iPhone 16e Can i return an apple product within 14 days if, within the 14 days, it has already been serviced under AppleCare+ for accidental damage?

[thomasdangit]

I bought my mother, an Android user, her first iPhone about 7 days ago in the USA from an Apple Store. We bought it with a monthly AppleCare+ plan. On Day 2, my mother dropped the phone and it shattered the front screen. We made a Genius Bar appointment on Day 3 and the phone screen was successfully repaired (the device was not swapped; just a screen repair, so the serial number remained the same). We paid about $29 for the screen repair under AppleCare+.

Today is Day 7 and my mother decided she dislikes iOS and wants to go back to Android. Can I go back to the Apple Store to return the phone for a refund to the original method of payment from now to Day 14? Or because it's been serviced under AppleCare+ and a repair has been made, no refunds possible?

And finally, what about iPads in this case? I know even the slightest iPad accidental damage or screen crack is never repaired and a new replacement unit is just swapped in if you have AppleCare+. So that replacement unit would be a refurbished/remanufactured unit with a different serial number than the one I bought. What would happen, just for my curiosity and understanding, if I had to return that iPad within 14 days after the replacement had been made?

 

[DeltaMac]

You're still within the 14-day return period. You don't even need a reason for the return--but, you could use something like "It's too easy to drop, or, I don't feel comfortable holding it, or it's the wrong size and doesn't fit my hand, or I just don't like it. I just want to return for my money back". The repair for an accidental drop is a result of that poor comfort level that your mother has for the iPhone.
Ultimately, the Apple Store may have another opinion (I don't know), but the 14-day period should come into play here.

 

[JPack]

No, because it's not in its "original condition" per Apple sales/return policies.

Apple - Legal - Sales Policies - U.S. Retail Sales

www.apple.com

 

[Jackbequickly]

No, because it's not in its "original condition" per Apple sales/return policies.

Apple - Legal - Sales Policies - U.S. Retail Sales

www.apple.com

If Apple did the repair the phone it is back to it’s “original condition”.

 

[I7guy]

If Apple did the repair the phone it is back to it’s “original condition”.

Not from incidental damage, imo. Same as an automobile. But you’ll see and keep us posted.

 

[JPack]

If Apple did the repair the phone it is back to it’s “original condition”.

It’s not because repairs by Apple can use new or used parts. This is stated in the repair work authorization that Apple makes you sign before you hand over the device for repair.

And in legal terms, “original condition” refers to an unmodified device (same physical object), while a repaired product (regardless of what parts have been used) has been transformed.

Legal - Retail Store Service - Apple

www.apple.com

 

[DeltaMac]

hmmm.... If Apple did the repair, that would return it to original condition--It's not "transformed" to some other condition. I would suggest to the OP to attempt the return, and see what Apple decides to do about the repair, in regards to the return for a refund

 

[JPack]

hmmm.... If Apple did the repair, that would return it to original condition--It's not "transformed" to some other condition. I would suggest to the OP to attempt the return, and see what Apple decides to do about the repair, in regards to the return for a refund

So the original condition includes potential use of used parts?

Based on your definition, what would a refurbished product be? Can you imagine if vehicles were sold as original condition simply because the dealer repaired it?

 

[laptech]

It basically all depends on Apple's definition of 'Original condition' because it can mean different things to different people. A repair to the item can be considered not original because the product has been opened and tampered with regardless of the fact that it was Apple that did the repair BUT the repair being carried out by Apple themselves then it could still be classed as in original condition because it used new Apple part but does Apple considered doing a repair to it's own product deem it as still in original condition or not? I think many people would say not because it's not the original screen, it's a replacement screen. Yes putting the new screen on the iphone has brought it back to an 'as new' condition but technically it is not in it's 'original condition' because the original screen got damaged.

So, like I said it is all going to depend on how Apple interprets 'original condition'.

 

[DeltaMac]

Vehicles are not the same, and I am not talking about selling a returned Mac as new. It would go through the refurb process, often replacing battery, or some of the parts that would be easily damaged (or simply not looking "new") and would then be sold as "refurbished", and not as new. Some people might dispute that, with anecdotal reports of various types of damage that might lead a buyer to suspect that they purchased a "dud".
I am pretty sure that a repaired car can't be sold legally as a "new" car. Never saw a vehicle on a dealer lot with an identification as "original" condition (unless it is a known classic model, but "restored" would not be same as "all-original parts

 

[JPack]

Again, Apple uses new or used parts during warranty repair.

That automatically disqualifies it from being considered as “original condition.”

 

[CharlesShaw]

That automatically disqualifies it from being considered as “original condition.”

I suppose all opened Apple devices returned within the return window are no longer in "new" original condition, so it's possibly a moot point, as they all end up the refurbishing process, and Apple did the repair, right?

It will be interesting to learn if the OP returns the device or not.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Again, Apple uses new or used parts during warranty repair.

That automatically disqualifies it from being considered as “original condition.”

I contacted the local Apple Store and asked if a less than 14 day Apple repaired phone could be returned and the Geek said, absolutely. Sorry but you are wrong.

 

[JPack]

I suppose all opened Apple devices returned within the return window are no longer in "new" original condition, so it's possibly a moot point, as they all end up the refurbishing process, right?

It will be interesting to learn if the OP returns the device or not.

As I mentioned before, the original condition clause for most other companies refers to the same physical object, excluding normal wear and tear. When you replace the display or any other part, the device has been transformed.

 

[Timpetus]

Apple's definition of original condition means not majorly damaged or repaired with non-OEM parts. If Apple did the repair, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot not to consider the resulting iPhone as original condition.

 

[I7guy]

Apple's definition of original condition means not majorly damaged or repaired with non-OEM parts. If Apple did the repair, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot not to consider the resulting iPhone as original condition.

If the same standard were applied to automobiles, there would be some hell to pay.

 

[RRC]

If you do get it refunded, you’ll be lucky.

But do let us know how you get on…

 

[cateye]

If only there was somewhere you could go, or a company you could call via a toll-free number, to get a definitive yes or no answer to these questions versus a bunch of mildly-educated guessing. That'd be so great.

Like others have said: Try it. See what happens. Report back. Your answer will then become a fact-based resource for others.

 

[Saturn007]

Don't understand the car comparison!

Would someone link to any new car dealer anywhere that has a 14-day, money back guarantee — that permits the buyer to return a newly purchased new car?!

Never heard of that!

In any case, as to Apple, we already have an answer here:

I contacted the local Apple Store and asked if a less than 14 day Apple repaired phone could be returned and the Geek said, absolutely.

 

[whitby]

I would be surprised if, after having dropped the phone, that the only damage was the screen e.g. the frame will have marks/scratches etc. In that case the phone is not in its original condition. They generally only take back items which are in exactly the same condition as when supplied and do not look used in any way. A phone that has been dropped is used in possibly the worst possible way.

 

[thomasdangit]

Yeah, there is definitely some contention around this issue! I called 3 different Apple Stores in my area and each had a different answer. Some said yes, the phone would be returnable if the screen was replaced by Apple under A.C.+, but it would not be returnable if the repair had failed and the Apple Store had been forced to swap out the entire unit instead of simply repairing the display. Meanwhile, other stores said that the phone would not be returnable under any circumstance, because a repair had been made. And another store said that yeah, as long as you have the original receipt you should be fine.

 

[laptech]

Yeah, there is definitely some contention around this issue! I called 3 different Apple Stores in my area and each had a different answer. Some said yes, the phone would be returnable if the screen was replaced by Apple under A.C.+, but it would not be returnable if the repair had failed and the Apple Store had been forced to swap out the entire unit instead of simply repairing the display. Meanwhile, other stores said that the phone would not be returnable under any circumstance, because a repair had been made. And another store said that yeah, as long as you have the original receipt you should be fine.

Well, you have your answer:

And another store said that yeah, as long as you have the original receipt you should be fine.

Take it back to that store

PS. take emphasis on the word 'should'. The person never said it 'will' fine, they said 'should' be fine. That means there is going to be an element of doubt as to whether they will actually accept it or not. Is bad though that none of the stores can give the same answer. All Apple stores should be operating under the same company procedures. If they are not then something is clearly wrong and not working because an Apple store is supposed to give the same answer when asked the same question. Apple corporate need to get a handle on this.

 

[whitby]

I think we should turn this question around. Would you pay full price for a phone that had been dropped and damaged so badly that the screen had shattered? Yes it was repaired but is that good enough to consider it to have the same value as a phone that was completely unscathed and offered to you at the same price. It is like asking if you would pay full price for a new car that been crashed and repaired. If you can answer yes then you can ethically and morally ask Apple to give you the full new value of the phone. If not then consider what you would consider fair.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I think we should turn this question around. Would you pay full price for a phone that had been dropped and damaged so badly that the screen had shattered? Yes it was repaired but is that good enough to consider it to have the same value as a phone that was completely unscathed and offered to you at the same price. It is like asking if you would pay full price for a new car that been crashed and repaired. If you can answer yes then you can ethically and morally ask Apple to give you the full new value of the phone. If not then consider what you would consider fair.

The two are not comparable. There are laws that protect the consumer from selling a vehicle, as new, without disclosing it has been wreaked. Apple can do as they wish.

 

[Ifti]

As long as the repair was done by Apple themselves then yes it can returned. If Apple refuse it then it would question the integrity of their own repair process - the parts and the engineer performing the repair was one of theirs after all.
It is possible you may be charged for a month of Applecare+ considering you have claimed on it and used it, but the 14 day cooling off period still applies. For all they know, your mother dropped the phone and has lost confidence in using it since it is too slim for her - hence you have paid for the repair before returning.