As we all know...companies are in business to make money...not lose money!
I can just about guarantee, that companies constantly examine & revise their return policies to make sure things are "in line" with industry standards (the computer industry in this case)...and "in line" from a profit/loss perspective.
Since Apple (rather recently) has revised their return policy (eliminating the restocking fee...at least in the US)...Apple probably still makes a profit (gross margins mentioned in my earlier post) when they resell these returned computers (most likely as refurbished units).
Plus by eliminating the restocking fee...Apple continues to:
- separate themselves from their competitors (who do charge a restocking fee)
- create a lot of "goodwill" with consumers
- and continues to put customer service high on their list of priorities!
- Nick
p.s. I wish I had as much luck as you when it comes to refurbished camera products. I purchased a refurbished Nikon D80 & two auto focus lenses a while back...and the auto focus motor in one of the lenses "crapped-out"...with VERY little use on it since purchase!