So some of my pics on my 7+ have been pretty pixelated, watercolor looking, so I brought it to my local Apple Store. They run diagnostics on it and didn't find any problems, but they did agree the pics where bad. So I'm thinking OK, I'm sure they'll swap the phone out then. No. They ask me where I bought it (Didn't know that mattered) I said Best Buy. They said in that case we can't swap the device out, they only would swap the device if bought direct from Apple, but will instead swap the camera module out instead. Really? A 20 day old device your going to open it to swap the camera?? This is the first time hearing of this, I thought they always swap defective devices out that are in warranty. Is this a new practice?
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Strange Apple Store experience
- Thread starter Stevessvt
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Yes, some Apple stores have started implementing repair first then replace. It all depends upon your Apple Store.
its been like that for years.
Depends on the store and also on the Geniuses who attend you. Pretty sure they are supposed to avoid a straight swap when they can, but I'm sure it's easier to swap. So pretty much you got helped by people who are perhaps doing their job as they're told? Who knows.
Edit: The whole spiel about it mattering that it was bought at Best Buy is bull though, that was a strange thing to say.
Edit: The whole spiel about it mattering that it was bought at Best Buy is bull though, that was a strange thing to say.
It shouldn't matter where it was originally purchased.
It all comes with the same 1 year warranty.
But try the camera swap and see how it goes.
If that fixes it then it shouldn't be a problem.
It all comes with the same 1 year warranty.
But try the camera swap and see how it goes.
If that fixes it then it shouldn't be a problem.
Don't get what the issue is... they're fixing the problem.
They are by no means obligated to swap out your device.
They are by no means obligated to swap out your device.
Ok it sounds as if this is normal practice then. I've never had them want to swap any part of the device out in the past, always just been the whole device swapped on the spot. But they asking where it was bought, and then saying if it was bought directly from the Apple Store would have yielded me a replacement really threw me though.
I bought previous iphones directly from Apple and had a home button repaired and another time an iphone speaker that died got repaired.
They all worked fine after those repairs were made and the phones were not completely replaced.
Just the parts that were faulty.
They all worked fine after those repairs were made and the phones were not completely replaced.
Just the parts that were faulty.
Apple has changed and are more about fixing than just replacing. As long as all works well in the end you will be good.
With poor lighting, Apple does crank up the ISO which can turn details into mush. All I ask is that Apple give us an adjustment for NR.
With poor lighting, Apple does crank up the ISO which can turn details into mush. All I ask is that Apple give us an adjustment for NR.
I appreciate the input on this, I'm going to go back to the store and do some comparison pics between mine and the display units to make sure it's an actual problem and not just the way the 7+ takes photos before I have them split the cases.
See if you can find a test chart on the Internet you can print out and take with you.
They only asked where it was purchased because it was so new. If there is a hardware failure in the first 30 days then it could be exchanged as DOA if it was purchased from Apple directly. It is possible you could have had Best Buy exchange it if they have a similar DOA policy. Since it did not qualify as DOA with Apple, then they went to the warranty strategy which is repair if possible and then replace. The camera module is one of the few parts they actually can "repair"(replace) on newer iPhones.
Personally I would rather my iPhone was repaired than get a refurb replacement.
I can confirm this, went to the store to get my phone fixed and the rep I spoke to stressed that they're going to see if they can repair it first and if all else fails they'll just replace it. Was kinda hoping for a replacement.
I've noticed most refurbs are better than the fresh new ones.
Same for me ;(
This.
Apple and Best Buy isn't the same. They can't take the phone in as a return and then grab you a new one (exchanging it).
If they can't do that since the phone wasn't from their inventory but Best Buy's, then it's always been to try and repair and then if they can't, to white box swap it.
I agree to an extent. For me, it would depend on the repair and or damage, which in some cases, a refurb is actually the better choice in some situations.
Yeah, if it can be repaired then I will always want my iPhone back.
I do agree a less than 30 day old phone should be replaced, regardless of where it was purchased. Just my opinion.
You have no idea if this was or is true. Perhaps, but you can not say definitely that a problem will occur.
They would have returned and replaced with new, if purchased at Apple. Apple is honoring their warranty by offering to fix the camera. They will not return a device at POS if there is no sales receipt from Apple.
