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Wobbly Touch ID

W

waziazi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 3, 2018
138
121
USA
I just got my new 13” MBP 2018 and noticed that the Touch ID slightly wobbles when I move my finger back and forth. I also noticed it makes a popping sound when I lightly tap on it. Is this normal? It honestly feels cheap and pisses me off. Is this something that might be covered under their warranty? I purchased my unit from B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com) and they do not accept returns.

Anyway I’ll post a clip of it shortly.
 
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obviously that is defective and is a important part of the MBP to reboot and actually use.
since i don't know what a BH is (we don't have one in the kalahari desert) they should respect the manufactures warrantee, if not apple should repair the mbp
too bad you can't tighten or fasten something on the mbp.
 
cryptodude said:
I just got my new 13” MBP 2018 and noticed that the Touch ID slightly wobbles when I move my finger back and forth. I also noticed it makes a popping sound when I lightly tap on it. Is this normal? It honestly feels cheap and pisses me off. Is this something that might be covered under their warranty? I purchased my unit from B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com) and they do not accept returns.

Anyway I’ll post a clip of it shortly.
Click to expand...

Since BHPHOTOVIDEO is an apple authorized reseller you should be able to bring the macbook into an apple store and they will replace it if they determine that yours is defective
 
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lakerchick4life said:
Since BHPHOTOVIDEO is an apple authorized reseller you should be able to bring the macbook into an apple store and they will replace it if they determine that yours is defective
Click to expand...
That's the plan. I'm concerned that they will determine it isn't a significant defect to constitute a full replacement as I believe that's the only way to really "fix" this. If they say no I will go berserk!
 
I had this exact thing on my new 2018 15”. I thought it was supposed to be this way but I guess not ;)
 
cryptodude said:
That's the plan. I'm concerned that they will determine it isn't a significant defect to constitute a full replacement as I believe that's the only way to really "fix" this. If they say no I will go berserk!
Click to expand...

If you could post a video that would be great. Im getting one this month and I have no experience with touch ID so would like to know what to be on the lookout for. Hope that Apple will replace yours for you, there are no refurbs available for the macbook pro so you should get a brand new one, just make a genius bar appt
 
FWIW-MacBook Pro's have had this issue since 2016. I agree the touch id button shouldn't have any play in it. Some machines have this minor issue and some don't. I just got a new 2018 15 inch MBP and the touch id is slightly loose. It doesn't mean it is defective and it works fine with this minor issue. My 2016 MBP had the same problem but the touch id always worked flawlessly. With all this being said I understand how this could be concern for some people and by all means exchange the laptop if you aren't happy. Just know you might get another unit with same issue. If you purchase from Apple online they will extend the return window to 30 days if you contact a manager directly through Apple customer service. I have been granted return windows of 120 days, you just have to talk with the right person and most definitely a manager.
 
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cryptodude said:
That's the plan. I'm concerned that they will determine it isn't a significant defect to constitute a full replacement as I believe that's the only way to really "fix" this. If they say no I will go berserk!
Click to expand...

If you are within your 14 day return/exchange period why worry about what they feel is significant or not. You can return it for any reason. Tell them that you don’t like the shade of gray and they can deal with it :)
 
cryptodude said:
That's the plan. I'm concerned that they will determine it isn't a significant defect to constitute a full replacement as I believe that's the only way to really "fix" this. If they say no I will go berserk!
Click to expand...

I would try to not go berserk, I witnessed that this last weekend and saw the police escort the customer out the door. Apple has seen berserk before and knows how to deal with it.
 
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cryptodude said:
That's the plan. I'm concerned that they will determine it isn't a significant defect to constitute a full replacement as I believe that's the only way to really "fix" this. If they say no I will go berserk!
Click to expand...
You get more flies with honey then vinegar. If you start acting rude, aggressive, or angry, the odds of getting a suitable settlement decrease dramatically. The people on the other end will not want to get yelled at, and will just tell you sorry but no and leave you twisting in the wind.

SDColorado said:
If you are within your 14 day return/exchange period why worry about what they feel is significant or not. You can return it for any reason. Tell them that you don’t like the shade of gray and they can deal with it :)
Click to expand...
The OP did not buy it at Apple but BH Video, that company does not have a return policy. I suppose that's one reason why they can offer computers for less then others, because they're not incurring any losses due to returns. He actually mentions that in his first post, you must have missed this:

cryptodude said:
I purchased my unit from B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com) and they do not accept returns.
Click to expand...
 
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i need to post something so there are more that lucky 13 cuz you and that spacebar needs all the luck out there.
 
To a limited extent it's normal behavior. It's a physical button that can move, and these things are manufactured up to a certain tolerance, so there will be differences between units. Mine emits a slight noise if I repeatedly tap it on the right where it depresses, my old 2016 did it as well, my work 2017 less so, but what's the point of doing that?

If the rest of the laptop is fine, I personally wouldn't play the exchange lottery over something like this. Unless the button is loose to the point of potentially interfering with functionality, obviously.
 
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maflynn said:
The OP did not buy it at Apple but BH Video, that company does not have a return policy. I suppose that's one reason why they can offer computers for less then others, because they're not incurring any losses due to returns. He actually mentions that in his first post, you must have missed this:
Click to expand...

Understood but they are an Authorized Apple reseller and Apples return policy regarding Authorized resellers states...

“If the authorized reseller won't accept the Hardware Product return, Apple will accept the return under the following circumstances:

You contact Apple to request the Apple product return within 14 days of the purchase. AC_RightofReturn@apple.com

You purchased the Apple product from an Apple authorized reseller in the United States or Canada and the reseller refused to accept the Apple product return.”

There are some additional forms you need to fill out, But if it were mine, I wouldn’t even bother going to the store until I have contacted AC_RightofReturn@apple.com and only if they instructed me to.

Return it and buy from somewhere other than B&H where there isn’t the headache of a no return policy. Best Buy will match B&H’s pricing, at least they used to. Otherwise its probably worth the extra money to have the piece of mind, security blanket and no hassle returns from somewhere other than B&H. I don’t think I would ever spend that kind of money on something that says you can’t return it as soon as you take the plastic wrap off.
 
maflynn said:
The OP did not buy it at Apple but BH Video, that company does not have a return policy. I suppose that's one reason why they can offer computers for less then others, because they're not incurring any losses due to returns. He actually mentions that in his first post, you must have missed this:
Click to expand...

Understood but they are an Authorized Apple reseller and Apples return policy regarding Authorized resellers states...

“If the authorized reseller won't accept the Hardware Product return, Apple will accept the return under the following circumstances:

You contact Apple to request the Apple product return within 14 days of the purchase. AC_RightofReturn@apple.com

You purchased the Apple product from an Apple authorized reseller in the United States or Canada and the reseller refused to accept the Apple product return.”

There are some additional forms you need to fill out, But if it were mine, I wouldn’t even bother going to the store until I have contacted AC_RightofReturn@apple.com and only if they instructed me to.

Return it and buy from somewhere other than B&H where there isn’t the headache of a no return policy. Best Buy will match B&H’s pricing, at least they used to. Otherwise its probably worth the extra money to have the piece of mind, security blanket and no hassle returns from somewhere other than B&H. I don’t think I would ever spend that kind of money on something that says you can’t return it as soon as you take the plastic wrap off.
 
SDColorado said:
Understood but they are an Authorized Apple reseller and Apples return policy regarding Authorized resellers states...

“If the authorized reseller won't accept the Hardware Product return, Apple will accept the return under the following circumstances:

You contact Apple to request the Apple product return within 14 days of the purchase. AC_RightofReturn@apple.com

You purchased the Apple product from an Apple authorized reseller in the United States or Canada and the reseller refused to accept the Apple product return.”

There are some additional forms you need to fill out, But if it were mine, I wouldn’t even bother going to the store until I have contacted AC_RightofReturn@apple.com and only if they instructed me to.

Return it and buy from somewhere other than B&H where there isn’t the headache of a no return policy. Best Buy will match B&H’s pricing, at least they used to. Otherwise its probably worth the extra money to have the piece of mind, security blanket and no hassle returns from somewhere other than B&H. I don’t think I would ever spend that kind of money on something that says you can’t return it as soon as you take the plastic wrap off.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this information. I went ahead and emailed them explaining my situation. Waiting on a response on how to proceed.
 
sk8r1230 said:
nice find on the return policy. cool of apple
Click to expand...

I sure didn't mean to post it three times though. TapaTalk hung and gave some error about not being able to post at this time, but apparently it actually managed to post in triplicate.

This is the form that needs to be filled out. Oddly it seems that what you are effectively doing is rejecting Apples 1 year Limited Warranty, thereby initiating a return of the product. Seems like a round-a-bout way to simply accept a return? Probably some sort of legality that they were forced to accept?
 
maflynn said:
You get more flies with honey then vinegar. If you start acting rude, aggressive, or angry, the odds of getting a suitable settlement decrease dramatically. The people on the other end will not want to get yelled at, and will just tell you sorry but no and leave you twisting in the wind.
Click to expand...
I used to work in the retail business as a manager, and I full-heartedly agree with this. Unfortunately everyone thinks that raising heck by getting mad helps get management involved and gets the issue fixed, but if anything it's more likely to get you turned away or the cold-shoulder of "our policy states...". You also will be more likely to be shut down in the future if you have any other issues if you are known locally as someone who gets mad or belligerent about an issue.

You are more likely to be helped or have a manager/employee go the extra mile by explaining the situation, and asking nicely what options there are for replacement.

Also, while it would bug me, a slightly wobbly button isn't worth getting that upset over.
 
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