My experience with a defective iPhone 4.

[179202]

Granted I replaced my phone twice the first weekend they were out (Both because of bad cameras) - but I didn't care about getting a new box despite the phone being less than 24 hours. I just wanted a phone that worked.

Again - it was launch weekend, so I had no fears of getting a refurbished. But it still wouldn't matter to me, personally if it was.

I don't disagree you're entitled to a new phone. But since you made that decision - while I can understand you're frustrated - it was your decision to put yourself back on the list to wait.

This.

Those retail phones are reserved for people. You have a box and everything contained already. You just need to swap the defective part for a working one, which Apple are willing to do.

If you want a new retail box version, with a CHANCE it'll have the same problem (no matter how small, there is a still chance), then you'll have to wait. Otherwise, accept the re[placement given to you by Apple. If that has a problem, you can swap it with them again.

Except for being a little OCD, I don't see the problem here.

What was the experience that led you to demand a non-white box replacement phone?

 

[AndrewR23]

I have a wiggley home button and a yellow spot on left corner part of screen. Im afraid to get a replacement bc my reception and proximity is perfect.

Any ideas what I should do?

 

[LordOBoogie]

I don't see the problem, either. There are no refurbs yet. You don't need all new accessories. Just take the phone and see if it works better than the one you returned. Return it if it doesn't.

 

[Zubba]

To clarify...

No, I was not interested in taking someone's pre-order or reserve, if they had simply no retail stock to sell to customers I would be happy to wait until one came in. Half the point is that they had two 32GB in stock for general sale that day, and WOULD NOT give them to me because apparently it is Apple policy to ONLY issue replacements with the white boxes/black boxes.

The policy is just stupid.

 

[179202]

To clarify...

No, I was not interested in taking someone's pre-order or reserve, if they had simply no retail stock to sell to customers I would be happy to wait until one came in. Half the point is that they had two 32GB in stock for general sale that day, and WOULD NOT give them to me because apparently it is Apple policy to ONLY issue replacements with the white boxes/black boxes.

The policy is just stupid.

Actually, it's not. The policy is there so that you can still get a working phone and that those two phones in general stock can go to new customers. Apple being a business an' all, it's a pretty good policy.

Replacements come in those boxes because unless the fault is with the accessories, there is no need to replace the whole retail box and accessories.

If the problem were the plug, they'd just give you a new plug. You really expect that they would ask you to return the iPhone and everything that came with it; swapping them for a wrapped box from the store shelf? Yeah, thought not.

You're NOT getting a refurb this soon after launch. Right now, they are just phones set aside to replace iffy hardware.

As I asked earlier (and you neglected to answer), what exactly happened with a white box iPhone that made you so crazy about them?

 

[MaxxTraxx]

I agree with the OP

He payed $300 for a brand new phone - not no refurb. I don't care if you say it's not a refurb yet. How does he know?

I'd be mad if it was a month or so down the line and they had refurbs out and my brand new phone is replaced by a refurb.

 

[ellergek]

I exchanged my iPhone 4 for a black box unit at a Chicagoland Apple store on Sunday 6/27 and was told at that time that all the black box phones were brand new units; in fact, the genius also told me that all of their iPad units for swaps were still brand new as well.

If you think about it is highly unlikely that Apple has had time to take returned units, send them to the factory in China for repair, then get them back into the retail stores inventory in less than a month, so I tend to believe what I was told.

I am very happy with my new iPhone 4 and personally don't see why you would want to wait days/weeks for a new unit when it is not necessary, but I can respect your decision since you paid for it.

 

[Zubba]

Actually, it's not. The policy is there so that you can still get a working phone and that those two phones in general stock can go to new customers. Apple being a business an' all, it's a pretty good policy.

Replacements come in those boxes because unless the fault is with the accessories, there is no need to replace the whole retail box and accessories.

If the problem were the plug, they'd just give you a new plug. You really expect that they would ask you to return the iPhone and everything that came with it; swapping them for a wrapped box from the store shelf? Yeah, thought not.

You're NOT getting a refurb this soon after launch. Right now, they are just phones set aside to replace iffy hardware.

As I asked earlier (and you neglected to answer), what exactly happened with a white box iPhone that made you so crazy about them?

If it was guaranteed to not be a refurb, they wouldn't be classified as "replacement" refurbs. I'll grant you that most likely the channel is currently filled with primarily new phones this early, but it's not to the extent that you think it is, and I didn't sign up to buy the chance at a new phone. All of those phones people are returning and swapping out for white boxes are being returned to the Sacramento facility and are broken down/examined/redistributed through the replacement pipeline. Your comparison about the plug is borderline idiotic as they don't constitute the primary purchase, so I'm not going to comment further on it.

I can't think of another company that insists you take a used item as a replacement for a DOA product, can you?

 

[Zubba]

I exchanged my iPhone 4 for a black box unit at a Chicagoland Apple store on Sunday 6/27 and was told at that time that all the black box phones were brand new units; in fact, the genius also told me that all of their iPad units for swaps were still brand new as well.

If you think about it is highly unlikely that Apple has had time to take returned units, send them to the factory in China for repair, then get them back into the retail stores inventory in less than a month, so I tend to believe what I was told.

I am very happy with my new iPhone 4 and personally don't see why you would want to wait days/weeks for a new unit when it is not necessary, but I can respect your decision since you paid for it.

If you're happy, that's the most important thing. Congrats. I think the vast majority of people are happy with their new iPhone 4. The genius at the store didn't lie to you, sort of. All of the black box (white box/whatever) units are classified as replacement units. Most people (even the genii) rightly or wrongly assume that the majority of units are new because they don't start to see the obviously reconditioned products come down the pipeline until a few months have passed the initial release wave.

If you directly ask Apple via the consumer number they will let you know that "replacement" units are NOT classified as NEW units because the category CAN and WILL include previously used units that have been repaired, and units pieced together via returned parts. These units are not shipped back from China, there is a facility in Northern California where this happens.

Several people have asked what my previous experience was with the white boxes and the original iPhone that set me off so much. I won't go into all the details, but I will say that I believed the genius at the Apple store who guaranteed me that my "replacement" phone was a "new phone" and took it home only to find that it was used after I had to return to the store 6 more times over a month long period for various problems. Oh, and I used to work for Apple... so... yeah. I know where the white boxes come from, or at least where they did when I was working for Apple.