I can't return my IP4!!!!!

[dmelgar]

This is a very scary story. I would never had imagined that exchanging a defective phone would mean that it can no longer be returned. If thats the case, then Apple should not exchange at all and any exchanges given should be reversible.

It is not the normal behavior expected. If I go to Target and exchange a defective product, I have until the original return date to return the product. It does NOT automatically mean I cannot return it. Otherwise, why would anyone ever exchange anything.

Its a huge fail on Apple's part to have done an exchange and then not allow returns.

Apple has gone from being high customer service to the bottom of the barrel.
What happens at phone company stores in the same situation? Will they exchange defective phones and keep the original return timeframe?

When we signed up for AT&T, I did exchange by wife's phone for a different model. There was no problem and no mention that it would affect the return policy.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

The issue is that he did not exchange the phone. He had it "replaced" with a service replacement.

Usually when you have a problem with a NEW item that is still within the return period, Apple just does an even exchange. You give them your old phone, the box, and all accessories and they give you a New In Box item just as if you bought it that day.

What they are doing right now since there are so many returns and such a strain on supply that instead of doing this exchange they are replacing the phone with a service replacement. You get the phone but keep the original box and accessories.

This becomes an issue when you decide to return for a refund, while still in the rights to do so, the issue becomes that you are returning a phone different that the one you bought.


With that said, I expect that response from Best Buy. BUT!!, Apple in no way should be refusing these since it was their defective units that caused us to have to get it replaced in the first place.They can and should take these back. If they will is a different story.

 

[boshii]

This is a very scary story. I would never had imagined that exchanging a defective phone would mean that it can no longer be returned. If thats the case, then Apple should not exchange at all and any exchanges given should be reversible.

It is not the normal behavior expected. If I go to Target and exchange a defective product, I have until the original return date to return the product. It does NOT automatically mean I cannot return it. Otherwise, why would anyone ever exchange anything.

Its a huge fail on Apple's part to have done an exchange and then not allow returns.

Apple has gone from being high customer service to the bottom of the barrel.
What happens at phone company stores in the same situation? Will they exchange defective phones and keep the original return timeframe?

When we signed up for AT&T, I did exchange by wife's phone for a different model. There was no problem and no mention that it would affect the return policy.

i don't think you understood the story.

op bought it from bestbuy, swapped for another at apple, then wanted to return the swapped one to bestbuy. bestbuy said no since the serial on the box is different from the phone's (this is standard practice).

it's not apple saying no to a return, op just needs to get his original phone back from apple.

 

[renewed]

What I don't understand is how there can't be a claim that due to two units being faulty you do not want the iPhone 4. I mean what's the difference in returning a replacement? They already have the original and it's within the allotted time frame.

Apple is weird sometimes.

 

[spiritlevel]

i don't think you understood the story.

op bought it from bestbuy, swapped for another at apple, then wanted to return the swapped one to bestbuy. bestbuy said no since the serial on the box is different from the phone's (this is standard practice).

it's not apple saying no to a return, op just needs to get his original phone back from apple.

I think you need to read the OP's OP again. It IS Apple saying no to a return because his phone is a refurb.

And Best Buy won't refund it either because it's not the one they sold him.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

i don't think you understood the story.

op bought it from bestbuy, swapped for another at apple, then wanted to return the swapped one to bestbuy. bestbuy said no since the serial on the box is different from the phone's (this is standard practice).

it's not apple saying no to a return, op just needs to get his original phone back from apple.

How is the OP supposed to get the old phone back? Do you think they keep them all at the store in a box near the lunch room?

The reason they come in a white/black box with a barcode is because after they give you the new phone and take the defective one, it gets shipped back to a refurbishing center somewhere. this is probably done daily or every other day.

With the amount of returns from each store going back in masses. It would be impossible to track one persons phone down and get it shipped back to him. Hell!!! it could already be refurbished and handed out to a new customer already. in that case that serial number no longer exists.

 

[Blueline29]

i don't think you understood the story.

op bought it from bestbuy, swapped for another at apple, then wanted to return the swapped one to bestbuy. bestbuy said no since the serial on the box is different from the phone's (this is standard practice).

it's not apple saying no to a return, op just needs to get his original phone back from apple.

If I'm reading it correctly, he said that he originally bought the phone at Best Buy, then exchanged it at the Apple store due to the green blob issue. When the refurb had further issues, he tried to return it at the Apple store but they said no because it was a refurb. So he then tried to return it to BB and they said no because it was a different phone than the one he was sold originally.

It's ridiculous that Apple won't do anything for him.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

This is why I try to buy Apple products from Apple.

Look, OP got a raw deal, but it's not Apple's fault -- he did not buy the phone from them so how could they give him a refund. It's not BB's fault, the serial# doesn't match the box. If OP had bought from Apple then I'm fairly certain they would return the phone. But that is not what happened. This would happen with any product from any manufacturer. Bottom line: once you get a service exchange, you own it.

 

[dalen3]

Holly cow! you forgot Steve Jobs!

Yeah, it might sound like too much, but when it comes to unfair practices you got to attack them like that. And of course, do it in a calm but firm way. They'll take you more seriously.
By the way, f$%# Steve Jobs, he's in it for money, not for fair consumer trade.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

This is why I try to buy Apple products from Apple.

Look, OP got a raw deal, but it's not Apple's fault -- he did not buy the phone from them so how could they give him a refund. It's not BB's fault, the serial# doesn't match the box. If OP had bought from Apple then I'm fairly certain they would return the phone. But that is not what happened. This would happen with any product from any manufacturer. Bottom line: once you get a service exchange, you own it.

I agree. what the genius that took care of him the first time should have done was tell him that he needs to go back to Best Buy and get it exchanged. This should have been a disclaimer before he took the replacement. it still functioned and he could have delt with it for a few days to let them get one in.

I had this same type of issue with a Macbook Pro. Trackpad died 4 days after purchase, I took to apple, they said take it back to best buy and get an exchange. I took it back, got a refund and went to Apple and bought it from them .

 

[JoJoCal19]

This is why I try to buy Apple products from Apple.

Look, OP got a raw deal, but it's not Apple's fault -- he did not buy the phone from them so how could they give him a refund. It's not BB's fault, the serial# doesn't match the box. If OP had bought from Apple then I'm fairly certain they would return the phone. But that is not what happened. This would happen with any product from any manufacturer. Bottom line: once you get a service exchange, you own it.

And that is not fair to the consumer. Apple should not be handing out phones from "black boxes" unless its for a exchange/replacement AFTER the 30 day return window. This just screws the buyer, as in this case.

If you thought CALS had ammo before, just wait until this becomes even more commonplace. There will be potentially thousands of people that will be stuck in this situation. How is this fair?

I mean I totally agree with you that I only buy Apple products from Apple because I avoid these types of issues. I always try to eliminate 3rd parties or middlemen if at all possible.

I will also say this, anyone on these forums needs to RETURN any defective devices for full refund and then re-purchase new.

 

[interspire]

You are completely wrong here milo, I went in to the store due to dead pixels on the screen they offered be a refurb i said no because i always make them give me a sealed unit. just stamp your feet and get angry with they they will sort the issue out for you!

Fail.

1. There are no refurbished iphones yet.

2. Name another product you can return after having service done to it.

 

[ballen420]

And that is not fair to the consumer. Apple should not be handing out phones from "black boxes" unless its for a exchange/replacement AFTER the 30 day return window. This just screws the buyer, as in this case.

This is what I am talking about.

I'm in the same situation and specifically asked the 'Genius' if I could return it if he swapped it out. I didn't go into the Apple store looking for a swap, I was looking for them to diagnose my phone to see if there was an issue with my phone specifically. He said 'oh, let me swap it out for you, you shouldn't be having that issue'.

WTF. A phone going back to Apple is a phone going back to Apple.

 

[eldersi]

I'm heading to Apple after work to return mine. I had it exchanged out with another one on the 27th. The reception with this one is much worst. So I've decided to return it and go back to my 3G for now and try again later. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[mytakeontech]

Oh, you guys got me little very little worried!

My replacement phone (proximity sensor issue) is on Fedex truck for delivery!

Now if I ship my original phone back that means I cannot "return" the replacement.

Not that I will be returning my phone but I did not know about this rule. Not good Apple!!

 

[jfyrfytr25]

After thinking about this I think I see what the issue is here.

the item was purchased at bestbuy, OP gave them the money for it.

then he gets a replacement from Apple and has a phone with a different serial than the one Best Buy sold him.

Now he wants a Refund and walk away.

The reason Best Buy wont return it is becasue it is a different phone. People try to scam all the time by buying a new product and then trying to return the old product in the new box for a refund. so checking serials is normal.


Apple cant return it either because they did not sell it. How can they refund money to you when you never gave THEM the money to begin with. Apple is a corporation but the retail store operate under their own umbrella meaning they have their own overhead and revenue to manage and worry about.

If they gave him the money back they would technically be out that money.

now imagine this happening thousands of times over. their financials would be an utter mess.

 

[ballen420]

Which is why Apple shouldn't be replacing them in the first place then.

It's also not just returning the phone, it's getting out of the $320 ETF that's involved as well.

 

[eldersi]

Just returned mine at the Apple Store with no issues. I went to AT&T first and had them reactivate my 3G and kill the iPhone 4. Then went to Apple and they didn't even turn the iPhone 4 on.... They just scanned the receipt and then the box and I had a receipt in my inbox.

This was not the original iPhone 4, but an exchanged one from the magical black boxes.

 

[mytakeontech]

Just returned mine at the Apple Store with no issues. I went to AT&T first and had them reactivate my 3G and kill the iPhone 4. Then went to Apple and they didn't even turn the iPhone 4 on.... They just scanned the receipt and then the box and I had a receipt in my inbox.

This was not the original iPhone 4, but an exchanged one from the magical black boxes.

So basically you bought the original from APPLE?

 

[ashVID]

Nothing evil here. I'm sure someone higher up at Apple will help you solve it. So far, it's been by the book and in defense of both Apple and BB, it is standard behavior to prevent fraud.

As far as returning it for a "new" unit, that's silly. They are doing you a favor by replacing it immediately. They don't owe you a new one. It's fairly standard in electronics to do a warranty swap with an OEM but not retail packaged product. Imagine your car radio breaks, they fix it, they don't give you a new car.



ash =o)

 

[jfyrfytr25]

Nothing evil here. I'm sure someone higher up at Apple will help you solve it. So far, it's been by the book and in defense of both Apple and BB, it is standard behavior to prevent fraud.

As far as returning it for a "new" unit, that's silly. They are doing you a favor by replacing it immediately. They don't owe you a new one. It's fairly standard in electronics to do a warranty swap with an OEM but not retail packaged product. Imagine your car radio breaks, they fix it, they don't give you a new car.
ash =o)

thats a silly analogy. If my radio breaks they dont give me a new car, they dont give me a refurbished one either. An automobile is very different than a consumer electronic.

and if my consumer electronic becomes defective within the first days or weeks of ownership, then yes I do expect a NEW replacement. I did not pay retail price for a previously owned device. which is why I would retun the first one as defective and purchase a NIB unit the same day.

you are right, it is common to do a warranty swap on a electronics. But not ones that are still within the return period. In which case I think they do owe you a new one.

 

[eldersi]

So basically you bought the original from APPLE?

Correct.

 

[MozMan68]

...I would still expect a brand new radio to be installed in my car though....

 

[AbSoluTc]

It's interesting to see how many people are unaware that when you buy something with a serial number and you try to return the same thing but with a different serial number the store will not accept the return. Even though it's the same exact thing!

I wonder why... hmm.. you buy something online for super cheap because it's dead/broken/no longer working. You go to said store, buy the same exact thing, swap the good for the bad, keep the good and take back the bad. See how that goes? If they didn't check the serial number imagine how many people would be doing that crap.

 

[ashVID]

Ugh, a refurb is not "used" it is just not in retail packaging. If you need to feel like you got a brand new sparkly one with a sealed box, it's easy... return your phone for a full refund then get in back of the line to buy a new one.

I own a bunch of Apple refurb stuff, no difference from new, other than the box.




ash =o)