Could I Do This (AppleCare related)?

[davekarn]

My 24" iMac has the gradient issue, and I don't know if I am just noticing it more or if it is getting worse, but I was wondering if I could just wait until near the end of my AppleCare warranty and send in my iMac. I'm not too familiar as to if they simply replace the whole unit or actually fix the screen. Ideally I would like to wait until as long as I can to better ensure there are minimal chances for issues (not that there are many anyways). Thanks for any info in advance!

~Dave

 

[czachorski]

My 24" iMac has the gradient issue, and I don't know if I am just noticing it more or if it is getting worse, but I was wondering if I could just wait until near the end of my AppleCare warranty and send in my iMac. I'm not too familiar as to if they simply replace the whole unit or actually fix the screen. Ideally I would like to wait until as long as I can to better ensure there are minimal chances for issues (not that there are many anyways). Thanks for any info in advance!

~Dave

Why not wait 2 years and 11 months, and then make a claim? They would probably just give you a new machine at that point, rather than repair the old one.

 

[bmcgrath]

Don't live with the problem!! Get it fixed!

 

[czachorski]

Don't live with the problem!! Get it fixed!

I totally agree with that. If the problem is annoying to the point of detracting from the user experience. If it is not, and Apple has established a pattern of accepting returns as defects on minor screen gradients, then it seems to me that it opens the door to some interesting AppleCare claims in 3 years.

 

[.michael]

I'd exchanged, most likely.

If it is that annoying, I'd just give it to Apple Care. If it was at a point when new iMacs would be updated, I doubt it, per say, at Macworld, then I would keep it until then and see if they will exchange you a new machine. Happened to my cousin, I forget what she had but she ended up getting one of the newer Macbook Pro's.

 

[djc6]

Has it been confirmed yet that new units don't have the gradient issue, or that repaired ones are getting fixed with a different display?

It seems davekarn will more likely than not get a new display with the same issues.

 

[devilot]

Why not wait 2 years and 11 months, and then make a claim? They would probably just give you a new machine at that point, rather than repair the old one.

Not really. AC usually has to repair a given machine 3x for the same issue, and then on the 4th time being brought in, you're more likely to get a new machine.

I don't think it's a hard rule, but that seems to be the experience of most posters.

I think it's smart to get an issue documented ASAP.

 

[davekarn]

I appreciate the comments guys. It's not "too" big of an annoyance but it is noticeable. However, I am willing to deal with it for a couple years, when hopefully any issues will be dealt with by then. I don't know, I was just thinking about this for awhile and was trying to see what my best option would be. Thanks again though guys, I do appreciate it and welcome anymore.

~Dave

 

[hempcamp]

Why not wait 2 years and 11 months, and then make a claim? They would probably just give you a new machine at that point, rather than repair the old one.

Are you serious?

For one thing, that would be fraudulent. For two, silliness like that is what causes higher prices for honest consumers.

If you aren't satisfied and you believe there is a problem, take it back now. Otherwise, live with it.

--Chris

 

[davekarn]

Are you serious?

For one thing, that would be fraudulent. For two, silliness like that is what causes higher prices for honest consumers.

If you aren't satisfied and you believe there is a problem, take it back now. Otherwise, live with it.

--Chris

Why exactly would that be fraudulent? Despite when I make my claim doesn't dismiss the fact that there is an issue with my computer. Whether it be now, or 2 years from now, I would assume that it is the consumer's right to use the protection plan that they paid for at their discretion. Fraudulence would occur if I purposely messed with something on the Mac, so that I could get a new one for free, not if there is already something wrong with it. I've heard of people that have done this (not first hand knowledge mind you) and I was just reaching out to the Apple community for some feedback.

~Dave

 

[czachorski]

Are you serious?

For one thing, that would be fraudulent. For two, silliness like that is what causes higher prices for honest consumers.

If you aren't satisfied and you believe there is a problem, take it back now. Otherwise, live with it.

--Chris

It's not fraud unless he somehow fakes or cause the issue. If it's real, no fraud. The higher cost for consumers is caused by the fact that Apple made some of the iMacs with bad screens necessitating warranty repair. Not because the user chose to make the claim when it was convenient and in their best interest.

Show me in the warranty agreement where it says that you must make a claim the minute you become aware of it. It doesn't. The only deadline is the 3 years.

In a contract, it is perfectly reasonable for both parties to act in their own best interest. To expect anything else is just naive. If Apple, or anyone else, desires to protect themselves against claims made at 2 years and 11 months, then they need to describe it in the agreement. It is a contract.

 

[hempcamp]

Why exactly would that be fraudulent? Despite when I make my claim doesn't dismiss the fact that there is an issue with my computer. Whether it be now, or 2 years from now, I would assume that it is the consumer's right to use the protection plan that they paid for at their discretion.

Does no one have any personal ethics anymore? Geez.

This is *fraud* because you knowingly withhold the warranty claim until a more valuable product replaces it, thereby benefiting financially from the transaction.

It means higher consumer prices because the vendor is forced to replace a faulty out-of-date product with an item of greater current value, whereas had you reported the fault immediately upon noticing it they could have replaced it with an item of equal current value. That is a net loss to the vendor.

Please, play by the rules, be a responsible consumer, and return the product immediately if you believe it is faulty.

--Chris

 

[czachorski]

Does no one have any personal ethics anymore? Geez.

This is *fraud* because you knowingly withhold the warranty claim until a more valuable product replaces it, thereby benefiting financially from the transaction.

It means higher consumer prices because the vendor is forced to replace a faulty out-of-date product with an item of greater current value, whereas had you reported the fault immediately upon noticing it they could have replaced it with an item of equal current value. That is a net loss to the vendor.

Please, play by the rules, be a responsible consumer, and return the product immediately if you believe it is faulty.

--Chris

I am all for playing by the rules. Put them in the contract in clear, uncertain terms, and they will be followed. Doing the right thing is doing what is in your own best interest with respect to contracts. Go do the right thing in some community service or a charity event. If you want it done in a contract, you have to put it in the contract.

 

[davekarn]

Does no one have any personal ethics anymore? Geez.

This is *fraud* because you knowingly withhold the warranty claim until a more valuable product replaces it, thereby benefiting financially from the transaction.

It means higher consumer prices because the vendor is forced to replace a faulty out-of-date product with an item of greater current value, whereas had you reported the fault immediately upon noticing it they could have replaced it with an item of equal current value. That is a net loss to the vendor.

Please, play by the rules, be a responsible consumer, and return the product immediately if you believe it is faulty.

--Chris

Why wouldn't I wait when we hear about people that have 1, 2 and sometimes 3 replacements all with the same screen problem. It has nothing to do with ethics and everything to do with getting what I paid for out of my investment. Besides, when has a Mac computer lost that much value over the course of 2-3 years? Macs have been known to hold value much more than any other CPU on the market. So, no it is not "fraud" and it is within the confines of my contract. Thanks to czachorski for the info and support.

Plus, it's not that I would even care if I got a refurbished one or if they simply repaired mine. I just want to give it enough time so that I am confident that the issue will be fixed and I won't have any further worries, I'm not actively trying to get a new one with new specs, but if that happens great, if not, then that's fine too. I never implied that I was looking to "rip-off" Apple and get some crazy 42" iMac with Blu-Ray and 4.8 GHZ processor with 8 GB of RAM in 2010.

~Dave