OWC Aura SSD will not upgrade to High Sierra

I spent hours installing the old apple drive - installing HighSierra and then trying to update the Aura SSD (1Tb). I then spent an hour on text support with OWC. The answer is that the Aura SSD WILL NOT WORK with HighSierra. They have a rebate program where they want to sell you the Aura Pro X - which will work but they will only give a $300 rebate after you have purchased the Auro Pro X. I have been an OWC customer for years and this is a pretty bad way to treat customers. The old Apple SSD (flash) works fine but the Aura SSD will not suport High Sierra because of the need to have APFS. Somehow they have frigged the internals on the drive to some proprietary system and HighSierra is a no go.

Here is the transcript from OWC support:

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 19:58:06): So after taking a look at the drive that was ordered. I have realized that you do not have the Aura PRo X.

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 19:58:22): That is the drive that is compatible with High SIerra

Me (17/12/2017, 19:59:06): so what does that mean? is the drive i have never going to work with HighSierra?

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 19:59:11): Correct

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 19:59:32): But we have come up with a rebate program for that drive

Me (17/12/2017, 19:59:52): Ok - what happens next?

Me (17/12/2017, 20:01:24): ok? what happens next?

Me (17/12/2017, 20:01:57): the drive is just over a year old?

Me (17/12/2017, 20:02:45): Hi J, can you tell me about what happens next please?

Me (17/12/2017, 20:04:57): Johniah T - are you still there?

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 20:05:57): So. you place an order for the Aura PRo X drive get it home and make sure it works and then we can set you up for the rebate program to send the Aura drive back for a rebate refund check

Me (17/12/2017, 20:06:48): is there anywhere that describes this on you web site and if so please direct me there? DO I get a 100% rebate?

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 20:07:26): https://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/support/rebates/ssd.cfm

Me (17/12/2017, 20:08:16): 1.0TB - $300.00

Me (17/12/2017, 20:10:12): you guys have to be kidding. that is just nuts - I have a product and it cost closer to $900 I am not confident enough to buy an Aura Pro X - what if next year that does not work with the next osx. Can you have someone email me please - you have my email address from the order. this is not fit for purpose

Me (17/12/2017, 20:11:49): ?

Johniah T (17/12/2017, 20:14:16): That is the only available option. We where not aware that the new operating system was not going to work correctly with the Aura. The filing system is different from the other operating systems.

We where not aware that the new operating system was not going to work correctly with the Aura.

I would try to address this by writing a snail mail to Larry O'Connor, CEO of OWC (with delivery and/or signature confirmation as those are generally viewed as more important). It is not the customer's problem that the drive is not compatible with a new OS. I would request a full refund of whatever you paid for the current/old SSD and offer to pay full price of the new one (which would presumably cost more).

FWIW, since they are still selling Aura SSD's, I'd check their website re. the one you have to see if it mentions anything about not being compatible with High Sierra (I looked at one for a Mac Pro and it did not mention anything). Another point to make in your letter.

Another possible point to make: Apple releases beta versions of every new OS to developers in advance so they can test their product and work on making it compatible. Although OWC isn't a "developer" as such, they do work closely with Apple and should have tested their product(s) and either notified the customers or put a notice on the website. I had a problem with one of their hard drives and it turned out to be the chipset (which makes the connection) had a problem after Apple released an update for USB and/or Firewire ports (and they were working with Apple engineers about it). At that time, sending a letter to the CEO worked - the matter was resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

Thank you for your help. Much Appreciated.

M