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UK iPad return for refund

C

codenewbie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 11, 2009
11
0
Looking for advice on best way to get refund on iPad.

Bought wifi only mid-June. At first was ok and the whole family loved it. However since then occasional wifi dropouts have turned to regular and persistent. Took to Apple store yesterday and 'genius' did not seem to believe me at first since typically it worked in store (suspect they have an infallible router). Fortunately I had taken a video of it side by side with my IPhone 4 and it clearly showed both on same network and IPhone working perfectly with iPad just hanging. Having seen this he agreed to swap for a replacement (think this is a refurb rather than new as has an AK rather than GB serial number).

Got home last night all ok. Tried to use today and exactly same problem. iPad cannot connect and both IPhones are fine.

Not interested in another replacement as sure it will have same problem. Suspect the problem is my ageing router (only b/g rather than n) but if iPad needs a partiular type it should state so.

What are my chances of getting a refund? As far as I am concerned I am returning as not fit for purpose under sale of goods act.

Also cannot get a 'genius' appointment until Friday (shop was packed with others with wifi issues on iPad and iPhone). However, don't want to see a genius as not interested in either a fix or a swap.

I know Apples policy is refund within 14 days only but they have to comply with sale of goods act whether they like it or not.

Anyone else managed to get a refund yet?

Thanks in advance.
 
You should be able to get a refund but it probably would be classified as fit for purpose.
 
Thanks. Got my fingers crossed.

Not arguing with you as appreciate you responding, but you really think fit for purpose? Since it is wifi only one of the only real ways of consuming data doesn't work on 2 in a row?

Maybe not the argument for me to make if you think it is fit.
 
You could certainly try and make the argument. Your argument would be that for a moderately expensive item you'd expect it to be of such quality that it could be used without disruptions to WiFi. If the problem is something on your end though the iPad would still be fit for purpose because it may be unreasonable to expect it to work flawlessly with a flawed router.

I presume you've updated the iPad software to the most recent?
 
Yes, got the recent update although in our experience this made things worse.

Get your point on the router but IPhones work fine. Maybe need to upgrade router but did not expect to need to spend more money when the item itself was £500.

Fingers crossed. Thanks for responding.
 
codenewbie said:
Looking for advice on best way to get refund on iPad.

Bought wifi only mid-June. At first was ok and the whole family loved it. However since then occasional wifi dropouts have turned to regular and persistent. Took to Apple store yesterday and 'genius' did not seem to believe me at first since typically it worked in store (suspect they have an infallible router). Fortunately I had taken a video of it side by side with my IPhone 4 and it clearly showed both on same network and IPhone working perfectly with iPad just hanging. Having seen this he agreed to swap for a replacement (think this is a refurb rather than new as has an AK rather than GB serial number).

Got home last night all ok. Tried to use today and exactly same problem. iPad cannot connect and both IPhones are fine.

Not interested in another replacement as sure it will have same problem. Suspect the problem is my ageing router (only b/g rather than n) but if iPad needs a partiular type it should state so.

What are my chances of getting a refund? As far as I am concerned I am returning as not fit for purpose under sale of goods act.

Also cannot get a 'genius' appointment until Friday (shop was packed with others with wifi issues on iPad and iPhone). However, don't want to see a genius as not interested in either a fix or a swap.

I know Apples policy is refund within 14 days only but they have to comply with sale of goods act whether they like it or not.

Anyone else managed to get a refund yet?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Why not get a new and up to date router? it seems ridiculous that you would blame the iPad when you admit you have an old and unreliable router. G routers are out of Date for awhile now and it really isn't too expensive to upgrade to a better one. Then you can use your ipad for what you intended it for.
 
I had a similar problem when I was using my iPhone with 3.x, It would drop the connection with my router (Draytek 2820n).

When I updated to 4.0 the problem disappeared. The problem is not on your router if every pc/gadget can connect without any problem. It's the iPad that have the problem.

I heard some wifi chip's of some routers might have trouble connecting to some devices, this could be the issue.

If you want a cheap solution, just replace the router, it should connect ok...
 
Thanks all.

Understand your point on the router. Only reason I disagree is that every other device we have including 3 IPhone 4's work fine so something must also be awry with the iPad.
 
Thanks all.

Understand your point on the router. Only reason I disagree is that every other device we have including 3 IPhone 4's work fine so something must also be awry with the iPad.
 
Thanks tullpone.

Not sure what I would restore as only had the new one for 24 hours. You said they were going to turn you away. Did you manage to get a refund? If so, was it hard work?
 
Don't want a product that doesn't do what it is designed and specified to do. Was hoping the replacement I got would resolve. Do not want a product that works when it chooses to or requires me to change my router when the specs say it should work.

I know 14 days is the Apple refund policy. But that does not supersede UK law.

Hope they don't argue too much. Have been a Mac user at home for many years now and early adopter of most products. So although I'm sure they can live without one more customer I will be disappointed.
 
codenewbie said:
Don't want a product that doesn't do what it is designed and specified to do. Was hoping the replacement I got would resolve. Do not want a product that works when it chooses to or requires me to change my router when the specs say it should work.

I know 14 days is the Apple refund policy. But that does not supersede UK law.

Hope they don't argue too much. Have been a Mac user at home for many years now and early adopter of most products. So although I'm sure they can live without one more customer I will be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Given the number of people, like me, who are running iPads just fine on more modern routers I don't think you can say it is not fit for purpose. Apple could counter any potential legal challenge with stories of millions of satisfied customers. If you want the iPad then get a new router. If you are having buyers remorse then accept that and either accept the restocking charge or sell it on ebay. Or, ask Apple nicely to take it back and see what happens but the words, "not fit for purpose" will burn this particular bridge for certain.

Good luck,
Craig.
 
codenewbie said:
Thanks all.

Understand your point on the router. Only reason I disagree is that every other device we have including 3 IPhone 4's work fine so something must also be awry with the iPad.
Click to expand...

I really would try searching for any of the numerous threads about router settings & the ipad. I have an old WRT54G and its fine once I made the right settings.

Saying "everything else works" isn't a valid argument. My brother has 4 wifi devices working fine, bought a brand new laptop ad it wouldn't connect. He searched for optimum settings and now it's all fine.

Just google your router + ipad + settings. Surely it has to be worth a try rather than lose out on the ipad?
 
craig1410 said:
Given the number of people, like me, who are running iPads just fine on more modern routers I don't think you can say it is not fit for purpose. Apple could counter any potential legal challenge with stories of millions of satisfied customers. If you want the iPad then get a new router. If you are having buyers remorse then accept that and either accept the restocking charge or sell it on ebay. Or, ask Apple nicely to take it back and see what happens but the words, "not fit for purpose" will burn this particular bridge for certain.

Good luck,
Craig.
Click to expand...

No the fit for purpose test would be applied against the particular iPad he purchased. Whether other ipads exhibit the same problems is irrelevant.
 
Thanks all.

Have just arranged for Sky to send me a replacement router and will see how I go.

No buyers remorse. Just want it to work. With regards to router settings will have a go if this doesn't improve things but a major selling point of apple products is that they just work.

Not all users would be confident changing router settings.

Appreciate all the replies. More inclined to try to fix the problem than go for refund given success of some in resolving.
 
codenewbie said:
Thanks all.

Have just arranged for Sky to send me a replacement router and will see how I go.

No buyers remorse. Just want it to work. With regards to router settings will have a go if this doesn't improve things but a major selling point of apple products is that they just work.

Not all users would be confident changing router settings.

Appreciate all the replies. More inclined to try to fix the problem than go for refund given success of some in resolving.
Click to expand...

You have my sympathy. I had horrible problems with the WiFi on my iPad and was just about to ask for a replacement when the iOS update came out and, luckily for me, that has fixed my issues. It would appear that you haven't been so lucky.

One thought occurs to me. Doesn't the Apple warranty include free telephone tech support for the first 90 days? If you still have problems with the new router then it might be a good idea to open a support ticket with Apple. If they fix the issue for you then great but I'm also thinking that, if at the end of it you still can't get it working (with one of the most widely-used routers in the UK - I assume you're talking Murdoch's outfit here when you say "Sky"), then at least you have an official record of the steps that Apple took in trying and failing to get your iPad working and it seems to me that this would strengthen your claim for a refund on an "it just doesn't work basis". You'd be able to clearly show that even Apple tech support couldn't get it working.

By the way, if I'm right that codenewbie is talking about Sky Broadcasting Corporation then I think that people here should stop blaming the router. Sky is one of the biggest, if not the biggest ISP in the UK and they have over 2.5 million subscribers so there are literally millions of this exact router configuration in the UK (Sky doesn't allow a user's own router to be used by not giving out the WAN connection details). It is inconcievable that Apple could ship the iPad into the UK market if there is a known issue with the Sky router.

I'm on Sky by the way although my iPad actually connects to a different router since I have multiple subnets on my network.

- Julian
 
pondie84 said:
No the fit for purpose test would be applied against the particular iPad he purchased. Whether other ipads exhibit the same problems is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Yes I realise that but it seems unlikely that a replacement iPad would exhibit the exact same problem despite the fact they work just fine in the Apple store. How many times do Apple need to replace his iPad before you conclude it is the router or perhaps some sort of interference in his home which is causing the problem?

I think under the circumstance given, Apple's legal team would tear him apart if he tried to suggest his iPad(s) were all unfit for purpose.

I believe he should get a new router (not a bad idea anyway and I see he's doing that now) and then see what that yields. If he still has problems then he should ask nicely for his money back and be prepared to accept a restocking fee. Otherwise he should sell it privately as there will be no shortage of buyers.
 
Undoubtedly I would have a tough time against the Apple legal machine but they have better things to do than fight a single consumer on what to them is such a small issue.

New router not yet arrived. If it still doesn't work will be going back to Apple at weekend.

In my experience they tend to listen more in a busy store at peak times. Sure they can be persuaded just to get rid of me.

However sincerely hope doesn't come to that. Love the device. Just want it to work.
 
codenewbie said:
Undoubtedly I would have a tough time against the Apple legal machine but they have better things to do than fight a single consumer on what to them is such a small issue.

New router not yet arrived. If it still doesn't work will be going back to Apple at weekend.

In my experience they tend to listen more in a busy store at peak times. Sure they can be persuaded just to get rid of me.

However sincerely hope doesn't come to that. Love the device. Just want it to work.
Click to expand...

I hear you.
Hopefully your new router will solve the problem but if not then come back on here and give us a chance to help you out. My iPad works great on every router I've tried it with. That's at least 5 routers at different addresses so far. My home router is an Apple time capsule but other routers were a variety of non apple ones.

Good luck!
:)
 
Another thing to try

Another thing to try is to change the channel the router is on in the router setup menu. Sometimes that resolves wireless networking issues.
 
You'd be better off bitching to Sky about the router, it must be years old if its only b/g, the iPad has a b/g/n radio

What encryption do you have on your wireless network ?

Have you tried updating the firmware on the router ?

FWIW I've not had a single wireless problem with my iPad since the firmware update.
 
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