Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
You'll have to return it to Amazon, but their return service is excellent. They should overnight you a new product, and give you a month to send the old one back.
 
Apple will only repair and unless its something silly it won't be the same day, Send it back as already mentioned Amazon has excellent customer service.
 
I bought a mac mini off amazon and it arrived with the fan wire undone, took it to my apple store in center city Philadelphia and they repaired it. I could have fixed it, but why? it's not my job to do quality checks.
 
For me, a big reason for buying from Apple is if there is something seriously wrong when it arrives, Apple will replace it promptly. You can go to the Apple store and if one is in stock they will replace it on the spot.

Amazon is another story; you have to wade through their telephone game, then hopefully get someone to help you; it's luck of the draw. Usually they will replace it, but it takes longer than going to Apple. I've never been happy with Amazon returns.I wouldn't buy a Mac from Amazon and I wouldn't buy anything that cost over $ 500 from them.
 
For me, a big reason for buying from Apple is if there is something seriously wrong when it arrives, Apple will replace it promptly. You can go to the Apple store and if one is in stock they will replace it on the spot.

Amazon is another story; you have to wade through their telephone game, then hopefully get someone to help you; it's luck of the draw. Usually they will replace it, but it takes longer than going to Apple. I've never been happy with Amazon returns.I wouldn't buy a Mac from Amazon and I wouldn't buy anything that cost over $ 500 from them.

your experience is exactly the opposite to my experience. apple never replaces but fixes so you're out of a computer for several days or weeks.

the only advantage of buying in the apple store is that you can walk in and you don't have the hassle of shipping/recieving (but you have to pay sales tax).
 
the apple store to get a replacement, or do I have to return it to amazon?

I can confirm from first hand experience that a faulty MacBook Air that I received from Amazon was replaced with a brand new model when I took it to the Apple Store. I even watched them open up the shrink wrap, lift off the top box, and hand me the brand new unit.

The funny thing is that there was only one small problem with the F key. It didn't register properly. I actually wanted them to fix it since I had a Samsung screen and a Samsung SSD but he said because I just received the computer the day before, they would just give me a new one.

I got to keep my original box and all accessories. They simply gave me the new Air and printed up an Apple receipt so if something happens to it, I have to bring it back to Apple and not Amazon. The only slight negative is that the serial number on the box no longer matches the serial number on the Air.
 
your experience is exactly the opposite to my experience. apple never replaces but fixes so you're out of a computer for several days or weeks.

the only advantage of buying in the apple store is that you can walk in and you don't have the hassle of shipping/recieving (but you have to pay sales tax).

Apple will replace a brand new DOA. Maybe you have better luck than I do at Amazon.
 
Apple will replace a brand new DOA. Maybe you have better luck than I do at Amazon.

They didn't do it for me in the Apple store twice (powerbook and iPod).

In addition when I bought a MBP in an Apple store i asked them before I bought if they would give me a new one in case the one I bought and set up in the shop right away was DOA.

They said no, we sent it in and you have to wait for the replacement to ship. Takes a week or so (that you are out of your money and without a computer).

So there is no incentive to buy in an Apple brick and mortar store in terms of warranty. You pay sales tax and you lose about the same amount of time if the item is DOA. The only advantage is to have the item right away.

Maybe the Apple stores reps that I met were total d1cks but that is what they told me and that is what happened to me twice (granted that was some years ago).

I try to buy in NH in brick and mortar Apple stores if possible to save sales tax. In terms of returns (only a very small chance that a mac is DOA) I just return at the next Apple store and wait since I have to wait no matter where I buy.
 
For me, a big reason for buying from Apple is if there is something seriously wrong when it arrives, Apple will replace it promptly. You can go to the Apple store and if one is in stock they will replace it on the spot.

Amazon is another story; you have to wade through their telephone game, then hopefully get someone to help you; it's luck of the draw. Usually they will replace it, but it takes longer than going to Apple. I've never been happy with Amazon returns.I wouldn't buy a Mac from Amazon and I wouldn't buy anything that cost over $ 500 from them.

Amazon has the most amazing customer service. Any time there is a problem they have done exactly what I wanted. Took several emails. They make logical decisions.

Apple on the other hand had nothing but problems. They did something for me once. Refused to do it again and tried 5 different reps. They dont make logical decisions.
 
They'll try to tell you you can't exchange it there because the resellers have different model numbers( like best buy) but amazon actually drop ships apple computers so there is absolutely no difference. Talk to the manager and they will help you. I've done this twice.
 
I think it depends on the product.

I ordered an iPod touch from Amazon and the volume button was stuck on arrival and I called Apple support and explained what was happening and they schedule an appointment for me an the Apple store and they promptly replaced it. Just make sure you take everything that it came with otherwise they'll swap the unit and keep the new packaging.
 
Last edited:
Return it. Amazon doesn't really do exchanges, they accept returns and often request that you order a new one independently - which is a good thing as this cuts out the wait time.

Amazon has excellent service and is a great place to buy a Mac - that's where I bought mine!!! I may also pick up a iPad2 if they have a sale after the iPad3 comes out.

Also, if you get a Amazon CC then all purchases get 3% back in points - that's about $50 or more plus no tax in some states. Amazon is one of my preferred places to shop
 
Last edited:
Yep....

I had a similar experience last year with a Macbook Air purchased from the local Micro Center store. We got it home, only to discover it had graphics issues. The display would randomly turn solid orange or blue in the middle of using it, requiring a hard reboot.

I took it to the local Apple store, thinking they might be easier to work with than Micro Center (who didn't have any more of the same configuration of Airs in stock to do an exchange with at the time). They admitted it was an "exception to the usual rule", but were happy to swap me right away for a brand new Air, once they were able to duplicate my issue while we were sitting at the Genius Bar.


I can confirm from first hand experience that a faulty MacBook Air that I received from Amazon was replaced with a brand new model when I took it to the Apple Store. I even watched them open up the shrink wrap, lift off the top box, and hand me the brand new unit.

The funny thing is that there was only one small problem with the F key. It didn't register properly. I actually wanted them to fix it since I had a Samsung screen and a Samsung SSD but he said because I just received the computer the day before, they would just give me a new one.

I got to keep my original box and all accessories. They simply gave me the new Air and printed up an Apple receipt so if something happens to it, I have to bring it back to Apple and not Amazon. The only slight negative is that the serial number on the box no longer matches the serial number on the Air.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.