Popular YouTuber Says Apple Won't Fix His iMac Pro Damaged While Disassembled

[cmaier]

I think in the video he said that not even the AASP could get parts right now, which seems unacceptable for a professional level device.

He can say whatever he wants. Doesn't make it true.

"At one point in the video, after Apple itself suggested that the venue talk to a third-party shop, the group was told that training for the repair for the iMac Pro wasn't available. This is false, and likely used by the shop to dodge the repair. Training materials have been available since before the iMac Pro launched, with some components able to be ordered in January, with the rest ready in early March."

 

[jonnyb098]

Not sure why this warrants a front page story (no pun intended) the poor sucker destroyed his computer to such a degree no one wants to fix it. This is all on him. Now he's just trying to create more publicity for him and his YT page. Quit making stupid people "famous"

You forgot the Kardashians exist for that very reason.

 

[larrylaffer]

I remember the early days when Microsoft had similar policies with the Xbox and MR commenters dumped all over them.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

 

[lec0rsaire]

I’m conflicted here. On the one hand, this is an expensive machine and if you’re willing to pay the out of warranty rate for repair I feel that you should be able to. On the other, refusing to service a machine that has been damaged through intentional, unnecessary disassembly is within Apple’s rights. They make this very clear that you violate their terms by doing this. This is a new and expensive Mac that was functioning properly. The out of warranty repair price while steep is offered on the condition that you did not violate the terms of a device under warranty even though the warranty may have already expired.

Now where I believe Linus and others do have a legitimate point is right to repair. Even if Apple refuses to service the machine themselves or through their authorized service centers, they probably should sell replacement parts to those who can repair these machines themselves. The problem with this is that the overwhelming majority of people cannot repair these machines and stocking up on expensive repair parts to sell to a few people doesn’t make much sense from a business point of view.

Regardless of my opinion, the fact is this damage was completely avoidable and they’re not refusing to repair it because it was dropped accidentally and the display was destroyed. This iMac Pro needs a new display and logic board which basically means a new machine. This is the problem with all-in-ones and its not like they weren’t aware of this potential for damage before disassembling this to make money on YT.

 

[coolkid93]

Cause the dudes a JOKE tbh

 

[robbyx]

And as far as I know, Apple is not in the pay to repair business. They offer warranty work. If he wants to pay to repair it, he would have to go to an Apple vedor/repair and wait like everyone else for the parts to become available... I still don't see why he should get preferential treatment.

I'm not saying I don't feel for the guy, but come on... I wish I had a new Mac in the new color that I could just have on my desk let alone be able to not worry about consequences if I decide to take the stuff apart.

What are you talking about? Of course Apple is in the pay to repair business! Apple has been putting independent retailers and repair shops out of business for years. It’s laughable to think they expect customers to take an out of warranty repair to an independent vendor, not an Apple store.

I know everyone wants to blindly defend the beloved Apple but I don’t think they deserve a pass here. Sure, this guy flagrantly violated the warranty, but he’s not asking for a warranty fix. He wants to pay. This situation, along with the iMac Pro’s new “security” features, makes me think any “pro” would be crazy to still use Apple products.

Basically now, if you buy Apple, you can’t take anything apart. You can’t upgrade anything. You might have your “pro” machine bricked and have to take it to an Apple store to get it working again. You pretty much have only one avenue for repair. And if you don’t follow all the rules, they’ll simply deny your repair even if you want to pay. That doesn’t sound great to me.

 

[kuwxman]

I get why they wouldn't cover the repair under warranty. Makes sense. What doesn't make sense is them still denying the repair even if the customer is OK paying the out of warranty cost. That is just being petty.

 

[oneMadRssn]

You’re right. I typed it out but when I edited I must have deleted that part. Nevertheless, I did say “some”, not “all”. And in the post I used BMW as an example.

I see the post now (though it was not in our convo reply-chain, you were responding to someone else).

I don't have a personal relationship with BMW, but somehow I doubt a BMW dealership would refuse to take my money to fix something, no matter how proprietary or secure. At the end of the day, the question is: would BMW be able to fix it if BMW owned the car?

 

[bluespider]

Way to let the point of the article fly over your head...he is willing to repair it himself...Apple is refusing to sell him the parts to do so...and if you think that is ok, your just plain stupid.

I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself... the article stated Apple's response: "Sebastian contacted Apple to inquire about repair options, and visited the Genius Bar at an Apple Store, but the company ultimately declined to service the iMac Pro. In an email, an Apple support advisor placed blame on limited availability of replacement parts"... beyond that becomes speculation and assumptions.

If they are singling the guy out and not selling to him... there is a case, no-one knows that... Apple is known to have parts shortages and supply issues from time to time as well... is that excusable for such a big company... that's debatable; however that is not the point.

And come on, it's only Wednesday... why you gotta call a guy "stupid"?

 

[Shaggymax]

He's a YT millionaire and is just whoring for more more clicks, and you just gave it to him. What a drama queen. #histrionics

Agreed, Click Bait ...he smart

 

[cmaier]

I get why they wouldn't cover the repair under warranty. Makes sense. What doesn't make sense is them still denying the repair even if the customer is OK paying the out of warranty cost. That is just being petty.

No it's not. There are people lined up to get repairs. They are supposed to make these people wait longer so that someone who INTENTIONALLY disassembled and broke their computer can get it fixed?

 

[blackcrayon]

If he can get to a Microcenter at the right time he can buy a stack of replacement parts packaged into an iMac Pro shape for $3999.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Right, but by definition if they are making something they are making the parts.

Yea, but parts for new stock is different than parts for refurbishing. If they aren't refurbishing it themselves, I wouldn't want to force them to supply replacement parts to third parties.

 

[4jasontv]

On the other, by refusing to service a machine that has been damaged through intentional, unnecessary disassembly is within Apple’s rights.

It wasn’t unnecessary disassembly. He has every right to be able to open the machine and verify the components.

 

[oneMadRssn]

It is an economic argument. Apple is swamped. The genius bar is swamped. Their repair depots are swamped. Prioritizing legitimate repairs over bailing out dummies over self-inflicted nonsense makes total sense,

By that same argument, if Apple is so swamped, then opening up their replacement part catalogue to the world would really serve the public as it would allow DIY repairs or any number of third-part repair shops to perform the service.

 

[cmaier]

By that same argument, if Apple is so swamped, then opening up their replacement part catalogue to the world would really serve the public as it would allow DIY repairs or any number of third-part repair shops to perform the service.

They allow certified third parties to make repairs. They have enough parts for themselves and for those certified shops. Now they are supposed to siphon some of those off so that unqualified shops can do repairs? And when those unqualified shops charge less, forcing the certified shops out of business, then what? Everyone waits in line at the genius bar?

I think "by that same argument" doesn't mean what you think it means.

 

[busyscott]

I guess no more shout outs for those who send in tips? Lame

 

[4jasontv]

No it's not. There are people lined up to get repairs. They are supposed to make these people wait longer so that someone who INTENTIONALLY disassembled and broke their computer can get it fixed?

Yes, because it’s based on the order tickets were submitted, not reason for the ticket.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Yep and they all have to fix these products, that is the point. The difference is that third parties can get legitimate parts, even if the aren't "authorized service centers".

Here is where we need to get to, the law should be clear:

1. If you make a product, you agree that you will service the product.
2. If it is not under warranty for any reason, you give the customer the option of having you service it at a reasonable cost (parts at cost + no more than 15% markup and labor billed in 15 minute increments at current industry standard rates) for the applicable repair, taking it to a third party (authorized or unauthorized) or repairing it themselves.
3. If the customer chooses to take it to a third party repair shop or repairing it themselves, the manufacturer will provide replacement parts in no more than two business days with not more than a 15% markup on the cost of the parts plus shipping costs.

Simple, straight forward and provides a right to repair. This should be across all industries, as we are wasting way too many resources with the "disposable" mind set and we need to shift out of it to become more environmentally friendly, not to mention it would be better for everyone's pocketbook.

That's way too far in my opinion.

I'll bring up only one example, but there are plenty, or how this would be crazy. How do you repair a book? I buy a book on Amazon.com, and one of the pages gets torn. I demand that Penguin or whoever published it must repair the tear, or sell a replacement page at no more than 15% markup. How would that work? What is the cost of one unbound page of a book? What about a broken #2 pencil?

No, we can't force unwilling companies to sell replacement parts. I think the requirement should only apply to companies that already have an internal replacement part system internally. Cars are an apt example. If BMW makes a proprietary part for a car, and they distribute that part to their dealership network, it's not a big burden to require them to also sell said part to any willing mom and pop mechanic shop too.

If a company makes a product but doesn't want to offer any service, that is fine. Just be clear - item sold as is, period. That's their right.

But then that same company should be precluded from setting up an internal repair and refurbishment operation. As soon as they do, they have to provide the parts to everyone else too. As I said, my concern is about companies like Apple trying to have it both ways.

 

[cmaier]

Yes, because it’s based on the order tickets were submitted, not reason for the ticket.

huh?

The point is that every idiot who disregards apple's instructions and takes apart their computer for kicks and breaks multiple parts, necessitates a time consuming repair. Time spent by apple's repair depot working on those self-inflicted wounds is time those technicians cannot spend on my warranty repair or your apple care repair.

 

[contractcooker]

In the end, Apple has to draw a line somewhere, and not everyone will agree with it.

What absolute horses*&t. Apple absolutely should be required to repair their devices OUT OF WARRANTY if the customer is willing to pay for it.

 

[trifid]

After reading that a $5000 mac purchase gets instantly thrown in the trash by Apple justified or not: Hackintosh never felt so good.

 

[cmaier]

What absolute horses*&t. Apple absolutely should be required to repair their devices OUT OF WARRANTY if the customer is willing to pay for it.

Why? Are they your slave? Did they promise you they would and you based your purchase decision on that?

 

[BeamWalker]

It's ironic, the one Apple computer he kinda liked and then...

Apple goes into total Diva mode.

 

[oneMadRssn]

They allow certified third parties to make repairs. They have enough parts for themselves and for those certified shops. Now they are supposed to siphon some of those off so that unqualified shops can do repairs? And when those unqualified shops charge less, forcing the certified shops out of business, then what? Everyone waits in line at the genius bar?

I think "by that same argument" doesn't mean what you think it means.

Did you watch the video in the OP article? They don't allow certified third parties to make all repairs. Specifically, not to the iMac Pro.

So what if the unqualified shops charge less? That's free-market. Compete, either on price or on service. If third party shops offer a 30 day warranty on repairs, the first-party ones can offer a 90 day warranty. Or they can offer a faster turnaround time. If the unqualified shops do as good of a job as the qualified ones, doesn't that just prove that the qualification is just BS to begin with?