Returning to Apple Store

[hugznotthugzkid]

I was just curious as to what would happen if I returned my defective iPod to the Apple store now that Apple has acknowledged the screen problems.

I've never dealt with having to return anything there, but this will be my first time and I've read on here and other forums about their strict return policy. I sure as hell will not pay the $40 restocking fee, since I plunked down $400 for this unit. I paid for reliability and perfection and there should be no excuses.

I know it's up to me to see what happens, but I just want to hear your opinions on the issue, and if you guys are going to do the same thing. How would you approach them calmly?

[Complexis]

Chances are they will take it back without a fuss. Get an exchange to avoid the restocking fee.

[hugznotthugzkid]

Thanks for the reply. I will report here for the benefit of others, since I know that some are hesitant to exchange because of the restocking fee.

[Quillz]

Worst comes to worst you will pay a 10% restocking fee and then get your money back.

[ultramookie]

I just tried and the "genius" at the bar told me he didn't see anything wrong and that they'd have to charge me the 10% fee if I wanted to exchange mine. That's the last time I buy something at an Apple Store again.

[sberger]

This is at the San Francisco store?

[yacoub]

Yeah even for exchanges they might try to #### you, which is just pathetic.

I may swap mine out next week - it's a week 37 and has a couple dead pixels and i think it might have minor black issue but i haven't had a chance to watch movies on it to really tell yet.

Definitely not going to exchange until their stock is week 38 or later though. They just got these in today and they are week 37.

[ultramookie]

This is at the San Francisco store?

Oakridge Mall Store, San Jose, CA

[ultramookie]

Yeah even for exchanges they might try to #### you, which is just pathetic.

I may swap mine out next week - it's a week 37 and has a couple dead pixels and i think it might have minor black issue but i haven't had a chance to watch movies on it to really tell yet.

Definitely not going to exchange until their stock is week 38 or later though. They just got these in today and they are week 37.

Mine has only minor black issues. But, still. I want a perfect one.

[IpOdChIcK]

Bring tons of paperwork from this forum and other reviews (get the Mossenberg review that says Apple admitted to the problem) and bring it with you. Shove it in the guys face if he says you have to pay a restocking fee.

[sberger]

For those in the area, I just called the San Francisco store, and they are currently out of 16GB, but expecting a shipment sometime next week. The person I spoke with said that I could exchange for a new one and they would not charge a restocking fee.

[ultramookie]

well, apple stores have definitely lost a customer. i would rather shop anywhere else which does not have a restocking fee (best buy, fry's, etc). apple's restocking fee policy is too much for me. as for apple, they may lose a customer completely if they don't admit to this and exchange my two ipod touches. this is ridiculous.

[nixPOD]

i just returned my touch today and they gave me no problems, and no restocking fee. I just showed them the dead pixel and the apple rep said ok.

[a113524c]

Wow, I have a few dead pixels I might try to exchange mine.

[ultramookie]

i called the Apple Store at Oakridge back with the Wall Street Journal info, but they still denied it and would not replace my ipod touches. so, fed up, i called the ipod support line on this page:

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

and was directed to the iphone/ipod touch support department. i explained my issue and was promptly issued two overnight boxes for shipping my ipod touches back for "repair", which the rep told me would most like be replacements.

i am never going to shop at an Apple Store again. their "geniuses" should be off flipping burgers. and their customer support sucks. i am glad that apple has other avenues for getting support.

[lostlunatic]

Returned mine yesterday and it was not an easy task.

The Apple Store employees gave me alot of trouble and seemed to think that I was making this "defective screen" thing up. They offered me my money back but told me I would have to pay the 10% restocking fee. I said there was no chance in **** that I was going to pay $30. After being a complete ***hole to a good five employees or so, they gave in and gave me my money back and I didn't have to pay the restocking fee. I've literally spent thousands of dollars at the Apple Store and they gave me way too much trouble yesterday...

I'm just glad I got my money back.

I just ordered another online and hopefully I wont have the screen issue this time around.

Oh, and the Mac Geniuses don't know ****.

[hugznotthugzkid]

*Update

It was a long day, but I returned to the Apple Store with my iPod and went straight to the front end. I told them that my screen was defective and Apple had acknowledged the problem with the bad screens. I was told by one of the associates that a memo email, or some official statement or document was never received from Apple HQ. I even showed them the Mossenberg report on one of their MacBooks and they still said that they need an official statement from Apple HQ about the problem. They then told me to schedule an appointment online with one of their Mac Geniuses. That right their just ####ed me off. I mean I have my receipt, I have the box and contents, and I have proof of the issue with my iPod, yet they still deny any problems with it. Luckily for me the MOD knew what was going on with the Touches and obviously she had been keeping up with the reports, so she excused one of the associates and offered to exchange my iPod. I would have gladly done it, but they were the week 37 iPods, so I got a full refund.

This was at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas.

Tip: In order to get an exchange or refund never go to the associates, or the Genius Bar. No matter what you say they will always deny you, bu that depends on the associate's attitude, I guess. Instead ask for the manager on duty calmly.

[ultramookie]

Oh, and the Mac Geniuses don't know ****.

I'm sure there are a few that are good. But, in my book, the majority of these "geniuses" are f***ing idiots who should be flipping burgers.