Out of warranty battery replacement cost.

[chekie]

I have a late 2013 MacBook pro 13 retina and am thinking of replacing its battery and using it as a backup machine. The battery is slightly bulging and has only 75% capacity after about 500 cycles (which is odd, because I thought it was supposed to hold 80% capacity within 1000 cycles).

I looked at Apple's website, and it says the cost will be $199. Reasonable I thought. So I contacted Apple Customer Support and was told it would cost freaking $494.95 to mail it in for battery replacement. I also tried my local Authorized Service Provider and was told the cost was around $330.

They can't tell me how much it costs if I bring to Apple store, because they need to evaluate it first.

Has anyone ever succeeded in replacing battery at $199 through any official channel? If not, it probably makes more sense for me just to trade it in for a few bucks rather than spend a fortune on replacing its battery.

 

[Camark08]

That is a complete rip off. It's sad apple would charge you that much. That's literally almost half of what I paid for my 2017 mbp tb...

 

[jerryk]

I would take it in to the store and see what they say. The people I have known that took theirs in to the store got the top case (Al plate cover, keyboard, battery, trackpad) replacement for $199.

And the cycle number assume that the battery does not have other issues, like age related failures like bulging.

 

[LogicalApex]

I'm not sure why you were told you'd pay more than $199, but I'd take it to an Apple Store and show them the price on Apple's website and stand my ground. No way I'd pay more than the published price.

https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

 

[Audit13]

Were you looking at the prices that are applicable to your location?

I would not wait to replace or remove the battery because a bulging battery can become very hazardous very quickly.

 

[chekie]

I'm not sure why you were told you'd pay more than $199, but I'd take it to an Apple Store and show them the price on Apple's website and stand my ground. No way I'd pay more than the published price.

https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

I might try that, though I am a little reluctant. The nearest apple store is over 60 miles away from me.

I just notice that they say on the website: Pricing and terms might vary at other service providers. All prices are in US dollars ($) and are subject to tax. I guess this gives them the wiggle room for them to ask whatever they want.

 

[LogicalApex]

I might try that, though I am a little reluctant. The nearest apple store is over 60 miles away from me.

I just notice that they say on the website: Pricing and terms might vary at other service providers. All prices are in US dollars ($) and are subject to tax. I guess this gives them the wiggle room for them to ask whatever they want.

Apple is saying they can't dictate the price at other service providers. So Apple Authorized service providers could charge more (or less), but the prices on that page are the price that Apple themselves will charge in the US in USD.

 

[posguy99]

I guess this gives them the wiggle room for them to ask whatever they want.

Apple will charge you $199. An AASP can charge you whatever they like. That's all that says. Why would you take it any other way?

The gotcha in this is that apparently the battery is bulging. Presumably it's deforming the case, otherwise how would the OP be able to tell? So it may NOT be just a battery replacement, which Apple would charge more for (top case, whatever).

 

[chekie]

Apple will charge you $199. An AASP can charge you whatever they like. That's all that says. Why would you take it any other way?

The gotcha in this is that apparently the battery is bulging. Presumably it's deforming the case, otherwise how would the OP be able to tell? So it may NOT be just a battery replacement, which Apple would charge more for (top case, whatever).

Thank you. This is very reassuring. I think I will make a trip to the store.

The battery bulging is not serious. The outside of the laptop is completely normal. The bottom cover is still flat and the keyboard and trackpad still function as new. I noticed it only when I opened it up for dusting. That said, depending on the cost, I may have the bottom cover replaced, simply because the rubber feet are not holding well. I had to glue one on after it fell off.
[doublepost=1547230539][/doublepost]By the way, anyone know if they can have it done on the same day? Or do I have to leave it there and go back in a few days?

 

[jerryk]

Thank you. This is very reassuring. I think I will make a trip to the store.

The battery bulging is not serious. The outside of the laptop is completely normal. The bottom cover is still flat and the keyboard and trackpad still function as new. I noticed it only when I opened it up for dusting. That said, depending on the cost, I may have the bottom cover replaced, simply because the rubber feet are not holding well. I had to glue one on after it fell off.
[doublepost=1547230539][/doublepost]By the way, anyone know if they can have it done on the same day? Or do I have to leave it there and go back in a few days?

I would say that any battery bugling is bad. It means the battery is overheating and producing flammable gases.

Regarding whether they can replace them same day, that will be up to the stores facilities, staff expertise, parts stock, and workload. Since you are a considerable distance away, I would call to verify what they can do, and the price, before going.

And you might send them a picture of the batteries before going to get their opinion.

 

[Gaprofitt]

I have a late 2013 MacBook pro 13 retina and am thinking of replacing its battery and using it as a backup machine. The battery is slightly bulging and has only 75% capacity after about 500 cycles (which is odd, because I thought it was supposed to hold 80% capacity within 1000 cycles).

I looked at Apple's website, and it says the cost will be $199. Reasonable I thought. So I contacted Apple Customer Support and was told it would cost freaking $494.95 to mail it in for battery replacement. I also tried my local Authorized Service Provider and was told the cost was around $330.

They can't tell me how much it costs if I bring to Apple store, because they need to evaluate it first.

Has anyone ever succeeded in replacing battery at $199 through any official channel? If not, it probably makes more sense for me just to trade it in for a few bucks rather than spend a fortune on replacing its battery.

Another reason why I said Bye Bye Apple..

 

[hallux]

Presumably it's deforming the case, otherwise how would the OP be able to tell? So it may NOT be just a battery replacement, which Apple would charge more for (top case, whatever)

Nope. On the 2013 (both early and late) MBPs, the battery is glued into the topcase. Replacement of the battery includes replacement of the topcase. This comes directly from Apple's service guide for the system. So, there would be no separate charge if the topcase was bent...

 

[chekie]

Update:

Just got back from Apple Store. They will be replace the battery, keyboard and top case for $199 - tax free. Even better, they will mail it back to me when it is done with no extra charge.

However, when I asked if they could also replace the bottom case because the rubber feet are falling off. The genius told me he will put a note in the repair request, but they will likely not do it, because it is a cometic issue (Really? Rubber feet are just for cosmetic purpose?). A little disappointing here.

 

[Audit13]

Update:

Just got back from Apple Store. They will be replace the battery, keyboard and top case for $199 - tax free. Even better, they will mail it back to me when it is done with no extra charge.

However, when I asked if they could also replace the bottom case because the rubber feet are falling off. The genius told me he will put a note in the repair request, but they will likely not do it, because it is a cometic issue (Really? Rubber feet are just for cosmetic purpose?). A little disappointing here.

I just buy the feet from eBay and attach them with a bit of adhesive.

 

[hallux]

Update:

Just got back from Apple Store. They will be replace the battery, keyboard and top case for $199 - tax free. Even better, they will mail it back to me when it is done with no extra charge.

However, when I asked if they could also replace the bottom case because the rubber feet are falling off. The genius told me he will put a note in the repair request, but they will likely not do it, because it is a cometic issue (Really? Rubber feet are just for cosmetic purpose?). A little disappointing here.

Not a surprise that they're replacing all that, considering it's a single part in the repair system...

 

[PhilMacbook]

I just buy the feet from eBay and attach them with a bit of adhesive.

In the past, I have also bought replacements for the rubber feet on my MBP. It works well.

 

[jerryk]

Update:

Just got back from Apple Store. They will be replace the battery, keyboard and top case for $199 - tax free. Even better, they will mail it back to me when it is done with no extra charge.

However, when I asked if they could also replace the bottom case because the rubber feet are falling off. The genius told me he will put a note in the repair request, but they will likely not do it, because it is a cometic issue (Really? Rubber feet are just for cosmetic purpose?). A little disappointing here.

Glad to hear the battery swap was as expected. As others have said, the feet are something you can do pretty easily and cheaply.

 

[chekie]

Received it this morning. This is way faster than I was told and expected (14 business days + shipping).

I dropped it at Apple store on Sunday; they shipped to repair center on Monday; repair center received it on Tuesday, finished the job and shipped it to me on the same day. I received it the next day (Wed) morning.

Applaud apple for not cheap out on shipping.

Now with 108% full capacity battery and brand new keyboard, I have to say $199 is very well spent.

 

[jerryk]

Received it this morning. This is way faster than I was told and expected (14 business days + shipping).

I dropped it at Apple store on Sunday; they shipped to repair center on Monday; repair center received it on Tuesday, finished the job and shipped it to me on the same day. I received it the next day (Wed) morning.

Applaud apple for not cheap out on shipping.

Now with 108% full capacity battery and brand new keyboard, I have to say $199 is very well spent.

Did they repair the foot?

 

[chekie]

Did they repair the foot?

No they did not. But like many have said, it probably can be done myself once they start falling off again. Now they are just barely attached and I can feel there are broken pieces inside the feet.