Updated 6/10/10: Having a really bad experience with Applecare/iPad.

[accguy9009]

OP, here is the reality. If you call an Apple Store right now and say, I just bought an iPad last week and it won't work correctly do you have one I can swap out for this one?
Your going to get one answer, sorry we are out of stock. If you have a friend go into the store with you, cause I assume by now they know what you want, and have the friend say I want to buy an iPad with Apple Care when they bring it out to your friend you come over and say it was a ruse I want to swap my defective one out now that I know you have one. Be diplomatic. Put up a fuss. Kick and scream. I know its a PITA to go in and do this. If it was me that had this problem, and I mean on any $ 500 electronic purchase at a retail outlet, I would have gotten a swap out by now because I know whats what on this type of thing. I have tried and tried to coach you on what to do. Good luck on this.

 

[speg]

Just want to add, it's just the video freezing right? No glaring hardware defect? So in theory, it is possible with a software fix? Maybe Apple keeps sending it back because they know they are going to fix it with a software update (soon) and don't want to swap it due to tight supply? Maybe?

 

[thescreensavers]

I did. They wanted a 10% restocking fee. I like having an iPad and didn't want to lose $50. I am kind of really pissed that I can't return it at all now though.

How can they charge you 10% restocking fee on defective product. Talk to a manager get your money back. Stop dicking around with them

 

[alkemyst]

How can they charge you 10% restocking fee on defective product. Talk to a manager get your money back. Stop dicking around with them

Most do that now if you are not replacing it with the same item in their store. Keeps the trolls here from breaking items right before warranty / in store return is up and upgrading or buying online cheaper and returning the more expensive one once it comes in.

 

[accguy9009]

Most do that now if you are not replacing it with the same item in their store. Keeps the trolls here from breaking items right before warranty / in store return is up and upgrading or buying online cheaper and returning the more expensive one once it comes in.

alkemyst, I beg to differ. If someone wants to exchange a working unit during say the 15 or 30 day "return" period, yes a restocking fee will/may apply on certain electronic/computer devices from many retailers. If the item is defective, then a restocking fee should not apply during the "return period". If you buy something with a one year warranty for example and 10 months in you want a new model or something different you are not entitled to anything, period. If a retailer agrees to exchange it for you, if they hit you with a restocking fee or not, and I would think many would, it is strictly up to them. You can't charge someone a restocking fee on an item the customer brings back to the store within 24 hours because it won't work correctly. You can't get an extra 10 points to give someone a working unit, not kosher. Many may offer to "repair" the unit which is what happened here. I wouldn't have stood for this, from anyone. The OP allowed it apparently which was his first mistake. He let the store manhandle him, I would have diplomatically stood my ground.

 

[alkemyst]

Depends on the stores' terms. If they have the option to repair and you still buy the item, it's on you.

If you elect to return a 'defective' item and not take a replacement per their policy, likewise it's on you.

 

[Phynaz]

Man, what are you going through all this for?

1. Make appointment at the Genius Bar.
2. Replicate issue.
3. Get new iPad.

That's all there is to it.

 

[Tegeril]

Man, what are you going through all this for?

1. Make appointment at the Genius Bar.
2. Replicate issue.
3. Get new iPad.

That's all there is to it.

This. I've had two first gen iPhones and three iPhone 3Gs. Antenna failure (2nd gen), case cracking (initial 3G), defective LCD (replacement 3G) in that order. Here's how it goes. Follow step 1. Say, I'm not sure what can be done about this problem but my __device here__ is doing this weird thing where it __problem here__. Follow step 2. Sign paperwork and take new __device here__ home.

 

[accguy9009]

This. I've had two first gen iPhones and three iPhone 3Gs. Antenna failure (2nd gen), case cracking (initial 3G), defective LCD (replacement 3G) in that order. Here's how it goes. Follow step 1. Say, I'm not sure what can be done about this problem but my __device here__ is doing this weird thing where it __problem here__. Follow step 2. Sign paperwork and take new __device here__ home.

Haven't you read this thread? They first refused to swap it out without hitting him with a 10% restocking fee and he refused that option. Now they keep telling him they have no inventory from which to swap out his defective unit.They won't give him him a swap out, do you get it now?

 

[amdhunter]

Haven't you read this thread? They first refused to swap it out without hitting him with a 10% restocking fee and he refused that option. Now they keep telling him they have no inventory from which to swap out his defective unit.They won't give him him a swap out, do you get it now?

Pretty much this. I've checked for stock on a few occasions.
Good news though - it looks like they are finally biting the bullet and replacing the item.

I saw this message for the first time when I checked the status of my order (instead of the usual, product being returned.)

Product:
IPAD
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Repair ID : D32746753
Service Requested: 02-Jun-2010
Status: Product replacement pending

 

[Tegeril]

Haven't you read this thread? They first refused to swap it out without hitting him with a 10% restocking fee and he refused that option. Now they keep telling him they have no inventory from which to swap out his defective unit.They won't give him him a swap out, do you get it now?

My first iPhone 3G replacement occurred almost immediately after getting the phone when stores were out of stock. My local store was also "out of stock" but magically produced a brand new phone for me on demand when I demonstrated the bug. I'm just saying that perhaps he needed to approach them differently. The attitude really added something to the thread though, thanks.

That said, looks like he's on the right course now and is getting a replacement

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

lol, I doubt they'd care.

make sure you use a white sounding last name instead of patel.
or bring a white friend to the store with you.
problem solved.

 

[accguy9009]

Man, what are you going through all this for?

1. Make appointment at the Genius Bar.
2. Replicate issue.
3. Get new iPad.

That's all there is to it.

1. go to genius bar
2. genius bar guy or gal waves magic wand
3. And They Lived Happily Ever After

Genius says, must be true. I bet the genius has a new iPad under his cloak ready to swap it out for the defective one too right? Sounds like a fairy tale to me, lol. Genius my A$$

 

[amdhunter]

Got the new iPad this morning and played with it all day at work and took it home. Loaded a few apps on the thing and YaY - not one single freeze. ^_^

 

[accguy9009]

Got the new iPad this morning and played with it all day at work and took it home. Loaded a few apps on the thing and YaY - not one single freeze. ^_^

Glad you stuck to your guns and got an exchange. I have never been a big fan of having to go through the repair process for a unit that starts to flake out on me less than 24 hours after I bought it. Good luck with your new iPad.

 

[amdhunter]

Glad you stuck to your guns and got an exchange. I have never been a big fan of having to go through the repair process for a unit that starts to flake out on me less than 24 hours after I bought it. Good luck with your new iPad.

Thanks. It's working great so far, but it seems to have some else's data on it. You'd think Apple would properly format these things. ^_^

 

[Phynaz]

1. go to genius bar
2. genius bar guy or gal waves magic wand
3. And They Lived Happily Ever After

Genius says, must be true. I bet the genius has a new iPad under his cloak ready to swap it out for the defective one too right? Sounds like a fairy tale to me, lol. Genius my A$$

Service replacement stock is not retail sale stock.

There, you learned something today.

 

[accguy9009]

Service replacement stock is not retail sale stock.

There, you learned something today.

If you read this thread you would have seen that I have advised the OP, several times in fact, to handle this differently. Read his other thread on his iPad in this section of the forums for more information on how I advised him. I tried to coach the kid like I was his "Dutch Uncle". Sadly, sometimes youth is wasted on the young. IMHO, the kid got played getting a refurb when he paid for a new unit. If anyone learned something here I hope the OP did. I never would have followed the path he took on this issue. I certainly wouldn't have followed your instructions. I don't need some genius to help me get a swap out. The genius can go back to his Harry Potter e-book or she can go back to updating her facebook status, lol.

"Service replacement stock is not retail sale stock". The OP turned in a new unit and got a refurb. What about the "awesome Apple customer service"? I don't need no "stinkin genius" wearing a wizards hat, cloak and waving a magic wand to help me take of care of my business. No doubt the wizard is more focused on how he is gonna play World of Warcraft when he gets off work or the chick he wants to hook up with this weekend, lol.
I deal with management after the worker bees try to jam a restocking fee on me when my brand new unit goes fubar. They tried to fix it several times and it still wouldn't work correctly. Then they jammed a refurb on the kid. Lovely way to run a business. What about "implied warranty of merchantability"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implied_warranty

I praise Apple and other organizations when they earn it. I speak up when a company, including Apple, handles something improperly. Thats the difference between you and I, mate. Your an "Apple zealot". Doesn't make you a bad fellow. Your objectivity does however leave something to be desired. A person can & should get weary of being dragged through the holy briar patch only to have his pocket regularly picked by a pious hand. But I suppose you consider it all worth the price of admission to be allowed the privilege of experiencing the Apple goodness, lol.May God bless you, mate.

 

[amdhunter]

<snip>

Sadly, sometimes youth is wasted on the young. IMHO, the kid got played getting a refurb when he paid for a new unit.

</snip>

Oh, don't get me wrong for a minute. I am fully 100&#37; aware that I got a refurbed item. Hell, it still had remnants of data from the last user.

I don't consider myself played though...it's more of a "I really don't give a shit" attitude than anything else.

Trust me, if there would have been 1 imperfection, 1 scratch, or a dead pixel on the device, I would have bitched loud enough that everyone on this planet would have heard.

But since I got a decent device, I could care less. Don't mistake not caring for being "played."

I give these things away for free anyway. :awe:

 

[accguy9009]

Oh, don't get me wrong for a minute. I am fully 100% aware that I got a refurbed item. Hell, it still had remnants of data from the last user.

I don't consider myself played though...it's more of a "I really don't give a shit" attitude than anything else.

Trust me, if there would have been 1 imperfection, 1 scratch, or a dead pixel on the device, I would have bitched loud enough that everyone on this planet would have heard.

But since I got a decent device, I could care less. Don't mistake not caring for being "played."

I give these things away for free anyway. :awe:

I'm happy if your happy mate, lol. Glad to hear that the call center bizz pays so well you can gift iPads. Maybe your a trust fund baby, lol. Either way its all gud in da hood.

 

[amdhunter]

I'm happy if your happy mate, lol. Glad to hear that the call center bizz pays so well you can gift iPads. Maybe your a trust fund baby, lol. Either way its all gud in da hood.

lolol, you must not hang out in ATOT enough if you didn't get the "gives these things away for free" comment. lol :awe::awe::awe::awe: