I am not going to judge the OP or the way he acted, but I will point out that on Apple's online store, they sell 'refurbished' items such as ipods, computers, ect at a discounted price. These items are just like the NIB one except they come in just plain brown boxes. Last year Apple sold refurbished iPhones at a discounted price as well.
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interesting info about the white box refurbs and ranting
- Thread starter joneszee954
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To me its still just a phone, a nice one, but still a phone. I guess some people just cant wrap their brains around that there are other things outside of "this" little world.
Ok, here is a example: I go to the car dealership and buy myself a nice new car, two weeks later the transmission goes out and and its smoking out the exhaust, I take it back to the dealer and he says that they have been having problems with this model, I will replace it with the exact same model that you bought, it was also returned, but our mechanic went through it and it was brought back to just like new condition. Would you drive off in it? I wouldn't. I would want a new car not a used one
I believe if you buy something new and it has a defect within 30 days of purchase you should get a replacement of another new device. This is just me.
Does everyone who has a problem with this have a problem with paying the full new price and getting a refurbished product on your first purchase? If yes, why?
So did you get any accessories with your iphone? I thought the plain boxed phones were only used as replacements?!
Yeah, all the accessories were included.
Well, I have had the SAME problem with refurbs. A VERY nice and extremely helpful AppleCare MANAGER (on the phone) told me that if the serial number starts with 5k , then the phone has been owned before. I got my iPhone replaced 3 times, and all for the same issue. Each one was a white service box, and each was a refub. Proven too, because the crash logs predated the date i got the replacement. If you want to read about my predicament, please go here: (it has great info and tips on what to do if something like this happens to you)
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/574421/
Hope this helps!
John
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/574421/
Hope this helps!
John
What is the problem with getting a replacement in a white box? You already have the original Black box, the earphones, documentation, adapter, all you need is you phone replaced. When Apple got me a new phone, they turned around and opened one of the drawers behind the counter filled with replacement phones, JUST the phones, without all the other stuff which I already had, and grabbed one of the white boxes. I doubt they are refurbs, it is just easier, and more efficient to just store what is needed in the boxes, THE PHONE.
Yes, true. But sometimes (like in my case) when phones have been preowned, they may have had the same issue as when they were first purchased. (like dust behind the screen.) And since they really cant fix that, they resend the phones back out as refurbs. In my case, all of the refurbs got dust behind the screen.
As well, when receiving a new phone when calling in from Apple, they will send you a new phone in a "service box". This box is similar to the one in store, but is black. It contains only the phone but it comes right off of the assembly line into that box.
In my case, I requested the new one in full case because in lieu of the events prior, I wasn't ready to get another phone with the same problems, and so on and so forth. So I wanted to put my mind at ease and get a phone I know wouldn't have the same problem.
So, it depends on the case. The first three phones I got WERE from behind the counter, in the date stamped white boxes. But when you have a brand new 300 dollar phone that is only one week old and has problems, and you are given a phone that has been owned before by someone else and may have been opened, etc., it isn't really satisfying to the customer.
John
*Finally* someone gets the "bumper" / car analogy. It's amazing how people nit-pick an analogy and only quote something that supports their argument instead of the original/entire analogy.
Again - since people seem happy to point holes in the analogy - it's really all about expectations. Maybe the "bumper" scenario was too little of a piece of the car to relate to?
As for the response earlier regarding "how the way the world works" and kids/teens posting to this thread - I'm far from being a kid/teen.
To show you what I mean by expectations - Case in point:
*Several* years ago I had a Dodge Neon - 12 month/12,000 mile "bumper-to-bumper" warranty... About a year into it - I had actually around 14,000 miles on the car. One day the brakes suddenly started grinding - almost like a flip of the switch scenario (no whining of the brakes, etc., previously). It literally sounded like the brakes were tearing up underneath the car - to the point I was afraid to drive it any further.
I had it towed to the dealership - they inspected it and found that the brake pads had literally crumbled - and that the brake assembly itself had simply gone straight into the rotor - thus the reason of the drastic sound. Needless to say the car needed an "entire" brake replacement (pads, rotors, brake assemblies, etc. (around $1500 - $2000 of work if I remember correctly) - you name it the entire braking system was affected and had to be replaced).
The dealership showed me the brake pads, and started out by stating that since the car was "outside" of the warranty (> 12k miles), that I'd be responsible for the repairs. After looking at the pads for a few moments - I noted the overall thickness of the pads (pads were were not even close to the warning clips) and also noted that the pads were literally cracked down the middle. When I showed him pads and questioned the thickness and asked him if the pads were worn too thin - he had his mechanic measure the pads - which were validated as "normal" wear/tear for 14k miles (pads were expected, on average according to the mechanic, to last 30k miles - about twice as long).
To that end, I then questioned the possibility of a defect within the pads themselves, due to the pads and how they split / crumbled. I simply stated my case that, if the pads were "normal" wear and tear - then why should I have to pay for the replacement of the entire system when there appeared to obviously be a defect within the pads themselves?
In short, the dealership took the pads to the regional directors, etc., and ultimately, the *entire* brake system was replaced at no charge to me. It took awhile to get it authorized, and technically, the dealership had every "right" to deny the claim and force me to pay for the repairs. However, in the end, with several meetings back and forth with the dealership and the regional director - it was replaced.
The whole time - the expectation there was that, since they (the dealership) did note that the brake pads had "normal" wear / tear - that everything would be fixed due to the defect (brake pads crumbling). I continually reiterated the defect issue throughout the entire process as well.
Same applies here - you have a widely known defect (cracking) and a questionable replacement within the initial purchase (30 day window). Expectation, for me at least, would be a brand new phone. After 30 days - I'd expect either a new phone (would push for this) or a refurbished phone. I'd then pay extra attention to the phone to ensure no cracking re-appears - and, if it did, then I'd be returning the phone and simply selecting another product.
To expect less for any product that I purchase is not an option in "my" world - I expect a product to work as advertised without defect - period. Luckily - I don't have any cracks appearing in my phone, yet - and I'm almost out of the 30 day window. If I start to see cracks in the phone after the 30 day window - I'll ask for/expect a new phone, and will explain it the same way as with the Neon - that there is obviously a defect with the plastic housing of these phones (and I'll also use the "cracking" thread from these forums for reference that it's a known issue). Time will only tell - It comes down to your expectations and if you're happy with the end result.
-jsg
Well the 30-day window is really for returns. You have a 1 year warranty (2 w/ AppleCare) that covers FACTORY DEFECTS. So, if your phone's case is cracking (no fault of your own) or dust is getting behind it on a regular basis and you aren't using it out of normal use (like in the Sahara desert), then I think you have grounds for a new phone.
All of the phones I have gotten have gotten dust between the screen and glass within 1 weeks of having it. Some days, and my original a week. Funny thing is, I was mad originally because a BRAND NEW product that is quite expensive, has a problem that is the fauly of the factory, and then they give me a phone that SOMONE ELSE has owned. ANd not a new one. I just call that sub-par replacement standards.
When I buy something, I want it to work well and like it is supposed to. AppleCare and Corporate have been VERY helpful with this. My Apple RS on the other hand, most of the genius' have told me I had no options.
I hate being called a liar and ESPECIALLY a rep. telling me they didn't care if I canceled my service, or was unhappy with the prodyct.
But I beleive this iPhone (MNy 5th and this one my 2nd normal, in box phone) might ave the same problem. If you want, read about it here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/574421/
So I mean, I am almost fed up at this point. I gave Apple a chance, all were helpful, but the products I keep getting just aint cutting it.
Yes, the dust may be minimal, but my dad's Razr got a few specs, then 2 weeks later it looked like a fog had taken over the screen. And he left it at home on most days.
And then on TOP of that, one genius told me my case might be doing it. I took the case off the 3rd phone I got (I thought this would allow direct access for dust to get to the crevices) and the same thing happened. PLUS the case was bought AT AT&T. So if it IS the case, then it isn't my fault.
Ugh, I am still ranting. But now corporate in San Antonio won't call me back and I will be stuck with 2 phones, because they haven't sent me return packaging. I have a label, but no box. And I don't want to pay 20 bucks to insulate and stuff and then something happen to it and because it wasnt their packaging, I will be charged for the phone. So you can see my predicament.
If you want to reply about my story above, please keep the forums neat and post it under that thread. For anything I said here, post it here. You know what to do
John
I got a 5th gen iPod from Apple's refurb store. Saved myself around £80, so was very happy.
Differences between that iPod and a new one: Came in a different box, but that didn't bother me.
And unless you threw out your box, you still have it, so what's the problem?
Differences between that iPod and a new one: Came in a different box, but that didn't bother me.
And unless you threw out your box, you still have it, so what's the problem?
(DOnt take this personally. Just using you as an example)
This is what I can't stand sometimes, everyone thinks its the box I want. Lol, I laugh and say: Well, if I wanted the box, i wouldn't ahve thrown away my original.
Well, its NOT the box at all. It is the fact that the phone is BRAND NEW. Not "maybe" new or "maybe" refurbished. ESPECIALY Since I went through 3 refurbs with all the same issue, I wanted a new phone in the normal box because I was fed up with replacements that have been owned by someone else before and taken apart and all that rubish.
So don;t take that personally, but that is the motive behind getting a new product in the original packaging and not a service box. Peace of mind and surity of a good product (but maybe not in my case because I think this new phone might have the same problem again....)
None the less,
John
Apologies for dragging this post up again, but I have to comment on this whole iPhone/car analogy. It's laughable.
The example above would result in a replacement transmission, not a new car. I have had new cars in the past with problems (some rather big) and you will not be handed a new car, regardless of the issue. And you should be happy with that, because the part they replace will be brand new - why on earth would you rather wait around for them to get you a new car? If dealers did this it would cost them an absolute fortune.
Is the above post from experience? If so, congratulations, you must have done some serious haggling. If it isn't, how on earth can you comment?
It's a daft comparison, I'm afraid.
i must agree. it was a poor analogy. the fact of the matter is that Apple's warranty explicitly states a replacement due to exercising the warranty will be either a new or refurbished model, at their discretion. right or wrong, that has been and always will be Apple's policy on warranty replacements for all their hardware.
but, the good news is that Apple has a terrific refurb program and in some ways the QC may even be better than a device from the factory. unlike iPhone's coming from the factory that are batch-tested, refurbs are QC'd on an individual basis.
and, though i think i posted this earlier in the thread, it is a fallacy to assume a "white box" replacement is automatically a refurb.
Unfortunately not. In the above example, they would have replaced the transmission on the car and given it back, not given the customer another car.
Yet you originally posted:
jsgiv said:
So why did you let them refurbish your car by fitting a new brake system rather than demanding a new one?