MacBook Pro - Refund?

Slogan · 19 May 2007 at 22:55

Hello,

Just wondering where I stand from in regards to my MacBook Pro. I bought it at Christmas time and in the 5 months that I've had it, the battery has died and the latest problem to arise is the cd-drive, which sounds more like a jackhammer when a disk is put into it. Crunchy crunch crunch.

Now, Apple to their credit replaced the battery within 3 working days and it's the easiest 'RMA' I've had the pleasure of dealing with - but I'm becoming tired of things going wonky on it. Come 11 months of ownership I'll then be faced with either another problem or the pressure of taking out Apple Care (i.e. spending money), just so I'm not left out of pocket after the manufacturers warranty ends.

Am I within my rights to request a full refund if the item has gone wonky (once again) or do I simply have to send it back, get it fixed and shut up?

Would appreciate any help in regards to this as I'm not really sure where I stand.

Thanks.

gt_junkie · 19 May 2007 at 22:58

Would be surprised if you could get a full refund since you've had a few months (unreliable) use out of it.

It's up to you - personally i'd get it sorted within warranty now then try to sell it on. You should get a decent chunk of what you paid for it back as macs are generally quite popular!

With 6 months warranty left i'm sure people would be more than interested!

gt

Slogan · 19 May 2007 at 23:03

Understand what you are saying, GT. It would be unusual for them to offer a full refund, given how I've got use of it and that it wouldn't be in the cosmetic condition, that I purchased it in.

But when I rang in regards to the dud battery (one month or two ago), the rep. explained I had the option of 'a' refund or the battery being replaced. I'm just wondering if that refund would be the full works or a watered down version or 'valuation'.

gt_junkie · 19 May 2007 at 23:27

Well, if he said that then i'd angle for a refund. A second failure would allow you to bring up that point. See what they say.

Very interesting that the rep said that!

gt

eddie101 · 20 May 2007 at 08:53

I would push for a refund, you have only had it 5 months and had 2 problems already, main point of the argument could be that the laptop does not do what its required to do and is not fit for the purpose of the user.

Slogan · 21 May 2007 at 17:26

Rang them a few minutes ago - unfortunately they were more interested in offering me AppleCare, than trying to sort out my problem.

Offered me two options, take it to my local store (36+ miles away) or courier it to the local store at my expense. :rolleyes:

Anybody on the legal side of things know where I stand in regards to a refund? I would like one, but I don't want to go all in guns-a-blazing, if it's not what I'm entitled to.

noob · 21 May 2007 at 17:50

Sales of Goods Act - A full refund.

By keeping them for longer than a reasonable time without telling the seller that you have rejected them. There is no time specified in the Act and it may vary according to the type of goods. Ultimately, it may be for the judge to decide whether an unreasonable time has passed and whether goods have been accepted. For this reason you must contact the supplier, preferably in writing, as soon as the fault appears. To delay may mean you lose a right to a refund

As states it doesn't give a time limit all it states is a reasonable amount of time. What that is I don't know? I would think it means a few weeks maybe up to a month but that's a guess. I took a faulty external hdd back to a retailed and got a refund but that was only three weeks old. Your best bet is to ring consumer advice.

*Chris · 21 May 2007 at 21:26

If you write a polite letter of formal complaint highlighting all the problems you've had with it and your willingness to stick with apple for various other things, (

) I'd actually be surprised if they didn't refund you.

Depends if its worth your time.

Slogan · 22 May 2007 at 10:54

noob, unfortunately I think that's for unused/unopened goods.

I think I will, Chris. It's not a massive slap in the face, I just thought having to pay for the courier (£20+, probably) or spend a day taking it down to the Apple store were just two poor alternatives, for something that isn't my fault.

Slogan · 4 Jun 2007 at 12:10

*Chris said:
If you write a polite letter of formal complaint highlighting all the problems you've had with it and your willingness to stick with apple for various other things

Fat lot of use that did. Got a reply today saying they don't offer technical support over letter and to phone their support line, even though I didn't ask for any support.

Nice to know my letter was read.

leezer3 · 4 Jun 2007 at 12:19

Write an e-mail to [email protected]
Ensure its politely worded, & explain the situation. This e-mail address seems to go through to somewhat higher-up customer reps, who should be able to sort something out for you.
They sorted out an Ipod warranty for me, not sure if they can do refunds though.

-Leezer-

tsinc80697 · 4 Jun 2007 at 16:50

are the dvd drives in MBP meant to be quiet when you load in a DVD/CD ?
From day 1 mines been loud and clunky but I thought that was normal?

Will_3rd · 4 Jun 2007 at 16:53

tsinc80697 said:
are the dvd drives in MBP meant to be quiet when you load in a DVD/CD ?
From day 1 mines been loud and clunky but I thought that was normal?

Perfectly normal for slot loading drives, my iBook is the same.

Energize · 4 Jun 2007 at 17:02

tsinc80697 said:
are the dvd drives in MBP meant to be quiet when you load in a DVD/CD ?
From day 1 mines been loud and clunky but I thought that was normal?

I don't know about the macbook drives, but my hp laptop is pretty quiet when reading and writing dvds, it certainly doesn't clunk anyway.

Slogan · 4 Jun 2007 at 17:42

It is clunky when you put a disc in, but when it starts to spin it makes a loud 'wooing' noise sometimes. When you take out the disc, it has a new pattern engraved in the bottom of it.

If I was to sell it on (in its current state), would the warranty be valid for the next person who bought it or does it exist only with me? I would assume the former.

louandgra · 4 Jun 2007 at 19:07

Legally you are not entitled to a refund. You are only entitled to 'reject' goods and recieve a refund if the item is defective/not of satisfactory quality on inspection within a reasonable time after point of purchase i.e. a few days or so or some excuse why inspection couldnt of been immediate i.e. birthday present etc.

The very nature that you have already accepted a repair in the first case would limit your case even further IMH 'but legal' O.

However there is no harm in asking.

Slogan · 4 Jun 2007 at 19:10

Yeah, I don't really care that much for a refund now - just a replacement would be ideal as I only want to get the thing sorted out. I doubt I would get a refund, given how there are meant to be new MBP's coming out anyway.

Slogan · 7 Jun 2007 at 14:25

leezer3 said:
snip
-Leezer-

Just to say thanks, leezer. It did actually prompt them to ring me and talk about the situation.

Didn't come to a solution unfortunately so I'm gonna have to courier the MacBook to an Apple Store.

However, my next dilemma, where is the Apple Store in Belfast? I was told that I should send my MacBook Pro here for repair, but I went onto the Apple website and there's none located in Northern Ireland at all. :confused: