Chip/Dent

[Eclipse2xx]

Hey all. I recently purchased a macbook air (loving it so far) but I noticed two chip/slight dent on the aluminum body. The company offered me $90 OR an exchange for a new macbook air. Am I freaking out over nothing?


http://img211.imageshack.us/g/photo1ku.jpg (link to the cosmetic damage that I was talking about)

 

[TheRealDamager]

Hey all. I recently purchased a macbook air (loving it so far) but I noticed two chip/slight dent on the aluminum body. The company offered me $90 OR an exchange for a new macbook air. Am I freaking out over nothing?


http://img211.imageshack.us/g/photo1ku.jpg (link to the cosmetic damage that I was talking about)

It really depends on how you feel. For me, a slight mark like that wouldn't be a concern (although I couldn't see the dent). Some people on this board FREAK OUT about things like that, however. I'd take the $90 and run.

 

[Canadiandad]

Do it!

That would bother me as I am a neat freak. My MBA looks pristine and I hope to keep it that way. I would take them up on their offer to replace it.

 

[thunderboltspro]

Be safe then sorry as I always say.

Hey all. I recently purchased a macbook air (loving it so far) but I noticed two chip/slight dent on the aluminum body. The company offered me $90 OR an exchange for a new macbook air. Am I freaking out over nothing?


http://img211.imageshack.us/g/photo1ku.jpg (link to the cosmetic damage that I was talking about)

Back up your information and get it replaced. As it could chip further and their could be more troubled stops that haven't come to surface yet. be safe then sorry as I always say.

 

[jenzjen]

Without escalating it to a supervisor, agents can offer up to $150 for compensation, so if you're fine with the money, call and just ask if they can do better than $90.

 

[Eclipse2xx]

Back up your information and get it replaced. As it could chip further and their could be more troubled stops that haven't come to surface yet. be safe then sorry as I always say.

Are all MBA like this? or did I just stumble on a crappy one?

 

[TheRealDamager]

Are all MBA like this? or did I just stumble on a crappy one?

Mine didn't have any marks like that, but I wouldn't exactly call a laptop with two tiny black spots "crappy".

 

[barebackbadger8]

not wanting to alarm the OP
but in the uk if you take something back because of a "defect" and they offer you a cash incentive to keep it rather than exchanging it. and you take that offer then you can no longer return it!
if you do take the cash, make its logged on the system. incase a problem arises with the system and they see the marks, put that down to user damage and won't repair/exchange it in the future!

 

[wordoflife]

Try to bargain for $150!

 

[kgapp]

Return it

While I can not actually see the damage you described in the photos provided I would suggest exchanging it for a new machine.

If you have any type of damage to the case AppleCare can and will deny warranty claims down the road. They did it to me over the slightest dent imaginable on a MBP. Apple told me it was evidence the machine had been dropped and thus the add on AppleCare warranty was void. Two different store managers agreed the dent was insignificant but both refused to do anything to override the AppleCare claim denial. They even said they had no authority to override the denial which I know was not true.

 

[TheRealDamager]

not wanting to alarm the OP
but in the uk if you take something back because of a "defect" and they offer you a cash incentive to keep it rather than exchanging it. and you take that offer then you can no longer return it!
if you do take the cash, make its logged on the system. incase a problem arises with the system and they see the marks, put that down to user damage and won't repair/exchange it in the future!

Well of course. Why in the world would they pay you for a cosmetic defect and then accept a return or exchange for that same issue later?

 

[Apple OC]

exchange it ... cures any freak out problems

 

[AlphaDogg]

Yeah in my opinion it is worth the peace of mind (for the lack of a better term) that your MBA will be damage-free if you just return it. Is it an 11" or 13" MBA?

 

[mario24601]

I would exchange it

 

[Cerano]

I have a chip that you can feel on my right side.
Got mine as a CTO from an apple premium reseller but they refuse to replace it despite it being a few days old citing that apple doesnt replace cosmetic damage

furthermore, even if they do they told me i have to send mine in and wait another month or so to get a replacement.

waiting for them to reach a resolution with me now

 

[superego]

It's not uncommon to see that kind of scratch marks, but those are in a place where you can constantly see them. I would rather exchange than accept anything second grade.

 

[Eclipse2xx]

Shipped it back to them and will probably take 1-2 weeks before I get a new one. Thanks to all for the advice!

 

[klover]

I have a small (1-2mm) dark gray line on the palmrest. Its not a chip and it noticeable but very minor (can't really capture it in a photo).

Does it bother me? A bit. But my screen is perfect, hinge is nice and firm, and everything is running nicely.

I used to do the return-inspect-return dance but I always ended up getting a new unit with a different problem. No MBA is perfect.

Live with scratches.

 

[jrtaylor6]

I would exchange it will mess with my head every time I look at it. Also you never know what them dents can lead to in the future.

 

[iNotion]

i will exchange it, if i have that option.

 

[klover]

Without escalating it to a supervisor, agents can offer up to $150 for compensation, so if you're fine with the money, call and just ask if they can do better than $90.

Thanks for mentioning this!

As I mentioned in this thread, I have a small imperfection in the palmrest. Noticeable but not a big deal. Seems like an impurity in the aluminum or something.

Anway, on a whim I called Apple and explained the little mark and asked what kind of options I had. The CSR said I could return it (but would first have to make a call to Applecare). I told him it's fine and that I'd just live with it.

Before I hung up he said, "well, how about $100 for your trouble". I said sure and then added, "is that the best you can do?". He punches something into the computer and gave me a $150 credit back to my VISA.

I guess I kind of contradict my earlier "live with scratches" mantra but for $150, well...

 

[jenzjen]

Thanks for mentioning this!

I guess I kind of contradict my earlier "live with scratches" mantra but for $150, well...

Glad to pay it forward ...

 

[PinkiPalermo]

So sad -.-

Hi,
just picked up my MBA 11,6" ultimate today and I am lovin´it. Nice device, great performance and just the right size. However, I too have two little Chips right next to the FaceTime-Camera. Really annoying. There is also a little Chip right at the MagSafe Connector. What´s wrong with the Apple Quality Management?