Apple Warranty - a rant

[--Mike--]

Wife has some 3rd gen AirPods and one is refusing to charge. Sent away to be looked at and they’ve come back saying it’s got water damage! The case hasn’t left the house, she leaves it at home. The AirPods are under a year old.

They just say is misuse and refuse to honour the warranty or even a goodwill gesture. So they want £60 plus vat to send a new case and can’t even guarantee that the original engraved case will be returned. Very poor show. I know it’s our word against theirs, but we’ve spent a lot of money with them, iPhones, iPads, Watches and the One subscription and that’s how they treat you. Disappointed.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Dublove]

Wet ears after a shower maybe ?

 

[--Mike--]

Nah, it will charge if slight pressure is applied to push it further into the case. If you let go, it stops charging. Can’t see how this is water damage, more like a poor connection inside the case.

It’s not like it’s mega money for them unlike if it was a MacBook Pro or something, so you’d think they’d keep a return customer happy.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

I’d be inclined to get them back and try taking them in store. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Apple but always in store.

 

[Feek]

Aye, it's worth popping into a store if you've got one nearby, I had both my original AirPods and the case replaced when they were over a year old due to them not holding a charge (over the course of two visits).

I was actually coming in this evening to post a very positive tale of Apple warranty but after reading this thread, I'll leave it for a bit so as not to rub it in.

 

[--Mike--]

I did think this, but surely the serial number has this logged against it. Probably going to try a section 75 credit card route.

 

[Alpherah]

Can only speak for my store. But we over-rule the repair centre all the time

 

[--Mike--]

Can only speak for my store. But we over-rule the repair centre all the time

I appreciate your reply. Would your store check for any previous incidents regarding the serial number, or simply test and replace on the spot? My nearest store is Milton Keynes so it's quite a distance for a round trip.

 

[Alpherah]

We check previous - but depot repair notes are largely hidden from us.
Best is just be honest about what happened and ask for a second opinion

 

[Terminal_Boy]

We check previous - but depot repair notes are largely hidden from us.
Best is just be honest about what happened and ask for a second opinion

Does Apple Cork still handle Apple U.K. repairs?

 

[--Mike--]

We check previous - but depot repair notes are largely hidden from us.
Best is just be honest about what happened and ask for a second opinion

Thank you. Would this be something they'd replace right away on the day, or would it need to be left with them?

 

[Goodie]

I didn't think they even looked at AirPods and instead just swapped them out for refurbs. I also didn't think there was a water damage indicator on AirPods? I put mine through the washing machine last year and had them swapped out no questions asked. Definitely worth going to store as mentioned above. Nothing to lose.

Good luck

 

[--Mike--]

Thanks guys. It’s really put a downer on the whole Apple experience. You pay a premium and with that expect a decent level or service and they’re being petty over a new case. The AirPods themselves work fine.

 

[Reuben klang]

Only thing is they might have it on record that you‘ve sent them back before and it’s been noted that they have ‘water’ damage.

Hopefully you get it sorted because it does sound rather petty.

 

[Alpherah]

Thank you. Would this be something they'd replace right away on the day, or would it need to be left with them?

Occasionally AirPods get flagged to go to the same repair centre (forehead slap) but usually swapped in store.
That said - were permanently on back order of about 14 days atm on AirPods