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iPhone 8/Plus Gaps in iPhone glass

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ILowry82 said:
From my experience they will most likely return the device unfixed. They are hesitant to repair or exchange devices with "cosmetic defects".
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Quite true. I’ve ordered computers and iPods from Apple directly and received them with physical damage right out of the box.

Called Apple like 5 minutes after signing for the delivery, and been told that since it doesn’t affect the function of the device and it’s only cosmetic that it’s not returnable. That Apple doesn’t cover cosmetic damage under warranty. Even if it was damaged before they shipped it to me.

And by damaged, I mean a quarter inch chunk of the case missing due to apparent impact at the Apple manufacturer location.

I refuse to buy anything direct from Apple anymore. Their policy sucks. So if I buy an Apple product, I always buy from a 3rd party that isn’t owned by Apple. That way I have better options.

The stores I buy from have a 30 day, no questions asked return policy. And it doesn’t matter if it’s damaged or broken or doesn’t work, or if it’s perfectly fine. Sometimes they’ll ask just so they know if it isn’t worth putting back on the shelf. But the reason I give them could range from “I decided I don’t like the color” to “I dropped it and this chunk is missing and it doesn’t work anymore”.

With Apple, it’s a gamble. The first round of MacBook Pro computers had numerous assembly problems where the cases were separated and falling apart before the buyer received it. Until it got to class action level, Apple just said it was cosmetic and since it was damaged, it couldn’t be returned.

With your phone, it’s possible you’ll get your same phone back. And possibly a charge for their time to look at it. Can’t remember if that term is still in the warranty. It was at one point. But honestly, I haven’t read their warranty in years. But the paper it’s written on is worth more than the warranty unless you buy from a 3rd party. Don’t buy from Apple directly if you want the option of returning it for manufacturer defects.
 
flyinmac said:
Quite true. I’ve ordered computers and iPods from Apple directly and received them with physical damage right out of the box.

Called Apple like 5 minutes after signing for the delivery, and been told that since it doesn’t affect the function of the device and it’s only cosmetic that it’s not returnable. That Apple doesn’t cover cosmetic damage under warranty. Even if it was damaged before they shipped it to me.

And by damaged, I mean a quarter inch chunk of the case missing due to apparent impact at the Apple manufacturer location.

I refuse to buy anything direct from Apple anymore. Their policy sucks. So if I buy an Apple product, I always buy from a 3rd party that isn’t owned by Apple. That way I have better options.

The stores I buy from have a 30 day, no questions asked return policy. And it doesn’t matter if it’s damaged or broken or doesn’t work, or if it’s perfectly fine. Sometimes they’ll ask just so they know if it isn’t worth putting back on the shelf. But the reason I give them could range from “I decided I don’t like the color” to “I dropped it and this chunk is missing and it doesn’t work anymore”.

With Apple, it’s a gamble. The first round of MacBook Pro computers had numerous assembly problems where the cases were separated and falling apart before the buyer received it. Until it got to class action level, Apple just said it was cosmetic and since it was damaged, it couldn’t be returned.

With your phone, it’s possible you’ll get your same phone back. And possibly a charge for their time to look at it. Can’t remember if that term is still in the warranty. It was at one point. But honestly, I haven’t read their warranty in years. But the paper it’s written on is worth more than the warranty unless you buy from a 3rd party. Don’t buy from Apple directly if you want the option of returning it for manufacturer defects.
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You don't realize Apple has a 14 day no questions asked return policy? Lol @ calling Apple to complain about warranty coverage on something damaged out of the box that's within the return window. You call them and tell them you're returning it and that's that, period, cosmetic defects or not short of dropping your phone and smashing it. I've returned cosmetic defect products to Apple no questions asked.
 
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puma1552 said:
You don't realize Apple has a 14 day no questions asked return policy? Lol @ calling Apple to complain about warranty coverage on something damaged out of the box that's within the return window. You call them and tell them you're returning it and that's that, period, cosmetic defects or not short of dropping your phone and smashing it. I've returned cosmetic defect products to Apple no questions asked.
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Exactly.
 
puma1552 said:
You don't realize Apple has a 14 day no questions asked return policy? Lol @ calling Apple to complain about warranty coverage on something damaged out of the box that's within the return window. You call them and tell them you're returning it and that's that, period, cosmetic defects or not short of dropping your phone and smashing it. I've returned cosmetic defect products to Apple no questions asked.
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Until they refuse to refund your money because it is damaged.

And yes, people have dealt with denials for returning damaged products. Even when it was received damaged.

I’ve known people who sent their Apple iPhones, iPods, and portable computers back to Apple for a refund. Only to receive the item back with an explanation that the product was damaged and not eligible for refund. And to add further insult, they were charged for Apple to have looked at it and ship it back.

I fought and eventually won on the iMac that was missing chunks. But I got that handled at a local 3rd party store who made the repair and then billed Apple. The computer had already been flagged as unreturnable and to deny repairs by Apple. But we got around it, because the computer also turned out to have a defective main board.

I was at the local shop within an hour of signing for the computer. I hadn’t even turned it on yet.

I had Apple’s refusal to accept the computer for refund or repair. And then went straight to the independent shop. And they said Apple had already flagged it in the system to deny return or repair for the damage. They asked me if it worked and I said I didn’t know. So they took it in the back and tested it and it was DOA.

So they couldn’t get Apple to agree to take it back either. So the shop ordered a new main board, and all the external parts and rebuilt the machine.

They got Apple to warranty the mainboard. But the shop ate the loss on the case and external parts. But it worked out for them, cause they got my future business for being an independent shop that is better than Apple. They easily made their money back on me.

As for the iPod, I did attemp to return it as well. Immediately after opening the box. Apple refused to allow me to return it. So then I brought up that they should agree to return it for having sent me a damaged product. And they told me again that they don’t cover cosmetic damage, even if it was damaged before I received it.

The simple point is that Apple’s warranty isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

So I only buy from independent dealers who honor the warranty that Apple tries to avoid. Sure they can be good. But when they’re bad, they’re the worst. And I’m not willing to take a chance on whatever their attitude is this month.
 
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if they gave you a case number and documented that they will replace the iPhone your good. If not it becomes
Iffy at best
 
ThatiPhoneKid said:
Does anyone know if I will be charged a fee for the, to look over the phone?
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No, Apple does not charge to inspect the device for any type of defect or concern. If there was any charge for anything, they will let you know as far as what it would cost to repair if you were out of warranty or they suspect damage was caused by the customer.
 
Relentless Power said:
No, Apple does not charge to inspect the device for any type of defect or concern. If there was any charge for anything, they will let you know as far as what it would cost to repair if you were out of warranty or they suspect damage was caused by the customer.
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Thank you!
 
Just read terms and conditions and it states I could be charged a diagnostic fee of £100 if they think the device didn’t need a service
 
Not sending it in to Apple now, as they will probably claim they can’t see the gaps, I simply won’t be buying from Apple again
 
ThatiPhoneKid said:
Not sending it in to Apple now, as they will probably claim they can’t see the gaps, I simply won’t be buying from Apple again
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Like I mentioned in my first post that the “praise Apple” group didn’t like... the best way to buy Apple products at retail from 3rd party sources with a local presence in your community.

iPods and iPhones can be purchased at grocery stores. And those stores in my area have a 30-day no questions asked return policy. As I previously mentioned.

I can return for any reason up to 30-days. I particularly like buying monitors at grocery stores because I don’t have to argue how many stuck pixels in what number of inches is too many. I can test it for a month and return for any reason (including I scratched it or broke it). I’ve even returned cameras that I broke the battery door on. Stores want your business. Imagine them declining to take back something that’s $100 to $800 when they know that losing you over one sale means the loss of tens of thousands of dollars in grocery items over the next year. They’re not stupid.

Grocery stores are the best places to buy electronics for that reason.

As for computers, (if Apple) find a 3rd party dealer that has a liberal return policy. Or ask to have your unit unboxed, set up, and fully inspect and tested prior to sale. And take your time. They’ll do it. They may not like it. But they’ll do it.

But a dealer with a liberal return policy is best.

If it’s a PC, again, get it at the grocery store for the reasons above.
 
flyinmac said:
iPods and iPhones can be purchased at grocery stores. And those stores in my area have a 30-day no questions asked return policy. As I previously mentioned.

...

I particularly like buying monitors at grocery stores...

Grocery stores are the best places to buy electronics for that reason.

...

If it’s a PC, again, get it at the grocery store for the reasons above.
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You'd have thunked my local Kroger would make these more apparent. Searched all over the Produce section and still can't find these particular Apples... :D
 
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ThatiPhoneKid said:
Not sending it in to Apple now, as they will probably claim they can’t see the gaps, I simply won’t be buying from Apple again
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You’re very inconsistent with your decisions. You can’t speak for Apple and you don’t know that they won’t replace or repair your device. Even so, even the representatives you sent the pictures to noticed the gaps and May have likely noted that on your account. If they don’t find any defects, they will just send it back to you and likely not charge you for the inspection. If the phone is not deemed defective, then they most they would likely do is send the device back indicating the phone was in specification.

What I would do is if you have an Apple store within reaching distance, as I would make a genius appointment and have them physically look at the phone with you in store. It’s a much easier process than just sending it in not knowing what the technicians thoughts are.
 
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flyinmac said:
I considered the possibility. But I’m also used to the ones who have to be right. Lol.

Sorry for the misinterpretation.
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Joking aside and certainly around my neck of the woods, only the mega grocery stores seem to sell this sorta stuff. Even some of the bigger ones around here have a very small subset of electronics like this, choosing instead on dealing in the cheaper 'noname/offname' brands rather than the high end stuff.
 
TiggrToo said:
Joking aside and certainly around my neck of the woods, only the mega grocery stores seem to sell this sorta stuff. Even some of the bigger ones around here have a very small subset of electronics like this, choosing instead on dealing in the cheaper 'noname/offname' brands rather than the high end stuff.
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Yes, it does depend sometimes on the area you live in.

In my case, Walmart and Kroger came into this town and put every clothing store, computer dealer, electronics, grocery store, and jewelry store out of business.

Then they found their stores to be undersized to handle the volume of merchandise they now had to supply.

So they built supersized stores and increased their selection. We have since regained an independent Apple dealer / service center. The Apple Owned retail store went out of business Years ago.
 
I know this is going to sound like I am such a flip flop but I have decided I will end up just sending the device in, i am just doubting myself, at the end of the day the live chat person was the one who said I need to mail it in
 
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