Carrier Issue returning XS Max

So, I walked into an Apple store yesterday (10/4) to return my XS Max that ordered from Apple (with Verizon financing) on pre order day and I received on 9/24.

The guy helping me process the return tells me “hold on a second - I’m gonna get a manager. There seems to be an issue returning your phone.”

The manager then comes over and tells me she will issue the refund, but I’m past the 13 day return window for my carrier and she can’t guarantee that once she processes the return, that I won’t still be charged since I’m “locked in” to this contract.

Has anyone else experienced this??

I’ve looked at the “view your next bill” on Verizon’s website and it seems to have removed the activation charge and monthly payment plan from my line, but the whole encounter didn’t make any sense. Verizon themselves offer a 14 day return period, how would they be able to lock you in a “contract” at 13 days?? Not to mention, I was under the 13 day mark from the day I received the phone..

 

Apple wasn’t saying it was past date for them.. they were saying in their system, they were getting some alert from Verizon while trying to process the return.

Edit: when I tried to return via mail online, it wouldn’t give me that option. It told me to bring it to a store or contact customer service. I didn’t think much of it at the time as I figured the store was close enough and I’d get refunded a little more quickly if I brought it in, but perhaps it should have been a sign that something was up...

I didn’t press the issue. The guy asked me what carrier I was using which made me think he doesn’t even have that info in front of him and if was on Verizon’s end, there’s nothing the Apple employees could do.

The manager wanted to just make sure I knew that it was my responsibility to make sure my carrier fixed my billing? She couldn’t guarantee the return processing was going to end the monthly payment plan.

It SEEMS like everything is fine so far on my Verizon account - the line I processed the return on is listed as eligible to upgrade..

I was just curious if anyone else experienced this as I can’t be the only person to sign up for a Verizon payment plan through Apple and try to return an iPhone...

 

I placed my pre order with Apple, but when Verizon announced the BOGO deal, I decided I’d try the one from Apple with my 14 day return window to confirm I want the Max and placed an order with Verizon for the BOGO deal and added my mother in law to our plan.

 

Wanted to give an update on this: the credit for the phone was issued and the phone was removed from my Verizon bill almost immediately. My bill has been posted now, and there’s no sign of having to pay any part of the phone that was returned... so, this was strange, but not a problem at all.

 

Yikes! I would contact them..

I don’t think it took days for it to be removed on mine!