iPhone 16/Plus Stop ordering and returning

[bigjnyc]

What is the return window, 14 days from… order, shipping, receiving? Hopefully the latter. The hardware itself is fine, but I’m going to return my 16MP because the Photos app is basically unusable in its current state.

Millions and Millions of people who updated to iOS 18 are using the photos app just fine... So I don't think I would call it "unusable" Perhaps you don't like the new layout which is fine, but calling it unusable is a bit of hyperbole don't you think?

 

[msackey]

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?

Yes, it has bothered me but not because of administrative burden or taking away from someone else who is waiting. I'm concerned about the environmental impact. We humans as a collective group can do better.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Because there are costs to all that... shipping, logistics, inspection, "refurbishing", whatever, and diminished value. And Apple is not doing this for free, it gets added into the purchase prices for new phones that we all pay. IOW, we are all paying a premium for these fools to be able to buy 5 phones and return some or all of them on a whim.

Again, that is not how it works.
The price is set before any returns happen.
The less than 1% of people doing frequent returns is not why the iPhone costs what it does. Even if there were no return policy, the phones would still be expensive.
As for environmental impacts... why are we blaming the returning consumers, and not Apple for releasing a phone every year?
And why are we singling out phones?
People also return a lot of other things. Should people not return food that is bad or they didn't like because "someone else wanted it" or "the environmental impacts of them making you a new meal"? Of course not, if your food is bad you send it back.
If your phone isn't what you wanted, you send it back.
If your grocery order had something that wasn't what you wanted/needed, you send it back.
If you buy new clothes and they don't fit or are a different color than they looked online, you return them.
Come-on now, this is a non-issue.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Yes, it has bothered me but not because of administrative burden or taking away from someone else who is waiting. I'm concerned about the environmental impact. We humans as a collective group can do better.

At the end of the day, Apple is going to ship millions and millions of phones, its unlikely those returning are making any impact at all.
The phone they bought was going to be built and shipped either-way, and it just as likely could've been broken, problematic or returned for some other reason, making the entire "environmental" point moot.
If you really want to talk environment, maybe start with the company who updates and ships 200M+ phones a year.

 

[msackey]

At the end of the day, Apple is going to ship millions and millions of phones, its unlikely those returning are making any impact at all.
The phone they bought was going to be built and shipped either-way, and it just as likely could've been broken, problematic or returned for some other reason, making the entire "environmental" point moot.
If you really want to talk environment, maybe start with the company who updates and ships 200M+ phones a year.

Transportation is an environment impact. The back and forth, to and fro from wherever to buyer and then back to wherever.

We don't need to hold other companies accountable before holding one company accountable. E.g., "I'm not the big bad wolf! What about him first!" We go nowhere with that.

 

[ddsforlife]

Wonder how the OP would feel about Apple's "test drive a Macintosh" campaign from 1984...

Oh no, someone might've actually *needed* one of those Macintosh's, but the testdrivers causing all of these problems..........

This analogy is bonkers. Back in 1984, do you know how many people actually owned a personal computer?! So few, most people didn't even have a friend that had a personal computer at home. In 2024, EVERYONE has a smart phone and I'm pretty sure that those who buy and "test drive" also have iPhones. 😊 They don't need to actually "test drive" anything. Colors can be seen in the store or online without purchasing. Buy the phone if you want it. Don't buy the phone if you don't want it. Simple enough. 😊

 

[Analog Kid]

Again, that is not how it works.
The price is set before any returns happen.

Yes, that is how it works. The price is set anticipating returns. iPhone 16 is not Apple's first rodeo. Every business anticipates logistics, service and support costs of a release before it ever goes out the door and they price things to account for those costs.

The less than 1% of people doing frequent returns is not why the iPhone costs what it does. Even if there were no return policy, the phones would still be expensive.

Yes, they would.

As for environmental impacts... why are we blaming the returning consumers, and not Apple for releasing a phone every year?

Blame Apple for incremental updates?! I really can't get over how hard people work to blame their behavior on Apple... Just because Apple produced it doesn't mean you need to have it. My car is 15 years old-- the company I bought it from keeps making new ones every year, but I still have the one I bought 15 years ago.

And why are we singling out phones?

Because this is an iPhone forum.

If your phone isn't what you wanted, you send it back.

That's not the behavior being discussed. The behavior being discussed is avoidable returns-- by looking at the spec sheet, or waiting to see one in the store, or just accepting that every physical thing will have a blemish at some arbitrary zoom level.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

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?

Well, I don't buy into any of the real-world impact you claim exists, but I do find it irritating to see so many people who do this year after year. Make a decision and stick with it.

 

[raylo32]

That is EXACTLY how it works. Apple has decades of data and already know how many indecisive divas they will be dealing with and what all those costs will be. That cost recovery is built into the prices of all their products. The real mystery is why they do it.

Cracks me up that I wait 5 years to upgrade my phone, pick one and buy it, whilst some here have 15's and order one or several 16's ones to look at the colors in person and then send them back because they don't "like" them. LOL.

Again, that is not how it works.
The price is set before any returns happen.
The less than 1% of people doing frequent returns is not why the iPhone costs what it does. Even if there were no return policy, the phones would still be expensive.
As for environmental impacts... why are we blaming the returning consumers, and not Apple for releasing a phone every year?
And why are we singling out phones?
People also return a lot of other things. Should people not return food that is bad or they didn't like because "someone else wanted it" or "the environmental impacts of them making you a new meal"? Of course not, if your food is bad you send it back.
If your phone isn't what you wanted, you send it back.
If your grocery order had something that wasn't what you wanted/needed, you send it back.
If you buy new clothes and they don't fit or are a different color than they looked online, you return them.
Come-on now, this is a non-issue.

 

[john123]

I’m saying this as someone who also finds this silly and annoying…

Who cares?

It’s none of my business. The marginal effect on me is small. Maybe I have to wait a couple days more to get something because returners affect supply that much. We don’t have enough data to support that hypothesis aside from some anecdotes.

I agree it’s a bit tacky and can straddle the ethics line. Just because a person can do something doesn’t mean they should.

But, in a world where there are all kinds of crappy things that people do, this is such a tiny blip that it doesn’t make the list. Not to the point where it merits a thread for people to express their ire.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Transportation is an environment impact. The back and forth, to and fro from wherever to buyer and then back to wherever.

The phone is going to be transported, no matter what, no matter who purchases it.
And if it needs to be repaired, it will likely be shipped. If it has a defect, it will likely be shipped. If they return it, it will likely be shipped.
See the problem?
Eitherway, transportation is involved.

 

[raylo32]

Transporting and handling the phone once is cheaper and less impactive than transporting and handling it 3 times. Or even more.

The phone is going to be transported, no matter what, no matter who purchases it.
And if it needs to be repaired, it will likely be shipped. If it has a defect, it will likely be shipped. If they return it, it will likely be shipped.
See the problem?
Eitherway, transportation is involved.

 

[dumastudetto]

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.).

They used to do restocking fees many years ago. I'm thinking the policy change had a positive impact on earnings and they've never felt the need to reverse course.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I’m saying this as someone who also finds this silly and annoying…

Who cares?

It’s none of my business. The marginal effect on me is small. Maybe I have to wait a couple days more to get something because returners affect supply that much. We don’t have enough data to support that hypothesis aside from some anecdotes.

I agree it’s a bit tacky and can straddle the ethics line. Just because a person can do something doesn’t mean they should.

But, in a world where there are all kinds of crappy things that people do, this is such a tiny blip that it doesn’t make the list. Not to the point where it merits a thread for people to express their ire.

Exactly.
And the real world impact arguments aren’t even that strong.
Someone returning an iPhone affects the environment just about as much as me making this post does.
They’re not being enough to go around? Again, they sell over 200 million a year, there are more than plenty to go around.
Costs? If anyone can point to any evidence that it’s a major factor, than sure. So far no one has.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Transporting and handling the phone once is cheaper and less impactive than transporting and handling it 3 times. Or even more.

And you still have not provided any evidence that someone who’s *not* returning the phone also will not ship it for repairs, replacements, recycling, trade-ins or future resale.
These are a lot more common than someone returning several phones.
When I had an iPhone XR replaced, they took my old phone, shipped it out to get replaced, shipped me a new one, had that phone shipped back, and probably shipped it to someone else to be resold or refurbished once it was repaired.
That’s up to five shipments, maybe even more who knows.

More people are getting their phones replaced or repaired than are returning them.

 

[kp98077]

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's no environment impact whatsoever... used/returned phones are sold as refurbished or used by phone carriers as replacements for damaged phones.. stop trippin..

 

[chmania]

The amount of people I see on this forum ordering the latest iPhone and then returning within the return window is really frustrating.

It is a good thing as returned product cannot be sold as new. So, someone else will get the same device...as refurbished and somewhat cheaper.

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.

One of the risk of running a business.

But it takes away a phone from someone else waiting during launch, not to the mention the environmental impact and administrative burden.

What might be this "environmental impact"?

 

[ukms]

This topic divides opinion as much as those who buy extra iPhones to resell for profit. It’s a huge grey market in the UAE either for use here or sending/ taking to another country.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

What might be this "environmental impact"?

Don't you know? Today you don't have to provide proof of environmental impact. You just have to claim that one exists, and you're already right.

 

[Silverstring]

No, don’t care whatsoever. I think OPs original “suggestion” is a HUGE leap in logic and a reach.

There are millions of new iPhones. The reason(s) someone might not be able to secure a specific one when they want are multivariate.

My suggestion is that the activity/behavior on an Apple-specific tech enthusiast website—a niche of a niche of a niche—is outweighed by several orders of magnitude by the combined global population in all the markets where the iPhone is sold.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Don't you know? Today you don't have to provide proof of environmental impact. You just have to claim that one exists, and you're already right.

That is what it feels like sometimes…
There is an environmental impact, it’s just so minuscule and, more importantly, is quickly equal out by those who have to ship their phones anyway for repairs, replacements, or because they actually have an issue and need to be returned.
It’s not like people returning phones also get their own personal warehouses, planes, trucks, etc all to themselves. Those warehouses, planes and trucks are going to be packed with iPhones, no matter if zero or 1 million people return them.

People who truly want to make an environmental argument against consumer culture should really start somewhere else, not… the tens of hundreds (if even that many) of people returning their phones because of the color or storage size.

We’re talking about this as if it’s an actual major contributor to human created climate change, when it just… isn’t?

There are billions and billions of other things that contribute more to climate change than returned iPhones.

 

[Fred Zed]

Thankfully, in Europe ALL electrical devices have a 2 week return period by law.

So Apple can't do jack sh*t 😂

Everyone else gives the same service and its wonderful.

Let’s not forgot about the 2 year warranty also.

 

[CMoore515]

I don't do this, but come on. Is it really hurting you or anyone else? No.

 

[Shirasaki]

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.).

I know it’s not Apple‘s fault but I guess good luck for folks living in rural areas where closest Apple Store for them is at minimum 80km away. It’s going to be unfortunate if Apple ends up changing the policy so they can’t return devices they don’t want despite having innate difficulty visiting an Apple Store in person.

 

[timborama]

Millions and Millions of people who updated to iOS 18 are using the photos app just fine... So I don't think I would call it "unusable" Perhaps you don't like the new layout which is fine, but calling it unusable is a bit of hyperbole don't you think?

Source to back up your claim of all those pro-photo users? Because I can provide plenty for those that don’t like it. Or are you just assuming a false positive claim. LOL

If you claim it’s so “usable”, please enlighten me as to how display just my Recent Photos. The cornerstone of all previous Photo version.