iPhone Battery Replacement

Yes, same issue in Manhattan Beach, CA. Made an appointment at Apple store (after making one at Best Buy, which at least has a sign saying they have no inventory, don't know when they will, and users should not rely on Apple website appointments), waited 15 minutes after arriving, and then "tech" guy says they have no inventory. I ask why they accept appointments when they have no batteries, and he says they get phone diagnostic data (which takes 60 seconds or so) and put you in the queue to be notified when they actually have inventory. Apple needs to change their appointment system for this. Don't allow appointments when they know there is no inventory. Absolutely no reason for people to make two trips to the store. Oh, and the tech guy says when they do notify me, all I have to do is drop in and they'll install right away. Sure they will.

I talked to someone that had theirs done. They had to leave it for almost 5 hours and when they went to pick it up they said a different time than originally quoted and it still want done.

That’s why I’m waiting for a few months.

tom1825 wrote:

Yes, same issue in Manhattan Beach, CA. Made an appointment at Apple store (after making one at Best Buy, which at least has a sign saying they have no inventory, don't know when they will, and users should not rely on Apple website appointments), waited 15 minutes after arriving, and then "tech" guy says they have no inventory. I ask why they accept appointments when they have no batteries, and he says they get phone diagnostic data (which takes 60 seconds or so) and put you in the queue to be notified when they actually have inventory. Apple needs to change their appointment system for this. Don't allow appointments when they know there is no inventory. Absolutely no reason for people to make two trips to the store. Oh, and the tech guy says when they do notify me, all I have to do is drop in and they'll install right away. Sure they will.

That's Apple's part inventory process. They absolutely won't give customers real time inventory before arriving at a store. If you need it and have an appointment, they'll tell you if it's in stock and then allow you to return if it's not. I suppose the rationale is to maintain a "virtual queue" where everyone has to come it and where nobody jumps ahead just because someone is posting to a message board that "Apple Century City" says they have plenty. Not that the current typical 1-week appointment window means it will still be there.

I had a tough time just finding out if they had a particular part that still available at all. I had a serial number and everything, but unless my computer was there along with a Genius Bar appointment, I wasn't going to find out if they had the part.

Worse! I walked into an apple store to have the battery replaced. I was told that I had to have my iPhone 6 plus diagnosed and then I could order the battery. I stated I only wanted the battery, but their rep and supervisor wouldn't budge. I asked to talk to the supervisor's manager and he stated that he did not have one. At this point I finally consented to call apple support and their tech then informed me that the diagnosis wasn't needed for the battery replacement. Apple support created a case ID. I also asked that support that I wanted to complain about this long process and he created another ticket. Next morning received another email from support that the battery replacement would be available in over two months. I was livid and contacted support again and got a hold of supervisor to complain. His response was that the discounted price was apple's effort to make good on this issue of slowing down the phones and there wasn't anything more he could do because that was what apple was instructing them to do. Apple customer service was what made worth the extra cost, now I don't see that as worth the extra cost of devices and will be looking at the other companies products.

THINK a little. There are about a HALF BILLION (500,000,000) phones that are eligible for battery replacement. How long do you think it takes to make a half billion batteries, then distribute them to 500 stores around the world, anticipating how many each store will need. The fact that they can do it in only 2 months is a really remarkable accomplishment.

Entitled a little? As Lawrence pointed out they didn't have millions upon millions of batteries just sitting on a shelf. Maybe be rational and understand they're getting them as fast as they can and you'll just have to wait until they've got one for you.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

How long do you think it takes to make a half billion batteries, then distribute them to 500 stores around the world, anticipating how many each store will need.

At least a week or two, possibly a bit more. :-)

Entitled hardly, did I give it some thought absolutely, they know what their inventory is and have staff that have to estimate delivery of their products as a natural course of business, why would they not announce that the replacement schedule would take this long. I would have saved a day that I won’t be getting back.

Maybe, maybe it’s a “voluntary” action to avoid a major class action case

Have to assume you don't have a formal Apple store nearby. Call you local Apple support for advice.

Everything that I've read said that supply may be constrained at first and to make sure the store has the batteries in stock before making the appointment.

I did the same, though there is an Apple store in town. Also "they" told me I have an iPhone 6s and it didn't qualify anyway. Well. I have a 6. So what next.

iPhone 6 does qualify.

Good advice! Thanks

Patty

Thanks so much to all; ended my frustration!