Discussion
I’m absolutely gutted, one of my HomePod’s has died, it’s one of a pair I use in my conservatory/office.
Apple have said very politely that it’s tough, you’re out of warranty or you can pay for a repair which is £268.44
I’m pretty useful with a set of screwdrivers, usually I’d have a Google and find a psu online and swap it over, but it’s not possible on these things which are pretty much sealed for life.
It’s not unreasonable to expect a minimum of 5 years service is it? And do Apple really need to make the thing impregnable?
What about the right to repair? What about all the landfill that’s full of perfectly serviceable items that have been made unfixable?
My house is full of Apple gadgets, but this has really annoyed me, it’s not like these speakers are worn out through overuse, they just sit there and play music.
I’m really pissed off, quite honestly I don’t have money to burn on replacing items that should last considerably longer than they have.
Apple have said very politely that it’s tough, you’re out of warranty or you can pay for a repair which is £268.44
I’m pretty useful with a set of screwdrivers, usually I’d have a Google and find a psu online and swap it over, but it’s not possible on these things which are pretty much sealed for life.
It’s not unreasonable to expect a minimum of 5 years service is it? And do Apple really need to make the thing impregnable?
What about the right to repair? What about all the landfill that’s full of perfectly serviceable items that have been made unfixable?
My house is full of Apple gadgets, but this has really annoyed me, it’s not like these speakers are worn out through overuse, they just sit there and play music.
I’m really pissed off, quite honestly I don’t have money to burn on replacing items that should last considerably longer than they have.
Apple themselves state you can clain under UK Consumer Laws for up to 6 years.
https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/
https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/
I’m surprised they have said that.
When one of my Apple accessories died out of warranty, I contacted Apple, and they told me that it couldn’t be replaced under warranty but they would be happy to replace it under consumer contact law. I didn’t even mention it!
I would contact them again, and politely suggest it should last longer than it has regardless of the Apple warranty.
When one of my Apple accessories died out of warranty, I contacted Apple, and they told me that it couldn’t be replaced under warranty but they would be happy to replace it under consumer contact law. I didn’t even mention it!
I would contact them again, and politely suggest it should last longer than it has regardless of the Apple warranty.
Not much luck again today, I can send it to an approved agent, click and collect is £25 for it to be assessed, but no guarantee of a free or discounted repair.
And to add insult to injury none of the 4 places Apple have suggested do any repairs on HomePods anyway, they aren’t serviceable at all so it’s likely that I’ll just end with a £268 out of warranty repair charge, plus my £25 click and collect cost.
I think I’ll wait till the proper Apple stores are open and try a Genius Bar appointment instead.
And to add insult to injury none of the 4 places Apple have suggested do any repairs on HomePods anyway, they aren’t serviceable at all so it’s likely that I’ll just end with a £268 out of warranty repair charge, plus my £25 click and collect cost.
I think I’ll wait till the proper Apple stores are open and try a Genius Bar appointment instead.
Kind of related...
I had an iMac with a "fusion drive" which failed after about 3 years. I booked it in to an Apple store, unbeknown to me at the time it was an Apple reseller.
They didn't have the faciities there to inspect/repair and would need to go to their service centre, they mentioned SOGA and they would try this with Apple and see if they would replace/repair for free. This whole process took a couple of weeks but sure enough it was repaired FOC.
Maybe take it to an Apple reseller as that may be a better option.
I had an iMac with a "fusion drive" which failed after about 3 years. I booked it in to an Apple store, unbeknown to me at the time it was an Apple reseller.
They didn't have the faciities there to inspect/repair and would need to go to their service centre, they mentioned SOGA and they would try this with Apple and see if they would replace/repair for free. This whole process took a couple of weeks but sure enough it was repaired FOC.
Maybe take it to an Apple reseller as that may be a better option.
Freakuk said:
Kind of related...
I had an iMac with a "fusion drive" which failed after about 3 years. I booked it in to an Apple store, unbeknown to me at the time it was an Apple reseller.
They didn't have the faciities there to inspect/repair and would need to go to their service centre, they mentioned SOGA and they would try this with Apple and see if they would replace/repair for free. This whole process took a couple of weeks but sure enough it was repaired FOC.
Maybe take it to an Apple reseller as that may be a better option.
The only problem with resellers (who Apple did recommend) is that none of them offer a way to book in a HomePod for repair.I had an iMac with a "fusion drive" which failed after about 3 years. I booked it in to an Apple store, unbeknown to me at the time it was an Apple reseller.
They didn't have the faciities there to inspect/repair and would need to go to their service centre, they mentioned SOGA and they would try this with Apple and see if they would replace/repair for free. This whole process took a couple of weeks but sure enough it was repaired FOC.
Maybe take it to an Apple reseller as that may be a better option.
I think the Genius Bar is my best option, when they re-open.
They absolutely will not repair a home pod ? They are effectively sealed for life , glued shut for ever.
They probably cost less than $100 for Apple to make , so it makes sense in a lot of ways not to spend valuable time trying to fix something you can source internally at a low price .
The repair cost is 80% of the value , so it’s bin it and replace it at this level.
Just keep pushing them that it’s not fit for purpose and you would reasonably expect it to last at least 5 years .
CRA is your best hope but I don’t know how you escalate if they dig their feet in and won’t play ball.
It seems a common issue at around 2 years old
They probably cost less than $100 for Apple to make , so it makes sense in a lot of ways not to spend valuable time trying to fix something you can source internally at a low price .
The repair cost is 80% of the value , so it’s bin it and replace it at this level.
Just keep pushing them that it’s not fit for purpose and you would reasonably expect it to last at least 5 years .
CRA is your best hope but I don’t know how you escalate if they dig their feet in and won’t play ball.
It seems a common issue at around 2 years old
I’ve been back on the phone to them, the reason they want me to get it back to a service agent is so they can confirm it’s faulty and to make sure it’s not user error or damaged. The agent said in his experience so long as I can show a receipt they will in 99% of cases replace the unit f.o.c, but he said I can’t give you that replacement guarantee in writing.
The problem I’ve got is booking it into a service centre, none of the online booking systems let you book a HomePod repair, so Apple are going to try and find me a UK service centre that I can get it boxed up and sent away to. Usually Apple would book you a slot into a Genius Bar, but they are all closed currently due to cv and their appointed service agents are stacked out with work.
Fingers crossed I’m making progress.
The problem I’ve got is booking it into a service centre, none of the online booking systems let you book a HomePod repair, so Apple are going to try and find me a UK service centre that I can get it boxed up and sent away to. Usually Apple would book you a slot into a Genius Bar, but they are all closed currently due to cv and their appointed service agents are stacked out with work.
Fingers crossed I’m making progress.
KingofKong said:
The only problem with resellers (who Apple did recommend) is that none of them offer a way to book in a HomePod for repair.
I think the Genius Bar is my best option, when they re-open.
I booked my iMac in via Apple's genius bar, but it turned out to be an Apple store (but a reseller). It was within a shopping centre, so imagine lugging a 27" iMac from the car park through a shopping centre, knowing full well they weren't going to open it up and repair there.I think the Genius Bar is my best option, when they re-open.
Stormfront were the reseller if that helps.
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