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Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
I received my brand new iPhone 12 Pro on Friday. It was factory sealed, and when I opened the box, there was a one inch scratch right below the camera array in the glass back. I have included a picture. Unfortunately, I now have to wait until around Thanksgiving until I can get a replacement due to backorders. Great QC!
 

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MaxGolden12

macrumors 6502
Aug 1, 2020
449
990
That’s unfortunate, but sadly defects do happen with any mass produced product like iPhones. There were quite a few reports about the 2020 iPad Pros being damaged/defective out of the box including my own experience so I know how you feel. Hopefully they will let you keep and use this one for the time being until your replacement arrives and is hopefully in pristine condition out of the box as it should be!
 

Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
That’s unfortunate, but sadly defects do happen with any mass produced product like iPhones. There were quite a few reports about the 2020 iPad Pros being damaged/defective out of the box including my own experience so I know how you feel. Hopefully they will let you keep and use this one for the time being until your replacement arrives and is hopefully in pristine condition out of the box as it should be!

Unfortunately, I bought the phone through Spectrum Mobile. When I called them to get a replacement or return, they told me they wouldn’t accept it back until I filed a damage claim with FedEx first. They’re forcing me to make a fraudulent claim against FedEx, since Spectrum is trying to get FedEx to pay for the damage. Even though the scratch was obviously not caused by FedEx. I can’t use the phone in the meantime, unfortunately.
 
Last edited:

JPack

macrumors G4
Mar 27, 2017
11,605
21,010
Unfortunately, I bought the phone through Spectrum Mobile. When I called them to get a replacement or return, they told me they wouldn’t accept it back until I filed a damage claim with FedEx first. They’re forcing me to make a fraudulent claim against FedEx, since Spectrum is trying to get FedEx to pay for the damage. Even though the scratch was obviously not caused by FedEx. I can’t can’t use the phone in the meantime, unfortunately.

Damn, that's greasy. I guess when FedEx asks for photos as part of the claim, you'll have to beat up the iPhone box for the evidence to be convincing?
 

KO7

macrumors regular
Oct 19, 2020
195
232
Canada
Eep. That’s partly the reason why I’ll always buy my phones from Apple directly and pick up in store (and inspect before I leave). Sorry to hear about your luck in this case.
 

Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
Spectrum straight out sucks and they don't care about their customers AT ALL.

I will never buy a device from them ever again. I would advise no one to buy devices from Spectrum. I also disputed the charge through my VISA card. I purchased a replacement iPhone through Apple directly. My Spectrum Mobile coverage has been great, though.
 

Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
So they’re saying fed ex damage the phone from the inside when it was in a sealed box, interesting. I thought Apple would cover this anyway if you got apple care plus.

Ha, yeah. I don’t have Apple Care Plus, and Apple told me if I was to bring it in to a store, I would be charged as if I scratched it.
 

MaxGolden12

macrumors 6502
Aug 1, 2020
449
990
Unfortunately, I bought the phone through Spectrum Mobile. When I called them to get a replacement or return, they told me they wouldn’t accept it back until I filed a damage claim with FedEx first. They’re forcing me to make a fraudulent claim against FedEx, since Spectrum is trying to get FedEx to pay for the damage. Even though the scratch was obviously not caused by FedEx. I can’t can’t use the phone in the meantime, unfortunately.

That’s total BS. Sorry you have to go through this. Did you purchase the phone with a credit card? If so, I would probably dispute the charge with your bank.
 
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Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
That’s total BS. Sorry you have to go through this. Did you purchase the phone with a credit card? If so, I would probably dispute the charge with your bank.

I already disputed the charge through my VISA card. I also did that in case I get charged the $50 restocking fee when I end up returning it.
 
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MaxGolden12

macrumors 6502
Aug 1, 2020
449
990
I already disputed the charge through my VISA card. I also did that in case I get charged the $50 restocking fee when I end up returning it.

Good luck! Hopefully it turns out in your favour as it should, or Spectrum decides to accept your request for a return or replacement to avoid all the hassle.
 

Barry Irwin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
15
10
Sucks but why not swap it with Apple?

if you know you’re gonna keep the 12 pro long haul anyways

I called Apple customer service. They would treat the phone as if I had scratched it, and I would be charged for the repair or replacement. My plan is to return my defective phone to Spectrum, and I already have an order in though Apple directly for a new one. Unfortunately, my delivery date is November 13-20.
 

stu00a

macrumors member
Jan 13, 2011
57
5
You should return the phone to Spectrum definitely.
No need to purchase from them unless they are giving you for a free with no strings attached.
 
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jbachandouris

macrumors 603
Aug 18, 2009
5,709
2,829
Upstate NY
I called Apple customer service. They would treat the phone as if I had scratched it, and I would be charged for the repair or replacement. My plan is to return my defective phone to Spectrum, and I already have an order in though Apple directly for a new one. Unfortunately, my delivery date is November 13-20.
You obviously got one of the clueless Apple customer 'service' reps. The store would NOT treat you like you scratched it. If you already have a relationship with that store, they will know that you're not trying to pull a fast one.

This is why I ALWAYS buy from Apple and ALWAYS buy AppleCare+. Maybe it's a waste of money, but for my sanity, it's more than worth it.
 

Wags

macrumors 68020
Mar 5, 2006
2,103
1,563
Nebraska, USA
I called Apple customer service. They would treat the phone as if I had scratched it, and I would be charged for the repair or replacement. My plan is to return my defective phone to Spectrum, and I already have an order in though Apple directly for a new one. Unfortunately, my delivery date is November 13-20.
Ya. Just do a flat return. Be done with them.
 
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Nozuka

macrumors 68040
Jul 3, 2012
3,410
5,768
I once bought an iPad Mini from some local store and it had a dent right out of the box too. Took a lot of convincing, that it was like that from the beginning and in the end they said "they are going to make an exception" and exchange it.

But still i never bought anything there again. This has to be replaced without much fuss if it comes out of the box like that. The initial disappointment is already big enough, they don't need to make it worse.
 

MaxGolden12

macrumors 6502
Aug 1, 2020
449
990
I once bought an iPad Mini from some local store and it had a dent right out of the box too. Took a lot of convincing, that it was like that from the beginning and in the end they said "they are going to make an exception" and exchange it.

But still i never bought anything there again. This has to be replaced without much fuss if it comes out of the box like that. The initial disappointment is already big enough, they don't need to make it worse.

That’s why I buy Apple products directly from Apple or from a retailer with a good return policy like Best Buy. Their QC doesn’t seem to be all that great lately and I want to be able to return or exchange any damaged or defective product out of the box without any hassle.
 
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