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So this happened to my Watch
- Thread starter Prof.
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When I talked to them, they filed it under accidental damage. My replacement is preparing to be sent to me under Apple care plus. May have to contact them again and fight it?
The battery does look a little puffy. They'll likely replace it on the spot. Do you have an Apple Store nearby? If it still works, you should unpair it so that you don't lose any data. I personally wouldn't wear or charge it at this point.
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Does accidental damage require a repair fee under AC+? If so, I'd tell them that it looks like a swollen battery and that it shouldn't require a fee.
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Did you take it into a store? How could they determine that it was accidental damage?
Does accidental damage require a repair fee under AC+? If so, I'd tell them that it looks like a swollen battery and that it shouldn't require a fee.
Apple Support said they don’t stock Apple Watch replacements in store, so there was no point in going to a brick and mortar store.
I just got off the phone with Apple support again and the lady said that once it arrives at the depot, they make the determination if it was a defective battery or physical damage. If it’s defective, they refund the $69.
Right now the watch is on my desk, waiting to be sent back once the replacement unit arrives.
OK, that's fair. Not knowing what a regular AW battery looks like, it's kinda difficult to tell if this one is swollen. But there does look to be some swelling on both edges of the battery.
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EDIT - I just looked at the AW S3 teardown at ifixit and it looks like the battery is normally "puffy" at the edges.
Just talked with one of my nurses at work, and she said her Watch was replaced for free due to the same issue, caused by a swollen battery. Here's hoping this situation plays out the same way for me. If it doesn't, I'll still get a replacement for $69. Not bad.
But going to a real store would have allowed someone to physically inspect and ascertain the fault prior to you getting a replacement, therefore probably getting rid of any doubt as to whether it was a swollen battery or not.
Granted this only works if you have a "local" store
There are three apple stores near me, all within 20 mins. The problem is that none of them could get me into see a genius until this coming Saturday or Monday. Calling support, and having them dispatch me a replacement unit was literally the quickest way to resolve the issue. One apple store was booked almost two weeks out.
Fair enough. Over here my local store seems to have a policy of if you kinda just walk in and talk to someone about the faulty device in your hands, they can normally give you an appointment after a 30 minute wait. Assumed that was a "thing"
That's what I said to the support guy over the phone, why can't I just walk in and walk out 30-40 mins later with a replacement. Doesn't sound like rocket science. His response was, jokingly: "you've never been to an apple store, have you?"
Honestly though, I don't see how swapping an obviously broken product for a new one needs an appointment that's over a week out.
Take a look at this article posted weeks back. It very well could apply to you in your situation where displays are spontaneously detaching. Might be worth noting and bringing to Apples attention if they dispute for any reason.
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/07/apple-watch-displays-class-action-lawsuit/amp/
I'll have to keep you guys posted based on what the repair center says. My replacement watch has yet to be dispatched. I'm hoping it'll be sent today or tomorrow. A watch is kinda necessary working in the emergency department, lol.
I’ve never made an appointment to talk with anybody about possible problems that can be visually identified.
if jewelry needs repair, I set it on the counter. The person picks it up and gives some idea and expense information on the spot.
If a computer has a problem, I put it on the counter and the guy looks it over, gives me a ballpark estimate.
If I have a car problem, I show up at the repair shop and talk to a guy who immediately comes out and begins the evaluation process.
I understand scheduling repairs. That’s common. Sometimes parts need ordered, and sometimes you need to complete repairs in the order you receive them (though I always slipped quick simple repairs in during bigger projects). Sometimes it takes more time to turn someone away and have them come back later than it would to just handle a 1 or 2 minute issue.
But scheduling a visual inspection is ridiculous. It’s almost as ridiculous as someone having to schedule with a cashier a convenient time to pay for merchandise. It requires about the same time investment.
If Apple’s stores are so backlogged that they don’t have enough time to handle walk-in customers with questions, then that is a business management problem.
if jewelry needs repair, I set it on the counter. The person picks it up and gives some idea and expense information on the spot.
If a computer has a problem, I put it on the counter and the guy looks it over, gives me a ballpark estimate.
If I have a car problem, I show up at the repair shop and talk to a guy who immediately comes out and begins the evaluation process.
I understand scheduling repairs. That’s common. Sometimes parts need ordered, and sometimes you need to complete repairs in the order you receive them (though I always slipped quick simple repairs in during bigger projects). Sometimes it takes more time to turn someone away and have them come back later than it would to just handle a 1 or 2 minute issue.
But scheduling a visual inspection is ridiculous. It’s almost as ridiculous as someone having to schedule with a cashier a convenient time to pay for merchandise. It requires about the same time investment.
If Apple’s stores are so backlogged that they don’t have enough time to handle walk-in customers with questions, then that is a business management problem.
I see your point. And even if you had to eat the $69.00, not too bad really to get a watch back right away.
GOOD LUCK though.
For what it’s worth, my watch (gen 0 SBSS) is in for repair for a nearly identical looking issue. The battery looks exactly like yours. I took it to a Genius and while they made notes on report, any determination of the condition needs to be made by the repair center. So if you can get a box to return it faster than you can get an appointment at a local Apple store, go that route.
BTW they did approve my replacement watch. I was worried about possible water damage since I usually have in on in the shower and if the screen was coming lose that could trip the sensor strips. Fortunately it was fine and I’m just waiting for the new watch to arrive in a day or so.
BTW they did approve my replacement watch. I was worried about possible water damage since I usually have in on in the shower and if the screen was coming lose that could trip the sensor strips. Fortunately it was fine and I’m just waiting for the new watch to arrive in a day or so.
Update: Just received the new watch. It's beautiful.