pre-existing damage in that case and you'd be 100% within the terms of the contract.

Would that make you feel better?

 

[wilberforce]

There are a few situations where it is perfectly legal and acceptable to add damage insurance after the fact. One is if you get a new car: at least in most states in U.S. you typically have 7-30 days to add the new car to your insurance policy, in which case it is backdated and covered from the purchase date. So you can buy a new car, get in an accident, add the collision insurance, then claim for it. (You are not compelled to ever add the car to your collision insurance policy.)
Is that fraud or morally reprehensible? I think most would say not.

 

[44267547]

Return it. If they blow up tell them to stop selling bands that scratch the watch.

Apple staff doesn’t ‘Blow up’ (Nor would Apple ever tolerate that type of behavior), It’s generally the other way around with customers acting like children. Having a normal, civilized discussion trying to exercise your point usually seems to work best with any type of return/exchange.

 

[throAU]

In my experience, Apple store staff have gone above and beyond to keep me happy.

As an example, before I knew that BTO was never kept in stock, I rang ahead to a store to ask if they had (at the time, 2010 MBA 11" with upgraded RAM but regular CPU) in stock, the guy on the phone told me they definitely did.

Of course I got there and they didn't have one, so they gave me one with both CPU and RAM upgrade for the cost of the RAM upgrade only - because of the trip I made to the store and waiting to be served instead of just ordering online).

YMMV of course.

 

[symphony]

Just return it. You’re not satisfied with your new product. Just go to the Apple store looking really gross, so Apple employees won’t bother to inspect your product cuz they think you might have the virus.

 

[Europa13]

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.

It's not dishonest or fraudulent. Apple actully offers it to people who bring their uncovered devices in with cracks. They give you a year to purchase it. However, I don't believe you can use AppleCare+ for screen scratches. The OPs best bet might be to return it and get an Apple Watch with the sapphire glass (if they have the Ion-X) since preventing scratches seems to be important to them.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Sure. Be honest "I scratched it, what can you do?" Then it's up to the local Apple representative how they handle it.

I wouldn’t draw their attention to it personally.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It's not dishonest or fraudulent. Apple actully offers it to people who bring their uncovered devices in with cracks. They give you a year to purchase it. However, I don't believe you can use AppleCare+ for screen scratches. The OPs best bet might be to return it and get an Apple Watch with the sapphire glass (if they have the Ion-X) since preventing scratches seems to be important to them.

There is a £300-400 premium for that option though. It sounds like they need to just get rid of the Milanese strap and get their current watch replaced.

 

[Robbosan]

Apple staff doesn’t ‘Blow up’ (Nor would Apple ever tolerate that type of behavior), It’s generally the other way around with customers acting like children. Having a normal, civilized discussion trying to exercise your point usually seems to work best with any type of return/exchange.

lol calm down, we all know that, was just a exaggerated term for them saying sorry sir/madam no return for you.

 

[CarolG]

I've just not found that to be the case unless people are being really careless with their watches.

My first three were all stainless steel, but the case in particular picks up micro-scratches (like all s/steel watches) which were annoying. I then switched to aluminium and have not noticed any difference in the robustness of the screen. I've worn all my watches 24*7 and for a variety of outdoor activities, so its not like I have them wrapped in cotton wool. Every time this subject comes up I see people saying buy the stainless steel, but I'm not convinced that's the answer, or that it necessarily makes good financial sense given how often we tend to replace these. I know some people prefer them aesthetically, so I'm not trying to argue against something subjective like taste, but I don't think its a magic bullet like its made out to be.

Just my 2¢.

My S6 is my fifth aluminum watch. No bad scratches on any of the screens. Most of the time I use a Milanese Loop too with no damage from that watchband. I don’t want the scratches on the case like the SS models plus I can justify frequent upgrades if I get the aluminum model. I’m sorry you’re sad. It’s hard to see a brand new item get a boo boo so soon.

 

[CarolG]

Really? I was going to buy that strap. Maybe not now

I have had no scratches on my 5 aluminum watches and I usually wear a Milanese Loop. So do my husband and daughter

 

[ascender]

I have had no scratches on my 5 aluminum watches and I usually wear a Milanese Loop. So do my husband and daughter

I've also had Milanese Loops for a few years and not had any issues with it scratching the screen. I was surprised to see posts about that last week to be honest.

 

[Hunter5117]

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.

You are really both right. Yes, of course the cost of returns are built into the cost of all products. However, these are already baked into the price, the budget for production will have a cost associated with that and everyone pays for it when they buy the item. Small fluctuations up or down in the number of returns won't really affect that budget. In the case of a massive failure such as the "antenna gate" with the iPhone 4 was an example where a single massive fail cost them money both in supplying cases for a temporary fix and settling the class action suit.

 

[itsmilo]

it's not terrible but enough to be noticeable!

holy. I did not have that after 3 years of my previous Apple Watch

This isn't true, 2nd paragraph 3rd word:
Standard Return Policy
We fundamentally believe you will be thrilled with the products you purchase from the Apple Store. That’s because we go out of our way to ensure that they’re designed and built to be just what you need. We understand, however, that sometimes a product may not be what you expected it to be. In that unlikely event, we invite you to review the following terms related to returning a product.


For any undamaged product, simply return it with its included accessories and packaging along with the original receipt (or gift receipt) within 14 days of the date you receive the product, and we’ll exchange it or offer a refund based upon the original payment method. In addition, please note the following:

But Apple does not even deem minor scratches as "demage" instead its "wear" that's why they do not even replace it under AppleCare+ for this kind of reason. Therefore, I see no problem in exchanging it within the 14 days window if Apple does not even deem it worthy of being called a demage. So its basically like feeling bad for returning a watch cuz you used "X% of its totally battery cycles by charging it" haha

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I asked my wife this evening if she’d ever scratched the screen on her Apple Watch and her reply was that she ‘didn’t know’ .

I took a look at it out of curiosity.

I guess she enjoys her watch without worrying about it.

 

[44267547]

I asked my wife this evening if she’d ever scratched the screen on her Apple Watch and her reply was that she ‘didn’t know’ .

I took a look at it out of curiosity.

I guess she enjoys her watch without worrying about it.

I imagine most consumers are probably the exact way, they don’t care if they scratch the display. And why would they? It’s a smart watch, and it’s not really meant to be anything else, and especially for wearing it daily, it’s to be expected. At least your wife isn’t like the pedantic people sometimes we will see on here over one ‘minor‘ little scratch and they want to sue Apple for inferior displays. But you get the point.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I imagine most consumers are probably the exact way, they don’t care if they scratch the display. And why would they? It’s a smart watch, and it’s not really meant to be anything else, and especially for wearing it daily, it’s to be expected. At least your wife isn’t like the pedantic people sometimes we will see on here over one ‘minor‘ little scratch and they want to sue Apple for inferior displays. But you get the point.

She did once slam a brand new iPhone 5 in a car door when it slipped off her thigh, so she has a history of not really taking great care of her devices lol. I used to have a picture of it bent at 135 degrees and now wish I could find it

 

[Apple_Robert]

I asked my wife this evening if she’d ever scratched the screen on her Apple Watch and her reply was that she ‘didn’t know’ .

I took a look at it out of curiosity.

I guess she enjoys her watch without worrying about it.

I would have to buy a new watch or ask Apple if I could use one of my accidental damageS. Those scratches would drive me nuts.

 

[44267547]

She did once slam a brand new iPhone 5 in a car door when it slipped off her thigh, so she has a history of not really taking great care of her devices lol. I used to have a picture of it bent at 135 degrees and now wish I could find it

Now that’s impressive!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I would have to buy a new watch or ask Apple if I could use one of my accidental damageS. Those scratches would drive me nuts.

You can only see them at certain angles in certain lights so you don’t notice them in normal use. She doesn’t sit studying it like many on here would so it’s not affected her enjoyment as a daily watch and fitness tracker.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Now that’s impressive!

Yeah I was pretty gobsmacked at the time. She managed to punch it off her thigh as she was reaching to pull the car door closed and timed it perfectly for the gap. That ended up being an insurance claim as about the only thing not damaged was the volume buttons lol.

 

[dgdosen]

The Ion-X Glass doesn’t scratch easily from regular use and that is patently false information. Everybody would be seeing scratches on those screens if that was the case and I would have gotten one in 4+ years of daily use too. It all depends on whether the watch is abused and most people are aware they shouldn’t bask their watches into hard objects. Of course sapphire glass has harder properties but it’s also not available on aluminium watches at the standard price point.

I have an Apple Watch 3 that was in pristine condition. I only wear it SLEEP - and it's scratched.

Admit it. Ion-X is a joke.