Apple Introduces New iPhone Return Policy

Some of you know that if you bought an iPhone directly from Apple and if you suddenly got buyer’s remorse and changed your mind about the iPhone, you had a month (thirty days) to return it to Apple. All you needed to have was the iPhone (of course), all the accessories that you bought it with and make sure that iPhone is not damaged. Well, starting tomorrow, this policy is going to be changed as Apple will reduce the return window from thirty days to just fourteen or two weeks. This way the iPhone gets to have the same return policy as all the other Apple products, which were already featuring a two weeks return policy.

Another direct consequence of the new return policy for iPhones bought directly from Apple Stores is that it is consistent with the return policy practiced by carriers from the United States. All carriers feature a 14 days return policy for iPhones. Before this new policy, Apple customers that bought an iPhone, could return the iPhone in thirty days but if they returned it after a period of two weeks (but before the end of the thirty days period) they were still going to pay Early Termination Fees (ETF) or other penalties from the carriers.

If you simply wanted to get an iPhone of a different color, the thirty days return policy was an advantage; however, it could also turn into a disadvantage for those people that thought they had a whole month to return the iPhone and suddenly were faced with penalties and fees from the carrier that they might not have known about. Apple’s intention is to have an universal return policy for all of its products and the iPhone was in cotnrast to all the other iDevices when it comes to return policy. In any case, the new return policy is already displayed on Apple’s own web page:

Standard Return Policy

There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased from the U.S. Apple Online Store:

• You have 14 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. For an Apple iPhone, you have 14 calendar days.
• Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either through the Apple Online Store or at an Apple Retail Store, can be returned to Apple. Apple products purchased through other retailers must be returned in accordance with their respective returns and refunds policy.
• Please ensure that the item you’re returning is repackaged with all the cords, adapters and documentation that were included when you received it.

There are some items, however, that are ineligible for return, including:

• Opened software*
• Electronic Software Downloads
• Software Up-to-Date Program Products (software upgrades)
• Apple Store Gift Cards
• Apple Developer Connection Products (Membership and Technical Support)
• Apple Print Products

*You can return software, provided that it has not been installed on any computer. Software that contains a printed software license may not be returned if the seal or sticker on the software media packaging is broken.

Returns

We fundamentally believe you will be thrilled with the products you purchase from the Apple Store. That?s because we go out of our way to ensure that they?re designed and built to be just what you need. We understand, however, that sometimes a product may not be what you expected it to be. In that unlikely event, we invite you to review the following terms related to returning a?product.

For iPhone returns, you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. Here?s the important part: returning your iPhone may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account; you are responsible for your wireless service agreement and for any applicable fees associated with your wireless account. Please contact your provider for more information.

For any other undamaged product, simply return it with the original receipt (or gift receipt) and original packaging within 14 days of the date you receive the product. If the item is returned within this timeframe, we?ll exchange it or offer a refund based upon the original payment method. For returns to an Apple Retail Store for cash, cash equivalent, and check transactions over $750, Apple will mail a refund check to you within 10 business days. Please note the following:

• Products can be returned only in the country in which they were originally purchased.
• The following products are not eligible for return: electronic software downloads, subscriptions to the Software-Up-To-Date program, Apple Gift Cards, and any Apple Developer Connection products.
• In the case of items returned with a gift receipt, Apple will offer you an Apple Gift Card equal to the purchase price of the gift, including tax and any other fees.
• Opened software cannot be returned if it contained a seal with the software license on the outside of the package and you could read the software license before opening its packaging. As an exception, you may return Apple-branded software if you do not agree to the licensing terms; however, you may not retain or otherwise use any copies of returned software. It?s not legal? and it?s not nice.
• Apple provides security features to enable you to protect your product in case of loss or theft. ?If these features have been activated and cannot be disabled by the person in possession of the?phone, Apple may refuse the return or exchange.

For complete details on how to return a product purchased at the Apple Store please visit the?Returns & Refunds?page.