The merged "will Apple swap / exchange my band?" thread

[Mac7]

Only if the band is available in the same family as the one you bought. So, for example, you can trade a white sport band for a blue sport band. But you can't swap a white sport band for a black one because the black one is only available on the space gray.

So the space gray sports wouldn't be able to swap since it's only available with the black band?

 

[TimUSCA]

So the space gray sports wouldn't be able to swap since it's only available with the black band?

Correct.

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I know about the difference of the two black bands. But what I posted from you again sounds like a contradiction. How do you know it isn't possible?

Have you asked anyone at Apple? Just curious.

Just what I've read from people on these forums attempting to swap bands. It's also what Apple said.

- The new band must be within the same collection as the watch and must be an available band option for that watch face.

- The band swap is within 14 day return period.

- The watch must have been purchased at the Apple Online Store, Kiosk, or Apple Store App.

- You are not using band swaps as a way to configure a sellable product for a customer.

 

[adammull]

This whole exchange thing seems weird and un-Apple. I've seen people saying you do it by phone, and others say you do it in online chat. Some say they have to ship their band back first. Others don't. It seems the Customer Reps have varying information.

Why isn't there a webpage for this? If this is an official program, why isn't Apple running it like one?

I am contemplating a band swap but was hoping for more concrete information before my 14 days are up. I'm not sending my band back and holding a pocket watch for two months. That's ridiculous.

 

[aamoren3]

I also initiated an exchange. The new band is scheduled to ship in June but the CSR told me to return my existing band in 14 days. She didn't have a good answer when I asked about this. Any idea?

That seems bogus. I read in another thread that someone said they were able to keep the band they currently had until their swapped one shipped. Kind of useless to pre-order a brand new watch and not have a band to go with it for 2 months. I will be trying to initiate a band swap tomorrow sport blue for black or white, will update.

 

[Jacc Sparrow]

This whole exchange thing seems weird and un-Apple. I've seen people saying you do it by phone, and others say you do it in online chat. Some say they have to ship their band back first. Others don't. It seems the Customer Reps have varying information.

Why isn't there a webpage for this? If this is an official program, why isn't Apple running it like one?

I am contemplating a band swap but was hoping for more concrete information before my 14 days are up. I'm not sending my band back and holding a pocket watch for two months. That's ridiculous.

They will send you the watch band first. And you send the old one back. I can't do it because I paid with w gift card.

 

[PLamarine]

That seems bogus. I read in another thread that someone said they were able to keep the band they currently had until their swapped one shipped. Kind of useless to pre-order a brand new watch and not have a band to go with it for 2 months. I will be trying to initiate a band swap tomorrow sport blue for black or white, will update.

You will only be allowed to swap for white (or pink or green)...black is not an option since it was not originally available for your watch. I know. I tried. I failed.

 

[iWot]

Does this mean you can swap down and be refunded for the difference (within the same watch model).

E.g. I have a 38mm SS with Classic Buckle. Can I swap for sport band and be refunded the $100 difference?

 

[mark-in-mk]

This whole exchange thing seems weird and un-Apple. I've seen people saying you do it by phone, and others say you do it in online chat. Some say they have to ship their band back first. Others don't. It seems the Customer Reps have varying information.

Why isn't there a webpage for this? If this is an official program, why isn't Apple running it like one?

I am contemplating a band swap but was hoping for more concrete information before my 14 days are up. I'm not sending my band back and holding a pocket watch for two months. That's ridiculous.

They tried that with me until I dug my heals in and said they could only have the one I wanted to send back when I got the replacement.

Now they are sending my replacement by courier and they will do the exchange on my doorstep.

Goodness knows when though

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Does this mean you can swap down and be refunded for the difference (within the same watch model).

E.g. I have a 38mm SS with Classic Buckle. Can I swap for sport band and be refunded the $100 difference?

Nope

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They will send you the watch band first. And you send the old one back. I can't do it because I paid with w gift card.

They are going to charge me for my replacement, and refund me when they get the original one back via courier

 

[J.gerbes]

Does anyone know how the process works?

Do you send in your old strap and wait for the new one to arrive (hindering the watch useless in the interim)?

Or do you get the new strap in the mail and then send back your old one?

 

[Cutiekitty92]

Let me just tell everyone, I got got off the phone with apple for over 2 hours working on the watch band swap.

I wanted to swap my classic buckle for link bracelet, easy enough? Well lets just say its a confusing time for the apple reps today.

They let me do the exchange and pay the extra cost difference. I noticed after they were done, my order was for $1308. I was like, WTF? They are sending me a whole new classic buckle watch just like my original AND a link bracelet, then I have to return either watch, plus both leather bands, then I can keep one watch and the link bracelet, huh?

Also, they said I have to have my original band returned by 5/9 since thats the 14 day return window.

I called back and asked them if I could extend the return date since I won't receive the new band by then, but they said this is the only way to do (shortened version after they spoke to managers).

So they want me to return the band and carry around a pocket watch until I receive the new band and watch, which I am still not sure why they are sending another watch. Why wouldn't they just send me a link bracelet watch, and I could return the classic buckle watch, even swap plus cost difference, if thats how they had to do it.

I am probably just going to to cancel the whole thing and keep my separate link bracelet order I already had, plus the classic buckle band. Wont kill me to have an extra band.

UGH!! If you're confused by reading this, thats makes two of us.

This is strange because I spoke to an online rep and cause I have pre ordered the brown modern buckle and wanted the swap for the pink I asked how would that happened as I'm expected 12th may delivery and apparently the pink isn't here from the store till July... They told me I'd just have to wait for the band exchange. That's way past 14 days..... :S

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Does anyone know how the process works?

Do you send in your old strap and wait for the new one to arrive (hindering the watch useless in the interim)?

Or do you get the new strap in the mail and then send back your old one?

You order the strap you want so yes £££ and then you send your old one once you get it and they will refund you

 

[OllyW]

Moderator Note:


This is not a swap thread for exchanging unwanted bands. If you want to trade your band with other MacRumors members, you will have to start a thread in the Marketplace forum, or make a trade with other members offering bands in an existing Marketplace thread.


A reminder about the rules for trading items on the MacRumors forums.

All threads/posts offering items for sale or trade or for free or asking to buy or receive items must be posted in the Marketplace forum and are subject to the Marketplace Rules.

Before you can access the Marketplace forum, you need a minimum post count of 250, as displayed in your User Profile, and you must have been a MacRumors member for at least 180 days (about 6 months).

 

[Kirkland]

I talked to an online Apple sales rep and was told I could not swap my blue sport band for a black one. I tried again by calling Apple support and had no issues so it really is hit or miss.

The process is that they make a new order for a new band, you get charged when it ships. And they also send you a mailing return label to send back your old watch band for a refund. In my case it has a deadline of May 12. If I don't get the black band before the 12th I'll be calling them back.

 

[Cutiekitty92]

My apple chat just now

can I ask, if I stick to my order of the brown whats the time frame I can exchange a band?

I would really like the pink over the brown

You can contact us within 14 days of receiving the Watch and we can organise a exchange, this can only happen once per device.

The only issue with this is they need to be straps from the same collection, so you can only exchange for Watch straps available for the Stainless Steel Apple Watches.

thats fine both are modern buckles

Thats great then!

but the pink has a july time frame?

You would be able to keep your brown strap until the new one is dispatched.

I wouldnt be able to use it though is that right

Not at all, you are fine to use it!

oh really?!

will I be able to request this swap now?

because I wont be charged for the band until it is dispatched right?

Unfortunately not, to swap at this joint would mean cancelling the open status order and placing a new one.

point*

oh right I see so I have to wait till I actually have the watch and then request?

Yes, the new band would have priority shipping for the exchange, but placing a new order would mean you would be expected on or before July.

I see so yes it makes sense to wait with this order and then exchange I am happy with my current time frame so wouldn't cancel my order

We are working to fulfil orders as quickly as possible, based on available supply of specific models of the Apple Watch and the order in which they were received. So if we can ship sooner we will do everything we can but its not guaranteed.

 

[seatton]

The issue with swapping in store is sku/tax issues. Online purchases are subject to different tax rates etc complicating things for apple.

I love that you have some insightful info to those who want to complain Apple should also offer that in store.

 

[mark-in-mk]

I love that you have some insightful info to those who want to complain Apple should also offer that in store.

Not in the UK. Still the same bumpy process

 

[ohwevad]

Does this mean you can swap down and be refunded for the difference (within the same watch model).

E.g. I have a 38mm SS with Classic Buckle. Can I swap for sport band and be refunded the $100 difference?

I asked this specific question over chat and was told yes, I would be refunded on the card I used to pay for the watch. Recommend you obtain your own confirmation over chat.

 

[daijholt]

Apple chat told me this morning that all band exchanges have to go through the over the phone support team. Called them up and they were happy to start a swap, but as an earlier post mentions, they are basically billing you for the new one when it ships, and refund you for the old one when you send it back.

I'm hoping the classic buckle ships quickly, considering the watch + band is showing 2-3 week dispatch on the UK store.

 

[Cutiekitty92]

Apple chat told me this morning that all band exchanges have to go through the over the phone support team. Called them up and they were happy to start a swap, but as an earlier post mentions, they are basically billing you for the new one when it ships, and refund you for the old one when you send it back.

I'm hoping the classic buckle ships quickly, considering the watch + band is showing 2-3 week dispatch on the UK store.

Currently no movement on this watch though, my modern buckle is due 12th may but tbh I really want a milanese loop so whichever comes to me first I will swap anyway!

 

[daijholt]

Good news everyone...

Called apple to process an exchange yesterday morning, elected to order the 38mm classic leather buckle and return my Milanese loop. They advised it would dispatch within 2-3 weeks.

Had an email an hour ago telling me it's on it's way already.

Seems they're being very VERY conservative with delivery estimates.

 

[Cutiekitty92]

Good news everyone...

Called apple to process an exchange yesterday morning, elected to order the 38mm classic leather buckle and return my Milanese loop. They advised it would dispatch within 2-3 weeks.

Had an email an hour ago telling me it's on it's way already.

Seems they're being very VERY conservative with delivery estimates.

Thats brilliant, I have a soon on its way classic buckle too! got my email tonight, may I ask what made you change your mind on a milanese?

 

[daijholt]

Thats brilliant, I have a soon on its way classic buckle too! got my email tonight, may I ask what made you change your mind on a milanese?

I work as a technician so I'm constantly fiddling with computers, lifting base units, and generally getting down and dusty. Throughout my day (along with all the tensing and contracting that goes on with our wrists anyway) the Milanese loop would just loosen by a few mm very few hours, meaning I'd have to readjust it multiple times. If I didn't, i would find the heart rate sensor missing an hour's worth of readings In the middle.

Genuinely nothing but a minor inconvenience on my part, and otherwise it's a stunning band. I'd even call it the best looking band of them all, but it just isn't quite as functional for my daily habits as i would like.

Ironically, all my colleagues told me to buy the classic buckle in the first place haha. Maybe they just knew!

 

[Cutiekitty92]

I work as a technician so I'm constantly fiddling with computers, lifting base units, and generally getting down and dusty. Throughout my day (along with all the tensing and contracting that goes on with our wrists anyway) the Milanese loop would just loosen by a few mm very few hours, meaning I'd have to readjust it multiple times. If I didn't, i would find the heart rate sensor missing an hour's worth of readings In the middle.

Genuinely nothing but a minor inconvenience on my part, and otherwise it's a stunning band. I'd even call it the best looking band of them all, but it just isn't quite as functional for my daily habits as i would like.

Ironically, all my colleagues told me to buy the classic buckle in the first place haha. Maybe they just knew!

Ahhh See I'm changing my classic for a milanese when I get it! (originally ordered a modern buckle)

 

[daijholt]

Ahhh See I'm changing my classic for a milanese when I get it! (originally ordered a modern buckle)

I do love the Milanese, it's unlike any other watch band I've ever worn. I'm fooling myself if I say I won't probably buy one anyway later in the year for extra special occasions, but it's classic buckle for me until then!

 

[Cutiekitty92]

I do love the Milanese, it's unlike any other watch band I've ever worn. I'm fooling myself if I say I won't probably buy one anyway later in the year for extra special occasions, but it's classic buckle for me until then!

I just fell in love with it

 

[Phillybizzle]

I'm going to go all out for this, really want a classic buckle. I just spoke to online support who referred me to sales. I'll ring tomorrow when they're open.