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John123 · Dec 21, 2004, 07:36 AM

If you take an older generation iPod into an Apple Store for replacement, will they give you the current generation model on the spot (assuming the drive sizes are the same)? Or will it have to be shipped off to Apple and a new one shipped back?

wataru · Dec 21, 2004, 08:32 AM

I just had my 30GB 3G model replaced, and they happened to have the same model in back. If your iPod is still under warranty, my guess is they'll give you the same model back. If it's not under warranty, then of course they won't even look at it for free.

John123 · Dec 21, 2004, 08:49 AM

Really? They had a 30 in the back? That's interesting...I figured they would only stock the currently shipping models (20, 40).

The reason I ask is that I have a 3G 40GB that has a depleted battery. I'd like to get it swapped before leaving town for the holidays, so I figured they'd either swap it for a 4G 40GB or have to send it in. Sounds like from what you're saying that they keep older models in stock?

Anyone else have similar (or different) experiences?

DarwinX · Dec 21, 2004, 10:53 AM

I don't know if it helps much, but I had the warrenty through Best Buy(no comments please, it paid off this time around) and my iPod(4G) was making funny noises through the headphone jack, so I brought it in and they shipped it away(my previous experience at Best Buy was they just gave you a new one). I doubt that was helpful but that was my experience.

tooki · Dec 21, 2004, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by John123:
[B]Really? They had a 30 in the back? That's interesting...I figured they would only stock the currently shipping models (20, 40)./B]

Replacement iPods are normally refurbs. They are in service part boxes (plain brown cardboard) -- you don't get a new retail box. So yeah, they do stock old models as service parts.

tooki

John123 · Dec 22, 2004, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
Replacement iPods are normally refurbs. They are in service part boxes (plain brown cardboard) -- you don't get a new retail box. So yeah, they do stock old models as service parts.

tooki

Okay. Last question: if they have one in stock, will they still hit you with the shipping and handling fee? How many folks here have done mail-in service and not gotten hit with that $30 fee?

tooki · Dec 22, 2004, 12:03 PM

When I had mine replaced under warranty, I dropped off the iPod at the store for "observation", then they called me back a day or two later to say that they were able to reproduce the problem and they were giving me a new one. I showed up, signed a receipt, and they opened up the brown box and gave me the refurb iPod (which is wrapped like new, and in fact always has a new, unscratched enclosure). That was it.

tooki

CatOne · Dec 22, 2004, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
When I had mine replaced under warranty, I dropped off the iPod at the store for "observation", then they called me back a day or two later to say that they were able to reproduce the problem and they were giving me a new one. I showed up, signed a receipt, and they opened up the brown box and gave me the refurb iPod (which is wrapped like new, and in fact always has a new, unscratched enclosure). That was it.

tooki

Exact same experience here. This was with a 1G 5 GB iPod, whose battery was totally fried after 364 days. Got a new one, which was crushed in a bike/car accident a year later.

ThinkInsane · Dec 22, 2004, 12:28 PM

A friend of mine had a 2G 10gig that died about six months ago. He never bothered sending it in as he had bought an XM deck and didn't really use it anymore. Realizing that his Applecare was about to expire, he figured he would take it in and get it fixed. They replaced it with a 20gig 4G.

billybob128 · Dec 22, 2004, 04:02 PM

in the london store the other day i took my mini in with a battery that had a very weak battery. the guy just said it ws unacceptable and replaced it on the spot. but that was like for like i dont think they would do a free upgrade

John123 · Jan 3, 2005, 03:59 PM

Do folks with AppleCare get different treatment than the standard 1 year limited warranty? The reason I ask is that my 1 year is just about up, and I'd love to take it in and get a battery refresh, so to speak...but I kind of DON'T want to pay $30 in S&H (when I can go to OWC and get a better battery for just a little more than that).

Hence my dilemma.

Any input?