Mac notebook warranty.

[techs]

I admit I know nothing about Macs. My friend called me and described this situation and wants to know if it's accurate.

She was having problems with her Mac laptop that's less than a year old. She brought it to an Apple dealer who first inspected it for any damages, then took it in under warranty for repair.

It was repaired ok, but when she got it back home she noticed a small dent in the side of it. Not much, but noticeable. The Apple store denied doing the damage.

About a month later the same issues re-occurred, so she brought it to a second Apple store who said the 3 year warranty was void due to the dent and that she would have to pay for repairs.


Are Mac warranties void if there is a dent?

 

[alkemyst]

yes, YMMV...any damage to the case is considered neglect.

I have known those to push this issue and get repairs still but they were long time Apple customers and also had Apple Care.

My wife is skipping the Apple Care as her laptop approaches the end of her factory warranty.

What issues is she having? May be an easy fix or a fix that you can show the dent has no bearing on. If you have that dent documented at the time of the last repair you may have a good case too.

 

[KeypoX]

It was repaired ok, but when she got it back home she noticed a small dent in the side of it. Not much, but noticeable. The Apple store denied doing the damage.

Was the dent noted? If not then it was caused (doesnt matter if it was caused by apple or not) by apple. Your friend fails in life.

 

[Emulex]

lol i have 4 dents on all 4 corners of my macbook air - just took it in for a bad wifi card - no problems at all. applecare is a must. you get better service period. a friend of mine dropped his brand new macbook pro 15" and dented it. they just replaced the frame and said have a great day.

i'm sure there are limits (broken screen) but they are cool with dents. they use such thin aluminum its impossible.

 

[Patranus]

Don't get me started on AppleCare.
The last time I bought it, when I took the computer in for repair they said I didn't buy it even though the AppleCare was on the same receipt as the computer and I had a confirmation printout.

Service is one of the things Apple has become PITIFUL at recently and it is really sad. Back in the day, they were amazing but not anymore.

 

[Emulex]

are you actually taking the product to a busy apple store? they have no time to dick around with little issues - it's hard enough to even get a slot to bring in your notebook.

now if you take it to geeksquad or some other place - the story may be different.

just sayin' - apple is pretty cool for the most part. try the same thing with an hp/dell - drop it - crack the plastic frame and see how far they help you. lol.

 

[intogamer]

Don't get me started on AppleCare.
The last time I bought it, when I took the computer in for repair they said I didn't buy it even though the AppleCare was on the same receipt as the computer and I had a confirmation printout.

Service is one of the things Apple has become PITIFUL at recently and it is really sad. Back in the day, they were amazing but not anymore.

Did you activate it?

 

[alkemyst]

I have never heard of anyone complain about Apple's customer service here except those that thought they could exchange an obviously user damaged item.

 

[Emulex]

no its awesome you can go to the mall with family on sunday and drop it off for repair and have it done in a day or two.

other than NBD on-site nobody offers that level of service and speed. especially with that level of demand.

Just remember a Warranty is not the same as Applecare (or hp carepack etc).

You are treated differently because you paid for service in advance.

 

[KeithP]

...who said the 3 year warranty was void due to the dent and that she would have to pay for repairs.

I am no lawyer, but as I understand the law Apple would have to be able to prove the abuse that caused the dent also caused whatever problem she is seeking to fix.

As an example, say she closed the MacBook lid when some object was left on her keyboard and the screen was cracked but still worked. Later, lets say her hard drive failed. Since the cracked screen would be unrelated to hard drive failure, they would still be required to fix the drive.

What I don't understand is why she would have accepted a machine that Apple apparently damaged.

-KeithP

 

[AlricLantra]

I've heard similar issues before. Do not take it to an "Apple Dealer" that has a contract, because results and quality of the work will vary far too much. Don't take it to an Apple Store unless you've been there before and have been happy with the service . . . . I hate to say it, but the quality of service in Apple Stores has been going pretty downhill lately. Some of the new Mac Geniuses don't even know how to open a case.

Have her CALL the Applecare number and explain the situation. I can almost guarantee they will take care of her as long as she explains the matter clearly on the phone. Ask to speak to a supervisor if needed. Apple will overnight a prepaid box for her to return the machine in, it usually takes 2-3 days for them to work on it, and then they overnight it back. It is faster than taking it in person, oddly enough, the machine is usually back in 3-4 days total. And short of liquid damage or a cracked screen, they really don't care what condition the machine is in as long as it isn't very obviously the cause of the problem.