My horrible/annoying experience with my first Apple computer purchase

[MacbookPr015R]

So I followed your advice of calling Applecare, and I was more than happy with their response.

I called them, went through the whole process, and first they could not believe the luck I had. Then they got upset that the Apple Store I have been dealing with refused to replace my Macbook if something was to be wrong with it. They told me to go down to the location, give them my case number, and get my 4th replacement like I deserve. If the store is to give me an attitude and problems, they told me to call them back from my phone and speak to the main supervisor again to make the store give me my replacement.

I was impressed, Applecare was thoroughly interested in making sure that I received a product free of defects. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Wish me luck on my fourth replacement too guys, I'm kinda nervous LOL.

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Dude, I kind of feel sorry for you, but for all the wrong reasons. You spent too ****** much on that computer. If you like latest and greatest, you'll probably be salivating over a new one in 3 years at the latest. It might last you 6 years anyway, but that's not a reason to stretch yourself financially if you only work part time. An older - cheaper - MBP would last you just as long, assuming you don't spill beer/coffee/etc over it.

If you go to the Apple store and raise a stink, they'll probably replace it for you, regardless of what was said before.

The point of purchasing this computer was not so that I could have the latest and greatest, but something that was reliable for my heavy educational needs. I had an HP laptop and a gateway desktop before this, and I cannot tell you how much essay's and papers I lost because they both would crash on a regular basis. I also can't tell you how much time I've wasted waiting for the laptop to unfreeze at 1am while I was doing papers.

It was an investment for something reliable.

 

[sabbyp]

Because that makes you look like a jerk?

How exactly does checking the laptop you've just paid $2/3k on make you look like a jerk? wtf are you talking about?

 

[Grohowiak]

Let us know how's the 4th and good luck.

 

[Radiating]

The point of purchasing this computer was not so that I could have the latest and greatest, but something that was reliable for my heavy educational needs. I had an HP laptop and a gateway desktop before this, and I cannot tell you how much essay's and papers I lost because they both would crash on a regular basis. I also can't tell you how much time I've wasted waiting for the laptop to unfreeze at 1am while I was doing papers.

It was an investment for something reliable.

You have the right idea. In the last 5 year I've owned basically every top of the line laptop from every major manufacturer and several boutique manufacturers like VooDoo PC and Apple laptops are the only machines that I haven't utterly destroyed due to constant daily hard use.

The computers aren't fail proof though, just much better than most, (about 8 times more reliable in my experience with 70+ laptops for myself and coworkers) so I'd recommend getting Apple Care a before your 1 year warranty expires. It's extremely inexpensive for an extended warranty, and well worth it.

The great thing about Apple is that they have the best warranty service in the world and will turn around an issue faster and better than anyone and at local stores, which nobody else offers all together. So not only are your chances of having an issue much lower but the negative effects of any issues are much smaller.

I hope you got the 512GB SSD and 16GB of ram if you plan to keep it for a while. Apple is one of the only companies that actually makes it's operating system releases with 3-4 year old technology in mind, which is why white polycarbonate MacBooks still run super fast. Apple is the only company that optimizes the OS to run programs fluidly on very old hardware.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

The point of purchasing this computer was not so that I could have the latest and greatest, but something that was reliable for my heavy educational needs. I had an HP laptop and a gateway desktop before this, and I cannot tell you how much essay's and papers I lost because they both would crash on a regular basis. I also can't tell you how much time I've wasted waiting for the laptop to unfreeze at 1am while I was doing papers.

It was an investment for something reliable.

My mid-2009 MacBook Pro that I got before my freshman year of college has its share of problems, but it lasted much longer than any PC would have, and the problems weren't that catastrophic. Apple unfortunately was using a cheap hard drive cable that burns out often, but thankfully I never lost data. AppleCare has saved my academic life several times lol. Unfortunately I couldn't rely on cheap cables for my senior thesis next semester, so I traded it out for a new 13" MacBook Pro with retina (which has so far been very solid, much like my old one was when it was new).

What I'm saying is that Apple machines aren't without their faults, but they will stand behind their products (While you're under warranty of course. After that you're SOL unless it's very well documented). The stores can be a pain in the a** to deal with because their job is to sell products. AppleCare's job is to make existing customers happy and remind the stores of that.

 

[radiohead14]

Because that makes you look like a jerk?

you do know that apple stores have the personal setup tables for the purpose of opening up your new product to check it out there right? so how would that make someone look like a jerk?

 

[MacbookPr015R]

Guys, I haven't went to Apple yet to attempt and get my fourth replacement, but I was wondering if I had to go to the Apple location I've been going to and purchased the laptop from? Or will I be able to go to any Apple Store?

Thanks

 

[aiyaaabatt]

Guys, I haven't went to Apple yet to attempt and get my fourth replacement, but I was wondering if I had to go to the Apple location I've been going to and purchased the laptop from? Or will I be able to go to any Apple Store?

Thanks

You can go to any apple store to make the return and/or exchange.

 

[bravo.ftwftw]

You can go to any apple store to make the return and/or exchange.

Go to another Apple store.

For the other Apple store that treated you poorly, provide feedback about your horrible experience: http://www.apple.com/retail/feedback/ Enter a receipt number if you have one - or enter the date of when you went to the Apple store

 

[thekb]

Forgive my OCD, but one recurring point about your narrative is really bothering me.

Your 1st computer had a funny noise,
your 2nd computer (1st replacement) had a chip, and
your 3rd computer (2nd replacement) is bowed.

This next computer is your 4th computer, but only your 3rd replacement, right? In your original post, you had it right but then inexplicably jumped a number.

"...They warned me though that because this is the second replacement, they would not give me another one in the event that I found trouble with this third Macbook; I was fine with that, hoping that the third would be the charm and apple's reputation of having top notch devices wouldn't let me down.

I bring home my THIRD replacement rMBP home, sit it at my desk, and to my dismay, the laptop did not sit flush and flat with the table.

Please resume discussion.

 

[MacbookPr015R]

You can go to any apple store to make the return and/or exchange.

Go to another Apple store.

For the other Apple store that treated you poorly, provide feedback about your horrible experience: http://www.apple.com/retail/feedback/ Enter a receipt number if you have one - or enter the date of when you went to the Apple store

Alright, I'll go to another location? Do you have any recommendations for Apple Store's in NJ? I searched reviews for the Menlo and Bridgewater commons one, but reviews don't seem to inviting...

Forgive my OCD, but one recurring point about your narrative is really bothering me.

Your 1st computer had a funny noise,
your 2nd computer (1st replacement) had a chip, and
your 3rd computer (2nd replacement) is bowed.

This next computer is your 4th computer, but only your 3rd replacement, right? In your original post, you had it right but then inexplicably jumped a number.


Please resume discussion.

Lol, yes I'm sorry. The first one I had made a creaking noise whenever I would pickup the device; The second one(1st replacement), had a chip on the side out of the box that was fairly obvious. The third one(second replacement) wobbles when on my table; I've tried several surfaces to rule out the possibly the desk was not level but it's the Macbook. I confirmed this by trying to slip sheets of paper under the corners. On the wobbling side, I could slip 5 sheets of paper, while I could not even slip one sheet of paper on the right side.

Something else that I noticed thinking about it though about the three Macbook's I've had...the first and third one had very nice keyboards, easy to press, quite and felt solid. The second one on the other hand felt like I was typing on a HP or dell laptop. It was loud, the buttons were stiff and always made this loud cheap sound when you pressed the key. Anyone else notice this?

 

[mac8867]

Don't you just hate those sales people who act as though doing their job is doing you a favor?
Take it back to the store as many times as needed. If they sell you something faulty 100 times, they should expect to receive it 100 times.

But they're genius's*... ! How can you argue with a genius? ROFL

 

[sarakn]

But they're genius's*... ! How can you argue with a genius? ROFL

Tell them if they were so smart, they would not work at the Apple Store.

 

[MacbookPr015R]

I'm going in today to get my 3rd replacement, and honestly I'm starting to have doubts. Despite this Macbook I have now wobbling, the body doesn't creak, the trackpad feels smooth unlike the second replacement where the trackpad felt grainy. The second replacement I had also had terrible keys, the were loud, souded hollow, stiff, etc. I'm just scared that my replacement is going to have something like that again...

 

[hieronymuspool]

I'm going in today to get my 3rd replacement, and honestly I'm starting to have doubts. Despite this Macbook I have now wobbling, the body doesn't creak, the trackpad feels smooth unlike the second replacement where the trackpad felt grainy. The second replacement I had also had terrible keys, the were loud, souded hollow, stiff, etc. I'm just scared that my replacement is going to have something like that again...

So what if it does? If you purchase a machine like this with your hard-earned money, you deserve a fully functional, faultless product. Even if it takes you 4, 5, 6 times to get it right, you deserve it.

Go claim what is rightfully yours.

 

[Ifti]

If this happened to me I would 100% be taking it back!
I would also open the replacement in the store and check it over to save any further trips.

I must be lucky enough to receive good units first time though.
My Mac Mini Server had a small dent in one corner when I purchased, and they promptly sent a replacement, which was fine. However, with both my MBA and rMBP Ive had my first units and they have been spot on - no issues whatsoever.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

I'm going in today to get my 3rd replacement, and honestly I'm starting to have doubts. Despite this Macbook I have now wobbling, the body doesn't creak, the trackpad feels smooth unlike the second replacement where the trackpad felt grainy. The second replacement I had also had terrible keys, the were loud, souded hollow, stiff, etc. I'm just scared that my replacement is going to have something like that again...

Just open the thing while you're there, put it through the paces, and don't leave until everything checks out.

The grainy trackpad feeling isn't an issue. They sometimes feel like that out of the box. It goes away with use.

 

[0r30]

return the laptop and repurchase??

 

[MacbookPr015R]

Alright guys, thank you for pushing me to replace my previous wobbling Macbook. I went yesterday afternoon, and this Macbook(3rd replacement/4th one) just may be the winner *knock on wood*. The body is feeling sturdy and solid, no wobbling, keys feel very nice, track pad is smooth, no chips out of the box, everything is feeling really nice. Overall, I'm very happy now with the laptop I received, well worth the price tag.

Thanks everyone who helped along the way, can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Just one question though real quick, I was reinstalling all the apps and updates since apple didn't want too transfer all my stuff over via thunderbolt unless I paid $99, and when I went to install my pages/keynote/numbers applications, it took around 9 minutes. I don't remember if the other Macbook's took that long, so can you gauge if that's normal for the 2.3GHZ 15 inch quad core I7, 16GB RAM, 512GB model? Also, when I went to do the update for Mavericks, and all the little stuff that came along with it, the "EFI" update I suppose, it took around 20 minutes? All normal?

 

[MacbookPr015R]

Alright guys, thank you for pushing me to replace my previous wobbling Macbook. I went yesterday afternoon, and this Macbook(3rd replacement/4th one) just may be the winner *knock on wood*. The body is feeling sturdy and solid, no wobbling, keys feel very nice, track pad is smooth, no chips out of the box, everything is feeling really nice. Overall, I'm very happy now with the laptop I received, well worth the price tag.

Thanks everyone who helped along the way, can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Just one question though real quick, I was reinstalling all the apps and updates since apple didn't want too transfer all my stuff over via thunderbolt unless I paid $99, and when I went to install my pages/keynote/numbers applications, it took around 9 minutes. I don't remember if the other Macbook's took that long, so can you gauge if that's normal for the 2.3GHZ 15 inch quad core I7, 16GB RAM, 512GB model? Also, when I went to do the update for Mavericks, and all the little stuff that came along with it, the "EFI" update I suppose, it took around 20 minutes? All normal?

For example, I just did an Adobe Flash Install that took 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Are those normal times?

 

[rigid]

The macbook pro user is a unique creature that looks for defects that don't even exist.

 

[SimonFi]

The macbook pro user is a unique creature that looks for defects that don't even exist.

I think when you pay 3000$ for a computer one should take it for granted to get a PERFECT machine with an extraordinary QC up front. But in reality it looks like Apple does't have much QC anymore...

 

[rigid]

I think when you pay 3000$ for a computer one should take it for granted to get a PERFECT machine with an extraordinary QC up front. But in reality it looks like Apple does't have much QC anymore...

That's the problem. It's never perfect when you are always looking for something wrong with it.

 

[tharepairguy]

However, I fail to believe that the second macbook was chipped out of the box. I've owned many, many apple products and each one has been cosmetically perfect (if not perfect in other aspects) directly out of the box.

We are so glad that you fail to believe. I have not only received a cosmetically defective mbp out of the box, but an iphone 5s with a nick in the bezel. Kool-Aid tastes bitter with no sugar btw...