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

Seetheren

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 3, 2021
5
1
So I picked up the Apple Watch series 7 45mm watch from Best Buy on the 21st of October and attempted to update it when watch os 8.2 came out on October 25th. When I did the watch bricked up on me with the red exclamation and gave me instructions to try to reset it. That didn't work so I took it to the apple store store the 27th of October only for me to send it off for repair that day. I received an email the next day saying they were going to replace it but that is the last time I hear anything from them indicating what was going on. It sucks because I paid almost $500 for it and I only got to enjoy it for less than a week. Now I am out of a watch and $500 because apple has so far failed to do the right thing and give me something for my troubles. Has anyone had this experience? If so how much longer am I going to wait for a watch?
 
We just had something similar happen with an iPhone we sent in for repair. We just kept calling Apple support until the situation resolved. Don't sit and wait, keep nagging them until they give you a watch back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
We just had something similar happen with an iPhone we sent in for repair. We just kept calling Apple support until the situation resolved. Don't sit and wait, keep nagging them until they give you a watch back.
Thank you. I have been calling probably once a week to try to see what happens. I will definitely be nagging them once a week until I get something but thank you for your advice and sharing your experience.
 
Sorry but if it went bonkers on me and it was only a week old I was just return it for a new one and not have a repair done at all. we have a 14 day return unless you’re in Europe I believe its better
 
  • Like
Reactions: Night Spring
Thank you. I have been calling probably once a week to try to see what happens. I will definitely be nagging them once a week until I get something but thank you for your advice and sharing your experience.
Once a week? We called every day!
Granted it was a phone which is used for work, so it was essential to have it repaired, but we did have a loaner phone, so it wasn't like we had nothing to show for our money, like in your case.

It wasn't the best customer service experience, as we did have to make so many calls, but in the end, we did get a newly refurbished phone for the cost of a battery replacement, so it worked out.

Did you happen to pay for your watch with a credit card? If so, another option may be to start a credit dispute with your card company. At least you'd get your money back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
Sorry but if it went bonkers on me and it was only a week old I was just return it for a new one and not have a repair done at all. we have a 14 day return unless you’re in Europe I believe its better
Agree that would have been best course of action, hopefully people would keep that in mind for future reference.
 
I’m assuming the shortage of inventory is why the store didn’t offer to simply swap you for a new one vs try the repair thing. My mini bricked itself a day after I got it and the store just swapped it out for a new one.

It stinks, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this mess. I’d be calling daily.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
I am at the point now where I am calling once a week. I used a debit card unfortunately. They did not offer any type of swap out I guess because lack of stock. I called a few minutes ago and apparently they are saying they don't even have the exact watch I have so they are waiting on even getting just another watch. talk about poor planning on apples part. what kills me is I could easily buy another watch at a local Best Buy far faster than waiting for apple to replace it. For those of whom who say I should have returned it, I honestly thought apple was a better company than what they are proving to be. I have learned my lesson but unfortunately it was a $461 lesson.
 
Last edited:
Did you try asking for your money back? Try escalating your call -- ask to talk to someone at corporate. Make some noise about how you are disappointed in Apple as a company, you thought it was a better company than this, etc.

Another possibility is to write tcook@apple.com. Obviously, Tim Cook doesn't personally read ALL his emails, but he must have assistants scanning through them, and sometimes people have succeeded in getting a response.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
I will definitely take your advice and begin to escalate the situation as needed. I am not typically the confrontational type but I guess this is what companies like apple expect. Honestly, as much as I like their products I feel more and more that android has some pros that could be argued for. Like I said before, if it hadn't been for this pandemic I probably would never have gotten the Apple Watch but because apple cripples users choices pertaining to their phones, everything becomes that much more complicated in times like these. I am tempted to say that my next phone might be the Samsung ultra s22 when that comes out. My biggest gripe about the iPhone since the whole pandemic was not having Touch ID but I got the Apple Watch because I thought that would relive me of this issue thus getting the watch was for numerous small reasons that would have solved a lot of small problems at once but apple has shown that they don't giving a flying F about the customers.
 
Last edited:
I will definitely take your advice and begin to escalate the situation as needed. I am not typically the confrontational type but I guess this is what companies like apple expect. Honestly, as much as I like their products I feel more and more that android has some pros that could be argued for. Like I said before, if it hadn't been for this pandemic I probably would never have gotten the Apple Watch but because apple cripples users choices pertaining to their phones, everything becomes that much more complicated in times like these. I am tempted to say that my next phone might be the Samsung ultra s22 when that comes out.
You think Samsung would treat you better in this situation? Samsung doesn't even have stores so you'd have to deal with them through emails exclusively. The supply shortages that Apple is experiencing is happening to every manufacturer right now so expecting Apple to be immune to this is not realistic. Try and buy a car right now and unless it just happens to be on a lot somewhere you're looking at major time for availability. I work for Toyota and we have parts for cars that won't be available for months and we have to tell customers there's nothing we can do about it. Just a crappie situation right now
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.