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Just quietly get an iPad 3 with the exact same engraving, then sell the iPad 2 and switch them. Doesn't sound like she's that tech-oriented, so she'll never notice the switch...
 
Just quietly get an iPad 3 with the exact same engraving, then sell the iPad 2 and switch them. Doesn't sound like she's that tech-oriented, so she'll never notice the switch...

Now you see, THIS is not the foundation of a good relationship... :rolleyes:
 
Explain this exact situation to the apple store. They may let you return the engraved iPad. Get smarter girlfriend next time.

yah dude, you need to break up with that girl
Ah so you're who I have to deal with in the dating pool? Fan-****ing-tastic! Seriously children, if you really think that this warrants breaking up, a womb punch, or anything more than a simple explanation then you're ignorant. This is not how normal people function at all. So his girlfriend doesn't have her thumb on the pulse of current tech news. So what?

Why are so many people advising that the OP leave his girlfriend? I'm she is worth more to him than an iPad.
Because they're either children, never been in relationships, have no idea how people should behave in the world, or they think they're funny.

OP: I thought there were returns for engraved items after all. Is it on their store policy online? I'd try to return it for sure but I would explain to your girlfriend first. No one knows her like you do so you have to be the judge. Obviously your question is best posed with less detail next time. "Bought iPad today and came home to previous iPad as a gift that is engraved, can I return it?"

Leave the kind deed your girlfriend did for you out of it. This site is clearly not the melting pot of wisdom. Even I've been prone to offer up crappy advice just because I am amused with myself. ;)
 
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Or they've never had a (real) girlfriend before....

I think for some here, the iPad IS the girlfriend!, and they can be real alpha males and upgrade!
 
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Nope. i have a gf and was in a similar pickle. My past birthday she bought me a gift, i asked her if i could return it instead for an apple gift card and she had no qualms. She told me she preferred if i got something I wanted.

Guess i lucked out with my girl..
 
Ok so I lined up this morning to get my 32 gb ipad3 and I was very happy. That was until my girlfriend saw it . You see the thing is she ordered me a secret ENGRAVED iPad 2 for my birthday next week .

My understanding is I can not return the engraved iPad so I will effectively have to downgrade to the iPad 2 after spending time with the iPad 3 .

Any bright ideas

No I can't give one to her and I can't keep both either .

Is the no engraved returns policy set in stone ????

Ahhhh what to do . I really love the updated screen .

Please guys and girls help me out
Muchos respect for taking the hit and downgrading. If you didn't you girlfriend would never forgive you.
 
Honestly I do not understand why an adult conversation with the girlfriend would end up in a win win for everyone. What she did was very nice. But given the new iPad launched TODAY, I would expect my wife (sorry, no girlfriend) to understand that while I value her thought, I want the new one. So getting a new one with the same engraving should make everyone happy.

If I could not have had a simple conversation with my (then) girlfriend to arrive at a mutually satisfactory conclusion over something so TRIVIAL, I would not have married her. 50 years of this stuff could get old quick.


THIS!!! Exactly!!!
 
Nope. i have a gf and was in a similar pickle. My past birthday she bought me a gift, i asked her if i could return it instead for an apple gift card and she had no qualms. She told me she preferred if i got something I wanted.

Guess i lucked out with my girl..

heh you were sort of lucky, but they still hate it when you return gifts they give you. Think if it happened the other around.
 
There is no difference in the return policy for engraved iPads

So, simply thank your girlfriend, return the iPad 2, and have her put that money towards the 3. Have it engraved somewhere if you like.
 
heh you were sort of lucky, but they still hate it when you return gifts they give you. Think if it happened the other around.

I wouldn't have any problems at all. I would rather someone use the gift that i bought than have it just lay there to waste.

The worst thing i could think of is me wasting my money on a gift that someone does not want or will not appreciate because they dont like what i bought. I try to listen through the year to see what my siblings or gf wants and get them that for birthdays and Christmas. If i dont hear anything i ask for a list of things they would like and pick one.

An unwanted/unappreciated "gift" is a waste of money.
 
Because they have lost all perspective. It amazes me sometimes.

Or maybe they are just joking.

As for what to do with the engraved iPad, a lot depends on the girlfriend. I wouldn't generalize to say all women will be hurt if OP returns her iPad, but some people would be, while others would be much happier to have the giftee have something they truly want. Personally, I'd rather be with someone with the second type of personality, but that's just me. Anyway, first thing I'd do is to call Apple customer support, or better yet have the GF call if she's amiable, and tell them the story exactly like you told it here. Engraved products are really not returnable, but they might make an exception if you are very polite about asking. Oh, and how much did GF pay for the iPad 2? If she paid the pre-discount price, that might be another thing you could bring up.

Good luck.
 
Since this is clearly difficult I'll help. The policy to return engraved iPads changed recently. 9 months ago the store policy stated personalized products could not be returned unless the unit was DOA. Now, this policy is no longer in their terms located here:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/open/salespolicies

And a member had the mindset to actually call Apple because only Apple will take back their product or decline it. That post about that is located here and is recent to this month/year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1335637/

You're welcome.
 
There is no difference in the return policy for engraved iPads

So, simply thank your girlfriend, return the iPad 2, and have her put that money towards the 3. Have it engraved somewhere if you like.

ummmmm.

http://store.apple.com/uk/open/salespolicies

7.2 Exceptions to the right to withdraw from the contract. (i) Products. You may not return a Product and claim a refund if the Product concerned is: a) Software which we supplied to you sealed and unused and you have broken the seal or which you have successfully downloaded from the AppleStore website; or b) a personalized product such as iPod or iPad with an engraving made in accordance with your specifications. (ii) Services. You may not obtain a refund for a Service if you have commenced use of the Service.
 
Since this is clearly difficult I'll help. The policy to return engraved iPads changed recently. 9 months ago the store policy stated personalized products could not be returned unless the unit was DOA. Now, this policy is no longer in their terms located here:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/open/salespolicies

And a member had the mindset to actually call Apple because only Apple will take back their product or decline it. That post about that is located here and is recent to this month/year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1335637/

You're welcome.

interesting how the UK and US policies are different on this.

http://store.apple.com/uk/open/salespolicies
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/open/salespolicies
 
When I buy a gift for someone, I would much rather them get what they want, and will ultimately use. If every time they used it they were thinking "man I wish I had the new one" it would upset me. Be honest with her, tell her how happy you are that she did that for you and go exchange it for a new, engraved 3rd gen ipad.

As much as you want her to be happy, she should want you to be happy too, and she'll understand completely. If she gets upset, she isnt the right girl for you (harsh but very true).

Life lessons. This is one of the simple ones!
 
Just talk to the girlfriend. If I bought my hubby something and a newer version came out, heck, I'd run to the store and do the return and get the newer version for him. Some women will take it personally, lot's of us wouldn't.
Take her out for a nice dinner or send her favorite flowers to her as a thanks for the wonderful thought.
 
There's also that possibility that Apple will actually deliver a third generation iPad. They always do the same things with new iPods and Macs: if you buy one like right before the announcement, than your product will usually be 'upgraded' to the newest version.
 
Or, just order an iPad 3, get the same engraving. When the iPad 3 comes in, return the iPad 2.. She'll never know the difference and still be happy girlfriend, and you'll be happy boyfriend with your retina iPad :D
 
This is why I always tell everyone (wife, girlfriend) not to buy me any gadgets. I'll take care of those myself.
 
OK here is my advice:

If you have an open and loving relationship with your girlfriend where you are actually able to be honest and have discussions about almost anything then explain how she means the world to you and that you love her for her gift.

Tell her that you have your heart set on the iPad 3 but though to compensate that you could come up with a personal engraving together to make the new iPad involve her AND you.

If she is an unreasonable git then she won't have any consideration for your wishes and personally I would re-evaluate the situation.

I am a woman and if I did something like that, well firstly I would have tested the waters, but if I failed on it like this situation, I would be happy to work together to remedy the situation and come up with something that I know he would love and yet had a personal touch from me.

Sell the 2, Get the 3, come up with a joint engraving (even if its something like "my boyfriend is an a** but I still love him". Do consider resaleability though hahaha!

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just quietly get an ipad 3 with the exact same engraving, then sell the ipad 2 and switch them. Doesn't sound like she's that tech-oriented, so she'll never notice the switch...

lol!!!!
 
Hey, while on the subject, did you check to see if your "Find my Friends" was already setup on your shiny new engraved iPad 2 that your girlfriend gave you? Just checkin... :cool:
 
Honestly I do not understand why an adult conversation with the girlfriend would end up in a win win for everyone. What she did was very nice. But given the new iPad launched TODAY, I would expect my wife (sorry, no girlfriend) to understand that while I value her thought, I want the new one. So getting a new one with the same engraving should make everyone happy.

If I could not have had a simple conversation with my (then) girlfriend to arrive at a mutually satisfactory conclusion over something so TRIVIAL, I would not have married her. 50 years of this stuff could get old quick.

Bingo! Maybe it was all she could afford. I'm glad my bf blurted out that he wanted to get me one for my birthday. I already had some gift cards saved up so we are splitting it, which essentially gives me a bigger one than I would have bought on my own. To his credit, he pretty much had all my preferences figured out though he had me pegged for wanting white rather than black (saw my old iPod but didn't realize they were only white back then). He's thrilled we're splitting it as we've been together since last summer and he wasn't sure how he'd top it next year (if he had really bought me one, I'd have considered it xmas and bday for the next FEW years!!!!)

I do have to show him the iTunes/Apple gift cards - I love getting those. :)

I am like the people above where I wouldn't have been offended at all, I'd rather have someone happy with what THEY really want.

BUT I know people get hurt feelings easily. I remember as a teenager I had picked out this awesome (to me) Easter outfit. It was a little pricey but I really loved it. Mom bought me one ALMOST like it and I was in tears trying to tell her that it was nice but just not the same. Love her for being so understanding, we returned it and I got the one I really wanted and wore it for years as a spring outfit for work.
 
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