Cust Serv nice?
I returned the 1st macbook pro to the apple store where I bought it. It had a warped case (actual protrusion by superdrive), the 1/3 yellow tinge and a VERY loose battery. After 15 minutes they decided to exchange for me, but he said he was only doing it because of the case problem.
2nd one he gave me had a cut seal, with a new seal taped over it on the box. I asked if it was a return and he said NO. I take it home and when I opened the box, the cloth that the MBP was in was WET. YES, WET. My buddy was there and were were freaking out as to why it would be wet. I took the MBP out and the top of the case was wet with water drops in it. Why, I have no idea.
I opened it and it had a smudge on the screen. Looks like a return to me I said, but as long as it was fine, no problem. I noticed it did not shut very well, much looser than #1. The screen had a yellow tinge but not as bad as #1. I was going to keep it until it froze and went to a black screen with text scrolling.
It took me 20 minutes to get it to boot up after several restart attempts. WHen I did get it, I reformatted and reinstalled everything. Next morning my return key fell off out of the blue. Put it back on and it fell off 20 min later. Froze up again and went to the black screen. I decided to pack it up ad take it back once more.
Keep in mind, over the past 7 years I have bought maybe 20 macs, and about 10 from this store. Powerbooks, Ibooks, Imacs, Powermacs, macbooks and macbook pros.
They know me there.
WHen I returned my 2nd macbook pro 2.4, the manager did NOT want to exchange it. He said he couldn't replicate the black screen problem. Blamed it on my "environment" whatever that meant, and suggested I make an apt for 48 hours later to get it looked at. I informed him I was in day 2 of my 14 day exchange/return privelage and he got defensive "Im here to help you man, relax" - "how can I replicate this problem?"
I told him I had no idea as it was random both times. The return key was put back on again by him as well. Also informed him of the double seal on the package and he said it could not of been a return. BS.
After 15 minutes I demanded an exchange and said it would not be "looked at"
he went back and got another one and had a not so happy look on his face. He processed the transaction and told me if #3 was defective there would be no exchange - only a genius appt to repair it. I once again informed him I would be in my 14 days and if it had defects within that 14 days it is not a reapir issue but a return issue. I told him I would take a refund if #3 was bad. He just looked at me and didnt say a word.
I walked out feeling tired and bitter. It was not a pleasant experience and I am sure they are trained to make you feel bad for returning a defective item. Its ridiculous.
So far #3 is great but if it has any problems in the next 14 days, I will take it back and get my refund and find a 2.33 from the last gen (I had one and it was perfect)
Anyway, the Apple store is cool, and I love Apple products but they are not so nice when you want to return something. They do try to get out of it.
Also, when I returned #2, there were FOUR others in line returning defective MBP's and a defect on the counter. Says something right there.
Good luck.
