Apple Not Accepting Returns or Exchanges in Hong Kong

Apple updated its purchase policy for Hong Kong today to reflect that all Apple and Beats products purchased at its retail stores in the region cannot be returned or exchanged.

The exact reason for Apple suddenly disallowing returns and exchanges at its five Hong Kong retail locations, and whether it is a temporary move, remains unclear at this time.

Apple previously allowed customers in Hong Kong to return or exchange undamaged products with the original receipt and packaging within 14 days of the date of purchase.

The change was made on the same day iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launched in Hong Kong, where the smartphones have been reselling on the black market for up to 15,000 Hong Kong dollars, or up to $1,933 in U.S. dollars. CNBC and South China Morning Post both ran articles about these lucrative scalping efforts, which have become commonplace with every iPhone launch, earlier today.

Hong Kong is a hotbed for black market electronics due to the lack of import taxes and duties added to foreign goods purchased, as is the case in neighboring mainland China. Scalpers often attempt to illegally smuggle new iPhones across the border to mainland China to make significant profits, including one smuggler caught with 94 iPhones strapped to his body in 2015.

A tipster informed MacRumors that the return policy change also applies in Macau, another special administrative region of China.

Tags: return policy, Hong Kong, Apple retail

Top Rated Comments

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rageguy

39 months ago

I'm from HK. The concept of refund and exchange is so foreign to us. When I moved to Canada I was shocked people can change their mind and get a refund. The ability to have refunds and exchanges is a privilege, not a universal right.

A lot of stores in HK do not allow refunds or exchanges. This isn't news.

Rating: 44 Votes

WilliamG

39 months ago

They can't have a no returns policy. It's unconscionable. Customers have a right to return products. If Apple sees fit to sell products in the region, it must accept refunds and exchanges.

That awkward moment when you realize you're incorrect.
[doublepost=1474010608][/doublepost]

To those defending Apple, if Apple sees fit to sell products, it must equally see fit to accept returns. None of this overt rights curtailment in some regions around the world. How disgraceful of those advocating such a discriminatory policy.

No. You're wrong.

Rating: 23 Votes

1041958

39 months ago

Take this ---- policy to the courts. Customers have a right to return any product for an exchange or refund.

Don't have confidence in a market, then don't sell the device in that market.

Why do people from some countries always seem to think the rights they have are automatically extended to those in other countries?

Rating: 19 Votes

1041958

39 months ago

Thanks but you aren't the arbiter.

Oh the irony of this post when you just made an absolute statement above about what's right and wrong.

Rating: 16 Votes

Admiral

39 months ago

They can't have a no returns policy. It's unconscionable. Customers have a right to return products. If Apple sees fit to sell products in the region, it must accept refunds and exchanges.

Yes, Your Majesty. Of course, Your Majesty.

Rating: 13 Votes

rageguy

39 months ago

Who cares and the sooner we drop China for all things the better we will all be.

This, along with some of the posters in this thread is a good example of "white privilege" or "white supremacy".

Rating: 13 Votes

akeita

39 months ago

The reason is simple.

The majority of iPhones sold in Hong Kong in the early days / weeks after launch are immediately sold to traders who would then smuggle them across the border to China. There is a price premium between the retail price in Hong Kong and the retail price in China, not to mention the enormous demand in China that the supply from official retailers within China can't meet, which may drive up the black market price even more.

This has been happening since the iPhone 4 cycle. Yes. iPhone 4 cycle. 6 years ago. Back when China wasn't even on the initial list of countries where the iPhone was available but Hong Kong usually was. Imagine the supply intended for a city of 7 million trying to meet the demand of a country of 1.3 billion.

By providing a generous return policy in the past, Apple was providing a safety net for those seeking a quick return flipping iPhones. In case the demand from China didn't materialize, as was the case for the past 2 cycles, people trying to flip can return the iPhones to Apple for a full refund, risk free. By eliminating this return policy, then there is now a cost to these quick flipping trades, which is actually a good thing.

Rating: 13 Votes

wbrat

39 months ago

Scalpers often attempt to illegally smuggle new iPhones across the border to mainland China to make significant profits, including one smuggler caught with 94 iPhones strapped to his body ('http://slide.news.sina.com.cn/c/slide_1_2841_80267.html#p=1') in 2015.

Let's hope they didn't try that with Galaxy Note 7 :)

Rating: 12 Votes

iPhysicist

39 months ago

Can you please stop complaining about everything Apple does - or does not. In 9 out of 10 of your postings your attitude is angry. Stop posting with anger please and get yourself informed before you hit reply. Thank You in advance!

Rating: 12 Votes

tillsbury

39 months ago

They can't have a no returns policy. It's unconscionable. Customers have a right to return products. If Apple sees fit to sell products in the region, it must accept refunds and exchanges.

What's unconscionable is the abuse of the returns policy, as seen particularly on here where posters gloat about buying two or more and returning the one they can't be bothered with, or the one that turns up before or after. Taking advantage of an extremely generous returns policy like that just ups the prices of the products.

Rating: 11 Votes

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