What Apple will and won't fix...

[mjmoonwalker]

Here's a note to clear up some burning questions:
Apple most of the time ONLY fixes problems that are caused during manufacturing, such as HD or battery failure when you turn it on or a poor battery dying before it's supposed to.

However, there may be some times when Apple employees are laxed on the rules. The only way to find out is by seeing a local Apple Genius or Authorized Reseller.

Apple will not cover the following (most of the time):
* Dirt Stains
* Scratches
* Dents (some exceptions)
* Drops
* iPodLinux attempts (unless you remove all traces...therefore the employee is most of the time too dumb to figure out what you did to it)
* Rockbox attempts (same rule applies)
* Opened up iPods
* Liquids
* Cracked HDs caused by user and not present when iPod was purchased or first used
* Third Party Chargers/Accessories (Some exceptions)
* Cracked screens

Or usually anything else that the customer self-inflicted on the device and was not present when purchased.

Here are the words directly from the warranty, as graciously provided by FeelTheFire:
"This warranty does not apply: (a) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, misapplication, or non-Apple products; (b) to damage caused by service performed by anyone other than Apple; (c) to a product or a part that has been modified without the written permission of Apple; or (d) if any Apple serial number has been removed or defaced."

"APPLE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE."
The specific text can be found: http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Im...dwarranty.html

Apparently from the warranty, ANY non-Apple product (authorized by Apple meaning Belkin or Griffin) that causes damage on the iPod makes the iPod void for replacement.

ALSO, the only way to know whether or not Apple will cover the iPod is to go to your local Apple Store and ask for service. It depends on which employee you get - some are more gracious than others. If you send it through snail mail to Apple, they will most likely go much stricter with the rules and refuse to service your iPod.

ANOTHER THING: If you turn your iPod in for service or bring it to the Genius bar because of a problem, your iPod (if it is covered by warranty and fits the description above) will be replaced. Here is the general rule of thumb:

1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, Photo, Mini: Your iPod will most likely be a refurbished iPod of the same capacity. By refurbished, it means that your iPod will be used but "dressed up" to look new. This could result in poor battery life, hard drive problems, etc. If you are lucky, you can get a new iPod or a new different generation iPod as a replacement (upgrade).

5G iPod with Video, Nano, Shuffle: Your iPod will most likely be a new iPod of the same capacity. By new, it means that it is like an iPod that comes out of a box except without the box and pack-in accessories. Your iPod will most likely have pristine battery life and free from hard drive problems. You will also have a chance of getting a refurbished iPod, meaning that it is a used iPod but "dressed up" to look new. This could result in poor battery life, hard drive problems, etc.

And as a note: When people on the forum say Apple "replaces" the battery, it means they'll give you a new one (read: refurbished or used...occassionally a new iPod) as opposed to taking the battery out and putting a new one in (since Apple people are too lazy to do that). So don't be confused whenever you see that on the forum. You can only get the battery "replaced" literally at other retailers and authorized service places - not Apple.



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If you have anything to add, change, remove about this list - please tell me.

[Jesse Hollington]

Good summary, thanks.

In short, it's always important to remember that a warranty is not an insurance policy but rather merely a guarantee that the product will be free from defects caused by the manufacturer. This is true of the warranty for just about any product.

At any rate, I've stuck this thread at the top of the Service, Warranty & Repair forum for reference purposes.

[FeelTheFire]

They will also not cover water/coffee/soda damage or damage caused by using third party products with the iPod (i.e if that $5 charger you bought on eBay cooks it, apple will not warranty that problem.)

[mjmoonwalker]

Thanks FeelTheFire - I updated it.

I used a Belkin charger and fried my iPod and they replaced it, so I put that there are some exceptions.

[Jesse Hollington]

Major accessory manufacturers like Belkin and Griffin Technology have accreditation from Apple to build "official" iPod accessories.

As a rule, I think it's fair to say that if the Apple Store sells an accessory, then it's safe to say that it's acceptable for use with an iPod.

[mjmoonwalker]

Well the problem with mine was that it wasn't "iPod Branded"...it could have been a cell phone charger. I had no idea.

[FeelTheFire]

usually if it was manufactured by a company that apple deals with, like belkin or griffin, they will warranty it. If it's made by a random company, then probably not. It's a safe rule to follow to assume anything third party you use could void your warranty- this is especially true of chargers, and I know a lot of people avoid the apple one and buy cheapies on eBay.

[mithra]

How about adding a link to Apple's Warranty page for iPod?

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Im...dwarranty.html

Incidentally, this link is NOT found on this other sticked thread either, which I find odd.

[mjmoonwalker]

The warranty has too many loopholes and what ifs. I'll read through it again later and post it when I have time.

[FeelTheFire]

from the warranty, to save you the time mjmoonwalker:

"This warranty does not apply: (a) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, misapplication, or non-Apple products; (b) to damage caused by service performed by anyone other than Apple; (c) to a product or a part that has been modified without the written permission of Apple; or (d) if any Apple serial number has been removed or defaced."

"APPLE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE." (caps theirs)

"No Apple reseller, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty."

Awsome name dude X-D.

[VipFREAK]

Pre-Mature HD failure? From Rockbox, even though we won't mention that part? (hasn't happened yet)

[mjmoonwalker]

Alright, I added the excerpt from the warranty FeelTheFire.

I don't think they usually cover Belkin or Griffin damages either. Unless someone proves me wrong, that's what is going to be stated. (Well, I got my Belkin damage fixed but the employees there were a bit absent minded)

[FeelTheFire]

Originally Posted by mjdancer

Awsome name dude X-D.

who, me?

[mjmoonwalker]

I think me...mjmoonwalker...mjdancer

Anyway, I updated it with a note at the bottom. Apple repaired my broken ones, despite explicitly being listed as void under the warranty.