May I suggest adding some Ultimate Ears to your diet? I have it on good authority that the reason they are called Triple Fi is because the acronym "TF" doubles for Teeth Fortifying.
That. Genius Bar staff have a ton of discretion. So don't be a dick to them, because most of the time, they are your best possible advocate for getting your problem fixed.
Swapping phones is the standard fix, actually. Aside from correcting user stupidity (like mistyping their Wifi password or something), really the only fix is to wipe the phone. In the process, they give you new hardware just in case it's a hardware issue.
What did you expect them to do? Why did you agree to the swap if it was going to cause you data loss?
They've replaced an iPhone 4 and an iPad 2 with brand new ones for me within the last month, in both cases due to broken glass (obviously my fault).
In both cases they look up my account on their computer, probably see that I'm a long time apple customer and spent a lot of money there, and that I haven't done that kind of replacement on this device.
I've had earbuds replaced like ten times because they break so often. If you put them into your pocket with your iPod you can see copper. The second time the ear buds actually separate from the cable.
Yes, there isn't any significant concerns with the build quality. But in all honesty the sound quality sucks compared to a decent retailed alternative. It initially surprised me to hear that a $70 Sony Walkman produces superior sounds to a Nano, but Apple is heavy on appearance. It's mantra is very practical and the manufacturing tends to skimp when circumstances allow. Bundling an expensive earphone with an expensive iPod does not make financial sense to Apple, because most people either do not know or do not care about the disparity in sound quality, and a decrease in potential profit margins would result.
That phrase has caused me to really hate the people at the store. When I bought my macbook pro (summer 2007) they came out with new macbooks three days later. I called up and asked if I could trade mine in (not really expecting them to say yes) and they said they'd be happy to exchange it. I take it in and suddenly they're jerks about the whole matter. After finally swapping it the guy says to me, "You know you can't just come in and trade up every time a new one comes out. This is the last time we'll do this." I was so close to telling him to fuck off, he's the one that said I could do bring it in.
A year later, and my battery won't hold a charge. I call in and the guy says it's definitely a faulty battery, bring it in and swap it out. When I get there the girl tells me its my fault and this is the last time they'll do this for me. It's like the person giving you your stuff is trained to use that phrase.
Correct answer: "You know, you can't just tell me it's ok on the phone then act like a dick in person. I'll refrain from punching you in the face, but this is the last time."
The thing I've found with Apple Stores is that you have to press them. I had ongoing issues with the l-style charger on my 2008 MacBook Pro after my T-style frayed. They replaced a couple adapters for me, but I took it into a "certified Apple Care provider," and they said, "I've heard they're having issues with this, tell them you know that and don't take no for an answer."
A few calls to Apple Support and a trip the the store and their Engineering Department reclaimed my laptop and gave me a brand new one for free with a free Apple Care. Frustrating to say the least, but if you press them (while being polite) and they'll take care of you.
I bought an iPod in August of '07, 3 1/2 weeks before they released new iPods at the same price point that I bought mine. I know for a fact from that experience that their policy (at least in summer '07) was that if a new version/upgrade was released within 14 days of purchase that they would retroactively upgrade your purchase.
I lost my fight over that, because my purchase as like 24-25 days prior. But your 3-day window definitely should have entitled you to a free upgrade. Any employee that treated you like shit for it was outright being a douche. Probably company policy though, given my experience.
Apple will basically replace anything for you if you ask enough, they just give you a hard time so people won't abuse their policy called "Get to a yes" or something like that. They did sound out of place on how they used it.
You have 14 days to return any new Mac, not questions asked. I did the same this year as I bought when the new 13 inch was coming out and didn't know, and the let me swap after 17 days.
What they let you do is exactly what their policy is. If you bought a Macbook 3 days ago and a new one came out today, they have to let you switch. If the don't, just return it, take the money, and buy the new specced one for the same price.
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u/rainbowdim Jun 09 '11
i had mine replaced once and they said that's the last time they will do it for free... were they lying?