I think I would have driven there and replaced it in-store. That's an unacceptable defect.
I didn't plan sit in a car for an afternoon and sit in an Apple Store over something I barely had in my hand for a minute out of the shipping box. That's expecting a lot from a customer given a means of transportation, work, going to a doctor's appointment, or whatnot. The assumption that someone needs to reserve an entire afternoon from the result of getting a bum product in itself, is crazy.
That, and the nearest Apple Store to me probably has the worst known customer service I've ever experienced with that store. I've sat, even on a weekday, for over an hour from my scheduled Genius Bar appointment. Getting a retail employee to help you with a simple exchange. The atmosphere is uncomfortable and I'm not in wonderful health.
I've had a few great but a lot of uncomfortable situations and there's only a few stores in Georgia and further away.
I don't understand. You reported a defect and they offered a resolution. Why are you venting? Instead of hanging up I would have asked to speak with a supervisor and have the replacement expedited. What kind of response were you expecting?
Of course, the best thing is to just go to the store. Instead of days and extra charges, it will take hours
The problem with the resolution is that there really wasn't much of a resolution. It took three phone calls and speaking to four different people (all with different answers) to grill me over the purchase. They wanted me to co-operate in an investigation with their parcel carrier partners. It got really, really uncomfortably complicated.
The resolution was basically wait at least a week or two weeks or try our store. Even customer support representatives had issues scheduling me a Genius Bar appointment with their flagship Georgia store (I was put on hold for 30 minutes and they said they'd try again later).
I'd expected their attitude to be more of getting the right product in my hand soon as possible ... but it got blown into this huge inquiry and inquisition.
No company has ever had a defect from the factory. And when they do it is unacceptable to offer a swap at a store or for them to send you a replacement offer without even seeing evidence of said defect.
Hey, it's a little black mark. You know the last time I saw the side of my iPad? The first day when I took it out of the package.
I've bought things from Google Play and Amazon and they'll send you items out without question. They'll say that if it's not returned in 30 days, they'll charge me. They've never made holds on any money (either debit or credit) and have always been 120% co-operative, even giving refunds instantly. Like, the length of trust some companies extend are more than others.
I'd understand seeing the damage if it were an eBay transaction or something from Amazon's marketplace or between individuals. I have no problems with doing that and being transparent with documentation and details. Apple doesn't facilitate sending pictures to them.
I just got it as a gift and I intend to keep it, at least, for school until I graduate next summer. I have sold my other two iPads I had. I mean, I'm not going to lie. Condition is important. I totally agree.
#1 - Don't ever think about the potential of what you will get when you are done using it... that's ridiculous.
#2 - I never said to not swap it out. The complaining is insane... they'll send out a new ipad while they keep this one and then they can return that when the new ipad comes in. Or they can swap at store. It's really no-brainer and such a minimal thing I don't see why they are getting so upset they need "to vent" on an internet forum.
#3 - The only valid argument I could see for this is if they didn't have enough money to front for a few days while waiting for the new one. And if that is the argument, my rebuttal is they probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place if they don't have that extra cash laying around either liquid or on a card.
#4 - In this day in age, nothing, especially electronics will ever be 100% for every unit sold. Get over it.
All that together = complete waste of time and energy getting "upset" over something so trivial.
I'm not "upset" ... disappointed. Expectation was: Get product, use product, the end ... not the inevitable calls to AppleCare, trips to the Apple Stores, and me bitching about it on forums.
I really just wanted to share the picture and kind of, somewhere, document the defect and the last three hours of owning the device.
Eventually, Apple finally did an RMA and is having one shipped to me after three phone calls.
