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so what happens to the returned phones....I never see iPhones under "Refurbished"
Maybe they recalibrate it, rename the model number, and then export it to other countries. Maybe they ended up in some countries that won't allowed returning products, like mine.
 
I new phone is expensive. $1200 for a iPhone 16 Max.

I think it's great you get 15 days to try out.

I bought a Samsung S24 from ATT. 2 days later wanted to return it. NO GO.

So have fun guys. fully try out your iPhone.
 
Well the pro series iPhone is designed for professional users. The cameras, video, and speed are for those users. I see so many people buying the pro or pro max phones and hardly ever take a photo or video. I ask them, so do you like the new camera, they reply saying “I really don’t take that many photos”. Then get the plus model if you want the larger screen and battery. I’m a photographer and I take tons of photos, all are in ProRaw from the native app, or from a professional third party app. I’ll use external lights etc to execute my photos with a pro iPhone. Every one should buy the iPhone that’s right for them and their use. None of us need a pro iPhone to get on facebook. I say all of this because I agree with the original poster, too many people buying the best iPhone to fit in and say I have the best then realize they don’t actually need it & return it. am I wrong? This is what I can get using the iPhone and an external LED light panel. This was taken on the 14 pro max 48mp format in ProRaw.

IMG_9722.jpeg


IMG_7768.png
 
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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?
I secretly updated my mom’s iPhone 15 to the iOS 18.0 beta when it came out, and she’s fine using the new Photos app. Since she’s 67, I guess younger users should adapt even more easily than she has.
 
How many people is “the amount of people”? I ask because (until just now) I’ve never read about anybody doing this on the MacRumors forums.

Obviously I know people return various things for various reasons. But now is literally the first time I’ve read of what you are describing.
 
This is an intriguing topic that has kept me engaged. For those who argue that Apple should impose a restocking fee, it’s crucial to understand that the cost of an easy return is already included in the product price through Apple’s 14-day return policy.

When you buy from third-party vendors, the 14-day return policy is voided as soon as the product is unboxed or activated.

In China, starting every November, iPhone prices typically decrease—Pro models might drop by 500-700 CNY (around 70-100 USD), while non-Pro models can see reductions of up to 1000 CNY (approximately 143 USD). These price cuts reflect the margins vendors have to play with, as well as various discount strategies.

Apple also participates in these pricing adjustments; for instance, they offered a 400 CNY discount on the iPhone 15 lineup this January on their official site. Additionally, through their Tmall store on Taobao, Apple provides discounts similar to third-party vendors during major sales events. While the return window is shorter at 7 days, the discounts can be even larger, demonstrating Apple's commitment to competitive pricing.

Ultimately, the ability to return products without hassle is baked into the pricing structure of Apple’s official channels. Therefore, consumers should not feel guilty about returning items after normal use; that ease of return is a cost already accounted for in the purchase price.
 
This is an intriguing topic that has kept me engaged. For those who argue that Apple should impose a restocking fee, it’s crucial to understand that the cost of an easy return is already included in the product price through Apple’s 14-day return policy.

When you buy from third-party vendors, the 14-day return policy is voided as soon as the product is unboxed or activated.

In China, starting every November, iPhone prices typically decrease—Pro models might drop by 500-700 CNY (around 70-100 USD), while non-Pro models can see reductions of up to 1000 CNY (approximately 143 USD). These price cuts reflect the margins vendors have to play with, as well as various discount strategies.

Apple also participates in these pricing adjustments; for instance, they offered a 400 CNY discount on the iPhone 15 lineup this January on their official site. Additionally, through their Tmall store on Taobao, Apple provides discounts similar to third-party vendors during major sales events. While the return window is shorter at 7 days, the discounts can be even larger, demonstrating Apple's commitment to competitive pricing.

Ultimately, the ability to return products without hassle is baked into the pricing structure of Apple’s official channels. Therefore, consumers should not feel guilty about returning items after normal use; that ease of return is a cost already accounted for in the purchase price.
Unless you work at Apple and have inside knowledge, you can’t know for sure. I don’t buy in the least return abuse is baked into the pricing. That sounds pretty ridiculous. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 
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How many people is “the amount of people”? I ask because (until just now) I’ve never read about anybody doing this on the MacRumors forums.

Obviously I know people return various things for various reasons. But now is literally the first time I’ve read of what you are describing.

Same. I'm not really even convinced this is a thing. I'm sure someone does it--i.e. buys ten phones to test out the colors and returns nine of them--but someone does anything you can imagine so that doesn't mean much. I'm not convinced this is an actual problem that is affecting available stock or hurting Apple's bottom line.
 
Why not put the new phones and watches out in the store to demo after the announcement? That way people can see new colors and sizes in person before the preorder. I’ve seen people preorder the same device in multiple colors because the images Apple puts up doesn’t line up with what you see in person and if you don’t get the color you want on launch then you are going to have to return it and just wait. If you could see what the actual color or material looks like in person before you preorder that wouldn’t be necessary. I think that would greatly reduce the wrong color/wrong size returns. You will still have picky people that will return 7 phones to get that “perfect” screen.
Yea they should do this
 
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?
Do you not test drive a car before you commit to the purchase? Kind of a similar mindset. Same goes for Amazon. The amount of returns Amazon gets is insanely high compared to Apple. The fact that you are so worked up about it is honestly kinda weird.
 
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Yeah it's kind of stupid. They have to recondition each of these returned devices.

That said I kind of understand.

I often have to guess at how things look in real life because there's no Apple Store near me. Last product I got was the Natural Titanium iPhone 15, the color is alright but I was surprised at how much closer to the classic space gray it was. Part of me has had regrets about not going with the blue titanium model, but it was really hard to tell what it actually looked like from photos online - some made the phone look dusty, some made it look navy, some made it look almost black.

Given that I only update my phone every 3-4 years, these decisions are things I have to live with for a while.

I wish they'd have even just small micro-stores for smaller cities.
 
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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.
Is your photos app not already sorting photos by most recently taken / saved?? Otherwise you can… Open photos app -> look at the first section “recent days”…. And click on the day you want to see photos from. Best of luck!
 
You will still have picky people that will return 7 phones to get that “perfect” screen.
Yeah, and Apple has their countermeasure for that, from threat to actual ban on individual. I was warned before after exchanging 3 MacBooks. Those “perfect screen pursuers” will know not to abuse generous policies when they are permanently banned from buying devices from Apple.
Desperately trying to get a phone. A phone. Desperately! lol. Embrace your privilege.

Also, pro tip: Scarcity is a marketing tool.
DESPERATION ENSUES! DESPERATION! I WILL DIE UNTIL I GET NEW IPHONE ON DAY ONE!
Sorry I just let wild imagination flow through itself.

And yeah, scarcity is a marketing tool everyone uses, not just Apple. Sometimes even fake takedown of listings can have the same effect.
Oh BS. That is fraud and against the law in the US to represent a used or previously sold item as new:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20/section-20.1

That said, I never ever buy launch-day anything. I want to physically see and hold, and at least see other reviews on something before I buy. I'm 100% anti-early adoption, for anything and everything, hardware, software or otherwise.
Yeah I don’t understand the launch day frenzy either. I’d rather get the best of last generation than enjoying the bleeding edge. If I was still 20 years old maybe I embrace bleeding edge a bit more, not today when I am well over 30. Windows 10 is still good, why Windows 11.
What I don't get is the indecision. I've seen people order two or three colors of the same phone to return the 2 they like least.

I consider myself indecisive, but even I know I won't like the natural or desert options.
Well, some people just can’t visit local Apple Store in a single day trip. For example New Zealanders, as there’s none for them. But I do distaste folks who deliberately buy a dozen devices with no intention to keep them. As in, abusing the system repeatedly.

I don't care what others do - Apple certainly encourages the behavior. But buying something with no intention of keeping it is pretty low class, IMO.
Yeah it kind of is, but there’s a difference between doing it occasionally and abusing the system. Abusers should he punished accordingly, and their entitlements to be shattered.
Even $100,000 something can’t be perfect, let alone $1000 device.
Now if you buy to specifically return it then that's abuse and is a different conversation.
Yeah and those should be punished proper, up to seeking civil penalties. And those abusers will know not to abuse when huge fines and lawyer letters sent to their house.
 
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”

For me it is the exact opposite… i‘m too lazy to return them, which is why i make sure i won’t have to beforehand 😅
 
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I saw this thread over the weekend and thought it was obnoxious. I don't think this is very common though.

The OP "says" they returned the phone by Saturday evening. I don't care what the return policy is, if you are returning the phone on day 2 of release (and it doesn't have a defect) - you had no business buying it in the first place.

I personally think the OP just wanted attention TBH.
 
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Some of you are conflating purchasing with a genuine intention to keep the device and then returning because it is not as you expected or faulty with those buying to get the unboxing/hype experience or ordering sizes/colours they know they wont keep because they arrive sooner and have a later delivery also scheduled. Its the later practices I’m talking about and i have read them on here.
 
Is this a young person thing? I am older and I buy what I want and keep what I buy... even if I don't end up loving the color or somesuch... unless it is defective. IMO, that is just playing fair.
This is bullsh*t. If I am paying so much money, then I want to pay for device that I really want and not regret later that I choosed wrong. Sometimes the color has different tones in certain lights. Yes, you can go to the Apple Store and see colours in person, but these stores are showrooms with artificial light to impress the customer but you will use it in different conditions and see different colours of the phone in real life usage.
On the other hand, there are people who live far from Apple Stores and it is more comfortable to order 2-3 phones and choose colour by using few days.
This year I bought 2 iPhone 16 Pro Max - desert and white. I was using desert for few days but realized that in case it is not unique and sold it and keep white. But every my new phone get immediately screenshield so I waste one for phone that I get rid of. So this is my fee.. but as I said FOR MY MONEY I WANT TO GET WHAT I WANT AND MAKES ME HAPPY.
And I am not doing anything wrong if Apple allowed this. Managers from Apple know very well what are costs and if it is profitable for the company or not. And if it would not be they would not prolong the period from 14 days to 30 days during Christmas.
 
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