Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Will Apple still swap out bands on purchase?

marmiteturkey

marmiteturkey

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 27, 2005
957
1,081
London
im looking to upgrade my SS Apple Watch - it comes with a white band in the box and I already have one of those; I know that with the original S0 Apple Watch, Apple would allow you to ‘return’ the band purchased with the watch, and swap it for a different one of similar value. Does anyone know if this is still the case, as I’d prefer a sport loop or nylon band to another white sport band.
 
marmiteturkey said:
im looking to upgrade my SS Apple Watch - it comes with a white band in the box and I already have one of those; I know that with the original S0 Apple Watch, Apple would allow you to ‘return’ the band purchased with the watch, and swap it for a different one of similar value. Does anyone know if this is still the case, as I’d prefer a sport loop or nylon band to another white sport band.
Click to expand...

From my understanding, Apple no longer permits this. You can certainly ask. But from Others experiences, they were denied the exchange.

Another thread discussing this:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-band-swap-at-purchase.2067106/
 
Nope. I even attempted to do it with a store manager that I have known for years. He said he has no wiggle room with it. I wanted the Platinum Black Sports band with my Nike 3. I had to purchase it separately.

For 2 years now, I have been saying Apple needs to just sell watch faces and watch bands separately. You go in, pick the face and the band you want. They come in separate boxes and you go home with the combination you want. They ship faces separately for AppleCare replacements. This would be such an easy compromise and would probably give Apple the ability to charge more for the face.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Senfinger, Ntombi, SoN1NjA and 2 others
Mlrollin91 said:
Nope. I even attempted to do it with a store manager that I have known for years. He said he has no wiggle room with it. I wanted the Platinum Black Sports band with my Nike 3. I had to purchase it separately.

For 2 years now, I have been saying Apple needs to just sell watch faces and watch bands separately. You go in, pick the face and the band you want. They come in separate boxes and you go home with the combination you want. They ship faces separately for AppleCare replacements. This would be such an easy compromise and would probably give Apple the ability to charge more for the face.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. Seems open and shut. Will just have to suck it up! Anyone want to buy a completely unused white 42mm sport band? :)
 
Mlrollin91 said:
When did you see that option?
Click to expand...
Couple of days ago, but since my need was to return it, so I did not go through that process. I know they don't offer that service in store, but if the op purchase through apple.com, maybe he can give it a shot and see what it means.
 
Applemacfan said:
Couple of days ago, but since my need was to return it, so I did not go through that process. I know they don't offer that service in store, but if the op purchase through apple.com, maybe he can give it a shot and see what it means.
Click to expand...
I ordered mine online, I don't have an option.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applemacfan
Mlrollin91 said:
I ordered mine online, I don't have an option.
Click to expand...
I too saw this option with my online order the I scheduled for pickup. I also made a return so now I dont see the option, wish I has take a screen capture of it.

If I remember correctly it said something similar to "Watch bands may be switched out for other bands of the same apple watch configuration type"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mlrollin91
Applemacfan said:
Are you still within the 2 weeks return period?
What did you see when you go to the return page?
Click to expand...
Ok thanks I see it, but here is the loophole. "Exchange for another band sold with your case"

All Aluminum Models only come with one band option now.

The only one option for Aluminum is a black vs. grey sport band (Space Grey Face). Everything else has only one option, meaning you cant do the swap.
 
On the apple store site I see the aluminum comes with a fog band and seashell sport loop band.

Space gray comes with either a black or gray sport band.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 2.31.48 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2017-10-13 at 2.31.48 PM.png
    635 KB · Views: 146
deadworlds said:
On the apple store site I see the aluminum comes with a fog band and seashell sport loop band.

Space gray comes with either a black or gray sport band.
Click to expand...
Yes the only exception is the Space Grey with Grey or Black. The sport loop for silver aluminum is only an option on cellular. So a GPS only only has one option for gold/silver.
 
Applemacfan said:
The OP is looking to get the SS version, so he should has the option to swap to the mill loop.
Click to expand...
I don't think so. It says he is "looking to upgrade his SS" but doesn't mention to what. Now I am going to assume you are correct because I think only the SS comes with a white band, but unsure.

But with that being said, the Mil. loop is $100 more. I think the OP is looking to switch to a sport loop and that is not an option for the case, so he wouldn't be able to do that.
 
Actually Apple does still allow you swap out a band... if you go to the order status page and start a return of the watch it says that you can contact the customer service number to swap the band rather than return it all... This is the UK store anyway...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applemacfan
The new soft white band is a tiny bit darker than the regular band. I like the soft white better. Especially with the Stainless Steel.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marmiteturkey
Mlrollin91 said:
Nope. I even attempted to do it with a store manager that I have known for years. He said he has no wiggle room with it. I wanted the Platinum Black Sports band with my Nike 3. I had to purchase it separately.

For 2 years now, I have been saying Apple needs to just sell watch faces and watch bands separately. You go in, pick the face and the band you want. They come in separate boxes and you go home with the combination you want. They ship faces separately for AppleCare replacements. This would be such an easy compromise and would probably give Apple the ability to charge more for the face.
Click to expand...

This! If they created a watch face store it would sell like hot cakes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mlrollin91
Well I asked online chat if I could swap it to see if was an option they said no. Try it maybe you'll get a different answer.
 
abdulkar.im said:
View attachment 725278

Nope! If I try to return my Series 3 Edition the option is there...
Click to expand...
The key words on here is "another band sold with your apple watch case"

Not any band that's not sold with the case. I suspect they do this because they don't want to have to sell the actual watch as refurbished or open box if the person just wanted the other color strap instead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IvanEd747
This is stupid they should have other colors with new watches. I have already owned all the bands sold with the SS (actually I did not have a soft white band, but it looks almost the same as the regular white band).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back