I think Apple Support Tried to SCAM me for a new Logic Board! Anyone Else??

[Grubster]

So I shipped my 2017 MacBook Pro in for an authorized Keyboard replacement. Unit is from late 2018 and was within the 4 year replacement program. I get an e-mail from them with an invoice for $497 + Tax. E-mail says my "Front USB port Failed" and I need a new Logic board. They said if I decline, they will fix the Keyboard at no cost. I declined. So sure enough, laptop arrives today, I ran the system diagnostics and found NO issues. In addition, I tested both USB C ports and the laptop charges perfect. Now, I don't have ANY USB-C peripherals. I've actually been buying these 2017 MacBooks as a hobby and fixing ones and keeping or maybe selling. I've had 3 of them so far with a 4th on the way and know them pretty well.

This 100% feels like a scam, which I can't believe, but I don't know what else to think. Now the laptop came back perfect, new keyboard, new battery and I'm happy, but I am left with a sour taste in my mouth that Apple is literally trying to screw me over, which means they MUST be doing this to MANY others.

I actually decided to write them back and question what the heck they are talking about.

 

[jav6454]

Two things:

1. Apple doesn't repair all Macs, they sometimes outsource this to authorized repair shops.
2. Try plugging in a USB Flash drive and copying data to and from it.

Not much I can say after that.

 

[Grubster]

Two things:

1. Apple doesn't repair all Macs, they sometimes outsource this to authorized repair shops.
2. Try plugging in a USB Flash drive and copying data to and from it.

Not much I can say after that.

Good point. I shipped it out to apple and it went to Houston I think. I literally have no USB-C flash drives, so it is certainly possible it takes power but won't work for data. Was more curious if others experienced something similar.

 

[jav6454]

Good point. I shipped it out to apple and it went to Houston I think. I literally have no USB-C flash drives, so it is certainly possible it takes power but won't work for data. Was more curious if others experienced something similar.

Not even a USB-C to USB-A adapter? I have sent my Mac to Apple and they stick to what they said. Granted this was in 2012 and 2016.

 

[JPack]

You don’t even bother testing the port with a $5 USB-C flash drive, yet call Apple a scam? Come on. At least get a flash drive and a USB-C monitor if you’re serious about fixing and selling modern notebooks.

 

[Ray2]

I’ve had usb-c ports act up intermittently and logic boards replaced. It took multiple trips and weeks worth of no Mac before Apple experienced the problem and replaced the board. I see no reason to discount the OP's statements. If he’s not using USB constantly, the odds of him experiencing an issue are remote at best. Testing would be a complete crap shoot. On the other hand, it took me 4 trips into service despite crash reports and screen shots with improper disk ejection messages before they could experience the problem and do something. One might ask why crash reports exist when they are seemingly ignored, or not considered sufficiently reliable to bother taking seriously.

I've been dealing with Apple service since 1984. It’s a far cry from what it used to be. And not for the better.

 

[jav6454]

You don’t even bother testing the port with a $5 USB-C flash drive, yet call Apple a scam? Come on. At least get a flash drive and a USB-C monitor if you’re serious about fixing and selling modern notebooks.

Agreed, someone who buy/sells Macs constantly should have some way of validating the USB ports.

 

[Ifti]

Not USB, but I had intermittent issues with a TB2 port on an older system.
Sometimes the port worked perfectly fine, but it would just randomly disconnect my drive for now reason every now and then.
Luckily I had 3 years of Applecare, and this happened 1 month before it was due to expire!!
Ended up being a mainboard replacement......

So although you may think the port is working ok, it could be an intermittent issue....

 

[laptech]

The OP's post is a bit ambiguous because the OP's say they sent in their 2017 macbook to Apple under a keyboard replacement repair program but yet say's they buy faulty 2017 macbooks to repair and sell. So, is the macbook you sent in personally yours or are you finding faulty 2017 macbooks that are still within Apples repair program and trying to get Apple to repair them for free?

 

[Grubster]

Agreed, someone who buy/sells Macs constantly should have some way of validating the USB ports.

Let me add, I didn't say for sure it's a SCAM, but I did read online others having the same thing happen and said it "FEELS like a SCAM". I've only bought 4 of these, 2 I kept and 1 I sold. This one I have NOT sold yet. I will order a little USB-C Dongle today.

I also want to add in my house I have about 20 Apple Devices!

 

[jav6454]

Let me add, I didn't say for sure it's a SCAM, but I did read online others having the same thing happen and said it "FEELS like a SCAM". I've only bought 4 of these, 2 I kept and 1 I sold. This one I have NOT sold yet. I will order a little USB-C Dongle today.

I also want to add in my house I have about 20 Apple Devices!

Calrifications are always welcomed.

 

[Grubster]

The OP's post is a bit ambiguous because the OP's say they sent in their 2017 macbook to Apple under a keyboard replacement repair program but yet say's they buy faulty 2017 macbooks to repair and sell. So, is the macbook you sent in personally yours or are you finding faulty 2017 macbooks that are still within Apples repair program and trying to get Apple to repair them for free?

I don't buy faulty MacBooks and try to get apple to repair for free. What I do is buy MacBooks that are a good price, maybe they need a new SSD or a battery, or someone wanted to trade in and wasn't happy with the trade offer. Faulty MacBooks are worthless as Logic board\screen etc.. is too much money to fix unless you have a puppy of the parts and such. In this case, I took to apple and told them I'm the second owner and they said based on age, doesn't matter, it qualifies due to sticky keys etc.. There is no trickery here. Also, most of the machines I use personally for a while so see if they work and if I want to sell it, I'll fully disclose what is wrong. For example, last one I sold had a bad Camera. The guy that bought it didn't care and understood what he was getting. Anyhow, I ordered a USB C stick, should be here tomorrow.

 

[Grubster]

Agreed, someone who buy/sells Macs constantly should have some way of validating the USB ports.

So I took your advice and bought a USB-C Flash Drive, 32 gb, 5.99 and has both USB-A and USB-C, so it's a nice little dongle to have! Anyhow, I plugged in to both ports and it immediately lit up red and showed up in Finder. I created a file and tested both a read and write of the file with no problem. Apple support did give me a phone number to call back when I asked them why they say it's bad. To the poster who said I should try a monitor, I'm not going to buy a USB-C display port adapter now, everything I do is via my iMac and I have all the Mini-DP adapters, but don't plan on using these laptops with a display. Maybe I'll get one down the road.

 

[jav6454]

The USB test works, if it can easily pick-up a USB flash, then a monitor should theoretically be the same. Seems like a false positive.