Getting Apple to Replace Rev A with B or C . . .

[tb2me]

I dunno about getting them to upgrade you even if you pay the difference. Never hurts to ask, though! (Of course, the amount I paid for my original MBA is now the price of the top-of-the-line, but I still got the base model )

I'd agree with others in the thread about playing relatively dumb and being a little coy about what you want. If you go in saying "This computer doesn't work, I want a better one," they're less likely to help. I went in, explained every issue I've had with my computer in the 18 months I've owned it, showed them my screenshots and videos, and then gave a rundown of the replacement and repair history, with them verifying my statements in the case history of my machine. The genius went in the back, talked to a manager, came out and announced they would replace it with an "equivalent model." I sort of tipped my hand when I asked to verify that equivalent meant the current base model, not another Rev A, but that's the closest I came to asking outright for a new computer. If you go the subtle route and it doesn't get you anywhere, no harm in asking for a new one, I suppose, but I'd do my best to lead them gently to that conclusion than making demands.

 

[USAF - 1]

I agree, being a jerk gets you nowhere. I am going in tomorrow to see what they can do. They did say they would replace it after the last repair if it did not work out, so I'll be nice and hopefully it will work out.

 

[tangje]

Glad to hear you had success. I've been following this thread for a while on my Rev A.

Bought June 2008.

July 2008 = Logic board replacement
July 2009 = HDD failure, replacement (and that wasn't even why I took it in for service - I took it in regarding the temperature issues!)

Overheating, kernel_task, kernel panic, crazy fans, video issues. All these problems persist.

Been waiting to get the hinge issue addressed but I can't be without my computer for a week with school right now. That would be third repair inside 2 years on this machine.

I've called AppleCare. Was forwarded to a Senior Advisor who had me do a data capture and send it. We'll see what comes of this. The frontline AppleCare rep said they'd look into repairing it but it might result in a replacement since there have been so many issues (and I hadn't even mentioned that I'm waiting to get the hinge issue fixed). I never brought up a replacement. Just reiterated all the problems, especially the two documented repairs.

 

[Silverstring]

I had 4 separate repairs on my MBA, and in each instance, MULTIPLE parts were replaced:

-hard drive replaced
-audio port replaced x2
-USB port replaced
-Screen replaced x2
-Hinge and hinge assembly replaced x3
-Logic Board replaced x2
-misc parts replaced (top shell/various parts related to other repairs) x3

The hinge started to get loose again, the overheating persisted, and I was beginning to get frequent kernel panics.

Needless to say, I was fed up.

I brought it in, and the very nice genius looked at my repair history, and agreed it was "excessive". (I'll say, the only thing original that remained on that computer since I bought it was the bottom case and keyboard!). This was a Rev. A that I bought shortly after release (Feb 2008) w/ Applecare.

I explained my case very calmly, saying that I had no reason to "trust" another repair process. I never explicitly asked for a replacement, but without even putting me through the ringer of "diagnosing" my problem again on this last visit (where I've had other geniuses try to challenge/disprove me), the genius went to the back to talk to a manager. By the time he emerged, he offered me a replacement, the entry-level latest revision.

I ended up, at that point, asking for the step-up MB 13'' of equivalent price ($1499, even though I paid $1799 for my original MBA), and the manager/genius accommodated me. I like the size/portability of the MBA, but I made the switch for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that the hinge design was the same, and I do not have any faith in that hinge after my experience.

Even though I had AppleCare on the MBA, I was NOT offered a "free" Apple Care for the new machine, although I have heard that some people have managed to get this too. Instead, I was offered the option to call AppleCare and get a partial refund on the existing contract.

Truthfully, I could've argued for another AppleCare to be included, but I didn't. I was happy to take a new machine and get out of there after all that had happened.

 

[macboy4]

I dunno about getting them to upgrade you even if you pay the difference. Never hurts to ask, though! (Of course, the amount I paid for my original MBA is now the price of the top-of-the-line, but I still got the base model )

I'd agree with others in the thread about playing relatively dumb and being a little coy about what you want. If you go in saying "This computer doesn't work, I want a better one," they're less likely to help. I went in, explained every issue I've had with my computer in the 18 months I've owned it, showed them my screenshots and videos, and then gave a rundown of the replacement and repair history, with them verifying my statements in the case history of my machine. The genius went in the back, talked to a manager, came out and announced they would replace it with an "equivalent model." I sort of tipped my hand when I asked to verify that equivalent meant the current base model, not another Rev A, but that's the closest I came to asking outright for a new computer. If you go the subtle route and it doesn't get you anywhere, no harm in asking for a new one, I suppose, but I'd do my best to lead them gently to that conclusion than making demands.

I have couple of questions...

1. Did they give you the HDD? I'm assuming so since it was brand new...
not a lot of new Rev Bs laying around Apple Stores.

2. This is crucial for any others who want to get their's replaced... your
MBA was 18 months old, did you have AppleCare? If not, I'm even
more impressed with Apple.

 

[tb2me]

I have couple of questions...

1. Did they give you the HDD? I'm assuming so since it was brand new...
not a lot of new Rev Bs laying around Apple Stores.

2. This is crucial for any others who want to get their's replaced... your
MBA was 18 months old, did you have AppleCare? If not, I'm even
more impressed with Apple.

1. Yes, I got the entry-level Rev C, with a 120 GB HDD.

2. Yes, I have Apple Care. I learned my lesson after my 15 inch Macbook Pro Rev A went kaput just out of warranty.