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Will the Apple store take back my phone?

C

Chris Welch

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 28, 2007
308
0
New York
I was with family for the July 4th weekend, and naturally lots of people wanted to see the new phone. :)

Unfortunately, at one point the iPhone took a pretty bad fall onto concrete. It still works perfectly well, but there are a couple pretty deep scratches/marks.

I'm wondering if I'm able to return the phone, seeing as how it's still within the 14-day period.. and get another. I'm perfectly willing to pay the restocking fee. But I feel terrible, since I wasn't even the one who dropped it! :(

Naturally, no one but myself will be holding the phone from here on out.

But does anyone think I'll have a problem returning it? As I said, it still works beautifully, just with a few scuff/scratch marks.

I would think that's what the restocking fee is FOR. So they can send it back to Cupertino or wherever and just have them toss a new aluminum back on the thing.
 
There's absolutely no way they will give you a new one for a damaged one. The retocking fee is because when they take back a (undamaged) unit, they can't sell it as new; it has to be sold as a "refreshed" item. You pay the difference for their loss.

The restock is not to make something sellable again because of carelessness.

Sorry about your luck. It's yours. Just pop a sleeve on it and get on with it. ;)
 
Chris Welch said:
I was with family for the July 4th weekend, and naturally lots of people wanted to see the new phone. :)

Unfortunately, at one point the iPhone took a pretty bad fall onto concrete. It still works perfectly well, but there are a couple pretty deep scratches/marks.

I'm wondering if I'm able to return the phone, seeing as how it's still within the 14-day period.. and get another. I'm perfectly willing to pay the restocking fee. But I feel terrible, since I wasn't even the one who dropped it! :(

Naturally, no one but myself will be holding the phone from here on out.

But does anyone think I'll have a problem returning it? As I said, it still works beautifully, just with a few scuff/scratch marks.

I would think that's what the restocking fee is FOR. So they can send it back to Cupertino or wherever and just have them toss a new aluminum back on the thing.
Click to expand...

Wow that really stinks... But I don't see why they shouldn't "let" you return it. I mean if they're keeping your $60, what do they care as long as the phone still works... Can't hurt to try. sorry bout the phone though!
 
I was wondering the same thing. My iphone isn't damaged or anything like that, but I somehow lost the box top. Do you think they will take it back with out the top of the box?
 
Chris Welch said:
I would think that's what the restocking fee is FOR. So they can send it back to Cupertino or wherever and just have them toss a new aluminum back on the thing.
Click to expand...

Yeah oddly enough, the restocking fee is for RESTOCKING, not for the damage you inflicted upon your iPhone. If you think the damage is just "a few scuff/scratch marks", then keep the phone. If you think it's so bad that you shouldn't keep the phone, then why should Apple have to pay for that?
 
FreeState said:
Apple didn't drop it either.

Can I bring my car back? It got keyed within a week of me owning it ? :D
Click to expand...

ok ok, but Apple's return policy just states that within 14 days you can return a product with the 10% restocking fee as long as ALL original pieces are there (hmm I think that would include box tops, but...). Legally, I think he can return it. Morally, well, that's up to him...
 
I think I might at least give it a shot.

I don't consider it "damaged" seeing as how the product still works flawlessly.

And I see nothing in the return policy about excluding products that show any physical signs of wear, which is basically what a scratch is.

I mean think about the iPod. You're telling me that Apple wouldnt except a returned iPod if it had any scratches or marks on that terrible mirror-like back surface?
 
There are other threads re "I hurt my phone...can I return it".
Restocking fee is for restocking, not repairing.

Though other places say that there is no return if the item is not in "like new" condition, I haven't read that in regards to the iPhone. I would guess that it's just implied as it's pretty much SOP with returns anywhere.

Personally, I hope that they don't accept the returns. I'm a stockholder....

I feel for all those out there with damaged phones but it's a fact of life.
Really...I f e e l the pain - I'm clumsy but I think the iPhone is teaching me new, better habits - like slowing down.
 
Tough situation.

I would call 1800MYAPPLE and see what they say if the Store doesn't take it back.

Maybe come up with some excuses or something.
 
Chris Welch said:
I don't consider it "damaged" seeing as how the product still works flawlessly.
Click to expand...

Then why are you returning it?

Chris Welch said:
I mean think about the iPod. You're telling me that Apple wouldnt except a returned iPod if it had any scratches or marks on that terrible mirror-like back surface?
Click to expand...

I'm telling you that I hope Apple tell you to grow up and not think about returning an "undamaged" iPhone because it's been damaged. By you.
 
What kind of a group is this? This is not a time for mincing words, nor tip-toe'ing around.

NO, Welch and Pianos, you cannot give back a damaged unit and expect a refund. Why would you even think such a thing? What planet are you kids from? What kind of parents did you have?

You break it, or you scratch it, you keep it. That's why you're supposed take care of things.

For shame.
 
kdarling said:
What planet are you kids from? What kind of parents did you have?


For shame.
Click to expand...

Welllll a number of years ago I was using my video camera pretty (read: too) close to the Jurassic Park ride at Universal in LA and it kind of got drenched... So when we got home we (as in my parents and I, I was about 15 at the time) went to Best Buy, bought the same model, put the "wet" one back in the box and returned it. We also kept the BB gift card that came with.... Needless to say this was before restocking fees... I know I'm gonna hear it for that one...
 
kdarling said:
What kind of a group is this? This is not a time for mincing words, nor tip-toe'ing around.

NO, Welch and Pianos, you cannot give back a damaged unit and expect a refund. Why would you even think such a thing? What planet are you kids from? What kind of parents did you have?

You break it, or you scratch it, you keep it. That's why you're supposed take care of things.

For shame.
Click to expand...

:confused:

Some folks here have some issues.

Like I said, you honestly think no one has ever returned an iPod with scratches on the back? And the consumer should take responsibility? :p The iPod has a design flaw that Apple is still unwilling to change. Hopefully the next revision finally will.

Granted, the iPhone is a different scenario, but its still the same concept.

I don't find it immoral, either. I mean Jesus... I'm getting a new one! It's not like I'm returning it entirely and putting my local Apple store $600 in the red for the day.
 
kdarling said:
NO, Welch and Pianos, you cannot give back a damaged unit and expect a refund. Why would you even think such a thing? What planet are you kids from? What kind of parents did you have?
Click to expand...

Apple replaces (for free) the damaged unit with a new one, or at least, that was the case for the first few days after the iPhone launch.

For more than one person at more than one apple store too.
 
I know that you feel bad b/c your brand new iphone is damaged, but you really should be keeping it b/c YOU (or your friend) damaged it. Why should Apple be asked to take back the defective unit and sell you a new one? Really, that is just not fair. And I think the poster probably realizes that too, although I can understand why he would want to return it. And if you don't consider it damaged, and it is working fine, then why would you want to return it at all?

I would either do as my fellow poster above suggested, which is get a case and deal with it, or pay to get a new screen installed and keep the phone.
 
Chris Welch said:
:confused:

Some folks here have some serious issues.

Like I said, you honestly think no one has ever returned an iPod with scratches on the back?
Click to expand...

You're confused by the fact that we're disapproving of your ethically dubious proposal to make Apple pay for the damage you inflicted upon your iPhone?

It's easy to make your first concern be whether Apple will give in to your kvetching to keep you a customer, since you've obviously already stepped around the ethical concern of taking responsibility for your actions.
 
neven said:
You're confused by the fact that we're disapproving of your ethically dubious proposal to make Apple pay for the damage you inflicted upon your iPhone?

It's easy to make your first concern be whether Apple will give in to your kvetching to keep you a customer, since you've obviously already stepped around the ethical concern of taking responsibility for your actions.
Click to expand...

Honestly, how much do you think it would cost Apple to replace the aluminum backing on ONE iPhone? $5? $10?

I think some of you are far too protective of this company.
 
Chris Welch said:
And the consumer should take responsibility? :p The iPod has a design flaw that Apple is still unwilling to change.
Click to expand...

Yes, the consumer should take the responsibility. Duh. And there will never be a usable scratch-proof device of any sort, ever.

Chris Welch said:
I don't find it immoral, either. I mean Jesus... I'm getting a new one! It's not like I'm returning it entirely and putting my local Apple store $600 in the red for the day.
Click to expand...

No, you are costing Apple the value of one new iPhone back piece and the installation of it. Where do you draw your line on costing others money? $5? $10? $50?
 
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