I purchased a refurb iPhone on August 20 and filled out an RMA online today only to find out that Apple is charging a re-stocking fee for open-box items - including refurbs! I immediately called customer support to challenge this fee since the retail stores do not charge for "refreshed or refurbished" stock - after all the initial customer who returned the defective/unwanted item usually pays 10% for a refund... and that's why you get a discount on the refurbished product.
Anyhow, it took a couple of calls and nearly an hour of hold time on the phone, but I was assured by two separate people at Apple that they would waive the restocking fee as a "good-will jesture." Ahem. They can call it what they like, but I think that anyone trying to return a refurbished product should be entitled to this treatment. FYI... they are offering a paltry $50 reimbursement for refurbished phones purchased within the past 14 days if you choose to keep your current phone.
I decided to re-order the 8GB refurbished iPhone now priced at $349 and saved myself a cool $150. I am an extremely happy customer.
Anyhow, it took a couple of calls and nearly an hour of hold time on the phone, but I was assured by two separate people at Apple that they would waive the restocking fee as a "good-will jesture." Ahem. They can call it what they like, but I think that anyone trying to return a refurbished product should be entitled to this treatment. FYI... they are offering a paltry $50 reimbursement for refurbished phones purchased within the past 14 days if you choose to keep your current phone.
I decided to re-order the 8GB refurbished iPhone now priced at $349 and saved myself a cool $150. I am an extremely happy customer.