Is it True that Apple Will Only Replace Iphone with Old Refurbished Phones???

MacNewbie · May 25, 2010

i am still under my 1 year warranty...ive been having on going issues with my phone..

the phone doesnt ring when people call me. it goes straight to voicemail.
sometimes ill get a new voicemail and the phone wont even have rang

i talked to at&t about it and they told me to try putting the sim card in another phone and see if fthe problem persists. the problem doesnt persist so i know its the phone..

in that scenario even if apple swaps out my phone for me...will they be giving me a new phone or a refurbished phone? i was told from some that they dont swap out for new phones?

Eric559 · May 25, 2010

Refurbished. Just like many other manufactures.

MacNewbie · May 25, 2010

Eric559 said:
Refurbished. Just like many other manufactures.

under what circumstance would they give me a brand new phone?

bobtomay · May 25, 2010

If you're in the first 14 days or so of ownership, then an Apple store might swap it out for a new one.

If you're 10 months into it, refurb.

eddielee · May 25, 2010

I never understand why people complain about this stuff. Okay so the manufacture says yeah I'll repair that phone for you, takes it away and your with out a phone for about 4 weeks then you get your phone back complete with all your scratches and stuff.

Or the manufacture can save you the 4 weeks with out a phone a give you one they have already repaired. And as a bonus the refurbished phones usually get a new case so theres no scratches or anything.

You are getting a better deal by getting a refurbished phone than if they repaired yours. No company will just swap out anything over say $100, they are gonna want to repair it.

MacNewbie · May 25, 2010

dudeking said:
I never understand why people complain about this stuff. Okay so the manufacture says yeah I'll repair that phone for you, takes it away and your with out a phone for about 4 weeks then you get your phone back complete with all your scratches and stuff.

Or the manufacture can save you the 4 weeks with out a phone a give you one they have already repaired. And as a bonus the refurbished phones usually get a new case so theres no scratches or anything.

You are getting a better deal by getting a refurbished phone than if they repaired yours. No company will just swap out anything over say $100, they are gonna want to repair it.

then why in the warranty does it say:

"Exchange the product with a new or refurbished product"

eddielee · May 25, 2010

It's apples discretion. Obviously if you had it for a few days and it broke there going to give you a new one, as good will. But after that it will be a refurbished unit.

bargsbeer · May 25, 2010

Whats the issue with a refurb? If you put one side by side with a brand new one, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It's not like it's scratched up or anything it's basically brand new.

Millionin20s · May 25, 2010

bargsbeer said:
Whats the issue with a refurb? If you put one side by side with a brand new one, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It's not like it's scratched up or anything it's basically brand new.

"Basically brand new" being the operative words here.

It's really just a matter of opinion. Since it was previously used, and was sent in to be repaired, perception says that it's not as good as a brand new, fresh out of the box phone. Plus, you always hear stories about refurbished goods not lasting long/coming in broken form or whatever. I've actually had refurbished goods before, and most of them are just as good as a brand new item, but I've had a couple of occasions where I received a refurb that wasn't good enough in my opinion.

DRMac · May 25, 2010

Well, who ever has a 3G iphone from what i've heard is only the 3GS will be receiving the OS4 update and support for the 3G was killed just recently. All 3G models are being converted to 3GS refurbs. So i guess its update or suffer for 3G users.

Next time you go for a refurb 3G you may walk away with a refurb 3GS.