I'm on the brink of going crazy - please help.

[PDE]

I've had SIX macbook pros and at least as many macbooks this year and only one was without a defect out of the box (a macbook). All others had one or more issues and Apple either replaced them or I sent them back for a refund. I received a macbook two days ago and it has a faulty hinge - thumps when you open it. It works and all but I hate sending in a new machine for repair so i'm returning it. I ordered another one yesterday (the first was a week 44 and this one week 47) and just got it ten minutes ago. This one has an awful squeak on the right hinge every time I open the display.

I really don't know what to do. I could send it in for repair and be without for a week and risk it being messed up further by Apple both cosmetically and functionally, or I could return it for a refund . If I do the latter I don't know what to buy next.

Is there any way to lube the hinge without damaging it? That would be the best solution.


I can't believe that i have such bad luck. I just can't believe it. And I can't believe that Apple doesn't have better quality control.

 

[animenick65]

Im about to order a macbook and am scared of what I might find wrong with it. You should seriously talk to apple about them doing something good to keep you as a customer. Its a shame that they have this many problems with machines. I'm wondering where the source of all these problems is coming from. If its faulty engineering or just bad build quality and QC. Good luck with your apple endeavors.

 

[PDE]

Im about to order a macbook and am scared of what I might find wrong with it. You should seriously talk to apple about them doing something good to keep you as a customer. Its a shame that they have this many problems with machines. I'm wondering where the source of all these problems is coming from. If its faulty engineering or just bad build quality and QC. Good luck with your apple endeavors.

I'm on the phone with Apple now, but they basically are saying that you should only buy from Apple as computers from anywhere else can be used and sold as new etc. That there's no recourse if you buy from anybody else. They can offer to repair it, that's all. At first they didn't want to transfer me to customer relations, but then she did and I'm on hold.


What can I ask for? This is crazy - I'm just frustrated.

 

[animenick65]

It shouldn't matter who you bought it from so long as its under warranty. If you bought it from another person used then I would say they have a point, but if you bought it from apple, macmall, amazon or an apple store brand new then I would say they should fix the damn problem and AT LEAST expedite the shipping. But if the computers are under warranty and the problems are not from dropping/abuse then they should fix them no questions asked. The least they can do is back up their products if they can't QC them.

 

[prplmnkydshwshr]

I'm on the phone with Apple now, but they basically are saying that you should only buy from Apple as computers from anywhere else can be used and sold as new etc. That there's no recourse if you buy from anybody else. They can offer to repair it, that's all.

That's total BS. Most retailers will have a 30 day no hassle return policy where they will keep exchanging new units (Amazon, Best Buy, etc). Depending on the defect, Apple will push towards a repair rather than a replacement. I've gone through 3 15" MBPs and the return/exchange process has dragged out to a whole month. Had I purchased from Amazon, I know they would be prompt in sending out replacements for the defective units (although they will stop if it becomes excessive - you still will have a far easier time getting a refund). When you talk to Customer Relations and ask for a refund, they will usually offer you generous upgrades, etc if you have being going through a troublesome experience.

 

[PDE]

It shouldn't matter who you bought it from so long as its under warranty. If you bought it from another person used then I would say they have a point, but if you bought it from apple, macmall, amazon or an apple store brand new then I would say they should fix the damn problem and AT LEAST expedite the shipping. But if the computers are under warranty and the problems are not from dropping/abuse then they should fix them no questions asked. The least they can do is back up their products if they can't QC them.

I got it from amazon. they're not saying they can't fix it, but they are kind of blaming me because I bought it from somebody other than Apple and then saying that you never know what you get when you do that. I asked her to clarify " Are you saying that customers should not buy Apple computer from anybody else than Apple?" to which she replied: "Well, you can do it, but there's no way of know if they sell you a used computer as new or sell you a defective computer". She said Amazon is not an authorised apple dealer - just a reseller.


I'm still on hold, but I don't know what to ask for.

 

[PDE]

That's total BS. Most retailers will have a 30 day no hassle return policy where they will keep exchanging new units (Amazon, Best Buy, etc). Depending on the defect, Apple will push towards a repair rather than a replacement. I've gone through 3 15" MBPs and the return/exchange process has dragged out to a whole month. Had I purchased from Amazon, I know they would be prompt in sending out replacements for the defective units (although they will stop if it becomes excessive - you still will have a far easier time getting a refund). When you talk to Customer Relations and ask for a refund, they will usually offer you generous upgrades, etc if you have being going through a troublesome experience.

Of course it's BS. If they don't answer within five minutes, I'm jsut going to hang up and return it to Amazon for a full refund. Not a big deal except that I don't know what my next step will be since I need a computer.

I'm just calling Apple to tell them my experience and make a complaint. I don't expect them to do much, except to offer a repair and that I won't do on a new computer.

 

[PDE]

Of course it's BS. If they don't answer within five minutes, I'm jsut going to hang up and return it to Amazon for a full refund. Not a big deal except that I don't know what my next step will be since I need a computer.

I'm just calling Apple to tell them my experience and make a complaint. I don't expect them to do much, except to offer a repair and that I won't do on a new computer.

So talked to Apple customer relations. they offered me nothing except repair. i told her I wanted it on record that I had had 12-13 macbooks and macbook pros and all but one was defective out of the box. She tried to tell me that it was incredibly rare that people have problems with their computers out of the box. I replied that if that really were the case, it is statistically very unlikely that I would have so many defective units from different batches and different resellers. I also asked her to check out Apple's own support forum to get a more realistic picture of the situations.

Anyway, there was no attempt to keep me as a customer. At all. I'm returning this one to Amazon and will think about what to do next.

 

[animenick65]

Thats very unfortunate PDE. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to spend so much money on a computer and then have so many problems with it. And its not even the problems that really suck so much, its that the company won't back the product. Someone once told me that technology sucks and is unreliable. I told them that technology isn't the problem, its the companies that don't back it. Best wishes.

 

[PDE]

Thats very unfortunate PDE. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to spend so much money on a computer and then have so many problems with it. And its not even the problems that really suck so much, its that the company won't back the product. Someone once told me that technology sucks and is unreliable. I told them that technology isn't the problem, its the companies that don't back it. Best wishes.

Thanks. It's almost laughable at this point. I used to feel excitement about new computers, now I feel fear when I open the new box. It's no long even about the computer, but more about all the time and energy wasted without getting what I really want: a computer that doesn't need repair out of the box. It should be so simple, but apparently not. On the other hand, there are of course lots of people that do get good computers out of the box so maybe I've just had bad luck.

Apple offered to repair it and the lady told me that if it were her she'd send it back to amazon for a refund instead. Fair enough. I really didn't like the way both the tech person adn the customer relations person were trying to say that one shouldn't buy from anybody than Apple. I pointed out to her that Apple sells A LOT of computer through other channels and asked her to clarify if she is really saying that people should stop buying from other sources. She kind of backed down a little, and told me that they have no control over how other companies manage the computers, but that they don't advise against it, nor do they endorse buying from others. BS in my view - they should be happy that there are so many companies willing to sell their computers!

Anyway, I've already packed up the macbooks and they're waiting fro a UPS pick up in the next few days. I'm going to bring out my old Lombard powerbook G3 and use that for now!

Thanks for the support. I feel calmer now, though really unhappy about all of this.

 

[Nutter]

I'd say return it for a refund and buy from the Apple Refurbished Store. Refurbished Macs are usually in excellent condition and have gone through a second (and probably more thorough) QA inspection.

 

[animenick65]

Thats what I hear as well. Im hoping my refurb is problem free!!

 

[xJulianx]

i told her I wanted it on record that I had had 12-13 macbooks and macbook pros and all but one was defective out of the box.

Not to call you a lier, but I find this extremely hard to believe. My father has been an Apple customer for 20 years and has never had an issue, my uncle has been an Apple customer for the same amount of time and has only had one defected product and finally, my grandfather has been an Apple customer for 30 years and hasn't had a single problem.

Do you have receipts to prove your purchases? Sorry if I seem rude, but I just can't comprehend that many faulty MacBooks/MacBook Pro's.

 

[animenick65]

What purpose would he have for posting in these forums then? Why would he waste his time? Sure as hell isn't getting anything out of it. Think before you post.

 

[TequilaBoobs]

apple needs to improve on their quality control, like the japanese have done. 6 defective macbooks is inexcusable even for computer companies in afghanistan.

 

[xJulianx]

What purpose would he have for posting in these forums then? Why would he waste his time? Sure as hell isn't getting anything out of it. Think before you post.

Could be a troll? Meh, I'm not accusing anyone of anything, and I did say that I wasn't calling him a liar. As an individual I find it hard for a single person to have that many faulty MacBooks in a row.

 

[PDE]

Not to call you a lier, but I find this extremely hard to believe. My father has been an Apple customer for 20 years and has never had an issue, my uncle has been an Apple customer for the same amount of time and has only had one defected product and finally, my grandfather has been an Apple customer for 30 years and hasn't had a single problem.

Do you have receipts to prove your purchases? Sorry if I seem rude, but I just can't comprehend that many faulty MacBooks/MacBook Pro's.

I find it hard to believe that your grand father has been an Apple customer since before the company was founded (edit: I guess it was founded in 1976, but I don't think they were selling PCs until quite a bit later) Yes, i do have receipts to prove it, but why would I lie about this? And I'm not about to start scanning in receipts to prove that I'm not lying, sorry. I know for certain that I've had 6 macbook pros, but can't recall how many macbooks: four in the last two weeks (of which one was fine out of the box and is for my father) and at least three in the summer (one peeled, mooed and hissed, two had loud squeaky hinges and the last one that was replaced had a faulty LCD and a the front bezel was falling off) the last of which was actually replaced by Apple immediately - so maybe there were four in the summer. The last one that was replaced was fine for a while but the LCD is now flickering after sleep and I suspect will need repair soon. I gave it to my girlfriend when i thought I was going to have a MBP. I'm not counting anymore.

I find it hard to believe myself, but trust me when i say I'm not lying about this. I wish for nothing more than to have a computer that doesn't need repair immediately. Also, I'm not the only one with lots of replacements and repairs.

 

[chosenwolf]

Do you have receipts to prove your purchases? Sorry if I seem rude, but I just can't comprehend that many faulty MacBooks/MacBook Pro's.

You better start comprehending it. Apple's quality control has gone downhill and that is the bottom line. That is usually the case when companies start to get more orders in than expected and thus more units have to be made (some are bound for failure!). With the popularity of the iPod, more people have looked into Apple's other products and one of them were portables. If you were to walk into a university classroom, you'd find much more students using macs than say 10 years ago.

Having gone through about 5 units myself, I do not think this user is lying. There would be no reason to lie about such a thing in the first place...

 

[chosenwolf]

Do you have receipts to prove your purchases? Sorry if I seem rude, but I just can't comprehend that many faulty MacBooks/MacBook Pro's.

You better start comprehending it. Apple's quality control has gone downhill and that is the bottom line. That is usually the case when companies start to get more orders in than expected and thus more units have to be made (some are bound for failure!). With the popularity of the iPod, more people have looked into Apple's product and one of them were portables. If you were to walk into a university classroom, you'd find much more students using macs than say 10 years ago.

Having gone through about 5 units myself, I do not think this user is lying. There would be no reason to lie about such a thing in the first place...

 

[SuperCompu2]

Not saying you should divert from using Mac's, but I own a Thinkpad, and if you were to go different route Thinkpads are very well tested before sale.
Also very durable.
But I think next time you buy a mac lappy, do it in an apple store if possible. That way, you can open it up and try it right before them, so they can clearly witness any defects in the computer.

 

[xJulianx]

The 30 years was a guess, he has been an Apple customer longer than my father, and considering their age differences I thought of that as a fair estimate, though you have proved me wrong. Doh! Having said that, my father was never very specific about how long he had been an Apple customer..."Oh, 20 odd years or so." Most probably the words he uttered.

As I said before, I was not calling you a liar, I simply found it very, very hard to believe that an individual could recieve so many faulty MacBooks. I'm very sorry for your string of awful luck with Apple, if I were in your position, I would not be giving Apple anymore of my time or money.

Finally, sorry if I have unsettled anyone over my initial post, I just questioned the OP's post because of the irregularity of this kind of situation.

 

[PDE]

The 30 years was a guess, he has been an Apple customer longer than my father, and considering their age differences I thought of that as a fair estimate, though you have proved me wrong. Doh! Having said that, my father was never very specific about how long he had been an Apple customer..."Oh, 20 odd years or so." Most probably the words he uttered.

As I said before, I was not calling you a liar, I simply found it very, very hard to believe that an individual could recieve so many faulty MacBooks. I'm very sorry for your string of awful luck with Apple, if I were in your position, I would not be giving Apple anymore of my time or money.

Finally, sorry if I have unsettled anyone over my initial post, I just questioned the OP's post because of the irregularity of this kind of situation.

That's fine. I don't WANT to buy another apple right now, but all my work and software is for apple and, ultimately, I love the OS. Even though I've had a lot of bad luck, I think using windows is too much trouble for what it's worth: the hardware of the thinkpad is my favourite of all laptops and if it could run Macos I'd run out tomorrow to get one. I used to have a T40 and thought that hardware wise it was pretty much unbeatable - as was IBM support. I remember emailing them at 10pm asking for restore CDs and they actually called me within 30mins to arrange it. So impressed. I felt completely confident in the hardware.

It's also important to keep some perspective on the kinds of problems I've had. Not one has been so taht I can't use the computer - they've all been cases of really sloppy assembly or poor quality parts. But they all turned on and worked! the problem is that for the price, I demand that the computer does not need repair out of the box. It's a simple principle that I can't back down from.

 

[PDE]

Not saying you should divert from using Mac's, but I own a Thinkpad, and if you were to go different route Thinkpads are very well tested before sale.
Also very durable.
But I think next time you buy a mac lappy, do it in an apple store if possible. That way, you can open it up and try it right before them, so they can clearly witness any defects in the computer.

I will definitely get one at the Apple Store so that I can get it replaced quickly if there's a problem. It's not worth trying to save a few hundred dollars through amazon since it takes way too much time and effort to get it sorted. Amazon is great, but having to wait for deliveries and pick ups is a pain.

 

[xJulianx]

It's also important to keep some perspective on the kinds of problems I've had. Not one has been so taht I can't use the computer - they've all be cases of really sloppy assembly or poor quality parts. But they all turned on and worked! the problem is that for the price, I demand that the computer does not need repair out of the box. It's a simple principle that I can't back down from.

Maybe you should try sticking it out for a while with your squeeky hinged MacBook and see if the squeek goes after usage? I have heard alot about people with squeeky spacebars that have self corrected after usage, maybe these aren't linked but thought I would mention it, though I can understand your frustration and unwillingless to compromise given the amount of money and time you have put into Apple.

IMO, Apple should be bending over backwards to make you happy with the amount of loyalty you have shown them in purchasing laptop after laptop.

 

[PDE]

Maybe you should try sticking it out for a while with your squeeky hinged MacBook and see if the squeek goes after usage? I have heard alot about people with squeeky spacebars that have self corrected after usage, maybe these aren't linked but thought I would mention it, though I can understand your frustration and unwillingless to compromise given the amount of money and time you have put into Apple.

IMO, Apple should be bending over backwards to make you happy with the amount of loyalty you have shown them in purchasing laptop after laptop.

thanks. Well, I tried moving the display back and forth quite a few times to see if there was any change. Unfortunately, it seems as though the actual display is ever so slightly misaligned to the right so that the hinge plastic is rubbing against the right side. It might just wear down over time, but I'm just going to send it back and go to the Apple Store. I do know that if you buy from them they will replace if there is a problem out of the box. I just thought I'd save $200 by getting from Amazon, but it's no longer worth it.

Cheers!