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The reality is, very few actually need the phone on release day… if people have the money to order X amount of devices, so be it. I’ve never yet failed to get a launch day iPhone when I’ve really wanted it (never needed).
 
The amount of people I see on this forum ordering the latest iPhone and then returning within the return window is really frustrating. I would suggest it’s only so those doing it can take part in the pre-order/new release hype with no real intention of keeping the device. But it takes away a phone from someone else waiting during launch, not to the mention the environmental impact and administrative burden.

Has it bothered anyone else seeing this practice be mentioned on here?
I returned my pro because the black titanium is a fingerprint magnet. Going back to natural.
 
I had a host of issues, just returned it.

It really is a mess of a device this year.


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The amount of people I see on this forum ordering the latest iPhone and then returning within the return window is really frustrating. I would suggest it’s only so those doing it can take part in the pre-order/new release hype with no real intention of keeping the device. But it takes away a phone from someone else waiting during launch, not to the mention the environmental impact and administrative burden.

Has it bothered anyone else seeing this practice be mentioned on here?
I agree but people don't care at all. users want everything but they are never grateful about services and today possibilities, but usually they whines on internet forums.
 
The reality is, very few actually need the phone on release day… if people have the money to order X amount of devices, so be it. I’ve never yet failed to get a launch day iPhone when I’ve really wanted it (never needed).
Well...usually the best Carrier subsidies are offered during launch period. AND if you typically buy your phones during this period to get the best deal THEN after ~36 months your phone becomes upgradable again exactly during this period.
 
Apple's return policy is too generous, so that kind of abuse is to be expected. That said, I believe it's a very small fraction of customers who return their iPhone, I doubt adding new restrictions would significantly change launch day availability.
Thankfully, in Europe ALL electrical devices have a 2 week return period by law.

So Apple can't do jack **** 😂

Everyone else gives the same service and its wonderful.
 
Once again, the things you hear in a little tech enthusiast bubble like these forums doesn't necessarily indicate what Normal People out there are doing.

Also, if all this is "hurting Apple" somehow, I think this trillion-dollar company could probably just change their policy. They've clearly done a cost/benefit analysis and concluded that they come out ahead by making people comfortable but giving them a tryout period.
 
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Apple really ought to be charging restocking fees on returns of certain products (like iPhones) unless the device is demonstrably defective. If people want to feel the weight, evaluate the color, etc., they should go to an Apple Store or other retailer (Best Buy, AT&T, Verizon, etc.).

Agreed, but if Apple ever did start charging a restocking fee then they should also have the phones on display that Wednesday after the announcement so people can see, and feel them, and compare to make a more informed decision. I honestly don’t think any carrier or retailer should be able to charge a restocking fee on preorders.
 
Feeling out the phone in store sometimes isn’t the same as carrying it in the pocket daily, using it in bed, in transit, and all the daily moments of life for a week or two

The return window exists appropriately imo to cover any situation that may come up where someone decides the very expensive $1000+ investment may not be exactly for them

It’s crazy to me that people on this forum want the trillion dollar company to charge even more money with restocking fees for buyers remorse on top of already charging so much for all their products and services 😂 punishing the consumers

And even then with those returns apple turns a profit by reselling the device as refurbished later etc. which they’re happy to do

Is there possibly some level of abuse with returns? A tiny portion of people who buy fully intending to return? Maybe but I’d imagine it’s negligible
 
The amount of people I see on this forum ordering the latest iPhone and then returning within the return window is really frustrating. I would suggest it’s only so those doing it can take part in the pre-order/new release hype with no real intention of keeping the device. But it takes away a phone from someone else waiting during launch, not to the mention the environmental impact and administrative burden.

Has it bothered anyone else seeing this practice be mentioned on here?

There is a 14 day return policy for a reason.
You do you & let others do them. I’m glad you’re not in charge of a company. You don’t know why people return things of their life situations.
 
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Feeling out the phone in store sometimes isn’t the same as carrying it in the pocket daily, using it in bed, in transit, and all the daily moments of life for a week or two

The return window exists appropriately imo to cover any situation that may come up where someone decides the very expensive $1000+ investment may not be exactly for them

It’s crazy to me that people on this forum want the trillion dollar company to charge even more money with restocking fees for buyers remorse on top of already charging so much for all their products and services 😂 punishing the consumers

And even then with those returns apple turns a profit by reselling the device as refurbished later etc. which they’re happy to do

Is there possibly some level of abuse with returns? A tiny portion of people who buy fully intending to return? Maybe but I’d imagine it’s negligible

Id suggest the majority of the comments are not against a genuine purchase that the buyer had every intention of wanting and keeping, and then deciding through a bit of real world use decides to return. That is certainly in the spirit of the policy.

Its more the blatant abuse of the system buying multiple items just to unbox with no intention whatsoever of keeping in the first place.

As I said before, if thats your intention to compare sizes or colours then fine but go into a store once they are released to make that choice.
 
Nope. It’s legitimate to try before you buy via online shopping, and it’s not the buyers’ responsibility to ensure that there is enough stock available for everyone at launch. Personally I rarely buy at launch anyway, it’s much more relaxing to upgrade mid-cycle.
Exactly. Expecting customers to “try it out” at the store made a lot more sense years ago when the bulk of items were sold in brick and mortar stores. Even then, as others here point out, holding the phone in a store for a few minutes is a far cray from carrying it and using it the way you normally would.

I don’t know how things have gone in Europe or other places, but here in the US, lots of shopping malls look like ghost towns these days. The reality is a lot of us shop online, and online retailers have adapted to ensure customer satisfaction with that model. Hell, my wife has been shopping for her shoes online for years, so yes, returns are a regular thing for online purchases.
 
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I had a host of issues, just returned it.

It really is a mess of a device this year.


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I usually don't return anything to Apple, except for 3 notable times:

14+ pre-order was delivered 4 days late after launch day (UPS messed up) and ended up getting the iPhone delivered by the Apple store the day after launch. Returned the pre-order when it came in.

Apple Vision Pro - pre-ordered and arrived on time but the AVP did not work the way I thought it would work.
#1 issue: If you have an iPhone, you would expect to use the iPhone with AVP together ? Found it could not make or receive calls with the AVP on your face - had to remove the AVP to use my iPhone. You'd think Apple would have made this feature work before the fancy other features ?

16 Pro - pre-ordered for last Friday - 4 days after launch - it has either been lost or stolen at my UPS distribution hub. It's been 4 days and no iPhone.
Went to Apple Store on Saturday to buy one and now waiting for UPS to deliver my pre-ordered phone and then return it on Apple's dime. Also waiting for a refund if and when Apple concludes the investigation. In the meantime, I filed a police report for grand theft because I paid for it and was never delivered. Let's hope for a resolution soon ?
Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 7.18.16 PM.png
 
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I know a guy who does this. Buys multiple of things just to see what he likes better. Than returns what he doesn’t like. Doesn’t just do it with Apple products. Does it with everything. I questioned him one time and asked why he just doesn’t look up reviews for it to figure out which one he wants, and his reply was “I’m too lazy”
 
I think folks who have iPhone 15 and can’t make up mind for 16 can go easy. lol. I don’t see anything wrong with some one trying to upgrade from 13 or even 14.
 
The amount of people I see on this forum ordering the latest iPhone and then returning within the return window is really frustrating. I would suggest it’s only so those doing it can take part in the pre-order/new release hype with no real intention of keeping the device. But it takes away a phone from someone else waiting during launch, not to the mention the environmental impact and administrative burden.

Has it bothered anyone else seeing this practice be mentioned on here?

Take it from some who worked at a retail level that this has been the way of Apple for a long time, we were encouraged to let customers buy it and take it home and if they didn’t like it to return it within 14 days. It’s nothing new.
 
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