over priced and slow battery replacement 2017MBP

[tominco]

My son has a 2017 13" MBP that was in need of a new battery. We live an hour from the nearest Apple Store, so he took it to a local Apple Authorized store. It's been three weeks. They sent the laptop off to Apple and are claiming the cost will be $349. Has anyone else experienced this? Everything I see says battery replacement is supposed to be $199, and three weeks is nuts IMHO.

comments? suggestions as to how to proceed?

 

[wilberforce]

Show them this page and ask them to explain. This page clearly says it is $199.

Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support

Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

One possible explanation is that it has collateral damage

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"My son has a 2017 13" MBP that was in need of a new battery. We live an hour from the nearest Apple Store, so he took it to a local Apple Authorized store."

Hmmm....
"Apple Authorized" store?

Was that a 3rd-party provider, or was it a REAL brick n mortar Apple Store?

What you should have done:
Take it to a REAL "Apple Store" genius bar.
They provide the $199 repair.

3rd party places?
"Apple Authorized" or not, you may not get the same level of service from them.

 

[tominco]

yup... lesson learned. After a chat with Apple, it is evident that one really should just go to the Apple Store for a repair. The 3-rd party folks are allowed to charge whatever they want and have little accountability. The problem is that it's so enticing to go to the repair center that's walking distance from home vs the one that is an hour drive away.