Late 2014 repeated screen issue

[MrGimper]

I've had my late 2014 27" retina iMac since December 2014. It had AppleCare until the end of 2017. During that time it had 3 screen replacements due to the same fault. The fault was grey "swirling" in the bottom corners of the screen. Looks like dust from fans maybe, but definitely something "dirty" there. Each time the replacement was done, the report stated it was done "via consumer law" as opposed to via warranty. Over the last 6 months, I've noticed this has happened again, and now it's hard to ignore. Has anyone had a similar situation, and despite being well outside warranty had a replacement screen. In my view, the previous replacements "via consumer law" have set a precedent and there's 6 months left of the 6 years that applies for. Do Apple still have their "you suffer the same fault x times we will replace your whole device" policy, or was that just a rumour?

Thanks.

 

[bob_zz123]

If you want my honest opinion (which you might not like), then I would say it would be highly optimistic to get a free repair done on an almost 6-year-old computer under consumer law.

The general principle is that the warranty is not 6 years long, but that goods are meant to last for "a reasonable time" which depends on the circumstances, and could be UP to 6 years depending on what it is, the environment it's being used in, how much it cost, etc. You may be entitled to make a claim up to 6 years, but if Apple reject it, your only option would be to go to court and ask a judge whether the product has lasted for a reasonable time - as I am sure you could imagine this can go either way.

Companies are also entitled to make a deduction to reflect the amount of service it has had - so towards the end of the life / period you may find that if they are minded to assist you with a consumer law claim, then the outcome might be a reduction in the cost of a repair and not a free repair - and I would imagine given the age certainly not a free replacement. Alternatively they may offer a discount on a new machine.

The question could also be asked that; if you have had three screen replacements done previously; is there some type of environmental issue going on here; is the environment the computer being used in particularly dusty. Although there are lots of anecdotal reports of iMacs exhibiting these symptoms, they certainly don't all, and sometimes, environmental issues could come into play.

Sorry if what I say doesn't sound dreadfully positive! I was just trying to articulate what questions could be asked if you were to take this to Apple.


Many thanks.

 

[MrGimper]

If you want my honest opinion (which you might not like), then I would say it would be highly optimistic to get a free repair done on an almost 6-year-old computer under consumer law.

The general principle is that the warranty is not 6 years long, but that goods are meant to last for "a reasonable time" which depends on the circumstances, and could be UP to 6 years depending on what it is, the environment it's being used in, how much it cost, etc. You may be entitled to make a claim up to 6 years, but if Apple reject it, your only option would be to go to court and ask a judge whether the product has lasted for a reasonable time - as I am sure you could imagine this can go either way.

Companies are also entitled to make a deduction to reflect the amount of service it has had - so towards the end of the life / period you may find that if they are minded to assist you with a consumer law claim, then the outcome might be a reduction in the cost of a repair and not a free repair - and I would imagine given the age certainly not a free replacement. Alternatively they may offer a discount on a new machine.

The question could also be asked that; if you have had three screen replacements done previously; is there some type of environmental issue going on here; is the environment the computer being used in particularly dusty. Although there are lots of anecdotal reports of iMacs exhibiting these symptoms, they certainly don't all, and sometimes, environmental issues could come into play.

Sorry if what I say doesn't sound dreadfully positive! I was just trying to articulate what questions could be asked if you were to take this to Apple.


Many thanks.

Thanks for replying and no apologies needed .... I wanted honest answers and you gave one. The environment is a typical home office, nothing particularly dusty or unusual, which adds frustration.

I'll ask for a callback and be honest with the rep on the call, and see what happens.

Again, thanks!