Send new MBP back, or get compensation money?

[diablo2112]

Make a dot with your pencil, that is 0.5mm.

Unless you've got a really-sharp pencil and are careful, your "dot" will be considerably LARGER than 0.5mm. The finest point ball-point pins are of order 0.5mm. Make the tiniest possible dot you can with a pin or pencil, that's going to be about 0.5mm.

You have got to be kidding that this kind of "defect" is enough to return. And to call it a "scratch" is just nuts.

 

[Corsairkid]

This. Grab a ruler and look at 0.5mm. That is nothing. Make a dot with your pencil, that is 0.5mm. The OP is insane.

Agreed. I feel like the OP is confused about the units he is measuring in. .5mm is smaller than the period key on the keyboard. And I can almost promise that no matter how hard anyone tries, they will not be able to keep a MBP completely scratch free for the amount of time that most people keep their computers...Take the money and upgrade some of the internals.

 

[kny3twalker]

Agreed. I feel like the OP is confused about the units he is measuring in. .5mm is smaller than the period key on the keyboard. And I can almost promise that no matter how hard anyone tries, they will not be able to keep a MBP completely scratch free for the amount of time that most people keep their computers...Take the money and upgrade some of the internals.

he/she does not deserve the money. It will encourage this type of behavior in the future.
He/She should be allowed return with restocking fee or keep it. But it is not my store, and the thread starter still sounds like a troll.

 

[uberamd]

Idk, even the low end mbp costs a lot for most people, and it is a lot to throw around. A small mark in the right place can really be annoying. One of the holes for the mic is about that size. Image a dark spot like that you can't get rid of in a place you are ALWAYS looking at after you spend more money than you should have on a computer (I'm not saying this is the OP's situation, just an example). And idk if it is really that size...

It does cost a lot, but no matter how careful you are you will get some marks on your laptop. Something that small is not only a waste of Apples time to deal with, but the OP should consider it a gross waste of their own time.

And we wonder why PC users make fun of us all the time.

 

[robotmonkey]

It does cost a lot, but no matter how careful you are you will get some marks on your laptop. Something that small is not only a waste of Apples time to deal with, but the OP should consider it a gross waste of their own time.

And we wonder why PC users make fun of us all the time.

That's like saying no matter what, you'll get a scratch on your car or get in an accident.

Never been in an accident, don't have any scratches on anything (except the scratch on my mbp that came with it ), and I don't plan on it. It really isn't that hard to be careful with your things. I lied, the chrome apple on my iphone got scuffed by some damn case (why I hate cases).

Sure, it may not be a big deal to some to have the mark, but to say that it is ridiculous to want a pristine product is... ridiculous. I don't pay with the expectation of a mark or scratch. I pay with the expectation that it is in the condition it is advertised as: new and perfect. If it was advertised as having an imperfection and thus at a significantly lower, that's a different story. I don't understand why people are vilifying returning a product because it isn't pristine. I read things like "I would make him pay a restocking fee so people don't behave like this". Behave like what? Someone who wants what they pay for? And a restocking fee? that's such a load. So first, in this store that everyone is talking about, the customer doesn't get a product in new, perfect condition that costs an arm and a leg. Then, after being inconvenienced, the customer is told that he is going to have to pay even more money to get what he initially payed for. Sounds like a great store (sarcasm). Furthermore, why are you judging the op because he wants what he payed for? It's not your money that bought the computer, it's his. It's great that it wouldn't bother you, but just because you disagree doesn't mean you have to be disrespectful. To the OP- don't listen to anybody, if it bothers you, replace it.

 

[uberamd]

That's like saying no matter what, you'll get a scratch on your car or get in an accident.

Never been in an accident, don't have any scratches on anything (except the scratch on my mbp that came with it ), and I don't plan on it. It really isn't that hard to be careful with your things. I lied, the chrome apple on my iphone got scuffed by some damn case (why I hate cases).

Sure, it may not be a big deal to some to have the mark, but to say that it is ridiculous to want a pristine product is... ridiculous. I don't pay with the expectation of a mark or scratch. I pay with the expectation that it is in the condition it is advertised as: new and perfect. If it was advertised as having an imperfection and thus at a significantly lower, that's a different story. I don't understand why people are vilifying returning a product because it isn't pristine. I read things like "I would make him pay a restocking fee so people don't behave like this". Behave like what? Someone who wants what they pay for? And a restocking fee? that's such a load. So first, in this store that everyone is talking about, the customer doesn't get a product in new, perfect condition that costs an arm and a leg. Then, after being inconvenienced, the customer is told that he is going to have to pay even more money to get what he initially payed for. Sounds like a great store (sarcasm). Furthermore, why are you judging the op because he wants what he payed for? It's not your money that bought the computer, it's his. It's great that it wouldn't bother you, but just because you disagree doesn't mean you have to be disrespectful. To the OP- don't listen to anybody, if it bothers you, replace it.

Why does he bother posting here then? He is opening himself up for us to share our opinions, and my opinion is that it is a total waste of time on every parties part to get a replacement. He is lucky they even offered him money. No other company would do that.

If he doesn't want our opinions, he shouldn't have posted. MacRumors is not a "tell me what I want to hear" site.

 

[diablo2112]

I pay with the expectation that it is in the condition it is advertised as: new and perfect.

I have never seen a "perfect" MBP or new car for that matter. [I think the record for fewest defects that consumer reports found in a new automobile was 4. The average is closer to 2 dozen.]

When you consider screen alignment, lid alignment, trackpad height, cosmetic condition, bottom panel fit, hinge function, pixel illuminiation and defects, battery capacity, hard drive noise and vibration, and any of a dozen other specifications, I have never seen a MBP which is indeed "perfect" across all these categories. Perfect doesn't exist. Real-life products are produced to real life specifications and tolerances.

Perhaps the MBP isn't the laptop for you. I'd be interested, what have you ever purchased that you considered to be "perfect"?

 

[robotmonkey]

Why does he bother posting here then? He is opening himself up for us to share our opinions, and my opinion is that it is a total waste of time on every parties part to get a replacement. He is lucky they even offered him money. No other company would do that.

If he doesn't want our opinions, he shouldn't have posted. MacRumors is not a "tell me what I want to hear" site.

I agree, but that doesn't warrant calling him "ridiculous". But I guess I wouldn't post about this... seems like a personal decision to me.

 

[kny3twalker]

That's like saying no matter what, you'll get a scratch on your car or get in an accident.

Never been in an accident, don't have any scratches on anything (except the scratch on my mbp that came with it ), and I don't plan on it. It really isn't that hard to be careful with your things. I lied, the chrome apple on my iphone got scuffed by some damn case (why I hate cases).

Sure, it may not be a big deal to some to have the mark, but to say that it is ridiculous to want a pristine product is... ridiculous. I don't pay with the expectation of a mark or scratch. I pay with the expectation that it is in the condition it is advertised as: new and perfect. If it was advertised as having an imperfection and thus at a significantly lower, that's a different story. I don't understand why people are vilifying returning a product because it isn't pristine. I read things like "I would make him pay a restocking fee so people don't behave like this". Behave like what? Someone who wants what they pay for? And a restocking fee? that's such a load. So first, in this store that everyone is talking about, the customer doesn't get a product in new, perfect condition that costs an arm and a leg. Then, after being inconvenienced, the customer is told that he is going to have to pay even more money to get what he initially payed for. Sounds like a great store (sarcasm). Furthermore, why are you judging the op because he wants what he payed for? It's not your money that bought the computer, it's his. It's great that it wouldn't bother you, but just because you disagree doesn't mean you have to be disrespectful. To the OP- don't listen to anybody, if it bothers you, replace it.

You realize that Apple does not replace macbook(pro)s that have ONE (or TWO or THREE) dead pixel by default, right? The thread starter could return his current with the pin point dot and receive a laptop with dead pixels without any recourse. (This is not to say that Apple would not make an exception.)

And honestly, the notebook sounds perfect. If the worst thing to complain about is a pin point dot, then he/she should be happy.

Then the Apple return policy states that any open product is subject to a restocking fee, and if I was the manager, I could not make an exception for this.

He/She should be happy the store offered anything.

Personally this thread makes me laugh, that all he could find to complain about was a pin point spot, which is more than likely not a scratch but an imperfection in the powder coat.

 

[kny3twalker]

I have never seen a "perfect" MBP or new car for that matter. [I think the record for fewest defects that consumer reports found in a new automobile was 4. The average is closer to 2 dozen.]

When you consider screen alignment, lid alignment, trackpad height, cosmetic condition, bottom panel fit, hinge function, pixel illuminiation and defects, battery capacity, hard drive noise and vibration, and any of a dozen other specifications, I have never seen a MBP which is indeed "perfect" across all these categories. Perfect doesn't exist. Real-life products are produced to real life specifications and tolerances.

Perhaps the MBP isn't the laptop for you. I'd be interested, what have you ever purchased that you considered to be "perfect"?

excellent post

 

[robotmonkey]

I have never seen a "perfect" MBP or new car for that matter. [I think the record for fewest defects that consumer reports found in a new automobile was 4. The average is closer to 2 dozen.]

When you consider screen alignment, lid alignment, trackpad height, cosmetic condition, bottom panel fit, hinge function, pixel illuminiation and defects, battery capacity, hard drive noise and vibration, and any of a dozen other specifications, I have never seen a MBP which is indeed "perfect" across all these categories. Perfect doesn't exist. Real-life products are produced to real life specifications and tolerances.

Perhaps the MBP isn't the laptop for you. I'd be interested, what have you ever purchased that you considered to be "perfect"?

Pc's, even though I hate them, are actually initially in good condition. I have owned three, and they all have been cosmetically sound. And actually yes, I have seen many perfect mbp's, my girlfriend's mom gets to write off new mac's as a tax credit since she is a photographer so she gets a new one every year (envy), and she always makes sure they are perfect. My friend got one around the same time as me, and it is perfect in every respect. My old graphic design teacher is even bigger about this than me, and both his iMac and Macbook Pro are perfect. I understand there a tolerances, but if it is noticeable then it is not in new condition, especially if there are others that are in new condition and it costs so much. BTW, I realize many new cars come with scratches which is why it is important to inspect every square inch of one before you buy.

I understand why many wouldn't really care about a scratch (or even a small dot), but some of us do, and some of us can manage to take care of our things. It's really ok if you say something like "it's not worth that much money to exchange", but many have been saying frankly rude things, just because they obviously don't share the same view of what condition personal possessions should be in. To prove that it is possible to not scratch a computer, my family's '89 mac has not yellowed and it has no scratches at all because it was covered and taken care of. So if a 21 year old mac doesn't have a scratch, why should a brand new one have one?

 

[uberamd]

Pc's, even though I hate them, are actually initially in good condition. I have owned three, and they all have been cosmetically sound. And actually yes, I have seen many perfect mbp's, my girlfriend's mom gets to write off new mac's as a tax credit since she is a photographer so she gets a new one every year (envy), and she always makes sure they are perfect. My friend got one around the same time as me, and it is perfect in every respect. My old graphic design teacher is even bigger about this than me, and both his iMac and Macbook Pro are perfect. I understand there a tolerances, but if it is noticeable then it is not in new condition, especially if there are others that are in new condition and it costs so much. BTW, I realize many new cars come with scratches which is why it is important to inspect every square inch of one before you buy.

I understand why many wouldn't really care about a scratch (or even a small dot), but some of us do, and some of us can manage to take care of our things. It's really ok if you say something like "it's not worth that much money to exchange", but many have been saying frankly rude things, just because they obviously don't share the same view of what condition personal possessions should be in. To prove that it is possible to not scratch a computer, my family's '89 mac has not yellowed and it has no scratches at all because it was covered and taken care of. So if a 21 year old mac doesn't have a scratch, why should a brand new one have one?

A scratch and a dot are entirely different things. Entirely different. For the sake of argument, I made a 0.5mm mark and a scratch. The "scratch" is on the top, the 0.5mm mark is on the bottom. Can you see the 0.5mm mark? Sorry, but this is ludicrous. Every product you buy has a defect of some sort, no matter how insignificant. You may not immediately notice it, but it is there.

 

[robotmonkey]

A scratch and a dot are entirely different things. Entirely different. For the sake of argument, I made a 0.5mm mark and a scratch. The "scratch" is on the top, the 0.5mm mark is on the bottom. Can you see the 0.5mm mark? Sorry, but this is ludicrous. Every product you buy has a defect of some sort, no matter how insignificant. You may not immediately notice it, but it is there.

Well I can't see it in the picture, and even in many places on the computer in person it would be hard if not impossible to see. I eventually had to be ok with a small scratch on mine because I felt bad... I mean I made best buy empty their stock. But if in the right place, it could still be annoying, though I probably would be able to deal with it in most scenarios. All I am saying is that it is reasonable to want a perfect product, and that if it bothers the OP he should exchange. However, maybe he meant 5 mm.

 

[uberamd]

Well I can't see it in the picture, and even in many places on the computer in person it would be hard if not impossible to see. I eventually had to be ok with a small scratch on mine because I felt bad... I mean I made best buy empty their stock. But if in the right place, it could still be annoying, though I probably would be able to deal with it in most scenarios. All I am saying is that it is reasonable to want a perfect product, and that if it bothers the OP he should exchange. However, maybe he meant 5 mm.

He specifically repeated that it was 0.5mm, "I measured it". It is not perfectly reasonable to expect a perfect product, as they simply don't exist. My iPhone 3GS vibrate toggle had a slight rattle when in vibrate mode, and my screen isn't perfectly flush on the right side. Do I care? No. Why? Because I know that if I were an Apple store employee and someone brought a device with these pathetically small defects in I would laugh at them.

Save Apple support for people who have real defects, like my 17" MBP that had the dead fan or my MacBook Air with the ghosting display. Those are real issues, a fricking dot that you yourself couldn't even see is not a real problem.

Again, this is why non-Apple communities constantly rip on Apple customers.

 

[robotmonkey]

He specifically repeated that it was 0.5mm, "I measured it". It is not perfectly reasonable to expect a perfect product, as they simply don't exist. My iPhone 3GS vibrate toggle had a slight rattle when in vibrate mode, and my screen isn't perfectly flush on the right side. Do I care? No. Why? Because I know that if I were an Apple store employee and someone brought a device with these pathetically small defects in I would laugh at them.

Save Apple support for people who have real defects, like my 17" MBP that had the dead fan or my MacBook Air with the ghosting display. Those are real issues, a fricking dot that you yourself couldn't even see is not a real problem.

Again, this is why non-Apple communities constantly rip on Apple customers.

It is reasonable... I have had enough of them, including all of my iphones. If I had an apple store employee laugh at me, I'd make sure their manager wouldn't be to happy with them. And I am obviously alone in my expectations, so I don't get why you keep on saying pc users make fun of us because I am the only one that doesn't want an imperfection on the incredibly expensive computer I just bought. I don't get how you would expect me to see a small dot that far away on a crappy photo. Our eyes are actually considerably better than that. If it was on the bottom, I could deal. If it contrasted with the rest of the aluminum and it was where I would always see it, like right by the keyboard, I would not be ok with that. It's not really taking up resources to go to an apple store (or best buy, like me) and get a computer switched. I guess I have just grown up with this mentality since I never got much... so recently when I have been able to I actually recognize the value of a dollar and recognize that if a computer costs as much as some cars, it better damn well not have annoying marks. I am not saying the OP's computer is like this, couldn't unless I saw it in person, but I am just saying that it is very possible a small mark could warrant wanting to exchange a computer.

 

[Corsairkid]

I want to argue from a different perspective. I will say that it is not totally unreasonable to expect a "perfect" product...I can accept that logic. However, the OP is being offered a fairly good amount of money for a very very small "mistake". Whether he deserves it or not is not up for debate here, but he was offered $128 to "settle" with a, in most peoples' opinion, insignificant "defect".

From my point of view, with the details provided by the OP, it would be foolish not to take the $128. Heck, buy some touch up paint or clear coat or whatever you need and fill the pencil tip sized hole in. Then take the rest of the money and buy lotto tickets because you would be considered lucky you even got it in the first place.

 

[robotmonkey]

I want to argue from a different perspective. I will say that it is not totally unreasonable to expect a "perfect" product...I can accept that logic. However, the OP is being offered a fairly good amount of money for a very very small "mistake". Whether he deserves it or not is not up for debate here, but he was offered $128 to "settle" with a, in most peoples' opinion, insignificant "defect".

From my point of view, with the details provided by the OP, it would be foolish not to take the $128. Heck, buy some touch up paint or clear coat or whatever you need and fill the pencil tip sized hole in. Then take the rest of the money and buy lotto tickets because you would be considered lucky you even got it in the first place.

If its an annoyingly obvious mark there's no way $128 is worth the regret you'd get everytime the computer is used. But I can agree with that.... I got free warrenty from best buy since every computer had a mark

 

[Corsairkid]

If its an annoyingly obvious mark there's no way $128 is worth the regret you'd get everytime the computer is used. But I can agree with that.... I got free warrenty from best buy since every computer had a mark

I guess I can agree that IF the spot is THAT annoying to the OP, then yes he might as well get it exchanged. But the OP never told us where this spot is located...it could be on the side or bottom of the computer which would not really be that bothersome. I guess it all depends.

 

[robotmonkey]

I guess I can agree that IF the spot is THAT annoying to the OP, then yes he might as well get it exchanged. But the OP never told us where this spot is located...it could be on the side or bottom of the computer which would not really be that bothersome. I guess it all depends.

agreed