USPS return speed

[Balaamsdonkey]

I was wondering if anyone has returned an iPhone (5 or otherwise) for whatever reason, and if so how long it took for Apple to receive said phone. I used to be on AT&T, and ordered the 5 the day it went for pre-order. I received it on September 25th, and that day found out that I was able to join my in-law's family plan with Verizon, so the next day I sent back the phone.

That was the 26th, and I acknowledge I may be over reacting but I didn't think it would take more than a few days for USPS to get the phone from NW Washington to wherever the warehouses are. The return page says I need to return the phone by the 9th, and I'm a teensy bit anxious that something unfortunate happened to the phone enroute. Like it got lost, or USPS decided to keep it for their own pleasure.

How long should it be taking for this? Am I worrying too much about it, or should I try and contact USPS? Thanks!

 

[nostresshere]

I assume you have a tracking number? Go online to see where it is.

Personally, I would have taken it into the store so that I knew they had it, and more important, THEY knew they had it.

(I had to return one. There was a nice return label in the box, but I just wanted to know 100%, and get an instant credit back)

 

[madKIR]

No tracking numbers for these pre-paid packages. I sent mine on Monday and, hopefully, it will be there on Friday.

 

[linsam]

You are okay. Do not worry. I am in the same position.

I sent my husband's iPhone 5 back on the 28th. Apple has still not received it. I spoke with Apple today and they can see in their system that I dropped it off at the post office. USPS gave me a receipt when I dropped off the phone. The receipt had a very long label # on it. I gave Apple that number and they could see that I dropped off my phone.

Apple told me it takes 6-8 workings days for them to get merchandise back. Today is day 6. I really did not think it would take this long. If the item is not there by day 9, it gets marked as lost and a refund is issued. Hope this input helps.

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

@ nostresshere
Personally, I would have taken it into the store so that I knew they had it, and more important, THEY knew they had it.

Two things work against me being able to do this.
1. I bought it online and Apple stores cannot accept returns of iPhones purchased online.
2. I love approximately an hour and a half from the nearest Apple store, or 45min+ possibly a lot more if I want to chance the border to Canada.

@linsam

Thank you for the encouragement. I may call Apple tomorrow toward the end of the day because I don't have a receipt. I should have gone to USPS to send it instead of shipping it through where I work, which I've done before and have never had a problem.

 

[MMM.PWR]

Same boat. Mine just updated.

10/4/2012 03:03 PM Departing Newgistics Facility ATLANTA, GA
10/4/2012 08:22 AM Inducted into Newgistics Ne... ATLANTA, GA
9/29/2012 01:40 PM Picked up by USPS MIAMI, FL
9/28/2012 04:28 PM Label Created

Can't wait for my refund + cancel At&t.

-------

My story, if you're interested. I'll make it short. I received my phone the 21st, scratched. Replaced twice, both of those were also scratched. Apple store would NOT take back my replacement phone and actually told me it was not returnable at all, that I was stuck with this phone. Called AppleCare and after about an hour I was sent a return label.

Never again will I exchange for a replacement without going through the return / buy new process.

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

Same boat. Mine just updated.

10/4/2012 03:03 PM Departing Newgistics Facility ATLANTA, GA
10/4/2012 08:22 AM Inducted into Newgistics Ne... ATLANTA, GA
9/29/2012 01:40 PM Picked up by USPS MIAMI, FL
9/28/2012 04:28 PM Label Created

Can't wait for my refund + cancel At&t.

-------

My story, if you're interested. I'll make it short. I received my phone the 21st, scratched. Replaced twice, both of those were also scratched. Apple store would NOT take back my replacement phone and actually told me it was not returnable at all, that I was stuck with this phone. Called AppleCare and after about an hour I was sent a return label.

Never again will I exchange for a replacement without going through the return / buy new process.

How did you get tracking data from USPS? My experience with Apple stores and the iPhone has been less than stellar as well. It is almost like they are semi-autonomous to a degree; almost like a car dealership or fast food chain. I think the issue is related to stock and how Apple treats the individual stores and their inventory. I think I'll be giving Apple a call this afternoon to see if they know/knew I had shipped the phone back.

What do you mean the "return/buy new process"?

 

[MMM.PWR]

How did you get tracking data from USPS? My experience with Apple stores and the iPhone has been less than stellar as well. It is almost like they are semi-autonomous to a degree; almost like a car dealership or fast food chain. I think the issue is related to stock and how Apple treats the individual stores and their inventory. I think I'll be giving Apple a call this afternoon to see if they know/knew I had shipped the phone back.

What do you mean the "return/buy new process"?

What I mean by that is returning an item fully rather than exchange for a "new" one at the Genius Bar, without going through the paper work.

And to track, go back to the email you received with the shipping label. there's a link there that allows you to track your status.

 

[racer1441]

Why would you send something that expensive via USPS?

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

What I mean by that is returning an item fully rather than exchange for a "new" one at the Genius Bar, without going through the paper work.

And to track, go back to the email you received with the shipping label. there's a link there that allows you to track your status.

So far as I understand USPS does not offer tracking on returns. Apple told me this as well. I used the shipping label number and found nothing on USPS' site that lead me to believe I could track it

@racer1441: I did exactly as I was told to do by Apple. It isn't exactly as if I went out of my way to return via USPS. I had no choice, and if I had my choice I would have sent it UPS or FedEx.

 

[MMM.PWR]

So far as I understand USPS does not offer tracking on returns. Apple told me this as well. I used the shipping label number and found nothing on USPS' site that lead me to believe I could track it

@racer1441: I did exactly as I was told to do by Apple. It isn't exactly as if I went out of my way to return via USPS. I had no choice, and if I had my choice I would have sent it UPS or FedEx.

Have you received your refund yet? Or any confirmation that Apple has received it?

Still waiting on mine.

 

[saccento]

So far as I understand USPS does not offer tracking on returns. Apple told me this as well. I used the shipping label number and found nothing on USPS' site that lead me to believe I could track it

@racer1441: I did exactly as I was told to do by Apple. It isn't exactly as if I went out of my way to return via USPS. I had no choice, and if I had my choice I would have sent it UPS or FedEx.

great to hear that you're not getting any tracking details either.. I have been worrying about my replacement as I dropped it off at USPS and they didn't give me a receipt that I dropped it off or anything.. I finally had them give me a receipt after the fact for proof in case it doesn't arrive where it needs to be

 

[nizmoz]

1.5 weeks and they got my phone back today per the tracking. But no refund yet.

 

[saccento]

1.5 weeks and they got my phone back today per the tracking. But no refund yet.

when did the tracking info update? or did you not check?

 

[nizmoz]

It seems nightly it updated but today it updated during the day when it got delivered.

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

Have you received your refund yet? Or any confirmation that Apple has received it?

Still waiting on mine.

They haven't received it. They were supposed to have it by today. I called Apple, and the guy I talked to told me that they wait a week after the date it should be there by before considering it lost. I also had to call AT&T to cancel the upgrade.

 

[FieldingMellish]

Thread title is the first time I have seen USPS and speed in the same sentence.

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

Thread title is the first time I have seen USPS and speed in the same sentence.

Ha ha. The title was definitely not meant to be construed as a suggestion that USPS is a quality service at all let alone "fast".

 

[Skull21]

Any update to this situation? I sent my return around 2 weeks ago and still no update on the USPS site.

 

[Balaamsdonkey]

Any update to this situation? I sent my return around 2 weeks ago and still no update on the USPS site.

I called twice after they were supposed to have received it. The last time I called (Tuesday Oct16) and after a lot of crappy hold music a kind young lady informed me that the Apple warehouse received my phone on Oct 3 but it had not "cleared" yet. She said I should call Friday if I dont' hear any word from them regarding an investigation they are doing.

Skull: Did you get a receipt from USPS when you gave them the package? I foolishly did not, and may have dodged a bullet.

 

[bushman4]

Return takes 7-10 days. Unfortunately USPS does not update as often as Fedex or UPS. Call Apple customer service and they will tell you the status of your package.
By the away, Each label HAS a tracking # on it.

 

[smartbot]

Any update to this situation? I sent my return around 2 weeks ago and still no update on the USPS site.

I am in the same boat. I can't believe it takes 2+ weeks to ship a package back within the US!

I called Apple and they said the package is on the way and may get cleared in the next few days. I wish they had just let me return the phone in the store (it would have been much quicker)!

 

[Skull21]

I called twice after they were supposed to have received it. The last time I called (Tuesday Oct16) and after a lot of crappy hold music a kind young lady informed me that the Apple warehouse received my phone on Oct 3 but it had not "cleared" yet. She said I should call Friday if I dont' hear any word from them regarding an investigation they are doing.

Skull: Did you get a receipt from USPS when you gave them the package? I foolishly did not, and may have dodged a bullet.

I did get a receipt but the online site still just says picked up by USPS with no further update on the status. Let me know if your status changes.

I already tried calling Apple customer service and they said it should arrive within the next couple days but it's already been 2+ weeks!

smartbot - I wish they allowed in store return too :/

 

[horizonlala]

I was wondering if anyone has returned an iPhone (5 or otherwise) for whatever reason, and if so how long it took for Apple to receive said phone. I used to be on AT&T, and ordered the 5 the day it went for pre-order. I received it on September 25th, and that day found out that I was able to join my in-law's family plan with Verizon, so the next day I sent back the phone.

That was the 26th, and I acknowledge I may be over reacting but I didn't think it would take more than a few days for USPS to get the phone from NW Washington to wherever the warehouses are. The return page says I need to return the phone by the 9th, and I'm a teensy bit anxious that something unfortunate happened to the phone enroute. Like it got lost, or USPS decided to keep it for their own pleasure.

How long should it be taking for this? Am I worrying too much about it, or should I try and contact USPS? Thanks!

Hi, have you received your refund? How long did Apple receive your returning? I have the exact same problem... And it is already been a month since I sent my package....