Is it possible that if an apple store ran out of iPhone 5 replacements

[TacticalDesire]

Scamming or complaining ?
You shouldn't just assume that of someone sir !
I guess when I had my ar15 serviced 4 times from colt or sent in my keltec 9mm to fixed I guess I was scamming them to huh ?
When you pay over 500 dollars for a phone I don't care how many times I have to have it fixed , if it don't work you bet your bottom dollar I'm going to use my warranty and just because the apple rep I got told the truth and upgraded me doesn't mean I scammed anyone , I wasn't even aware of that policy till she told me ! Now if I called back and did that same thing with my wife's 5 then that would be scamming but I'm not that kind of person ! And by looking at your picture you use you and I might have more in common than you think brother ! Never judge a person unless you know 100% the situation and also never judge unless you yourself are a perfect human being and my friend nobody is perfect !

That wasn't aimed at you. You had legitimate reasons. I'm talking about people that go out and try to scam carriers or stores into newer things even though their device is working fine. Something about the OP seemed fishy. Sorry if it felt like I was accusing you. Sending something in to get fixed isn't scamming. Sending something in with the express intent of getting something newer is which isn't what you did. And nice Ar15. The keltec isn't bad I guess either

 

[Thomas card]

That wasn't aimed at you. You had legitimate reasons. I'm talking about people that go out and try to scam carriers or stores into newer things even though their device is working fine. Something about the OP seemed fishy. Sorry if it felt like I was accusing you. Sending something in to get fixed isn't scamming. Sending something in with the express intent of getting something newer is which isn't what you did. And nice Ar15. The keltec isn't bad I guess either

Yea keltec is the only hand gun I have ever needed to send in to be fixed lol , never have problems with the springfields or kahr arms pistols . No worries though thanks for clearing that up . These phones are way to expensive to not use the warranty but I see what you mean some people cry over a scratch or two and except apple to replace it and that's bullcrap , unless it came out of the box like that then that's not acceptable

 

[iamMacPerson]

Well this just blew back in my face.

I spoke to someone is the CRD, and they weren't able to do ANYTHING. The most they could do was to set up another Genius Bar appointment and have them take a look and diagnose the phone. Otherwise, since most of the replacements were due to that terrible Wi-Fi bug the iPhone 5 had, they cannot replace my phone with a new one. The advisor even said that I should look at other phones, not just Apple phones. I told her the only other phone I would think about using won't work on my carrier (Nexus 5)! I also said that it was a bit ridiculous that I should have to pay my ETF (which is still $200 mind you), lose my number, and go out and have to buy another phone or pay full price for a new one! Either which way, I'll end up spending $300+ for a new phone because they sold me a dud phone.

She didn't say anything when I mentioned the "after 3 replacements customer gets a new phone" rule, but later on she did say that "A customer with more then 3 replacements is odd, but 7 is unheard of".

And a letter to Tim Cook it is!

 

[Thomas card]

Well this just blew back in my face.

I spoke to someone is the CRD, and they weren't able to do ANYTHING. The most they could do was to set up another Genius Bar appointment and have them take a look and diagnose the phone. Otherwise, since most of the replacements were due to that terrible Wi-Fi bug the iPhone 5 had, they cannot replace my phone with a new one. The advisor even said that I should look at other phones, not just Apple phones. I told her the only other phone I would think about using won't work on my carrier (Nexus 5)! I also said that it was a bit ridiculous that I should have to pay my ETF (which is still $200 mind you), lose my number, and go out and have to buy another phone or pay full price for a new one! Either which way, I'll end up spending $300+ for a new phone because they sold me a dud phone.

She didn't say anything when I mentioned the "after 3 replacements customer gets a new phone" rule, but later on she did say that "A customer with more then 3 replacements is odd, but 7 is unheard of".

And a letter to Tim Cook it is!

I hope I don't get into trouble for this but hey I'm just trying to help out a fellow apple lover right , here is the lady that took real good care of me her email address is mary_whitfield@apple.com , just explain your situation to her and if that fails you email this guy as a last resort because he is corporate and this guy only got involved because I did what you are threating , I emailed Tim cook and this guy called me , gustafson@apple.com just say you were advised they could help you ! And tell Mary that someone insisted you switch to android cuz I'm sure she would love that lol

 

[iPodJedi]

If I told you that Apple had stock to replace the original iPhone up until the middle of last year, what would that tell you?

Apple has plenty of stock. So, no. Plain and simply no. Your iPhone will be replaced with the exact same model you walk in with. If that Apple store has no stock (highly unlikely) you'll either be directed to another store or over the phone customer service.

It's only the carriers that run out of stock and replace with something newer.

Well if apple had stock of iphone 2g up u til last year... I would assume that they have plenty of iphone 5. So why cant you walk into an apple store and ask to buy the iphone 5 because you dont like the 5c but cant afford a 5s?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

So why cant you walk into an apple store and ask to buy the iphone 5 because you dont like the 5c but cant afford a 5s?

You're aware that the iPhone 5 has been discontinued?

 

[iPodJedi]

I got my launch day iPad 2 64GB AT&T replaced at my local Apple Store last month. I was shocked that they even had it in stock, I was expecting them to have to order it and let me know when it arrived. I guarantee you won't be getting a 5S as a replacement for a 5.

That is because Apple still makes and sells the iPad 2...
So they have the 2 and the Air. Apple sells the 2 still cuz it is cheaper for businesses and schools to buy 10s of them at a time.

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You're aware that the iPhone 5 has been discontinued?

Yes, but if you read my quote above it says that apple still has. New iPhone 5's still so I'm saying why keep them and give them away as replacements for under $100 each instead of selling them for $600each...

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Yes, but if you read my quote above it says that apple still has. New iPhone 5's still so I'm saying why keep them and give them away as replacements for under $100 each instead of selling them for $600each...

Apple has plenty of white box replacement iPhone 5, not retail boxes so you can't buy a retail box iPhone 5. They've discontinued it because they want people to buy the 5c and there's no way they'll sell one of the white boxes as a new iPhone and it's not doable anyway because they don't include accessories (charger, cable, etc.).

 

[iPodJedi]

Could they give an iPhone 5S? or that's not possible? Well of course depending on the person's mood do you think they might do it? somehow

Say that Apple DID run out of the 5 and offered you a newer iPhone...there is no way they would give you the 5s-they would give u a 5c because it is cheaper and equal to the iphone 5...

Im sure apple has more than enough of the iPhone 5 to last at least another 4 years into the future.

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Apple has plenty of white box replacement iPhone 5, not retail boxes so you can't buy a retail box iPhone 5. They've discontinued it because they want people to buy the 5c and there's no way they'll sell one of the white boxes as a new iPhone and it's not doable anyway because they don't include accessories (charger, cable, etc.).

I get that...i just mentioned that because it makes sense to sell iphone fives for full price instead of replacement price then apple would make more money...it was a What If type of statement

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Say that Apple DID run out of the 5 and offered you a newer iPhone...there is no way they would give you the 5s-they would give u a 5c because it is cheaper and equal to the iphone 5...

Im sure apple has more than enough of the iPhone 5 to last at least another 4 years into the future.

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I get that...i just mentioned that because it makes sense to sell iphone fives for full price instead of replacement price then apple would make more money...it was a What If type of statement

And lets say that you purchased the phone at a carrier and took it back and they were out of the iPhone 5...and they were willing to give you a new iphone-they would offer you the 5c again for the reason of it being equal to the 5 and it is cheaper than the 5s.

 

[Thomas card]

Say that Apple DID run out of the 5 and offered you a newer iPhone...there is no way they would give you the 5s-they would give u a 5c because it is cheaper and equal to the iphone 5...

Im sure apple has more than enough of the iPhone 5 to last at least another 4 years into the future.

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I get that...i just mentioned that because it makes sense to sell iphone fives for full price instead of replacement price then apple would make more money...it was a What If type of statement

Sorry to say this but your wrong , when the iphone 5 was discontinued my third iphone 5 had stuck pixels and so I called the rep that handled all my cases her name is Mary whitfield and she advised me that because I went through 3 white box replacements through the mail no less that it was apple policy to replace my device with a brand new device and being the 5 wasn't available brand new she upgraded me to a white 16 gig 5s , I thought It was weird also and asked why didn't she just offer a 5c and her response was the 5c was concidered a step down and they can't do that to a customer so they upgraded me , maybe my case was different cuz I had a manager on my case for every replacement and it was all documented and she even gave me a free black leather case ! I think it all comes down to who you deal with but I'll gladly provide proof of my claims and her email address

 

[iPodJedi]

Sorry to say this but your wrong , when the iphone 5 was discontinued my third iphone 5 had stuck pixels and so I called the rep that handled all my cases her name is Mary whitfield and she advised me that because I went through 3 white box replacements through the mail no less that it was apple policy to replace my device with a brand new device and being the 5 wasn't available brand new she upgraded me to a white 16 gig 5s , I thought It was weird also and asked why didn't she just offer a 5c and her response was the 5c was concidered a step down and they can't do that to a customer so they upgraded me , maybe my case was different cuz I had a manager on my case for every replacement and it was all documented and she even gave me a free black leather case ! I think it all comes down to who you deal with but I'll gladly provide proof of my claims and her email address

I guess i could see why it would be a step down and it seems like you had good customer service but maybe that just has to do with you having 3defective products...would that still happen if it was your first defective product??? Just a thought

Good luck and have fun with your 5s!

 

[Thomas card]

Sorry to say this but your wrong , when the iphone 5 was discontinued my third iphone 5 had stuck pixels and so I called the rep that handled all my cases her name is Mary whitfield and she advised me that because I went through 3 white box replacements through the mail no less that it was apple policy to replace my device with a brand new device and being the 5 wasn't available brand new she upgraded me to a white 16 gig 5s , I thought It was weird also and asked why didn't she just offer a 5c and her response was the 5c was concidered a step down and they can't do that to a customer so they upgraded me , maybe my case was different cuz I had a manager on my case for every replacement and it was all documented and she even gave me a free black leather case ! I think it all comes down to who you deal with but I'll gladly provide proof of my claims and her email address

You guys are either talking to the wrong person or something because the manager I talked to took xtra good care of me and ontop of everything the iphone 5s I received had touch id problems so I called her back and they replaced that one with the exact same model except newer it was week 42 but then I emailed Tim cook about everything and Also to tell him how awesome I had been taken care of and then I get a call from Erik gustafson from the CORPORATE office and for all the trouble he offered me an appeasement and I said I already got upgraded what else could you do and jokingly I said yea give me an iPod touch for my daughter and I thought nothing of it when I hung up but the next day I got an email from him with shipping information he ordered me a 32 gig iPod touch 5th gen in white and silver ! If you need help with your products from apple email Mary whitfield at mary_whitfield@apple.com or Erik gustafson at gustafson@apple.com these two will help you if your claims are ligit!

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I guess i could see why it would be a step down and it seems like you had good customer service but maybe that just has to do with you having 3defective products...would that still happen if it was your first defective product??? Just a thought

Good luck and have fun with your 5s!

Not the first time no way , I just got lucky the first time and got a really good manager who stuck with my case till the end , she even called me after each replacement and I video taped the unboxing of each replace my to show her I was getting replacemts that were screwed up right out the box , I had a lot of solid proof and after 3 times she pulled the trigger

 

[eyoungren]

Well if apple had stock of iphone 2g up u til last year... I would assume that they have plenty of iphone 5. So why cant you walk into an apple store and ask to buy the iphone 5 because you dont like the 5c but cant afford a 5s?

For the same reason you cannot walk in and buy an iPhone 2g, 3g, 3GS or 4. Or for that matter, a PowerPC based Mac.

Because it's discontinued.

Apple will replace an iPhone 5. They will not sell an iPhone 5.

 

[Mlrollin91]

That is because Apple still makes and sells the iPad 2...
So they have the 2 and the Air. Apple sells the 2 still cuz it is cheaper for businesses and schools to buy 10s of them at a time.

They do not still make and sell a 64GB AT&T iPad 2. Hasn't been made since March of 2012. But I wasn't shocked that they could get it, I was shocked they had it in stock. They have 18 iPad 2 models, so thats a lot of inventory each store has to carry.

 

[iamMacPerson]

I have emailed both Tim Cook and Mary, maybe I'll get somewhere this week.

I honestly don't care if I get a 5s or not, I just want a working iPhone. Is that too much to ask?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I honestly don't care if I get a 5s or not, I just want a working iPhone. Is that too much to ask?

I seriously doubt you blew through SEVEN replacement iPhone 5 because you wanted a working iPhone rather than anal-retentive issues like so many repeat replacement offenders.

 

[iamMacPerson]

I seriously doubt you blew through SEVEN replacement iPhone 5 because you wanted a working iPhone rather than anal-retentive issues like so many repeat replacement offenders.

Oh really? So you think I WANT to have to call AppleCare all the time? That I WANT to waste hours at the Apple Store? Do you think I wanted to waste time, money, and gas just over some small problem? No. The first 4 iPhone 5's I had all the Wi-Fi bug, which has been well documented over at the Apple Support Forums.

The 5th time was that I was having problems with the antenna. At home, I couldn't get more then 1 bar when I used to get a minimum of 3.

The 6th time was that the phone couldn't keep a signal. One day, all of a sudden, I started having problems with the signal fluctuating. For example, it would go from 1 to 3 bars, up to 5, down to 2, up to 4, down to 1, "Searching..." up to 5, down to 2, up to 3, down to 1, up to 4, down to 3, up to 5, then No Service. Same with the data; LTE, 1X, 3G, 1X, LTE, etc, etc. This was all happening standing out in a parking lot. For reference, I had a 4S near by also on Verizon, and that phone stayed steady on 5 bar with 3G. Tried a DFU restore and setting up as new, still happened. Oh by the way, this issue kept happening no matter where I went. It kept happing at the Genius Bar too, and they said "Yep theres a problem".

The 7th time the iPhone would just flat out refuse to connect to Wi-Fi. It would give an error, no matter if I was trying to connect to an open network (like at the Apple Store) or a secured network. DFU restore + Set Up As New didn't work.

So before you go and think I blew through 7 iPhones because "Oh theres this one little dead pixel at the bottom left of the screen" or "Theres a scratch on it" or "This one has backlight bleed", let me explain. I received all 7 replacements because of MAJOR hardware faults, not some little thing.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Oh really? So you think I WANT to have to call AppleCare all the time? That I WANT to waste hours at the Apple Store? Do you think I wanted to waste time, money, and gas just over some small problem? No. The first 4 iPhone 5's I had all the Wi-Fi bug, which has been well documented over at the Apple Support Forums.

The 5th time was that I was having problems with the antenna. At home, I couldn't get more then 1 bar when I used to get a minimum of 3.

The 6th time was that the phone couldn't keep a signal. One day, all of a sudden, I started having problems with the signal fluctuating. For example, it would go from 1 to 3 bars, up to 5, down to 2, up to 4, down to 1, "Searching..." up to 5, down to 2, up to 3, down to 1, up to 4, down to 3, up to 5, then No Service. Same with the data; LTE, 1X, 3G, 1X, LTE, etc, etc. This was all happening standing out in a parking lot. For reference, I had a 4S near by also on Verizon, and that phone stayed steady on 5 bar with 3G. Tried a DFU restore and setting up as new, still happened. Oh by the way, this issue kept happening no matter where I went. It kept happing at the Genius Bar too, and they said "Yep theres a problem".

The 7th time the iPhone would just flat out refuse to connect to Wi-Fi. It would give an error, no matter if I was trying to connect to an open network (like at the Apple Store) or a secured network. DFU restore + Set Up As New didn't work.

So before you go and think I blew through 7 iPhones because "Oh theres this one little dead pixel at the bottom left of the screen" or "Theres a scratch on it" or "This one has backlight bleed", let me explain. I received all 7 replacements because of MAJOR hardware faults, not some little thing.

You're not telling us the whole story, like this one. Anal-retentiveness comes in many flavors, including over-dramatization of problems.

 

[Thomas card]

You're not telling us the whole story, like this one. Anal-retentiveness comes in many flavors, including over-dramatization of problems.

Not telling you the whole story , I think he wrote about 4 paragraphs telling you the whole story when in reality he shouldn't have givin your post a second look , just because you haven't had the issues he has had doesn't mean there not real , a lot of the issues I had with my white box replacements was they came with scratches down the screen and looked like they got kicked around the floor and guess what , I did an unboxing video for everyone just to have the proof to show Mary my apple rep , video taped from the signing of the package to the opening of it , yes I'm that serious over a phone I paid over 500 dollars for , a lot of people attack other users here saying a lot negative stuff and doubting them and jumping to conclusions , I can't wait for the day to come where you get stuck in a cycle like we have with these phones , I finally got a good one and have no problems but I went through hell to get it , I'll tell you what though I would love to see If you debate this gentleman or even I to our faces and not a public forum , I'm all about freedom of speech but just cuz your typing and we can't see you doesn't mean all of a sudden your balls grow two sizes ! If you wouldn't say it to our faces don't type it that's all I'm saying !

 

[Thomas card]

I have emailed both Tim Cook and Mary, maybe I'll get somewhere this week.

I honestly don't care if I get a 5s or not, I just want a working iPhone. Is that too much to ask?

No it's not to much to ask and don't stop asking till you do , I demanded it because we pay crazy prices for these phones and we diserve what we pay for , don't waste your time explaining yourself to the doubters , you know what you went through , Mary will take care of you and she's fast to so check your email a few times . I'm sorry but Mary realized how much time and effort I put into getting a good phone and I could have switched to android but I stayed the coarse and now I have a new 5s and she gave me a black leather case , then after I emailed Tim cook about the ordeal Erik gustafson calls me and hooks me up with a free 32 gig iPod touch for my daughter , don't let the negative people affect you , there are good people at apple and I gave you there names and emails and you should be treated like gold now , I hope all works out buddy have a happy new year and after 7 replacements I would demand a new device and then you will get upgraded don't be afraid to ask because you have rights

 

[iamMacPerson]

Thomas, I would like to personally thank you for all your help. Its nice, but sad at the same time to know this has happened to others. At least I'm not alone.

I will say this, when it comes to Macs, Apple does not d*** around. Everyone in the Mac team is always very helpful, and issues have always been resolved very professionally and timely. This is the Apple I have come to know and love.

The iPads also seem to be rock solid. I have bought 3 iPads (1 original Refurbed, 1 iPad 2 Refurbed, 1 iPad mini 1st Gen New), and of those the only one to get replaced was the 2. It was replaced twice in the same day. First it was due to the ghosting problem, and before leaving the store, I noticed the second had apx. 2 inch by 2 inch spot of green on the LCD. Both verified at the Bar. The green spot was weird. Genius said she has seen it before, I guess the digitizer wasn't adhered properly. Knock on wood, no problems with my current iPad.

I love Apple. Its like Apple is a bag of potato chips, you can't eat just one.

 

[ohbrilliance]

Apple has plenty of stock of the different specs and colours for recent iPhones. They make sure you get the exact-same specification and colour as the phone they're replacing. One reason is to protect Apple from customers fraudulently damaging their phones just so they can get a replacement of higher specs or different colour.

 

[Thomas card]

Thomas, I would like to personally thank you for all your help. Its nice, but sad at the same time to know this has happened to others. At least I'm not alone.

I will say this, when it comes to Macs, Apple does not d*** around. Everyone in the Mac team is always very helpful, and issues have always been resolved very professionally and timely. This is the Apple I have come to know and love.

The iPads also seem to be rock solid. I have bought 3 iPads (1 original Refurbed, 1 iPad 2 Refurbed, 1 iPad mini 1st Gen New), and of those the only one to get replaced was the 2. It was replaced twice in the same day. First it was due to the ghosting problem, and before leaving the store, I noticed the second had apx. 2 inch by 2 inch spot of green on the LCD. Both verified at the Bar. The green spot was weird. Genius said she has seen it before, I guess the digitizer wasn't adhered properly. Knock on wood, no problems with my current iPad.

I love Apple. Its like Apple is a bag of potato chips, you can't eat just one.

No problem brother , like I said we pay crazy prices for these devices and honestly if people just settled for less than perfect because they were afraid to be anal retentive than how would company's like apple even know these problems exist , they have to be held to the same standards we are and if I gave less than 100% at work I would be fired or less than 100% at home something could happen to my family and I'm not about to let that happen . You deserve perfect cuz you paid for perfect , your not the bad guy cuz you demand your phone work , that's called taking a stand and not letting subpar quality control affect you because it shouldn't affect one of us , we as consumers should stick together on something like this and give each other the knowledge to get the job done , not doubt and call names like children

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Apple has plenty of stock of the different specs and colours for recent iPhones. They make sure you get the exact-same specification and colour as the phone they're replacing. One reason is to protect Apple from customers fraudulently damaging their phones just so they can get a replacement of higher specs or different colour.

Than why after 3 white box replacements through the mail with the same manager on the case did I get upgraded to a 5s white 16 gig , I'm begging people to not make statements that aren't true , if you suffer through 3 defective iphone 5 they will upgrade you to a 5s because after 3 refurbs they must give you a new device and they don't make new 5 anymore they only have refurb white box , I video tapped all 3 of my white box unboxings right from the signing to the opening and they all had scratched screens or something else and I had the proof , not only did I get upgraded I received a call from Erik from corporate who was stunned with what I went through and sent me a 32 gig iPod touch , just please stop assuming people are trying to commit fraud because we aren't , we are simply here trying to help each other get on the right path to enjoying their devices and if sharing my story and the email address of the managers that helped me gets something done for someone else and helps out one more lost person going through what I did that makes me feel great , we should all recieve perfect devices the first time and that don't happen but we have rights and should use them

 

[Brian Y]

Sorry to say this but your wrong , when the iphone 5 was discontinued my third iphone 5 had stuck pixels and so I called the rep that handled all my cases her name is Mary whitfield and she advised me that because I went through 3 white box replacements through the mail no less that it was apple policy to replace my device with a brand new device and being the 5 wasn't available brand new she upgraded me to a white 16 gig 5s , I thought It was weird also and asked why didn't she just offer a 5c and her response was the 5c was concidered a step down and they can't do that to a customer so they upgraded me , maybe my case was different cuz I had a manager on my case for every replacement and it was all documented and she even gave me a free black leather case ! I think it all comes down to who you deal with but I'll gladly provide proof of my claims and her email address

Please stop spouting this, and giving away employee's personal details (email) on the internet. How would you like it if someone posted your email online?

There is no *policy* of replacing a device after 3 swaps. They *can* do it, but it's not policy. The only reason this would even be offered is if you were kicking up crap and it was an appeasement to shut you up. And if they sent you an iPod touch - that I don't believe. If that *did* happen, it would only have been to shut you up. No other reason.

Oh, and you really think 3 replacement phones justified getting exec relations involved? Sounds like you were looking for problems (who records the opening of boxes) so that you could badger them for a free upgrade.

 

[Thomas card]

Please stop spouting this, and giving away employee's personal details (email) on the internet. How would you like it if someone posted your email online?

There is no *policy* of replacing a device after 3 swaps. They *can* do it, but it's not policy. The only reason this would even be offered is if you were kicking up crap and it was an appeasement to shut you up. And if they sent you an iPod touch - that I don't believe. If that *did* happen, it would only have been to shut you up. No other reason.

I'm sorry but it's there work email address that's directly related to this issue and yes I was told it's policy to do that after 3 refurbs , I didn't kick up anything I just spoke the truth and proved it , the fact they compinsated me shows how great a company apple is and it's not like I gave out her home number or anything , she does work for apple no ? Why it would get under your skin that I'm trying to help someone else is beyond me , if you have a problem with people trying to help each other than just move on if it has nothing to do with you