Watch caused allergic reaction, but lackadaisical help from Apple

[bunnicula]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

It's not their fault you have an allergy. I'm sure they'd have given you a price-neutral band and/or a lower priced band (with refund of the difference in price) OR a more expensive band (with you paying for the more expensive band).

If you wanted a SS link or some such, nobody has those anyway, so you'd be SOL.

That band is 300 dollars more than the one you bought. Did really think they'd just GIVE you one?

Entitled much?

 

[techiegirl]

I have always had allergic reactions to leather bands as well. That's why I've worn metal bands for my entire adult life. I have the sports band right now, which I'm giving to my daughter when my classic band SS arrives.

I haven't had any problems with the sports band. If I do have issues with the classic band, I'm prepared to pay for the upgrade to the milanese band myself. It's not Apple's fault I'm allergic to leather bands.

FWIW, you might want to try downgrading to the sports band. I haven't had any issues with it since the first day.

 

[ohio.emt]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

So Apple did the same as every company you can return the offending product that caused the problem. The will replace the offending part with one of equal or lesser value and give you the difference back, but your upset that they won't give you a free upgrade. I would call that being whiny and entitled.

Also don't let the door hit you.

 

[bushido]

like this? i can still feel it an hour later

it seems to be the dome as in the back of the watch in my case and not actually the band itself

 

[whatos]

I had a breakout on my wrist after 4 days of wearing leather classic band (hundreds of tiny blisters). I wasn't sweating in it or wearing it too tight. Just chalk it up to materials of construction? Not a huge deal. Except Apple has very little concern in getting me a new band. Maybe they're not available? Poor planning if so. Sad to be early out of the gate to have the watch sit on dresser WAITING for a new band, with no estimate of when they'll even get a new band out to me. Oh, Apple wanted to charge me the difference if I didn't accept their offer to send the exact same band that caused the original irritation. Why do we pay premium prices again for these products??? Apple employees reading this, get your crap together as your burning bridges with otherwise loyal customers.

For Apple it's a game of numbers and becoming too fat and happy. They can blow off a boatload of customers and still chalk up massive sales. Spending time on some customers issues is easily overlooked with little to no consequences.

 

[greytmom]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

How are they not making things right? They will get you a new band when bands are available, and if you want a different band, you will pay the difference.

 

[iamasmith]

like this? i can still feel it an hour later

it seems to be the dome as in the back of the watch in my case and not actually the band itself

I started to get that on the first day of use with a SS watch. I reasoned that the plastic film overnight the back might have left some partials of low tack glue. Took it off and polished it with a lint free cloth (ok my t-shirt ). No itch or rash since and I've been wearing it for 4 days non stop now

 

[bunnicula]

For Apple it's a game of numbers and becoming too fat and happy. They can blow off a boatload of customers and still chalk up massive sales. Spending time on some customers issues is easily overlooked with little to no consequences.

I don't think a company that offers to allow you to return your device or replace your band (either with a band that costs the same, one that's less and includes a refund, or one that's more and includes you paying the difference) is the definition of "blow off a boatload of customers."

English... are we all speaking it? Because it looks like we are typing it.

I could call them right now and tell them that my Milanese loop is bothering my wrist and demand a Modern Buckle band for free, but it's 100 dollars more than my current band, so why should they give me 100 dollars because my ML bothers my wrist (it doesn't, but for the sake of argument, let's pretend it does)... and yet it isn't bothering thousands of other wrists out there?

Come on. If the OP had offered to pay the difference, they'd have been glad to send him that SS Link he thought he could score for free.

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How are they not making things right? They will get you a new band when bands are available, and if you want a different band, you will pay the difference.

Thank you. I am amazed at the nonsense on here.

If the company only offered 2 band styles and one left a horrible rash on the OP's arm and the other might not, but both were of a similar price, I could totally see the OP wanting the company to gift him the other band. And, I suspect they would.

Apple has a wide variety of bands available, and since OP is allergic to leather (or so it seems, which is a new one on me), then there are sport bands and there are metal bands.

Let's review.

Sport is cheaper (discount to OP).

Milanese is same price as Classic (even swap for OP).

SS Link is more expensive (OP must pay extra).

This is just common freaking sense.

 

[Qrispy]

Last time to post here.

Insert celebratory gif here.

 

[riotrhythm]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

This is like saying you bought a Mercedes C Class and you're whining until they give you an S Class for free

 

[bunnicula]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

I totally agree with you except for this part.

Why in hell would you not expect to get a band that was price neutral? Did you think they'd feel responsible that YOU got a rash?

It doesn't sound like you were permanently injured and have a product liability case going, so what's the big deal?

I could see them offering you a price neutral band and a 25-dollar Apple gift card for your woes or whatever... but that's it.

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This is like saying you bought a Mercedes C Class and you're whining until they give you an S Class for free

That's how I'm picturing it.

Or, you bought a car with cloth seats and the cloth irritates your butt, so you want the manufacturer to replace your cloth seats with leather for no additional charge just to keep you as a customer.

They'll just give you some cheap seat covers and wish you well.

 

[whatos]

I don't think a company that offers to allow you to return your device or replace your band (either with a band that costs the same, one that's less and includes a refund, or one that's more and includes you paying the difference) is the definition of "blow off a boatload of customers."

An avid Apple customer, shareholder and historian, I know Apple well. I've used their computers every year since 1991.

I'm the first to acknowledge their many accomplishments with joy. Conversely I'm not afraid to look at their less than stellar decisions and behavior.

They cost many of their customers thousands of dollars year after year as Apple stayed silent refusing help to those whose MBP's suffered severe video issues impacting their ability to work.

Some had to buy replacements in order to keep working. Apple lived in silence and when pressed... Denial until the legal ramifications could not be denied.

I was there, I witnessed this first hand at work where we use over one hundred MBP's.

Proof?
Here's but one sanitized "Pro-Apple" version that only touches on a small fraction of its impact. After all, other businesses most definitely don't want to upset the 800lb Gorilla that is Apple...




https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/19/2011-macbook-pro-repair-program-apple/

 

[Marshall73]

I had a breakout on my wrist after 4 days of wearing leather classic band (hundreds of tiny blisters). I wasn't sweating in it or wearing it too tight. Just chalk it up to materials of construction? Not a huge deal. Except Apple has very little concern in getting me a new band. Maybe they're not available? Poor planning if so. Sad to be early out of the gate to have the watch sit on dresser WAITING for a new band, with no estimate of when they'll even get a new band out to me. Oh, Apple wanted to charge me the difference if I didn't accept their offer to send the exact same band that caused the original irritation. Why do we pay premium prices again for these products??? Apple employees reading this, get your crap together as your burning bridges with otherwise loyal customers.

Unfortunately you are allergic to the band but it sounds like you wanted Apple to replace it with a more expensive band and not charge you the difference? That seems pretty unreasonable to be honest, you should either return the whole thing or stump up the difference yourself.

 

[bunnicula]

An avid Apple customer, shareholder and historian, I know Apple well. I've used their computers every year since 1991.

I'm the first to acknowledge their many accomplishments with joy. Conversely I'm not afraid to look at their less than stellar decisions and behavior.

They cost many of their customers thousands of dollars year after year as Apple stayed silent refusing help to those whose MBP's suffered severe video issues impacting their ability to work.

Some had to buy replacements in order to keep working. Apple lived in silence and when pressed... Denial until the legal ramifications could not be denied.

I was there, I witnessed this first hand at work where we use over one hundred MBP's.

Proof?
Here's but one sanitized "Pro-Apple" version that only touches on a small fraction of its impact. After all, other businesses most definitely don't want to upset the 800lb Gorilla that is Apple...




https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/19/2011-macbook-pro-repair-program-apple/

Been using them since 1984, and you don't have a bigger stake in their success than I do, but I'll play along.

Most companies don't outright admit that there are problems until they are 100% sure from a legal standpoint that they SHOULD admit there are problems. You can thank their lawyers for that one. They pay them good money for a reason.

This band issue is pure foolishness. It really is. Apple's Watch division have exactly zero to do with whether you had to deal with a bunch of MBP issues at work (where I assume you didn't personally purchase all those computers with your own money, but hell, you could be the sole shareholder and write all the checks, I have no idea).

If you are that person, I'm sure a letter to Tim Cook explaining the fortune you personally spent on faulty MBPs for your large business would go further toward getting you a freebie 450-dollar link band to replace your inexpensive leather strap than griping about it here on MR.

Personally, the two MBPs that I have owned (a 17-inch early 2011 and 2013 13-inch rMP) have had NO issues whatsoever, and my watch and band are okay, so I'm not seeing the problems you're seeing.

Doesn't mean they don't exist. Maybe I should preemptively ask for a link band for free?

 

[SixtyK]

Oh, Apple wanted to charge me the difference if I didn't accept their offer to send the exact same band that caused the original irritation.

Well yeah, if something costs more, they generally want you to pay more.

 

[Streiber]

Wah

Mine left tobacco all over my wrist. Wah!!! Get me an edition now.

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Mine left Tobacco on my wrist. Wah, Wah, Wah give me my darn edition now!!!

 

[Streiber]

And the tobacco turned into a big copper wart. Apple won't do anything about it!!!

 

[blackberrycubed]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

Good buy and dont let the door hit you on your ass on your way out.

Jeez...

 

[bunnicula]

And the tobacco turned into a big copper wart. Apple won't do anything about it!!!

Maybe they could melt it down and make you a watch. You like rose gold?

 

[WestonHarvey1]

And the tobacco turned into a big copper wart. Apple won't do anything about it!!!

All I can see when I look at your pictures is that hideous plastic case.

 

[flur]

Apple leather bands appear very homogenous, with parts that touch the skin looking the same as the parts expected to be on display. So your skin is coming into direct contact with all the dye and chemicals used to give the pretty band its looks. Also I don't recall seeing any stitching on the Apple leather bands, but I do remember somoene posting a photo of excess glue marring the look of their Classic Buckle band. So you're also possibly reacting to the glue being used.

FWIW, I have the classic band, and I can see no evidence of glue (though there probably is some in there somewhere), but I can clearly see stitching on the underside of the band where it joins the watch, and on the strapholder. So I'd guess the OP is allergic to the dye or tanning chemicals.

As far as the return goes, it sounds to me like Apple is making it right. They're swapping out the band as needed for the allergy. If the classic band was the cheapest, and all the non-leather bands were more expensive, I could *maybe* see a case for them swapping without an upcharge, but given that there are cheaper and equal cost non-leather bands available, IMO the OP has no case whatsoever for wanting a more expensive band for no charge. Besides, there's only one band that's not leather that's more expensive - the link band, aka the most expensive band Apple is making.

 

[ZPr13st]

Yes I'm a real person, not a troll, or crybaby, or foot stomper, or android user. Die hard apple. I figured Apple would stand by its product and if there was a problem with it that caused a health issue, they'd make things RIGHT. Hence my expectation of new band, which was not price neutral of course. Wow this forum sure has a bunch of big talkers and chest thumpers. Calling my problem trivial or whiney. Last time to post here.

Its unfortunate that you had an allergic reaction but it was certainly not due to a defect or anything with the band or watch. Your own body just simply rejected/had an allergic reaction to the band/case of your choice.

Apple is perfectly willing to ship you out another band that you have already paid for (at their own expense) at a hope that you will not have a reaction to it. For you to demand an upgraded band model free of charge is just ridiculous.

"I bought a nice car with plastic seats and I had an allergic reaction to the seats. I demand a brand new car with upgraded leather seats at no charge."

 

[Anya B]

like this? i can still feel it an hour later

it seems to be the dome as in the back of the watch in my case and not actually the band itself

I'm talking with an Apple senior advisor at the moment about the reaction i've had to my Sport watch. My reaction is similar to yours. The advisor I've been talking to, has been really helpful and has been liaising with Apple care support engineering department. I have agreed to send the watch to them for analysis.

I believe i've reacted to the composite/plastic dome. This isn't Apple's fault at all but they have promised me a resolution. The resolution may involve me paying the difference for a SS. If this is my only option then i will make that decision when i have to.

I don't understand why Apple would use materials used in cheap watches in a watch they are marketing as quality. My Husband is calling the Sport watch 'The expensive cheap watch.'

Advisor sent me this link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665(Opens in new window)

 

[Chefelvis]

I am having some sort of reaction to the band, too. My other watch doesn't do this though, btw.

 

[bluecow]

I have sensitive skin and have a reaction to my current rubber/silicone band watch. This doesn't bode well for my SG BSB purchase.