Whirlpool

i was just at chadstone and popped into the apple store. while there i managed to see a genius and i sat down with him re: my iphone. i told him overall i was happy except that at times it was hard to update and restore (especially with 2.1). Without even looking at my iphone he hit me up with a new one to replace the other (which i had scratched up pretty badly because of one droppage). I now have an extra charger and a brand new pretty iphone. apple chadstone is gold.

Considering that Apple probably manafactured the iPhone for under $100, and they're probably getting well over $5-600 for each one that is sold (contracted or outright), you could almost expect this kind of 'generosity' :-)

Not to have a dig at Apple, but these things are selling like hotcakes, so they can easily afford to provide awesome customer service like this.

did you actually buy your phone from the chaddy apple store?

I'm just surprised they deemed it to warrant an exchange.

Is there a chance that they gave you a refurb?

Actually after looking through some of your older posts, especially this one /forum-replies.cfm?t=1015026&p=9&u=235449#r170 and this one /forum-replies.cfm?t=1015026&p=9&u=235449#r163 I am going as far as to say you are lying.

rsmith writes...

I am going as far as to say you are lying.

i with ya on that one

rsmith writes...

I am going as far as to say you are lying.

Fair enough...

iphone-ftw writes...

Without even looking at my iphone he hit me up with a new one

troll

epic fail.

I think this guy maybe lying BUT he has a very valid point.

It is very easy to swap out an iPhone at any Apple Store when you make an Genius appointment. I cannot go into detail here, however just like iPod headphones Apple deem it to be easier (and more convenient) for the End User to have the device swapped out and then taken back to the 'base' to salvage any reusable parts.

The iPhone would have been brand new.

I cannot, however believe that he also received a second 30-pin charger with the phone hence why I think there is a little c&b in this story but it is very easy to have your phone swapped out.

Just be aware they will not swap out jailbroken iPhones (so make sure you restore back to original firmware or SSH into your phone and remove the Installer and Cydia apps.

Chris Arrrrrr writes...

Considering that Apple probably manafactured the iPhone for under $100

Maybe $100 in parts, but think of all the other capital costs involved in producing the iphone...

rsmith writes...

Actually after looking through some of your older posts, especially this one /forum-replies.cfm?t=1015026&p=9&u=235449#r170 and this one /forum-replies.cfm?t=1015026&p=9&u=235449#r163 I am going as far as to say you are lying.

LOL, the dude in chadstone got ya "18gb" iPhone, hes a winner :P

fangske writes...

epic fail.

+ 1

and ROLF what was his post about "oh they managed to get me a 18G iphone instead of 16G. ah ha ha

ah hem, loser

EDIT: ba ha ha /forum-replies.cfm?t=1015026&r=16191310#r16191310

Ghost911 writes...

LOL, the dude in chadstone got ya "18gb" iPhone, hes a winner :P

That was why the guy was so quick to trade it, those 18Gb iPhones are highly collectable.

I went into the Apple Store in Chadstone last Saturday (opening day) and had my iPhone replaced on the spot. A crack had formed near the SIM tray (not caused by me, I haven't dropped the phone or mistreated it in any way). I didn't however get an additional charger.

Evan Bruhn writes...

I went into the Apple Store in Chadstone last Saturday (opening day) and had my iPhone replaced on the spot. A crack had formed near the SIM tray (not caused by me, I haven't dropped the phone or mistreated it in any way). I didn't however get an additional charger.

are they refurbs

rsmith writes...

That was why the guy was so quick to trade it, those 18Gb iPhones are highly collectable.

Looked allover Ebay to get me a 18gb iPhone but no luck unfortunatley :-(
A. they are either overseas versions
B. limited edition or
C. 18gb of pure candy

I rekon its c :P

Oh yeah and aaar yeah /forum-replies.cfm?t=1039166&r=16427210&u=235449#r16427210

Kman01 writes...

are they refurbs

+1

Did they open up a sealed box and did they activate it on the spot for you?

Any advice on ppl who doesn't have access to any of the Apple store in australia?
Can we go through the carrier for the replacement unit?

Really Beginner writes...

o any of the Apple store in australia?

ummm there is only one Apple store in Australia and thats in Sydney.

the rest are just re-sellers.

Kung_fu_man writes...

ummm there is only one Apple store in Australia and thats in Sydney.

Actually there are 2 stores in Sydney and 1 in Melbourne

http://www.apple.com/au/retail/

Really Beginner writes...

Any advice on ppl who doesn't have access to any of the Apple store in australia?

Can we go through the carrier for the replacement unit?

Your only option is to take it back to where you purchased the phone and unfortunately they will have to send it off to be fixed.

Chris Arrrrrr writes...

Considering that Apple probably manafactured the iPhone for under $100

I seriously doubt that ....
I don't think you have much ideas on the cost of these things..

Just the 3G radio module is close to $100 thanks to all the patents royalties that must be paid

Kung_fu_man writes...

mmm there is only one Apple store in Australia and thats in Sydney.

http://www.apple.com/au/retail/chadstone/

There's also a Computers Now reseller store right underneath the Apple store.

jya writes...

Just the 3G radio module is close to $100 thanks to all the patents royalties that must be paid

Eh? Can't you get a prepaid 3G phone for close to the $100 mark..

The iPhone is supposed to cost approx USD$ 173.

http://www.macworld.com/article/134147/2008/06/iphone3g_cost.html

heli writes...

Eh? Can't you get a prepaid 3G phone for close to the $100 mark..

Doesn't mean that's how much it cost.
Those pre-paid phones are heavily subsidised and that's why they are lock to the network you buy it from.

If the article is right the 3G chip cannot be anymore then $22 as the NAND memory is the most expensive component.

Off topic where is the apple store in chadstone. Your not talking about that little thing near the food court that is actually owned by Telstra are you? The apple resellers...cant think of the store name..used to be "Byte this".

http://www.apple.com/au/retail/chadstone/

Helmet writes...

Your not talking about that little thing near the food court that is actually owned by Telstra are you?

You're probably thinking Computers Now, except the Telstra part:
http://www.compnow.com.au/index.php?option=Contact&Itemid=5

rsmith writes...

If the article is right the 3G chip cannot be anymore then $22 as the NAND memory is the most expensive component.

They are estimates only and there are items they just won't know for sure.
the 3G baseband isn't common and pricing won't be available outside NDA.

I know for a fact that 3G/GSM chips cost a lot of money... Especially if they are licensing the radio protocol stack (I doubt Apple designed their own)...
Often in the pricing of a radio module, you pay for the hardware + licensing fees all together.

Yeah you guys need to get your prices right its not very cheap to manufacturer a smart phone yes theres shitty 3G phones going cheap out there. Often below cost as they are old excess stock and they lock you to a network for a term and rebuild the cost

Smart Phones are definetly not cheap to build

Ghost911 writes...

Maybe $100 in parts, but think of all the other capital costs involved in producing the iphone...

I think about US$170 is the educated guess for parts, then about $8 for labour, then you have to add all the engineering and development costs, and of course, those multi-million dollar advertising campaigns which all go into the cost of the product...but I guess those last bits are a set cost and don't add up the more handset they make.

I just booked a meeting for tomorrow with a genius at Chaddy RE: my iPhone which was a replacement that I received 2 weeks ago (via the $39 Advance Replacement Service). The original had light leakage, purchased outright from JB Hifi Bourke St. The replacement also has light leakage and now I notice 2 dead / stuck pixels. So, what are my chances of receiving a replacement? I can't believe I paid $39 for the ARS, only to find out that it had the same fault + 2 dead pixels.

huey85 writes...

So, what are my chances of receiving a replacement?

Pretty high provided they can see the dead pixels/light leakage. If they can't see it you will have a hard time. Just make sure your polite, they are pretty good with replacements as they understand that you have spent a lot of money on the product and hence want it to be perfect. Also don't be afraid to ask for another Genius to look at the phone if the first one can't see anything, all you need is one genius to see the problem and your pretty much got a replacement.

Okay thanks for the reply dude. Well I can see the dead pixels even more now after turning up the brightness, and the light leakage is now visable in light (used to be only visable in the dark). Do I just bring the phone (plus the new serial number/IMEI number sticker that was provided with the replacement) or do I just bring everything?

I would take just the phone and any documentation (notice of repair etc) you received with your replacement. They don't ask for proof of purchase or anything but it can't hurt to take it just in case.

Ta mate. I'll bring the document (well, what's left of) I got with the replacement.. the rest was torn off to stick onto the return box by Aus Post as well as the replacement's serial/IMEI number sticker.. will probably just bring the JB HiFi store receipt too just in case. Thanks again mate.

My iPhone replacement care of the Apple Advanced Replacement Program arrived. Do I need to call Optus and supply my new IMEI number??

Liski  writes...

Do I need to call Optus and supply my new IMEI number??

I was told by the Apple store to tell them, but that's because I have insurance with Optus. It probably wouldn't hurt to, just in case you lose the phone as well you can get it barred if you have supplied the IMEI number.

sendreplyfwd writes...

I was told by the Apple store to tell them, but that's because I have insurance with Optus. It probably wouldn't hurt to, just in case you lose the phone as well you can get it barred if you have supplied the IMEI number.

Ahhhh so that's the reason why the genius asked if I had it insured!

Well I just got back from the Apple store @ Chaddy and I must say, VERY GOOD customer experience.. although I was made to wait for about 25 minutes the booked time before I was actually attended to by a genius. But I was reassured during that time every now and then that I would be looked after and I just sat at the iMac and browsed till they were ready.

In regards to my replacement.. it was pretty quick, I showed the genius the 2 dead pixels which he could see by blocking out the light from the screen but he could not see the light leakage, although he believed me because he had light leakage on his iphone that he bought (but for some reason it just disappeared?)

He informed me that he could do a straight swap over if there was stock (and there was plenty) and then we did some paper work and swapping over serial numbers on my Apple account. Then he let me unwrap my new (now 3rd) iPhone and got it all activated. I checked out to see if there were any dead pixels (and there are none) and light leakage I am about to check for; I just applied my Bodyguardz to the replacement so I would not be tempted to go back for another replacement due to the 'sticky' / 'hard to press' volume keys – yes.. another fault. The mute switch is slightly harder to flick too. But I am sick of going back for replacements so I will stick with this unless I find some really big fault.

All in all.. Apple Chadstone store is great. THEY HAVE COOL DRAWSTRING BAGS. haha.

This happened with my wife's iPhone too – the silent switch snapped off, and when we were in the store I told her not to bug the Genius's and to wait until we took it back to where we bought it – she ignored me, went over, showed the guy and wham, new phone.

No, they aren't refurbs, brand new – I asked. They just come in a smaller box that only has the phone no extras.

Russell Greenwood writes...

This happened with my wife's iPhone too – the silent switch snapped off...
oh dear god i hope this does not happen to mine.. I took an hour to put on my new Bodyguardz film (front and back) and it was a PEFECT EXECUTION!

No, they aren't refurbs, brand new – I asked. They just come in a smaller box that only has the phone no extras.

Yeh, exactly the same box that I got with my ARS handset which I paid $39 for and was also faulty.. This 3rd phone seems pretty good (minus the volume keys and mute switch)