Black Sport Band just started peeling.... Need suggestions

[fanboi4lyfe]

Hey all, so my black band just started to peel a bit right where you tuck it in so it doesn't stick out. I've had it for almost two months and I think it's BS since it was $50.

I'm afraid apple won't take it back and the store isn't all that close. Do you guys have a suggestion on how I should go about this? I don't want to make unnecessary trips to the Apple Store if I can avoid it. Sorry it's kind of hard to tell in the pictures I posted.

 

[scott99]

That happened to mine after the first week. Went to an Apple Store, and they told me they won't replace it, told me it's normal wear and tear and the bands were built that way, they are sports bands and sports watches, and expected to have wear and tear. To me, these are the worst pieces of **** Apple has ever put on a product. Jobs would be turning over in his grave if he knew about this. Just ****** material and ****** product (the bands). I've switched to a Hoco steel band, and couldn't be happier. Some nice looking rubber straps by Poetic are coming out in August with integrated adapters like Apple Sport bands, but look like MUCH better material for less than 1/3 the price of Apple's ****** sport band, only $15. You can find them on Amazon.

 

[jbachandouris]

This is a known problem. Bring it to Apple and see what they say.

 

[scott99]

This is a known problem. Bring it to Apple and see what they say.

I would think if you have Apple Care, they probably will replace it, if you don't (I didn't), you're **** outta luck, and will be told there is nothing they can do for you, this is normal wear and tear, this is how the bands were built and how they are supposed to react to the wear and tear. And this was a manager who told me this.

 

[zlin9596]

I have that problem after 3 days lol just wipe it off

 

[scott99]

I have that problem after 3 days lol just wipe it off

Nothing to wipe off there. The rubber has worn off and chipped. It only stays like that or get's worse. {SNIP}

 

[garrym13]

Take it to the Apple Store. Mine was doing the same and they replaced it no questions asked. The new one shows no wear and tear after a week. The other one was peeling at two days.

 

[fanboi4lyfe]

I would think if you have Apple Care, they probably will replace it, if you don't (I didn't), you're **** outta luck, and will be told there is nothing they can do for you, this is normal wear and tear, this is how the bands were built and how they are supposed to react to the wear and tear. And this was a manager who told me this.

I do have Apple Care, however this was bought as a separate band from the Watch itself. I guess I will try taking it to the Apple Sotre either today or tomorrow.

 

[fanboi4lyfe]

So I went to the Apple Store today and they are going to replace it!! They have to order a new band though because they don't have in stock so that means unfortunately in a couple days I have to go back.... :/

But hey! They are replacing it completely free which is great. Just wanted to share with you all that responded, thanks very much for the input. Peace!

 

[fanboi4lyfe]

Well got my new Black Sport Band yesterday night. Let's hope this one holds up better than the other did... Thanks again to all that replied

 

[stonerwinst]

This is how my BSB looks after 15 days of ownership. I like the watch, but I'm pretty disappointed with the band.

 

[doboy]

This is how my BSB looks after 15 days of ownership. I like the watch, but I'm pretty disappointed with the band.

I returned mine for similar issues, but I've heard people rub off that coating and it's fine afterwards.

 

[T-Will]

This is how my BSB looks after 15 days of ownership. I like the watch, but I'm pretty disappointed with the band.

It's a known issue with some black bands, just return it for a new one.

 

[stonerwinst]

So I called Apple Support and they opened a case for me regarding the peeling band. They told me to take it into the Apple Store. At the store the Genius checked the band to make sure it wasn't some residue and tried cleaning with a cloth. When she realized the coat was indeed peeling she checked with the manager to see if she can just swap it with one of the packaged bands as they didn't have any replacements in stock. The manager insisted that a replacement band be ordered and the peeling band be sent back to Apple engineering for analysis. I returned a couple days later after getting notification that the part arrived. Went to the store and the manager said I have to pay $49 for the replacement. I was shocked! Both the Apple Support person and the Genius did not mention that the band was not covered by warranty and that I would have to pay. The second manager said the band IS NOT covered by warranty. He suggested I call Apple Support to make an exception or otherwise he can't replace my band for free. Needless to say I'm not too happy. It's not that I care all too much about the band. But that neither Apple Support nor the first Genius mention anything about the band not being covered by warranty. Very disappointed in my experience with Apple.

 

[jbachandouris]

So I called Apple Support and they opened a case for me regarding the peeling band. They told me to take it into the Apple Store. At the store the Genius checked the band to make sure it wasn't some residue and tried cleaning with a cloth. When she realized the coat was indeed peeling she checked with the manager to see if she can just swap it with one of the packaged bands as they didn't have any replacements in stock. The manager insisted that a replacement band be ordered and the peeling band be sent back to Apple engineering for analysis. I returned a couple days later after getting notification that the part arrived. Went to the store and the manager said I have to pay $49 for the replacement. I was shocked! Both the Apple Support person and the Genius did not mention that the band was not covered by warranty and that I would have to pay. The second manager said the band IS NOT covered by warranty. He suggested I call Apple Support to make an exception or otherwise he can't replace my band for free. Needless to say I'm not too happy. It's not that I care all too much about the band. But that neither Apple Support nor the first Genius mention anything about the band not being covered by warranty. Very disappointed in my experience with Apple.

And they claim it's harder to get into Apple than Harvard? The second manager is an obvious moron. The band IS covered under warranty. Call Applecare and complain, I guarantee they will take care of it. If you feel like it, you can email Tim Cook to complain. More than likely, a corporate representative will call you within a few days.

 

[stonerwinst]

My case with the peeling Apple band took another turn towards bizarre. I called Apple Support and told them what happened at the store (see my post in this thread). The support person wanted to transfer me to the senior rep because they have authority to make exceptions. I waited 10 minutes on the phone. The support person came back and said the senior rep was ready to take my call and to standby for the transfer. Then, silence...and then the call drops. I waited 5 minutes...no call back. WTH. I had to call in again, this time I got a different Apple Support rep. In addition to retelling my claim story, I told her that my previous call got dropped and didn't get a call back. She assured me that she would call me back if the call is dropped. Great.

The support rep, of course, had to transfer me to the senior rep. I spoke with the senior rep, told him the story, again. He said the band IS covered by warranty and that he would send me a replacement band. He said he had to find out what type of exception he would have to make. Puts me on hold for another 10 minutes to talk to the engineers. Came back and asks me for my iPhone serial number the watch is paired with...WTH does the iPhone have to do with a peeling band? Ok, whatever, I give him the serial number. Then he tells me he need to wait for engineering to respond to his email before he can send the replacement band. Again, WTH. Why can't you just send the band to me and deal with engineering internally about the defective band? Ok, whatever, he said he expects a responds from engineering by today, and ensures that he will call me back soon.

So here I am still without a replacement. Absolutely bizarre the way Apple Support handle cases like this, especially for a first generation product.

 

[paulgandersman]

It's a well known issue by apple that some batches of the black sports bands have peeling issues. Any apple employee that says it isn't covered by warranty or that it's normal does not know what they are talking about. Demand a senior at that point. I had this issue and Apple replaced the band for me. It is perfect now. No peeling whatsoever. There was an issue with a batch of black bands and it has since been corrected, but some are still out there getting sold. Get it replaced.

 

[Defender2010]

It's a well known issue by apple that some batches of the black sports bands have peeling issues. Any apple employee that says it isn't covered by warranty or that it's normal does not know what they are talking about. Demand a senior at that point. I had this issue and Apple replaced the band for me. It is perfect now. No peeling whatsoever. There was an issue with a batch of black bands and it has since been corrected, but some are still out there getting sold. Get it replaced.

Source? Or do you just make this stuff up when you feel like it? I'd say it's more user abuse than fault. I have 3 black bands, my partner 1, my brother 1 and multiple friends st work have them - guess what...none of them peel. All bought at different times since release. I think your statement is false unless you can prove otherwise.

 

[stonerwinst]

Source? Or do you just make this stuff up when you feel like it? I'd say it's more user abuse than fault. I have 3 black bands, my partner 1, my brother 1 and multiple friends st work have them - guess what...none of them peel. All bought at different times since release. I think your statement is false unless you can prove otherwise.

Abuse? It's a watch. Unless I dip my wrist in acid the band should not peel. Also it's a sports watch so it should at least withstand a level of sweat. Watch goes on the wrist in the morning, watch comes off at night to charge. I hardly call that abuse.

 

[doboy]

Source? Or do you just make this stuff up when you feel like it? I'd say it's more user abuse than fault. I have 3 black bands, my partner 1, my brother 1 and multiple friends st work have them - guess what...none of them peel. All bought at different times since release. I think your statement is false unless you can prove otherwise.

Mine started peeling after three days and it wasn't even my main band. I definitely know how to take care of my stuff.

 

[fishmd]

Yeah well, I thought you all were full of it here. I have had mine for almost a month and no problems. Then today I see a little spot on the band (not my main band that I wear all the time by the way) and I rubbed it. All of a sudden tons of white flakes start to come off the band (black band) and I see that the coating peeled right up. Now the band looks nice and splotchy. Sweet. Glad to hear Apple is shirking responsibility here and not replacing these for this. The SS looks so elegant with a crapy peeling watch band that cost 50$ and should have been like 10-20$. Will post back if my local store does anything for me.

All this and not to mention that this is my third actual Apple watch too. First one had haptic engine that quite. Second one did not accept the Milanese band that I had for the watch (something was messed up with the locking mechanism and 3 milanese loop bands later it was finally determined by the Geniuses that it was actually the watch that had the problem). Now I am on my third SS watch from Apple Care. Ahh the fun of being a first gen adopter.

 

[fanboi4lyfe]

Wow I'm shocked some of you had this hard of a problem replacing it. I went right into the Apple store and they took 5 minutes looked at it and agreed that it needed to be replaced. I did have to go through the whole need to send you a replacement band thing. But i went in to get in a couple days later and didnt have to pay at all. Like a few people have said already, anyone who said the band is not covered under warranty is just a moron. It is covered and I didn't have to pay a dime when i got mine fixed. Hopefully your situation gets sorted out soon.

 

[doboy]

Wow I'm shocked some of you had this hard of a problem replacing it. I went right into the Apple store and they took 5 minutes looked at it and agreed that it needed to be replaced.

How's the replacement band holding up? Any peeling?

 

[fishmd]

So just a follow up. I contacted AppleCare today via online chat. They told me that for sure the band is not meant to do this and is not considered "normal wear and tear." They will replace it for me. No cost. Interesting thing is though that they put me in touch with one of their senior support people. They are sending me a box to ship it directly to their engineering department to have them look at it. Apparently Apple is trying to make sure they collect all the bands that this is happening to so they can try to figure it out and prevent it in the future. He gave me direct contact information for him so that I can get directly in touch with him throughout the "repair". Honestly, this is why I like Apple so much. Their support is second to none.

 

[stonerwinst]

I still haven't heard back from Apple Support. The senior rep said he would get back to me on Saturday. I called in to support yesterday to follow up and the rep gave me the email for the senior rep. I sent an email asking for status but still haven't heard back. Quite an interesting experience with Apple. I thought they would be much more proactive about making their customer happy with a first gen product like the AWS.