iPod Touch 3g return nonsense

[icedbullet]

Ok, a lot of people disagree with my arguments. That's fine you are all entitled to your opinions. I however, do not agree with this brown box practice no matter what maybe in apples terms and conditions. As a customer I expect a Like-for-like swap, in this case a brand new iPod in exchange for my iPod which I bought brand new and was only 3 months old. If my iPod had been damaged by my own actions then yes I wouldn't be demanding a brand new replacement and would accept a brown boxed unit. The fact is that my iPod suffered from a manufacturers defect which begs the question of why on earth why should I accept a replacement with recycled parts in it? To me it seems ridiculous, if some of you would accept that then that is your issue. I got what I wanted...a brand new iPod and I will go there and demand the exact same thing or a full refund if this iPod suffers from a manufacturers defect.

 

[FreeStream]

Ok, a lot of people disagree with my arguments. That's fine you are all entitled to your opinions. I however, do not agree with this brown box practice no matter what maybe in apples terms and conditions. As a customer I expect a Like-for-like swap, in this case a brand new iPod in exchange for my iPod which I bought brand new and was only 3 months old. If my iPod had been damaged by my own actions then yes I wouldn't be demanding a brand new replacement and would accept a brown boxed unit. The fact is that my iPod suffered from a manufacturers defect which begs the question of why on earth why should I accept a replacement with recycled parts in it? To me it seems ridiculous, if some of you would accept that then that is your issue. I got what I wanted...a brand new iPod and I will go there and demand the exact same thing or a full refund if this iPod suffers from a manufacturers defect.

Replacement parts that work, and this is the crucial bit, the same or even BETTER than the one it replaced?

3 month old, however good condition it is in, is used. Refurbed are essentially "new" except with parts that may or may not have been used before, ironically perhaps the next guy to have a replacement iPod would have parts out of *your* phone.

Resale value = not affected
Exterior condition = the same if not better than before.

The problem? Absolutely none that I can see.

Do you bother recycling? Because it basically boils down to the same principle. Should apple chuck every working component out from returned machines? No don't be ridiculous!

 

[cee-S-dee]

They do it for turn around time though. They could just take the unit off you and repair it, but you could be without it for upto 28 days, thats why the brown box process is in place. All the cosmetics will be new and the screen/digitizer. Its usually the board that is only re-used and camera system connector etc.

I can't remeber exactly how many we swap out a day.. something like 200. Can you imagine how much it would cost to hold onto 1000 brand new units a week.

I only thought a new swap was prossible if the item is under 14 days.

 

[box]

Ok, a lot of people disagree with my arguments. That's fine you are all entitled to your opinions. I however, do not agree with this brown box practice no matter what maybe in apples terms and conditions. As a customer I expect a Like-for-like swap, in this case a brand new iPod in exchange for my iPod which I bought brand new and was only 3 months old. If my iPod had been damaged by my own actions then yes I wouldn't be demanding a brand new replacement and would accept a brown boxed unit. The fact is that my iPod suffered from a manufacturers defect which begs the question of why on earth why should I accept a replacement with recycled parts in it? To me it seems ridiculous, if some of you would accept that then that is your issue. I got what I wanted...a brand new iPod and I will go there and demand the exact same thing or a full refund if this iPod suffers from a manufacturers defect.

To be honest mate a 'like-for-like swap', as you put it, would mean you getting a 3-month old replacement. So in all fairness, you're actually coming out of this pretty well off. Yes, we all have our opinions. However, in view of the terms and conditions in place, yours is unfortunately wrong. And yes, so you might be prepared to go back into the store tomorrow and do exactly the same, but since you hopefully now know the terms, this really amounts to no more than being a public nuisance.

Apple have these procedures in place for a reason. As has been mentioned, it reduces turnaround time on repair/replacements. It is also much more economical. And the long-term end result of this is that you save money when buying your iPod. So I suggest you put this apparent snobbery of yours aside and just enjoy the iPod you've managed to wrangle.

By the way, are you actually suggesting that you'd expect a refurbished replacement having damaged the iPod yourself?

 

[icedbullet]

Replacement parts that work, and this is the crucial bit, the same or even BETTER than the one it replaced?

3 month old, however good condition it is in, is used. Refurbed are essentially "new" except with parts that may or may not have been used before, ironically perhaps the next guy to have a replacement iPod would have parts out of *your* phone.

Resale value = not affected
Exterior condition = the same if not better than before.

The problem? Absolutely none that I can see.

Do you bother recycling? Because it basically boils down to the same principle. Should apple chuck every working component out from returned machines? No don't be ridiculous!

Why don't Apple simply create a line of refurbished iPods out of the fully functioning spares and sell them as a discounted "refurbished" item on their website (as I have seen them do with some items). This seems economical to me...but then they wouldn't be saving money on all of those returns now would they?

They do it for turn around time though. They could just take the unit off you and repair it, but you could be without it for upto 28 days, thats why the brown box process is in place. All the cosmetics will be new and the screen/digitizer. Its usually the board that is only re-used and camera system connector etc.

I can't remeber exactly how many we swap out a day.. something like 200. Can you imagine how much it would cost to hold onto 1000 brand new units a week.

I only thought a new swap was prossible if the item is under 14 days.

TBH I couldn't care less about their company procedure or their turn-around times. I'm a paying customer, I'm not here to accept recycled items to "help" them.

To be honest mate a 'like-for-like swap', as you put it, would mean you getting a 3-month old replacement. So in all fairness, you're actually coming out of this pretty well off. Yes, we all have our opinions. However, in view of the terms and conditions in place, yours is unfortunately wrong. And yes, so you might be prepared to go back into the store tomorrow and do exactly the same, but since you hopefully now know the terms, this really amounts to no more than being a public nuisance.

Apple have these procedures in place for a reason. As has been mentioned, it reduces turnaround time on repair/replacements. It is also much more economical. And the long-term end result of this is that you save money when buying your iPod. So I suggest you put this apparent snobbery of yours aside and just enjoy the iPod you've managed to wrangle.

By the way, are you actually suggesting that you'd expect a refurbished replacement having damaged the iPod yourself?

I would hardly class Apples products as cheap my friend. I paid £234 for my 32GB iPod Touch and to me that is a lot of money. This is why I was so insistent on getting a replacement that I was happy with, not something apple could simply "get-away" with palming off on me. It is not snobbery, I am the customer it is up to Apple to keep me coming back to them for products and to keep me happy, I am not here to please them or make their life or turn around times easier. I am enjoying my new iPod very much, hopefully this one won't go wrong but as I said, if it does go wrong then I guess I will be becoming a "public nuisance" again as you call it

 

[ps3ud0]

Ok, a lot of people disagree with my arguments. That's fine you are all entitled to your opinions. I however, do not agree with this brown box practice no matter what maybe in apples terms and conditions. As a customer I expect a Like-for-like swap, in this case a brand new iPod in exchange for my iPod which I bought brand new and was only 3 months old. If my iPod had been damaged by my own actions then yes I wouldn't be demanding a brand new replacement and would accept a brown boxed unit. The fact is that my iPod suffered from a manufacturers defect which begs the question of why on earth why should I accept a replacement with recycled parts in it? To me it seems ridiculous, if some of you would accept that then that is your issue. I got what I wanted...a brand new iPod and I will go there and demand the exact same thing or a full refund if this iPod suffers from a manufacturers defect.

Though you may not agree with the T&Cs/warranty conditions you fully accepted them when you bought the product, opened the box and starting using it. If you werent happy with them then you should have returned the product...

No one with any idea of consumer law will think what you did was your legal right whatever your expectations were...

ps3ud0

 

[icedbullet]

Though you may not agree with the T&Cs/warranty conditions you fully accepted them when you bought the product, open the box and starting using it. If you werent happy with them then you should have returned the product...

No one with any idea of consumer law will think what you did was your legal right...

ps3ud0

Well when I asked for a full refund I was told I was not entitled to one. That seemed very odd to me, this made me push even harder to get a brand new replacement. Even if it had been 3 months and the iPod had developed a defect which was not my fault, surely I was entitled to the refund I asked for based on the fact I was not happy with the quality of the product or the service I was receiving?

EDIT: I read this from here as I am unsure whether Apple had the right to decline my right to a refund and apparently according to this article I was entitled to my refund

2. Faulty goods -

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 any item you purchase from a retailer should be as described, of a satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. This means that if a product turns out to be damaged or faulty at the time of sale, or if a fault emerges over time, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement from the retailer.

It's worth bearing in mind that when you return an item the retailer is likely to ask for proof of purchase. While the most ideal proof of purchase is your receipt, if you don't have this, a credit card statement or cheque stub for the sale may also be accepted.

If you return an item as faulty within 6 months of purchase then the onus is on the retailer to prove otherwise. However, after 6 months the liability shifts and you will need to prove that the fault was present at the time of sale before a refund will be granted.

I had my receipt and as stated the fault developed within 3 months of purchase. The guy at the genius bar even admitted it was a manufacturers fault.

 

[Luxor]

Well when I asked for a full refund I was told I was not entitled to one. That seemed very odd to me, this made me push even harder to get a brand new replacement. Even if it had been 3 months and the iPod had developed a defect which was not my fault, surely I was entitled to the refund I asked for based on the fact I was not happy with the quality of the product or the service I was receiving?

Nope.

Returns
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return the product with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of purchase...

That is from the Apple Store UK return terms when you bought the iPod.

Three months is not 14 days.

 

[icedbullet]

Nope.

Returns
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return the product with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of purchase...

That is from the Apple Store UK return terms when you bought the iPod.

Three months is not 14 days.

I was satisfied with my purchase until it developed the fault 3 months later. How is that my fault? Is it really fair to be refused a refund because they have put in their terms and conditions I should act within 14 days....maybe I needed a flux capacitor/delorean to get my refund?

 

[FreeStream]

I was satisfied with my purchase until it developed the fault 3 months later. How is that my fault? Is it really fair to be refused a refund because they have put in their terms and conditions I should act within 14 days....maybe I needed a flux capacitor/delorean to get my refund?

You agreed to those terms and conditions when you bought the iPod.

I don't see where this is apples fault?

 

[Deleted member 651465]

Refurbished units are usually units that have been returned, opened and gutted.

In essence the insides are new because they come fresh, and in some cases they'll replace the display assembly if there are marks. The result? A device that looks like a brand new unit, but they cannot legally sell as "new".

I'd be miffed if the same happened, but you sound like you took it too far.

 

[box]

Why don't Apple simply create a line of refurbished iPods out of the fully functioning spares and sell them as a discounted "refurbished" item on their website (as I have seen them do with some items). This seems economical to me...but then they wouldn't be saving money on all of those returns now would they?

They do, here.

I would hardly class Apples products as cheap my friend. I paid £234 for my 32GB iPod Touch and to me that is a lot of money. This is why I was so insistent on getting a replacement that I was happy with, not something apple could simply "get-away" with palming off on me. It is not snobbery, I am the customer it is up to Apple to keep me coming back to them for products and to keep me happy, I am not here to please them or make their life or turn around times easier. I am enjoying my new iPod very much, hopefully this one won't go wrong but as I said, if it does go wrong then I guess I will be becoming a "public nuisance" again as you call it

I don't think at any point I said they were cheap. However, they are no doubt cheaper than they would be if Apple was wasteful and replaced everything with a brand new retail unit. It may not occur to you, but the majority of these procedures do actually favour you as well as Apple. Think about it mate, who actually benefits from reduced turn around times here? You seem to be getting very confused between what you expect, and what you're actually entitled to. You need to separate the two, and accept this, while putting aside your perception that Apple are just trying to shaft you.

With regard to your comments about the refund; as I said before this is indeed something that's mentioned in the terms of sale. However, it's an alternative to the replacement option, and there is no mention of a situation where you would be entitled to a refund above anything else. On this basis, I assume it is discretionary. For instance, if for any reason Apple had been unable to offer you a same-day replacement, they may have offered you a refund instead. You may have been justified in fighting your corner on this particular point as it is left unclear, but in all honesty mate...why do it? You've come out of this situation better than you went in. Problem? I don't think so.

 

[Fr0dders]

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 any item you purchase from a retailer should be as described, of a satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. This means that if a product turns out to be damaged or faulty at the time of sale, or if a fault emerges over time, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement from the retailer.

It's worth bearing in mind that when you return an item the retailer is likely to ask for proof of purchase. While the most ideal proof of purchase is your receipt, if you don't have this, a credit card statement or cheque stub for the sale may also be accepted.

If you return an item as faulty within 6 months of purchase then the onus is on the retailer to prove otherwise. However, after 6 months the liability shifts and you will need to prove that the fault was present at the time of sale before a refund will be granted.

I had my receipt and as stated the fault developed within 3 months of purchase. The guy at the genius bar even admitted it was a manufacturers fault.

The key bit is though is that they have offered you a replacement, therefore they have fulfilled your obligations under the sale of goods act.

The sale of goods act does not specify explicitly its your choice to make which you want. Its open ended which means retailers are able to interpret its their choice what to offer you.

 

[MrMoonX]

your being very much anal about all this, the brown box ones are perfect, who cares if the internals have been refurbed, at least they work, unlike your used one! apple have the best returns scheme ever, 9/10 times they do it the same day with minimum amount of fuss, i suggest you stop being so anal and just take the brown box!

Apple even same day couriered me a time capsule to replace my 2 year old one cos it was a common fault and I lived miles from an apple store, no one can complain about that one! they didnt even tell me it was same day, they called to say we are sending out your time capsule, 2 hours later it was at the door!