Scratched SSSB Out of Box

[zea]

Just received my SSSB and noticed the right hand side (just the body, not the screen) is all scratched right out the box. Looks like something sharp hit it in the factory - not deep scratches, just looks to be in the coating. The Apple Store (online) was willing to issue a replacement to me, but I'd have to wait for stock to get in and it could be more than a month. I'd have to send this one back first. I decided to cancel the replacement. Anyone else have an experience like this? Should I just try and deal with it if my local store doesn't get any in stock during my replacement period?

Edit: I should say, it's a few scratches that curve around the top right side, just a few millimeters in length. It's hard to capture with a photo unfortunately.

 

[caspergirl]

Nooo don’t cancel the replacement. You pay enough for that and you want the watch to be perfect. You will see that after a while the scratch will be so annoying that your eye will stuck in it all the time. At least this is what will happened for me

 

[bthompson]

Very similar thing happened to mine. Trying to figure out what to do. I can mail it back and then they can send a replacement and be without my watch for a week or more. So frustrating.

 

[zea]

Very similar thing happened to mine. Trying to figure out what to do. I can mail it back and then they can send a replacement and be without my watch for a week or more. So frustrating.

I’m sorry, that sucks. Yeah, the guy I spoke with said it could be upwards of a month. I think I may just learn to live with it vs chancing on a replacement unit with a possibility of worse issues. The watch could get scratches eventually anyway.

 

[1136629]

Best to potentially go without the watch (you’ll survive) a month than to pay the money you did for a premium product only to settle for a watch that is scratched and marked up. My Series 3 SB SS has been through so much adventure as I am a lover of travel and globetrotter and there is not one single mark on it. Looks brand new. Don’t settle!

 

[sbuntin]

Try pushing for an advance replacement. They take your credit card, send you the replacement and a return mailer, then if you don't return the first watch within xx days, they charge your card.

It's not something they like to do, but I know it was possible back in the day.

 

[minifridge1138]

Go to an Apple Store (assuming you have one nearby). Explain it was damaged out of the box. They'll let you do an exchange.

 

[aloecool]

Go to an Apple Store (assuming you have one nearby). Explain it was damaged out of the box. They'll let you do an exchange.

Agree with this, go into a physical Apple Store if you have one nearby. The same thing happened to me with one of the iPhones at launch and they swapped a brand new phone for me.

 

[MrGimper]

Feel for you. It's one thing damaging it yourself, but having it out the box like that is bad.

Going to a store would be the best approach, but clearly they can only replace it if they have stock, which seems to be the issue here, not any unwillingness to replace it.

 

[zea]

Try pushing for an advance replacement. They take your credit card, send you the replacement and a return mailer, then if you don't return the first watch within xx days, they charge your card.

It's not something they like to do, but I know it was possible back in the day.

I've done this before, but it was with AppleCare+, not the online Apple Store. Is it possible for a store to do the advanced exchange?

 

[Vanilla35]

I know this seems kind of backhanded, but you can actually just buy another one while you wait on that replacement. You should be able to find a SS model in a store near you, or guaranteed an aluminum model. Just use that for a couple weeks while you wait on your replacement, and then return it.

That way you only have a week or two of waiting, and you still get the brand new non scratched watch you deserve.