AirPods Pro broken. Will iStore replace?

Spizz

Spizz

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My AirPods Pro have started rattling in one ear, and now buzzing/crackling in the other and looking online it seems to be a known issue for those bought before October 2020, so Apple have said they'll replace them.

I got these in December 2019 but I got them in Singapore and I'm wondering how I'd get on at an iStore if I try to swap them? The nearest one is a 2 hour round trip so I'm wondering if anyone knows their policy for this kind of thing? I don't have a receipt and I don't want to phone them about it as they've proven pretty useless online in the past when asking about other things. Hopefully someone has had an issue similar with something Apple bought overseas and can advise. Cheers.
 
Friend recently had a similar problem, the iStore politely told him to shove off and it was still under warranty.

Locally, in general companies are very unhelpful when it comes to grey imports.
 
CranialBlaze said:
Friend recently had a similar problem, the iStore politely told him to shove off and it was still under warranty.

Locally, in general companies are very unhelpful when it comes to grey imports.
Click to expand...

I was hoping Apple might have mandated them to help, I recall different results with MB Pro keyboards for example. But yeah I thought they're probably as useless as expected.
 
My local iStore was unhelpful with a Takealot purchase. R900 replacement for a left airpod (gen 1), 10 days within warrantee (for a known issue).

They're still in my drawer.
 
Spizz said:
I was hoping Apple might have mandated them to help, I recall different results with MB Pro keyboards for example. But yeah I thought they're probably as useless as expected.
Click to expand...

With the laptops and desktops they do, it seems to be the smaller peripherals they not helpful with.

My MBP was from America and they were very helpful when the power brick died, got a replacement 2 days later.
 
My pro's just did something similar in the left ear. 3 months old. But I bought it from takealot and they took it back no questions.

When I googled the error it said what OP said about it being a known issue from models made before October 2020 and apple will take it back.

However we know how rotten Core is locally. You can try em but alternatively maybe see if WeFix can repair it?
 
Purchased a Apple Watch in the UK, screen cracked due to the battery expanding. Took it to Digicape and they swopped it out no questions asked.

Suppose it depends where you go
 
Spizz said:
I was hoping Apple might have mandated them to help, I recall different results with MB Pro keyboards for example. But yeah I thought they're probably as useless as expected.
Click to expand...
Yeah Apple is either not privy-to or not wanting to force better service on their "Premium Resellers".

I've taken Apple products bought in South Africa to the US where they broke and i've walked into an Apple Store in the US with NO receipt (and told them i did not buy this from you), and they swapped it out along with their usual awesome service and helpfulness.

Going into an iStore in ZA feels like entering a Chinese interrogation chamber and you know the moment you can't produce a iStore ZA receipt they'll tell you to fly a kite.
 
Don't get me started on COR(N)E Group.

Had to return my Macbook 3 times before they replaced the entire keyboard under the replacement program.

Had the same issue when the coating on the screen made a permanent keyboard imprint. Another recall from Apple. Had to print the recall details, a Reddit thread, and then make the guy look online at the official Apple site before they agreed to replace it under the recall. Wanted to charge me something stupid like R15k to replace the display.

There is no such thing as an Apple Genius in South Africa. Just Apple Morons.
 
Spizz said:
My AirPods Pro have started rattling in one ear, and now buzzing/crackling in the other and looking online it seems to be a known issue for those bought before October 2020, so Apple have said they'll replace them.

I got these in December 2019 but I got them in Singapore and I'm wondering how I'd get on at an iStore if I try to swap them? The nearest one is a 2 hour round trip so I'm wondering if anyone knows their policy for this kind of thing? I don't have a receipt and I don't want to phone them about it as they've proven pretty useless online in the past when asking about other things. Hopefully someone has had an issue similar with something Apple bought overseas and can advise. Cheers.
Click to expand...

Not the ideal solution, but I just bought a replacement pair for R3700 on takealot on special atm
 
QuiXilver ZA said:
Not the ideal solution, but I just bought a replacement pair for R3700 on takealot on special atm
Click to expand...

Thankfully I only really use them for audiobooks nowadays when I'm walking the dog once or twice a day. I got the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones recently and use them for everything else, so it's not desperately urgent. I plan to go to the UK when they drop the quarantine requirement and I think I'll hold them until then when I can take them to a proper Apple store.

Cheers for the replies though. I've decided I'm not going to make a special trip to be annoyed by Core, but next time I'm driving past that way I might go in and see what they say. But plan A is a proper Apple store when I get the opportunity.
 
Spizz said:
My AirPods Pro have started rattling in one ear, and now buzzing/crackling in the other and looking online it seems to be a known issue for those bought before October 2020, so Apple have said they'll replace them.

I got these in December 2019 but I got them in Singapore and I'm wondering how I'd get on at an iStore if I try to swap them? The nearest one is a 2 hour round trip so I'm wondering if anyone knows their policy for this kind of thing? I don't have a receipt and I don't want to phone them about it as they've proven pretty useless online in the past when asking about other things. Hopefully someone has had an issue similar with something Apple bought overseas and can advise. Cheers.
Click to expand...

I had mine bought in Dubai changed without any issue at the iStore, took about 4 days. That problem is acknowledged by Apple so they should be replaced. When you go there don’t mention where you bought them.

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues – Apple Support

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues
support.apple.com
 
samcro said:
I had mine bought in Dubai changed without any issue at the iStore, took about 4 days. That problem is acknowledged by Apple so they should be replaced. When you go there don’t mention where you bought them.

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues – Apple Support

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues
support.apple.com
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks. I guess I could say they were a gift so I'm not sure where they were bought :p
 
Spizz said:
Good to know, thanks. I guess I could say they were a gift so I'm not sure where they were bought :p
Click to expand...

Won’t help, the serial number will not show up on their systems, they will then check the international list and know where it came from.

It’s how they dealt with my charger and my friends AirPods.

It’s likely more to do with the person helping than any like formal rules.
 
I stand corrected but i think the iStore is compelled to replace the Airpods as this is a manufacturing default for which Apple has issued a replacement program.

Call / Chat to Apple support.
 
Just to give an update. I happened to be in Somerset Mall on Sunday and tried my luck. They were very helpful and took the AirPods for testing. They just contacted me now saying they are indeed faulty and they have ordered two new pods which have arrived and can be collected anytime.

So same wireless charging case, just the actual left and right pods will be replaced. I’m pretty happy with that. Credit where it is due, the technician was really helpful as was everyone else in the store.
 
Oh, she did say they were out of warranty but they were replaced as they were part of the program for the known faults. I also told them I got them from Singapore duty free so they didn’t mind about that.
 
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