Official iPhone Refund Policy Tomorrow?

[suneohair]

Hell yeah if some are getting it outside the 14 day policy why not all of us. If none where getting it I could live with it all be it stew in it for a few days.

Some are getting it because they are whining to the right people. Instead of questioning the pick-and-choose nature of the current policy. You should be questioning the people who know they are outside of the 14-day policy yet still attempting to get the refund. They know the policy yet they still want more.

My ears are starting to hurt, because the silence comming from Apple over this is deafning! Do they have to rent the Moscone center and get a big stage set up, and hire some B-level performer first?

Right or wrong, they need to come out and say what is what, and tell everyone what their policy is. The fact they have issued some refunds has totaly screwed any policy they have in place now.

I filed a price match claim with my bank card, and will get my refund that way, but the people that have no claim should at least be told something.

It is only 8am in CA. I doubt we see an announcement yet.

See my above post about the current policy. Just because some have received it because they are first class whiners doesn't mean Apple has to give it to all. The policy is there and you all know it. Yet you still whine and call to complain. That is the real problem here.

Also, I wonder if Apple changed the SKU of the iPhone to cover their butts from chargebacks.

 

[aristobrat]

The policy is there and you all know it. Yet you still whine and call to complain. That is the real problem here.

Perhaps they were taking the advice that you gave in the other thread about MBP yellow screens. Apple has policies on what hardware qualifies for defect and what hardware doesn't. That apparently doesn't stop you from calling and complaining when you don't agree with the Apple policy. If iPhone folks don't agree with the policy that Apple has on refunds, what's the difference?

Some of you people are way too passive. You let a company walk all over you. Does Apple want to replace my product? Probably not, they are a business like every other business and they want to make money. Am I going to make Apple replace my product if I feel that it is necessary? You better believe it. Consumer rights are there for a reason. You don't have to live with a defective product. There are avenues to take when dealing with companies to get what you deserve. Your inability to do that speaks volumes as to why you are frustrated and ultimately get pissed on.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/4124293/

 

[imac abuser]

Well I just got off the phone with AT&T Store, and they basically told me no. Forget about getting a refund, the credit card companies are your only hope for getting our money back.

 

[Nemesis90]

It's not about the money

I was one of the lucky purchasers of the iPhone 15 days ago. So, yes, I'm upset. My attempts at a refund thus far are unsuccessful.

I could easily make up the $200 by getting all my future Apple software from bittorrents (iLife, iWork, Leopard), but that still wouldn't take away the bad taste this experience has left me with.

And to all those that say "that's just how the cell phone industry works", then explain to me why there aren't massive rebates on the iPhone in the first place like the rest of the industry.

Think I'm still going to be recommending the iPhone to my friends? Heck no. I've gone to actively telling people not to buy it, even at the cheaper price. Who knows what's coming next (3G?), and I wouldn't want to see other people screwed over. Wait until it has rebates or the other manufacturers have phones nearly as good.

 

[imac abuser]

I was one of the lucky purchasers of the iPhone 15 days ago. So, yes, I'm upset. My attempts at a refund thus far are unsuccessful.

I could easily make up the $200 by getting all my future Apple software from bittorrents (iLife, iWork, Leopard), but that still wouldn't take away the bad taste this experience has left me with.

And to all those that say "that's just how the cell phone industry works", then explain to me why there aren't massive rebates on the iPhone in the first place like the rest of the industry.

Think I'm still going to be recommending the iPhone to my friends? Heck no. I've gone to actively telling people not to buy it, even at the cheaper price. Who knows what's coming next (3G?), and I wouldn't want to see other people screwed over. Wait until it has rebates or the other manufacturers have phones nearly as good.

I totally agree man, it's a Shi*y state of affairs to ruin your business over $200.00 and with the updates of coarse they want you to download itunes to your phone jesus how about atleast giving us iChat SMS sucks, and costs people money unless they have a 40 plan they had to buy to use their over priced (obviously by the price drop) iPhone

 

[LimeiBook86]

Well I just got off the phone with AT&T Store, and they basically told me no. Forget about getting a refund, the credit card companies are your only hope for getting our money back.

Ouch. That doesn't give me much hope. Oh well, I'll wait around to see if my iPhone will magically gain 4 GB more of space...

...wait! ...wait!

Nope... just gas.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Watching ebay and people are still paying 500+ for them...LOL

 

[Kedrik]

AT&T Return Policy

I was just on hold for 45 min with Apple customer service, but while I was waiting I downloaded AT&T return policy and found out that I'm in luck. They have a 30 day no questions asked return or exchange policy on all wireless devices. I am at 20 days on a 4Gig i-phone bought through AT&T. I'm hoping that a trip to the store with the printed policy will enable me to trade for an 8 Gig and get $100 back. Let's see if they uphold their printed policy.

I'll let you know.

 

[mikegoldnj]

If the technology had actually changed you would have a valid argument.

Or, if they had not planned this price drop at, or prior to, launch, as reported in the New York Times.

 

[tbrinkma]

Apple products don't typically get a 30% price cut 2 months after launch. For the last 3 years I've been buying 15" notebooks from Apple, they've always had a base model at $1999. New one comes out a few months later with better specs, my model depreciates, but the price of the new model remains the same.

True, a 30% price drop from Apple in 2 months is unusual to say the least. However, for the last 3 years, 15" notebooks have not remained the same. You say the base model is always $1999, and that's true. However, today's base model is yesterday's top-of-the-line model, so obviously the price on any given model of 15" Apple notebook *does* fall.

And, as others have pointed out, this kind of price drop *isn't* terribly unusual in the cell-phone industry. It doesn't happen in the computer industry, because margins are razor-thin to begin with.

 

[jshbckr]

I think the report in the New York Times about it being planed "long ago" is the deal breaker. They intentionally kept the price high. They deceived us. They convinced us a $400 device, that they intended to sell for $400, was worth $600.

I've called Apple support, they told me to call the retail store, I was hung up on. I called back Apple support. This is the worst Apple support I've seen. Looks like Apple may be taking a turn for the worse.

 

[danny_w]

I was just on hold for 45 min with Apple customer service, but while I was waiting I downloaded AT&T return policy and found out that I'm in luck. They have a 30 day no questions asked return or exchange policy on all wireless devices. I am at 20 days on a 4Gig i-phone bought through AT&T. I'm hoping that a trip to the store with the printed policy will enable me to trade for an 8 Gig and get $100 back. Let's see if they uphold their printed policy.

I'll let you know.

Unfortunately I don't think that applies here:

Apple Branded Equipment is covered by a 14-day return policy and must be returned to the original point of purchase (AT&T store where purchased, Apple store where purchased or Apple online).

 

[KittyToy]

Well I just got off the phone with AT&T Store, and they basically told me no. Forget about getting a refund, the credit card companies are your only hope for getting our money back.

Call them back and ask for a credit on your wireless account and I suggest you try to get a lady; they tend to be more sympathetic. They told me no on a refund but when I asked for a credit on my wireless account they gladly did that. And it helps if you sound sad and disappointed when u call

 

[henjin]

I agree but

Painful but true. Technology moves fast, sometimes faster than you expect. People shouldn't have gotten an iPhone unless they thought it was worth it the money they paid for it.

I agree but Apple if it wants to be a cell phone player needs to allow AT&T to offer industry norm 31 day try or return at the moment Jobs wants to still be Apple and screw customers down to a miserly 14 day window.

14 days is o.k. for ipods or imacs but for cell phones it's dreadful.

Jobs made a big mistake, not in cutting prices but announcing the price cut as if it were as big a deal as the new ipod line. All it was, simply an admission to the world that Apple was not going to meet its own sales target.

He should have announced the price cut last week with a standard 31 day return policy. That would be in line with technology biz models as it is today.

 

[atari1356]

Desire drove people to want to be first in line to buy the iPhone. Desire made the product worth $599 at its release; more to some who subsequently purchased it on eBay. You bought the iPhone because you wanted it. You answered the call of a desire, not a need. Even after a $200 price drop, the iPhone is still not a necessity. Again, great convenience and convergence, but not a necessity.

Exactly... I didn't buy the iPhone at $599 and I won't at $399 either. If $200 means so much to the people complaining, then why did they spend a whopping $600 to begin with?

I was an early adopter with the iPod, and bought the 1st gen 5Gb model for $399. That was a lot of money, but I happily bought it knowing that it would serve me for quite some time. In fact, I still use it and haven't upgraded to a newer model (aside from a 1 gig shuffle). Technology advances quickly and it's impossible to keep up - so, you have to buy knowing that what you get will quickly be obsolete (or drop in value).

Your $600 iPhone is just as useful as it was the day you bought it. Over the course of the 2-3 years (possibly more) that you'll use it - $200 is nothing. Then when you decide you want to upgrade to a new model, be grateful that it's $399 and not $599.

 

[kjez100]

At&t purchase

I bought my 8gb on launch day at an AT&T store. Has anybody had any luck getting anytype of credit or money back from AT&T?? Apple care told me they wouldn't be able to help because I bought it from AT&T. AT&T told me I was out of luck.

 

[imac abuser]

Well I just called AT&T Customer Service they aren't doing a damn thing if your out of that 14 day policy. I'm getting the feeling that we are hosed. Hiding behind that 14 day policy YOU F*&%ING A$$&O7ES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I'm frustrated!

 

[shrimpdesign]

Your $600 iPhone is just as useful as it was the day you bought it. Over the course of the 2-3 years (possibly more) that you'll use it - $200 is nothing. Then when you decide you want to upgrade to a new model, be grateful that it's $399 and not $599.

Not to mention that Apple has committed to giving free software updates, and adding new features for free.

 

[rdbarnes]

$150 back for Refurbished 4GB purchase

It sounds like if you if you're out of the 10 day period and haven't already called Apple Store, you may be too late, but I wanted to chime in with my experience.

13 days ago, I bought the $399 4GB refurbished, but it didn't arrive until last week. I called Apple Store and they told my I didn't qualify for Price Protection because: 1) doesn't apply to refurbished items and 2) their price match is only 10 days.

I asked to return the phone and buy a new 4GB for $100 less and they told me to hold and came back and offered $150 back! Like other's experiences it did cost me over an hour on the phone.

You can't blame Apple too much for dropping the price now that the early adopters already bought the phone, but if you are like me and just bought one, it is worth a call. All you have to lose is an hour spent listing to Apple's hold music.

 

[MacPhilosopher]

Hmmn...

The precedent has been set with what they did with Aperture. I sure hope they do this. Even if it is $100 it would show they care about their early adopters and the people who probably care the most about Apple.

If these are the people who care most about Apple, then why do they want their money back?

 

[jeeb75]

I will get my $200 from Apple myself. Thank you Bittorrent. FU Apple.

 

[lawcomic]

At this point, Apple apologists sound like clueless spouses in an abusive marriage.

"Apple don't mean to hurt us, and it usually gives us nice things. It's my fault it screwed me over."

 

[maccies]

Let Your Voice Be Heard

PLEASE CALL THEM OR EMAIL THEM ABOUT HOW DISSAPPOINTED YOU ARE ABOUT THE PRICE DROP. LET THEM KNOW, THEY MIGHT DO SOMETHING BUT IF WE JUST BLOG AND DON'T DO ANYTHING NOTHING WILL HAPPEn!

Thanks,

 

[iLunar]

Not to mention that Apple has committed to giving free software updates, and adding new features for free.

Like ringtones that cost an additional $.99 from song you've ALREADY purchased? Yeah, I get it, its because of the evil record companies that Apple is tied. They seem to be hiding behind a lot of excuses of other people lately, no?

 

[Rowsella]

Creative ways to feel better about all this...

Yes, I bought an iphone for my birthday on 8/7. Yes, it was a lot of money but after playing with it at the Apple Store I really really wanted one and I checked with AT&T and found out it was only about $20 more on my plan... what*the hell. I was really enjoying my customer experience. Now, not so much as I am currently getting calls from family and friends who are enjoying quite a bit of shadenfruede at my expense. Hell, I can't even turn on the radio.

Perhaps I should have opted for the fraxel laser treatment at my dermatologist's instead.

Still, the phone is pretty cool. And since the polish is off on buying an iphone, and the outlook is bleak on any store credit price guarantee.... I've decided to make it a Gucci (or blank designer-- whatever) iphone by pirating the copyrighted trademark and printing out in miniature... it can fit over the Apple insignia on the back of my phone. No one else will have one.

Conversely I can get a sharpie and make a black dot iphone a la adbusters.

Of course, now that it is so easily obtainable, I will not be giving anyone free demos or talking up the features. They can go to the Apple store and let the geniuses there earn their wages.

As an activist consumer, I'll go and cancel my Mac account along with my Sam's Club membership.

Oh, and live and learn, no more technology younger than a year for me, including Apple's.

Thanks Steve for the wake up, nothing personal you know, just business.