Going on 40 hours here and still nothing. Submitted the first time right when it went online and wasn't asked for any proof of purchase. Resubmitted today hoping that submitting proof would maybe speed it up. Received the message of serial already used by bypassed it. Still nothing. Called Apple and they said my first was approved and they'd resend it...still nothing.
In my opinion, this is crappy Apple service. They should have completed this process the week prior if they were going to do the manual method. However, I still don't get how it's not automated. Obviously their system does tracked serial numbers so any mid-2012 Mac purchased from now till August 26 should be guaranteed to get it. After August 26, then they can do the manual process to see when it was purchased.
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^ yeah but there would be people who would get s/n from apple stores and stuff, or try and get a code from someone else's machine and what not... if they automatically let any s/n for rMBP through, there would be instances where it shouldn't have been given.
How? Stores should know what their display models are so you go in the system and make all those exempt. Using a code from someone else's machine should happen because they should only allow each code once.
There's no excuse this can't be automated. Doing it manual doesn't stop any of the things you mention possibly happening from happening. Heck, the Best Buy receipt I sent in doesn't have the S/N listed and doesn't have the correct specs on it. The only thing that hints I bought a 2012 is the model number. I could pass that receipt around to everyone yet mine has been approved for over a day but I still haven't received the email.