Is this normal? [brushed silver wearing off too fast]

I called Apple Support about my 42mm SS Silver Link Bracelet saying that the brushed silver was wearing off too fast since I had only worn the watch 4-5 times and at least 4 of the links and the clasp has very noticeable wear on them. I sent them some pictures and they agreed (as if there saw this many times). They sent me a replacement yesterday via FedEx overnight and it comes today. The repair says I do not need to send back the old one.

Is that normal? Even though the old one seems to wear a little too fast, the link cost $449 and they are letting me keep it?

 

Maybe I am not saying it right - here is a pic. I can actually use my finger nail and rub more off. So, if I bought an iPhone for about $500 from Apple and the paint was wearing off and Apple sends me a new one, you think they would let me keep the other iPhone? I just thought it was odd that they don't want it back. It still looks good.

 

No, this is the silver link bracelet for the SS Watch My guess is that I could sell the old one on EBay and still get at least $200 - don't you think? Def worth keeping for parts I suppose?

 

We got off topic fast. Is it normal for Apple to let you keep a $450 product and still send you a brand new one even when the problem is just some wear that seems too fast?

 

Very good point and I will.

 

Oh I know. Was struggling to find the best analogy. Was a little surprised they didn't want it back. Someone could forge pictures and get a brand new link band and sell it for $400 or more. Sadly, people are that shady unfortunately.

 

Yes, the stainless steel link band. Was trying to describe what was rubbing off. I have only worn the band four or five times and work from home so the band rests on a padded rest. I do believe it is from resting on something but I was surprised at how easy it comes off. I can use my fingernail to rub off more. Apple thought it was a fault but I believe you are right with the new one.

 

Wish I could tell you what I did and what could have been the reason. It looks like simple rubbing but no scratches that would represent a hard surface. When I first saw it, I took off three links and replaced with three I had left over and it did it again with the new ones in one day and I work from home. If I workout or golf or swim, I use the sport band.

The person on the phone said she didn't think they would want it back after first saying the would send a box. Then she said no return is necessary and th support ticket said "no return required" and now the ticket is closed. When I uploaded pictures to them, they said "wow, that seems strange" and put me on hold and asked for higher resolution. I uploaded and they immediately said they would send a new one overnight.

At this point I am still using the old one and may just sell the new one because this concerns me. I could sell the old one since I don't really have links left without the problem and get $200 maybe or sell the new one and get $425 or more. I really like this band though.

 

definitely not hiding anything and I can rub more off with my fingernail - whether that is actually rubbing something off, I don't know. Believe me, this wasn't me forgetting what I did or hiding anything. It appears as if it is simply defective. Hope no one else has this issue.

Probably a dead issue at this point and I will most likely use the new band and keep the old one.

 

I wish I could tell you something that would make sense. I've only worn the link band 4-5 times and I am certain it has to be a defect and not me being rough on the band. I don't recall if I had anything under my fingernail but I wasn't looking for anything. I am sure I am saying it wrong about rubbing off... as you can see from the pictures, it looks like a different color as if it is major scratches but you can't feel anything and it looks more like rubbed off because I could extend the worn section scratching with my fingernail. So, if it isn't rubbing off, I am scratching it with my fingernail.

I guess this really got off topic. I was surprised that Apple didn't want the band back and it was a 5 minute call and they put me on hold and came back saying they were sending me a new one. At first they talked about sending a box and when they came back online they said that I didn't need to return the band. I said "really?" and she said yes. Plus the ticket said - no return required. As if they knew of a defect on some and knew it wasn't worth sending back.

I don't know, not worth figuring out and if the new band does the same thing, it is my fault but I have two other stainless steel bands for my Seiko Watches that I have used for years and they show no wear other than super minor scratches.