Repair in another country/refund?

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Level 1

0 points

Repair in another country/refund?

Hi,

I bought my Macbook in June from the Apple online store, to be delivered to me here in the UK. Since then, I've discovered that it has a discoloured wrist rest AND suffers from the random shutdown syndrome.

I handed it in for repair at my local service centre, where it's been for over a month, because they can't get the parts (the logic board, apparently) from Apple.

The twist in my tale is that in just over a week I'm flying out to Canada for three months. I want my Macbook with me, and working. The service centre are happy to give me laptop back to me (with new wrist rest, no new logic board), so I'll be able to take it with me, but I need it repaired in Vancouver/Victoria.

Can I expect any problems getting my Macbook repaired in a different country? In any case, what is Apple's refund policy (I'm clearly outside the initial 14 days)? This is the first Mac system I've bought and I'm really not impressed- my laptop has nearly been in for repair longer than I've had it with me, which is a joke. I've never had problems of this scale with any other manufacturer, and if I can get a refund, will be very tempted to go straight back to them.

Macbook 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.7) Boot camped with XP Media Center

Posted on Oct 3, 2006 1:49 AM

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Answer 1

dobes918

Level 4

1,446 points

Oct 3, 2006 3:38 AM in response to chocky

I was just going to write my own post on my experience with this, but then I saw yours.

Like you, I have an early model macbook with palmrest discoloration and, just since the last few days, RSD. I am American, so is my macbook, but I'm in Bratislava, Slovakia, with no idea when I'll be back in the States, and so the development of RSD in particular terrified me. Yesterday, I wrote an e-mail to McShark, the Apple Center in nearby Vienna, inquiring about possible repair for my macbook. I wrote because I don't speak German, and I pointed out that I would need both repairs, and that my keyboard was an American one and the case would have to match that. I told them that I really couldn't be without my macbook for long, and wondered if, should they be willing to order parts and do the repair, I could keep the macbook in my possession until the parts were in the store.

Today, I received the most helpful, friendly letter back, saying that it would be no problem for them to order the parts, including the American keyboard and case, that they would inform me when the parts came in, and that they would repair in in just a few hours!

I can hardly BELIEVE this! In 8 years of owning Sony VAIOs, I never got CLOSE to this level of service. In June, I was happy I bought Apple because this macbook is by far the best laptop I've ever had. And now, I'm happy again because this service is also the best possible -- and in a foreign country, far from home, where I don't speak the language - Excellent!

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about taking a macbook that needs repairs to Canada (though I've heard that from Vancouver they will send it to Toronto for the repair). It seems to me that Apple really does stand by their product and will do their best to keep you happy.

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Answer 2

chocky Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2006 4:25 AM in response to dobes918

(though I've heard that from Vancouver they will send it
to Toronto for the repair).

See, it's stuff like this that would really cause me problems- I'm a freelance web designer, and could really do without a lengthy wait for repairs (though I read elsewhere that there are local repair options in BC).

Does anyone know of any service centres in the Vancouver/Victoria area I could e-mail? It'd be great if I could arrange for them to have the parts when I walk in.

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Answer 3

chocky Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2006 4:43 AM in response to chocky

Actually, I just found one in Victoria that I've e-mailed to see if they have the necessary parts!

Macbook 2GHz Mac OS X (10.4.7) Boot camped with XP Media Center

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Answer 4

MleB

Level 1

80 points

Oct 3, 2006 5:23 AM in response to chocky

Make sure that AppleCare UK is aware of your plan to get your MacBook fixed via AppleCare Canada.

My understanding is that the standard AppleCare that comes with your MacBook is not automatically international.
If you've bought into the extended warranty AppleCare, it is meant to be a global service - but worthwhile, one guesses, to let the UK know of your plans, nonetheless.

I note Victoria has 4 service providers listed on the Apple Canada site, so with luck you'll find someone who can do a timely repair.

Oh, and say hello to my hometown for me while you're there!

😉

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