How do you redeem an Apple warranty?

Rakehellion

Lifer
Jan 15, 2013
12,181
35
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I bought a Lightning cable from Amazon. Can I go to an Apple store an have them replace it when it goes bad?
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
Only if it's a legit Apple cable. Not sure how they would tell if it's a really good fake, but that's the requirement.

I hope you got a good deal on it.
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Well, Amazon would have to, certainly.
Indeed. Keep in mind that Amazon is a flea market just as much as it's a retailer. Shady suppliers will sell all kinds of counterfeit goods through Amazon, especially Apple goods. You'd be challenged to buy a legitimate power supply for a Macbook, for example.

Unless your seller was Amazon (and not just fulfilled by Amazon), then you need to consider that you may have received a fake.

Anyhow, regardless of whether it's legitimate Amazon is probably going to be the easiest option. Otherwise contact Apple support; I imagine Apple will do an in-store exchange, but for something that trivial they may not.

https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/sales-policies/reseller.html
 
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TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
I don't know if this is still an on-going thing, but for a while there, they would do exchanges of counterfeit adapters for legit ones, for $10. Bring in your crummy power adapter, and they'd give you a BIG discount on the real-deal.
 

Rakehellion

Lifer
Jan 15, 2013
12,181
35
91
Well, Amazon would have to, certainly.

It's an Apple product. It isn't Amazon's responsibility.

Indeed. Keep in mind that Amazon is a flea market just as much as it's a retailer. Shady suppliers will sell all kinds of counterfeit goods through Amazon, especially Apple goods. You'd be challenged to buy a legitimate power supply for a Macbook, for example.

Unless your seller was Amazon (and not just fulfilled by Amazon), then you need to consider that you may have received a fake.

Anyhow, regardless of whether it's legitimate Amazon is probably going to be the easiest option. Otherwise contact Apple support; I imagine Apple will do an in-store exchange, but for something that trivial they may not.

https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/sales-policies/reseller.html

The product isn't counterfeit and I'm not looking to return it.
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
It's an Apple product. It isn't Amazon's responsibility.



The product isn't counterfeit and I'm not looking to return it.

As ViRGE and I have both talked about, there's a rash of fake Apple cables and adapters on Amazon, that even say 'Apple' in the By section. Looking on Amazon, they're selling it for $17, so it's probably the real deal.

IF it's the real deal, Apple will deal with it. If it's not, then it's Amazon's problem. That was my point. Your Amazon receipt matters to Amazon, I don't think Apple would actually care about the receipt.

However, given that the discount wasn't exactly amazing, and the risk of counterfeit is so high, I would have just bought it from a retail store.
 

Rakehellion

Lifer
Jan 15, 2013
12,181
35
91
It isn't a counterfeit and that isn't the problem I'm trying to solve.

Apple would have to care about the receipt because the warranty is good one year from the date of purchase.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
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It isn't a counterfeit and that isn't the problem I'm trying to solve.

Apple would have to care about the receipt because the warranty is good one year from the date of purchase.

I am pretty sure Apple covers it 1 year from point of "sale" to Amazon. And, I am pretty sure it has a serial number that would show the manufacture date. Which, would likely be pretty close to the purchase date.

And, the warranty replacements a lightning cable would face are so few, I'd wager 99.9% of Apple store employees won't even bother checking. They will just give you a replacement.
 

nickbits

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2008
4,122
1
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I am pretty sure Apple covers it 1 year from point of "sale" to Amazon. And, I am pretty sure it has a serial number that would show the manufacture date. Which, would likely be pretty close to the purchase date.

And, the warranty replacements a lightning cable would face are so few, I'd wager 99.9% of Apple store employees won't even bother checking. They will just give you a replacement.

That's what happened to me when I brought in a refurbished iPhone I bought from AT&T. I had my AT&T receipt--they didn't care, they only cared about the date in their system which was the date they sold it to AT&T. For a cable, I'm not sure they would care or not.