Managers = troubles
Hi all. Just registered to share my experience here in London.
I've bought a 15" 2.4 MBP on Sunday the 8th at Apple Store in Regent Street. Was quite a long time since last PowerBook and I was really excited after waiting months for the LED monitor and a new graphic card. Turned on the MBP, everything seemed perfect, this until I turned down the brightness just a touch: hello waves!
Panic, googled straight away finding this thread, making me aware of the possible yellow band and... hello yellow band too!
Was a Samsung monitor, matte, still have to understand how you guys translate the production date (btw, can you tell me please) but was C2110E00. Took it back to the store the Wednesday after, replaced with no problems. Before taking the second one I ask the guy if it'll come from the same stock as I'm sure it'll be the same, the guy says probably, but says to take it and give it a try and take it back again if it's the same. I then ask if there is any limit in asking for a replacement and he tells me no, virtually an infinite loop until you're not fully satisfied.
Went home, turned on, same as expected.
I go back to the Apple Store again and I speak with a manager, he says he's not aware of the issue but they'll sort out something, we check if the stock is still the same and we agree to wait few more days waiting for a new bunch.
Go down again on Saturday the 21st and I ask for a refund to have no hassles as two weeks since the first one have almost passed. The girl that serves me ask me what's the issue, I tell her and she agrees as for that price the laptop should be more than perfect, she refunds me but she also tells me they just had a new bunch and she asks me if I want a new one, I get it and go home with my fingers crossed.
Turn the third on, no yellow, LG, but a dark band far more evident than the yellow problem.
I'm almost furious and the day after (yesterday), I take it back. The guy at the till asks me what to do and he offers me to get a new one and check it straight away. I take it, unpack it, turn it on, yellow! (btw was same date as the first two!)
He asks me what I want to do, I tell him as I do need a machine, but a good one! He goes to a store manager and comes back telling me I can ask for a new one or try to speak with a manager as they can surely help me out. I don't see how but I accept.
Now this guy comes, he's a senior shop manager, he admits he sees the yellow tint, but then he says (ready guys...) that's within the specs!
We then start an long discussion, pretty loud in some moments, with me asking where on the box or website says about the yellow band as for him it's within the specs. He says something like I'm doing this replace/refund as a funny game, insinuating I've probably changed more machines than the ones I say, he speaks about human error, says my expectations are more than Apple can offer and to think about moving to another brand. He concludes offering me last replace/refund chance, but he says he will then ask me to sign as that will be my last choice. Completely astonished I've then asked to speak with another manager, who was surely more gentle, but he said everything the previous one he told him to say...
I'm now writing with the last MBP I had before the discussion, which I'll give back for a refund within few days, then I'll wait probably until September, waiting hopefully for the issue to be fixed, and the new smaller charger.
I'm obviously thinking also in speaking with someone at Apple about the terrible experience I had yesterday, as I don't think they will be happy to know that an Apple representative says the yellow tint is within the specs and all the ******** I've heard and the really unkind behave this guy had.
not a rotten one!