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I have an incredibly hard time believing this. Either you sent them an empty box or someone took the time to open it up, steal your broken iPhone, retape up the empty box, and continued it on its way to Apple. Which seems more likely?

This makes the most sense.....was the package insured? I would go through UPS and not even involve Apple. A package was sent and the contents are missing........Until a defective phone is in their hands......Apple could not possibly help.
 
Am skeptical this being an UPS theft.

The package is weighted when it's labelled. The package is tracked all the way and employees who have directly handled the package is known. UPS employees are reasonably paid and have steady jobs, unlike somewhere else. If I work for UPS I wouldn't risk to lose my job. Airport employees, another matter.

Anywhoo at one point or another, Apple wants to see a receipt anyways, standard procedure when u return anything, or they have you already on their database.
 
I personally don't see why having a receipt is here or there. The iphone 5 has a 1 year warranty (as I understand it without reading the fine print) and it hasn't been released for 12 months so every iphone 5 should be covered with/without receipt. This is a completely separate issue from an empty box.

The issue as I see it is that I'd like Apple (and other manufacturers and carriers) to address stolen phones in a more responsible manner. All phones have a serial number and most (if not all) are connected to the network through a carrier and/or wifi. It would be simple for Apple (or the carrier) to identify this phone and then notify police. If the OP doesn't have the serial number, or if the phone is still broken and therefore won't connect to a network, then Apple shouldn't help as there is no evidence at all to the claims being made by the OP. The OP should just insure the package the next time something expensive is shipped.
 
I personally don't see why having a receipt is here or there. The iphone 5 has a 1 year warranty (as I understand it without reading the fine print) and it hasn't been released for 12 months so every iphone 5 should be covered with/without receipt. This is a completely separate issue from an empty box.

The issue as I see it is that I'd like Apple (and other manufacturers and carriers) to address stolen phones in a more responsible manner. All phones have a serial number and most (if not all) are connected to the network through a carrier and/or wifi. It would be simple for Apple (or the carrier) to identify this phone and then notify police. If the OP doesn't have the serial number, or if the phone is still broken and therefore won't connect to a network, then Apple shouldn't help as there is no evidence at all to the claims being made by the OP. The OP should just insure the package the next time something expensive is shipped.

If the phone had got there - he wouldn't have needed the paperwork.

UPS will be insured - but it's down to Apple (who has a contact with UPS) to contact them. And to do that, they require proof of ownership (as I said in my last post - what's to stop me getting a serial number, setting up a repair, and sending back an empty box). UPS might set the weight when they setup the shipment, but they don't weigh it when they collect it from you.
 
If the phone had got there - he wouldn't have needed the paperwork.

UPS will be insured - but it's down to Apple (who has a contact with UPS) to contact them. And to do that, they require proof of ownership (as I said in my last post - what's to stop me getting a serial number, setting up a repair, and sending back an empty box). UPS might set the weight when they setup the shipment, but they don't weigh it when they collect it from you.

Those are good points, I agree with them. If the OP had used the phone for a week the carrier might have the serial number on file if OP doesn't. That would at least help identify the phone if it does end up on the network at a later date.
 
I don't see what apple can do here. Even with proof of ownership, what does that do? Someone took the phone at ups or the op sent in an empty box. Apple has zero responsibility here.
 
I don't see what apple can do here. Even with proof of ownership, what does that do? Someone took the phone at ups or the op sent in an empty box. Apple has zero responsibility here.

I think OP is claiming someone stole the phone (during transit perhaps). So, Apple could assume some responsibility by identifying the phone (if it is connected to the network) and then notifying the location to the police. Apple, and other manufacturers/carriers, could nearly eliminate theft if the location of stolen devices were reported to police then the police incarcerated the thieves.
 
Am skeptical this being an UPS theft.

The package is weighted when it's labelled. The package is tracked all the way and employees who have directly handled the package is known. UPS employees are reasonably paid and have steady jobs, unlike somewhere else. If I work for UPS I wouldn't risk to lose my job. Airport employees, another matter.

Anywhoo at one point or another, Apple wants to see a receipt anyways, standard procedure when u return anything, or they have you already on their database.
I worked for UPS for seven years as an irreg driver (bulk item, internal delivery driver) at the Ontario, Calif. hub from '92-'99. Knew a supervisor who was immediately fired for placing her own personal package on the belt leading to the sort aisle. Scanning was just starting then but the pace is so fast you don't have a whole lot of time to think, let alone steal.

A package like that would have gone through small sort. Small sort is usually busier than the regular sort. Someone would have had to identify the package in an instant, place it aside, open it up, pocket the device, seal it back up and sort it. It's possible given the fact that tape guns are everywhere but very unlikely. Cameras are everywhere. While I was never searched going out, I was searched going in. But that was before 9-11 so who knows now.

Of course, the package could have been "damaged" in shipping, which would have sent it to PSC (Package Sort Center) where they triage damage. Always possible it could have been lifted there as the workload there is considerably less and it's usually only one person. But again, cameras.

Possible, but highly unlikely a UPS employee stole it. They are only there for 4 to 6 hours depending on shift. Package car driver possibly, IDK. Most likely it fell out of the package or something if it did go missing within the UPS system.
 
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I think OP is claiming someone stole the phone (during transit perhaps). So, Apple could assume some responsibility by identifying the phone (if it is connected to the network) and then notifying the location to the police. Apple, and other manufacturers/carriers, could nearly eliminate theft if the location of stolen devices were reported to police then the police incarcerated the thieves.

But apple won't and cant do that. They are not law enforcement, just because someone claimed their phone was stolen does not mean it was stolen.
 
it's not apple's responsibility to contact UPS, it's the OP's. he sent it. not apple.

Ah no, this sound like one of those pre-arranaged RMA thing. The vendor already has a procedure set up with UPS, all they do is to send customer the box + label, and the customer simply put item in box, slap label, give it to the UPS guy. UPS doesn't even give u a receipt, u just drop the thing.
 
Ah no, this sound like one of those pre-arranaged RMA thing. The vendor already has a procedure set up with UPS, all they do is to send customer the box + label, and the customer simply put item in box, slap label, give it to the UPS guy. UPS doesn't even give u a receipt, u just drop the thing.

Yes this is what they did. send me an rma label and i put the phone and called ups man to pick it up. i did provide them the receipt but the receipt wasnt from a authorized dealer it was from that pawn shop that was closed down. shouldnt that count as in receipt? like how am i gonna find the original owner to get the receipt? this is what apple told me to find the origninal owner thats impossible.
 
Always go to the Apple Store for warranty exchange. I never trust shipping something so valuable.
Also its a good idea to buy from apple or an authorized dealer. All my Apple products i have purchased from apple except the wifes Air which was purchased from best buy.
 
Yes this is what they did. send me an rma label and i put the phone and called ups man to pick it up. i did provide them the receipt but the receipt wasnt from a authorized dealer it was from that pawn shop that was closed down. shouldnt that count as in receipt? like how am i gonna find the original owner to get the receipt? this is what apple told me to find the origninal owner thats impossible.

I shipped many iphones back to applecare with no probs.
They are insured if anything happens. Like if it gets lost, stolen or damaged through transit.
We are only hearing one side of the story so who knows what really happened.
They are telling you that there was never an iphone in the box to begin with? Those packages are weighted and labeled before they are accepted by the shipping company incase anyone tries to pull a fast one.
 
Always go to the Apple Store for warranty exchange. I never trust shipping something so valuable.
Also its a good idea to buy from apple or an authorized dealer. All my Apple products i have purchased from apple except the wifes Air which was purchased from best buy.

I'm pretty sure not every city has an apple store.
 
I'm sorry but you have no legit reason to hate Apple. They received an empty box from you. If you paid a few extra dollars, UPS could have ensured the full price of the iPhone 5.

Apple didn't receive anything from you and you can't provide an original receipt.

Any other company would have done the same thing. Don't blame Apple, blame the system.
 
Hate to say it but you always take a chance purchasing things from 3rd party vendors. Apple can't replace your device because they have no proof. I would really contact UPS and see what they could do. It sucks but the universe has a way of working things out. Good luck
 
I'm not certain I understand Apple's reasoning for wanting a receipt. I mean, how easy is it to just get a receipt for an iPhone 5? Surely you know someone that has purchased one...

Not saying that apple is to blame for even a second, but it's strange that all they require is a receipt for a product that you cannot physically produce when asked to. Does this mean that all I need to do is call up apple, send them an empty box, produce my receipt for the phone (that I do have) and they send me a replacement claiming it was ups at fault? That just doesn't make sense.
 
I'm not certain I understand Apple's reasoning for wanting a receipt. I mean, how easy is it to just get a receipt for an iPhone 5? Surely you know someone that has purchased one...

Not saying that apple is to blame for even a second, but it's strange that all they require is a receipt for a product that you cannot physically produce when asked to. Does this mean that all I need to do is call up apple, send them an empty box, produce my receipt for the phone (that I do have) and they send me a replacement claiming it was ups at fault? That just doesn't make sense.

I hear you.
Lots of things don't make sense with the OP's claim.
When FedEx lost my iphone 4S purchase last year Apple had insurance on the package and they just send me another one.
Those packages are insured when send to and from AppleCare for warranty service.
 
I hear you.
Lots of things don't make sense with the OP's claim.
When FedEx lost my iphone 4S purchase last year Apple had insurance on the package and they just send me another one.
Those packages are insured when send to and from AppleCare for warranty service.

This case is different from yours as they received an empty box. The OP could have simply mailed out an empty box.
 
Yes this is what they did. send me an rma label and i put the phone and called ups man to pick it up. i did provide them the receipt but the receipt wasnt from a authorized dealer it was from that pawn shop that was closed down. shouldnt that count as in receipt? like how am i gonna find the original owner to get the receipt? this is what apple told me to find the origninal owner thats impossible.

It really sucks that this happened to you,it you must realize that there is no way for Aple to know whether or not you are telling the truth.

You could have send an empty box, and the only proof that you ever had the phone is a receipt from a store that isn't even authorized to sell Apple products...

I hope this gets resolved, but I fear that you are out of luck here...:(
 
Apple or you needs to place a claim on the shipment. I don't see this as a Apple error and I don't see how you are supporting Apple by purchasing an iPhone from craigslist. If you really want to support Apple you should buy the phone from Apple, phone carrier, walmart, target, best buy, etc. not from craigslist.
Hopefully UPS can do some investigation and that Apple insured the package for the actual value of the phone. if they didn't then UPS will only give you 100 bucks. Best of luck! hope a lesson was learned too!
 
Apple or you needs to place a claim on the shipment. I don't see this as a Apple error and I don't see how you are supporting Apple by purchasing an iPhone from craigslist. If you really want to support Apple you should buy the phone from Apple, phone carrier, walmart, target, best buy, etc. not from craigslist.
Hopefully UPS can do some investigation and that Apple insured the package for the actual value of the phone. if they didn't then UPS will only give you 100 bucks. Best of luck! hope a lesson was learned too!

What lesson. There is no lesson to be learned here. Buying from CL is not the issue here. The phone being stolen by a ups employee is an anomaly, rarely happens. Op was just unlucky.
 
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