Exchanging WiFi for 3G

[tbayrgs]

People exchanging their defective wifi model for another wifi model is legitimate. How many times they need to exchange their model to get a working wifi model is perfectly legit.

The problem arises when people are lying about their wifi being broken so they can conveniently trade it up for a 3G model.

Hence the restocking fee's, domestic shortage, international delay.

Unless you can provide some documented proof (i.e. FACTS), this is just a ridiculous personal assumption on your part. You honestly think the international delay is caused by your conspiracy theory? The real reason was so eloquently stated by vm195...

Apple makes $250+ off every ipad sold. Im going to cry a river for them if they only make $200 off refurbed ones. How Apple gets away with a 14 day policy boggles my imagination. Its further amazing that they are going to charge 10% just to return an item. Frankly if youhave buyers remorse within 30 days, you should be allowed to return it for free. The reason there is domestic shortage and international delay is that a) Apple didnt make enough and b) Apple didnt make enough. What percentage do you think even brought back their ipads? I would submit its a very low number, and doesnt affect you at all.

The folks at Apple enabled these returns by stupidly staggering the release dates. I'm sure they anticipated this, and don't really care.

Exactly.

I don't normally chime in on the ridiculous posts, but this is too funny.

You really have no idea what you're typing, do you...cover returns that were not indeed defective..., lol, my wife's reading over my shoulder, and she's even laughing.

Anyway, restocking fees exist for quite a few reasons. There's not just one reason, but many companies use them to make up for items that devalue in a short period of time. Other companies use restocking fees to cover costs associated with accepting returns. There are a number variables in this category. Many times these items are shipped back to the manufacturer for refurbishment and resold as such at a lesser price. Even some other companies use restocking fees as deterrent against consumers to return items.

Everybody has a reason for restocking fees, and many have reasons for NO restocking fees, such as good will toward customers and to maintain lasting relationships. I will never buy from a store with restocking fees, unless I can't purchase the item anywhere else. I number of retail establishments lose business over restocking fees, but feel the it's financially worth the practice.

Next time, you may find it valuable to form a cogent argument to support your reasoning before typing what must have been a series of embarrassing posts.

What he said.

Honestly, why are you directing all this pent up anger about Apple's policy towards the few culprits when it's Apple that's enabling them? If Apple doesn't see fit to charge the restocking fee, that's their decision. If Apple was really concerned about those few folks 'lying' about their wifi issues to avoid the restocking fee and get a 3G, don't you think they'd verify the iPad was in fact faulty? If their decision makes you angry, go have a chat with them---sure they'd love to hear from you.

 

[swy05]

I don't normally chime in on the ridiculous posts, but this is too funny.

You really have no idea what you're typing, do you...cover returns that were not indeed defective..., lol, my wife's reading over my shoulder, and she's even laughing.

Anyway, restocking fees exist for quite a few reasons. There's not just one reason, but many companies use them to make up for items that devalue in a short period of time. Other companies use restocking fees to cover costs associated with accepting returns. There are a number variables in this category. Many times these items are shipped back to the manufacturer for refurbishment and resold as such at a lesser price. Even some other companies use restocking fees as deterrent against consumers to return items.

Everybody has a reason for restocking fees, and many have reasons for NO restocking fees, such as good will toward customers and to maintain lasting relationships. I will never buy from a store with restocking fees, unless I can't purchase the item anywhere else. I number of retail establishments lose business over restocking fees, but feel the it's financially worth the practice.

Next time, you may find it valuable to form a cogent argument to support your reasoning before typing what must have been a series of embarrassing posts.

This is returned items we're talking about. Try to think in context of how re-stocking fees apply in this situation. This is re-stocking fees that go along with returned items. Why is there a 10% re-stocking fee for? Because it's no longer new and cannot be sold new.

Also, and what did you say? To deter people from returning legit unbroken items.

 

[quangdiggity]

Someone needs to write an e-mail to Santa Steve and complain that the kids have been naughty and should’ve gotten coal in their stockings instead of the iPad Wi-Fi.

 

[mrfriggz]

Can anyone confirm the OP's information? I am interested. All I have read in this thread is bickering and attacking...

I am not intimidated by online forum trolls who try and throw the ethics card in peoples faces without actually thinking. Worry about yourself.

 

[jimglidewell]

Again, what is the ****ing point of "borrowing" a wifi ipad when you full well know you want the 3G version. There are other people out there, in the US and especially in other countries who legitimately want a Wifi model to buy.

Dear Miss Manners,

I have an moral dilemma - I wanted an iPad as soon as they came out, but unfortunately the only ones available lacked both 3G and GPS. Instead of patiently waiting for the 3G iPads to be released, I impudently bought a Wifi model, possibly denying another customer the opportunity to purchase that unit.

I have a 3G model on pre-order, and plan on giving my Wifi model to my less impudent, and more patient, wife when the 3G arrives.

Is this OK? Or was it morally suspect that I took delivery of an iPad that I did not plan on having a lasting long-term fulfilling relationship with?

And is it wrong that my family will have two iPads, while so many needy French and German families will have none?

I am so confused...

Sincerely,

iPad-ing Two-timer in Seattle

 

[3460169]

Can anyone confirm the OP's information? I am interested. All I have read in this thread is bickering and attacking...

I am not intimidated by online forum trolls who try and throw the ethics card in peoples faces without actually thinking. Worry about yourself.

I just called Apple Care (my iPad had legitimate wifi issues). I was told I could swap it for another wifi iPad. He emphasized "swap for another wifi iPad". I specifically asked if I could swap for a 3G "because I heard those won't have wifi issues" (given the casing differences) - nope. Swap the defective product for a non-defective copy of the same model. This is common-sensical. For the record he didn't even hint at a restocking fee.

 

[swy05]

Dear Miss Manners,

I have an moral dilemma - I wanted an iPad as soon as they came out, but unfortunately the only ones available lacked both 3G and GPS. Instead of patiently waiting for the 3G iPads to be released, I impudently bought a Wifi model, possibly denying another customer the opportunity to purchase that unit.

I have a 3G model on pre-order, and plan on giving my Wifi model to my less impudent, and more patient, wife when the 3G arrives.

Is this OK? Or was it morally suspect that I took delivery of an iPad that I did not plan on having a lasting long-term fulfilling relationship with?

And is it wrong that my family will have two iPads, while so many needy French and German families will have none?

I am so confused...

Sincerely,

iPad-ing Two-timer in Seattle

Dear jimglidewell,

Yes, by all means, buy an iPad for every member of your household.

 

[swy05]

I just called Apple Care (my iPad had legitimate wifi issues). I was told I could swap it for another wifi iPad. He emphasized "swap for another wifi iPad". I specifically asked if I could swap for a 3G "because I heard those won't have wifi issues" (given the casing differences) - nope. Swap the defective product for a non-defective copy of the same model. This is common-sensical. For the record he didn't even hint at a restocking fee.

Yup, stand procedure.

 

[MiguelS]

I remember when Costco had a policy to exchange anytime, but have since changed their policy on electronics. Don't abuse the system.

Also, if you return your wifi and pay the restocking fee...your likely to get a new 3g since there is likely no refurbs out there.

Same with the wifi, it is likely that you would exchange for a new wifi since there are probably not that many refurbs at the store.

If Apple lets you do what you want to do, more power to you.

 

[AC10]

My experience

My experience was exactly the opposite.
I took my iPad in because the wifi signal didn't match our touch's ability to bring in a signal. It also didn't recognize Bluetooth.

Connected and analyzed by the genius. "yup, yours has issues, seen 2 like it. What would you like to do? I can give you a new one now, (even the though the store had none for sale). Me- I'd like to switch it for 3G when it comes out because I find myself using this much more than I thought and I want to be connected 100% of the time. Ok, here is the authorization. 3G comes in April 30th, see you then."

Initially I had no intention of switching to 3G, but will do so given the opportunity.

I just called Apple Care (my iPad had legitimate wifi issues). I was told I could swap it for another wifi iPad. He emphasized "swap for another wifi iPad". I specifically asked if I could swap for a 3G "because I heard those won't have wifi issues" (given the casing differences) - nope. Swap the defective product for a non-defective copy of the same model. This is common-sensical. For the record he didn't even hint at a restocking fee.

 

[xolan99]

Going back to the OP experience, has anyone asked a rep at an Apple Store the same question?

Curious.

 

[jon snow]

I pre-ordered a wifi and a 3G. I wasn't sure whether I was going to need the wifi since I have mywi. Having used it since the wifi arrived I've decided the 3G is the way to go. I had planned on either giving it to someone in the family or selling it. I decided that I would first call Apple to see if I could return the wifi. The representative looked at my purchase history and then offered to take the wifi back without a restocking fee. I've bought 2 mac minis, 3 matchbooks, 7 iPhones and countless iPods for myself and my family. I told the representative thank you and 5 minutes later I had my fedex return label. It was offered to me. If there is a problem with this, it's Apple's fault not mine. I guess I could have said no, after all it is past the return period or I guess I could have offered to pay the restocking fee. Needless to say I did neither.

 

[3460169]

My experience was exactly the opposite.
I took my iPad in because the wifi signal didn't match our touch's ability to bring in a signal. It also didn't recognize Bluetooth.

Connected and analyzed by the genius. "yup, yours has issues, seen 2 like it. What would you like to do? I can give you a new one now, (even the though the store had none for sale). Me- I'd like to switch it for 3G when it comes out because I find myself using this much more than I thought and I want to be connected 100% of the time. Ok, here is the authorization. 3G comes in April 30th, see you then."

Initially I had no intention of switching to 3G, but will do so given the opportunity.

As it turns out, my experience became very similar to this in the end.

I can't comment on Bluetooth connectivity (I have no such devices yet) but Wifi connectivity was very loopy. As an example, I would use the iPad at work during the day. Upon returning home (30 miles away) the iPad would refuse to connect to the WAP there -- and more surprisingly -- it would think it was still connected to the WAP at work (even so far as to show signal strength). On at least one occasion while trying to diagnose the problem I managed to crash the Settings app. Very nerve-wracking.

On day 21 of ownership I tried to return the iPad to place of purchase (Best Buy). They wanted a 15% restocking fee (naturally, since the return window is 14 days). I chuckled and said "No thanks, worst case scenario I can sell this for a profit online." And off to the Genius bar I went, that is after I made the appt. and waited 3 hours.

I pleaded the case to the Geniuses, citing the Apple knowledge base articles and Support forum threads. They fiddled around with the iPad, observing the signal fluctuations, ran their hardware diagnostics, etc. Although they couldn't get the connection to drop entirely they agreed that it was flaky and offered to replace it with the one 64GB iPad they had in stock. At that point I said "Don't you think the replacement will have the same issues as my current iPad? And is it possible that the 3G model will be better behaved than the Wifi model because of the differences in the casing?" The Geniuses convened briefly and agreed that the replacement would likely have the same issues. Ultimately they gave me the option of swapping for a 3G model. Naturally I agreed.

This isn't the case of a prima donna premeditating a plot to use a Wifi model for 3 weeks free of charge only to eventually upgrade to a 3G model. Had there been zero Wifi issues I would not have had a reason to go to the Genius bar for iPad Wifi issues. The Geniuses are fully aware of Wifi problems and if the user pleads their case truthfully they may offer a solution such as that offered to me and other "prima donnas" in this thread. For the record I still have the Wifi model in my possession ('cause, uh, the 3G models are not out yet) and the Geniuses were not able to reserve a 3G model for me. All I have is a printed authorization to do the swap if and when I am able to get my hands on one (a feeble attempt to do so will happen on Friday). Whether or not I have to pay a restocking fee at all remains to be seen.

As an aside, while sitting at the Genius bar I asked them what they thought of the iPhone 4. One of them said "Is iPhone 4 on apple.com? If it isn't, I don't know anything about it." A few moments later he muttered under his breath "It's pretty hot. I'll be upgrading."

 

[antiprotest]

I just called Apple Care (my iPad had legitimate wifi issues). I was told I could swap it for another wifi iPad. He emphasized "swap for another wifi iPad". I specifically asked if I could swap for a 3G "because I heard those won't have wifi issues" (given the casing differences) - nope. Swap the defective product for a non-defective copy of the same model. This is common-sensical. For the record he didn't even hint at a restocking fee.

What is the casing difference that makes it less likely for the 3G models to have WIFI issues? Does it have to do with the plastic black strip at the top on the back of the device?

 

[3460169]

What is the casing difference that makes it less likely for the 3G models to have WIFI issues? Does it have to do with the plastic black strip at the top on the back of the device?

Yes. Apparently that's where the antennas are (at least the 3G antenna anyway). The plastic would be to aid with 3G reception since that signal is a bit temperamental with metal casings; whether or not the Wifi antenna (and Bluetooth) is there as well remains to be seen. I'd be very surprised if they weren't there.

 

[Alexs45]

Are there expected to be limited availabilities of the 3G in stores?