iMac woes

[maddav]

Hi, I'm asking for a bit of help with regard to my intel iMac that has encountered several hardware problems recently, here's the story:

iMac suddenly powered off from sleep and wouldn't let me power it back up, so went through troubleshooting with Apple folk and I sent it off to local apple reseller (haven't got applecare) and they replaced the power supply, power inverter and logic board.

Great! Got the iMac back and it worked fine... for a few days, then it started to power off randomly, but I could still switch it back on. After this happened a few times it refused to turn back on. Troubleshooting again and back to the apple reseller, I was told it was the power supply (again) and that the original replacement must've been a faulty part. I'm not 100% sure but they may have replaced the logic board again, though they didn't mention it (had to re-authorize iTunes music)

Great! Got the iMac back again and it worked fine...except that iMac kept thinking that I had a digital out connected so it wouldn't play over the internal speakers, zeroed the drive to eliminate any software problems and sent it off again after reading that this problem was quite prolific (on MBPs).

It was picked up last Tuesday, so it's been almost 2 weeks now and I've been told that the logic board needed is "on order with apple", "hasn't arrived yet, though it's showing as in stock" and finally, the coup de grace: "The part's out of stock and apple won't be getting stock back in until 10th August".

Anyway, couple of questions, do I have grounds to request a replacement iMac from Apple as this is getting beyond a joke, complaining to the reseller (Jigsaw Systems) won't get me anywhere as they haven't got stock of the logic board and it's all free anyway (under warranty, no applecare).

In other words, I'm sick of being without my computer and need to know what's the best step of action to take tomorrow morining? Phone Apple? Jigsaw?

Thanks!

 

[screensaver400]

If you had Applecare, yes. Since you're out of warranty, no. You're paying for these repairs one-by-one; you didn't pay $300 up front to cover the whole machine. Therefore, its very doubtful Apple would give you another one (especially since the repair was through an AASP).

 

[bonafide]

In other words, I'm sick of being without my computer and need to know what's the best step of action to take tomorrow morining? Phone Apple? Jigsaw?

I would contact Apple and see if they will help you out. Who knows? Maybe they'll give you the new iMac?

But being out of warranty you might be SOL and by not purchasing Applecare you really messed up.

 

[todd2000]

Maybe im confused, but nowhere does the OP mention that the iMac is out of warranty? He says "complaining to the reseller (Jigsaw Systems) won't get me anywhere as they haven't got stock of the logic board and it's all free anyway (under warranty, no applecare).

I say call Apple, and ask for a replacement, I think you've been more then patient with the repairs, and their not working

 

[CBAviator]

Just a thought from my own experiences...

I have had electronics power down unexpectedly (like you). I found out that the cooling fans were either not working or insufficient. The components were getting too hot and began powering down by themselves. Just my two cents...

 

[screensaver400]

I sent it off to local apple reseller (haven't got applecare) and they replaced the power supply, power inverter and logic board.

I take that to mean that it is out of warranty. I take his later "free" comments to mean that the repair is covered under warranty, which they generally are. If the same part dies within a certain period of time after the repair, it is covered.

 

[maddav]

I HAVE got warranty (parts & labour) for 3 years through my Higher Education purchase, though I haven't got Applecare therefore instead of having my iMac picked up by Apple directly, I get a reseller to service it, and it's still free.

 

[Killyp]

I'd ask for your money back, and then just buy a new one.

'Unfit for the purpose for which it was intended' would be the best phrase to quote when talking them into givinh you your money back. After all, it was sold to you as a useable, reliable, working computer was it not? And is it that? No. Get your money back.

You could either then buy one of the current iMacs, or wait for the mk.2 new iMacs (never buy mk1!) to arrive (if they do).

 

[maddav]

Alas, no joy apparently they can't do anything until it's back from repair, despite them having repaired the same parts several times already

 

[headhammer]

i work for a reseller in australia, and if we service a machine or ipod 3 or more times, i normally recommend that the customer call apple, as apple usually just replace the unit. this is one of their sources for refurbished units.

i've had apple replace the unit after 2 repairs before, although this is a little less common.

so i say call apple. be reasonable - in customer service a sure way of missing out is by being rude or arrogant to whomever you're dealing with. apple are pretty good, though, and saying something along the lines of "this unit has been serviced 3 times, so could i get it replaced, please?" normally does the trick.

 

[RichardI]

Hmm. I read this thread with interest. Looks like the Apple Care plan is definitely worth it. I'll be buying a new iMac in October and I'll be getting the Apple care plan with it.

Rich