PSA: If You Recently Bought a 2017 MacBook Pro, You Might Be Able to Get a Refund

Apple has the best customer service around, in my opinion.

If you recently purchased a 2017 MacBook Pro prior to today's announcement ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/07/12/apple-launches-2018-macbook-pro-lineup/') of the new 2018 models, it's possible that Apple might allow you to return the machine for one of the updated 2018 MacBook Pros.

There's a two-week return policy on all Apple products, so if your 2017 MacBook Pro was purchased within the last 14 calendar days, you can return it no questions asked to purchase a new 2018 MacBook Pro instead.



If it's been longer than two weeks, there's still a chance Apple will let you make an exchange. A Reddit user ('https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/8ybxtk/the_apple_store_may_let_you_refund_your_2017_mbp/') purchased a new 2017 MacBook Pro a month ago, and took it to the Apple Store to see if he could return it to purchase a new model and to take advantage of the current Back to School sale ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/07/12/apple-2018-back-to-school/') offering free Beats headphones.

The Apple employee he spoke with did indeed let him return the 2017 machine that was purchased 30 days ago.

In the past, Apple has been generous with returns when new Mac models are released, so it's no surprise that at least one person has been able to exchange a month-old machine for the newer 2018 model.

It's not store policy to allow for exchanges after 14 calendar days though, so while it's absolutely worth visiting an Apple Store to plead your case for a return if you purchased a 2017 MacBook Pro in the last month or so, there's no guarantee that your local store will allow it.

In situations like these, the decisions are left up to the employees at each individual store, so your experience may differ than the Reddit user who was able to get a refund.

The new 2018 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models feature 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors from Intel which bring major speed improvements, up to 32GB RAM (15-inch MacBook Pro), up to 4TB of solid state storage, Retina displays with True Tone, revamped keyboards with quieter keys, and a T2 chip for improved security and hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality.


Article Link: PSA: If You Recently Bought a 2017 MacBook Pro, You Might Be Able to Get a Refund ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/07/12/2017-macbook-pro-refund-possible-recent-purchase/')

I purchased a 15.4" 3.1Ghz, 16GB, 1TB Touch Bar MacBook Pro from B&H Photo 2 weeks ago. They refused to even consider returning the laptop stating that since it had been open it violated their return policy, end of story. I then went on to explain I had made a $10,000 order on Monday and it hadn't yet got to me and if they were unwilling to work with me here (I didn't want a refund, I wanted to give them more money and get the upgraded model) I would cancel the order and do my business elsewhere. The lady put me on hold and came back a few minutes later and changed her tune and basically stated that they would return the laptop but then I would be responsible for a 20% restocking fee. I explained to her that I wasn't interested in paying another $700 on top of the $600 that the upgrade was going to cost where I was then told that was all they were willing to do. I cancelled the order and it's going to cost them $9399. and some change. At that point she explained that since it was in transit they couldn't cancel it and I would have to refuse shipment. Then there was a snarky comment of some possible shipping fees or what have you. At that point I got real upset and called my credit card company and disputed the charge. FedEx has also been notified to return the shipment to the sender. I will never do business with B&H Photo again. All over the website is says 30-Day return policy, but if you look into it deeper, in small print they state basically "unless you open it". There was a 27" i7 fully loaded iMac and and a 2.8 Mac mini with SSD in the order I cancelled. I purchased a fully loaded 27" iMac i7 from them a year ago. I've spent no less than $20,000 with them the last year and they were unwilling to work with me at all to retain my business. They wouldn't even match Apple's 14-Day policy on a laptop return, which I sure Apple would have made right with them, had they even asked but were evidently unwilling to do. Their loss. B&H Photo has good prices and quick and reasonable shipping. Unfortunately the first time I had a "problem" with them they really dropped the ball in my book and fell on some "small print" policy. My advice to anyone doing business with B&H... don't if you're planning on purchasing a computer because once you break the plastic wrap seal, you're screwed.

Anyhow, I've contacted Apple to see if they would be willing to help me and they are feverishly looking into it for me. They do have some sort of department that will hear your case if the Authorized Retailer you purchased from won't return your item but it's real hard to find and I haven't heard back from them yet. I'm hoping they will hear me out and help even though they are under no obligation to do so. Fingers crossed. I'll be sure and let everyone know how it all works out in the wash, but one thing is for sure... I'll never do business with B&H again, if for no other reason than the snarky comment by the rep that was on the phone and the way they flip flopped on their policy after they realized I had a $10,000 order outstanding, but wouldn't go ahead and follow thru and tried to bilk me out of another $700. Shamefull.

I probably could have literally told them the item was defective and just returned it and no one would have been the wiser but I tried to do the right thing and I guess... shame on me. Live and Learn. Apple, if you're watching.... please, please, please help me out here like you've done so many other people. Please don't make me regret doing business with your Apple Authorized Retailer, B&H PHOTO, anymore than I already have. :(

Gary Fletcher

anyone had any luck of getting this done with having the 2017 model for over a month or so?

I had mine for exactly one month. Bought my 2017 custom config on June 12. They didn’t give me any trouble and even helped place the order for my new custom config while I was still in store.

I'm in Australia and I just rang Apple about my 34 day old MacBook Pro and they agreed to give me a full refund. They said they always assess these sorts of things on a case-by-case basis. Cheering!!

I’m literally at the Apple store in Indianapolis right now doing this. They accepted a return for my spec’d out 2017 MBP that I bought 30 days ago exactly.

I purchased a 15.4" 3.1Ghz, 16GB, 1TB Touch Bar MacBook Pro from B&H Photo 2 weeks ago. They refused to even consider returning the laptop stating that since it had been open it violated their return policy, end of story. I then went on to explain I had made a $10,000 order on Monday and it hadn't yet got to me and if they were unwilling to work with me here (I didn't want a refund, I wanted to give them more money and get the upgraded model) I would cancel the order and do my business elsewhere. The lady put me on hold and came back a few minutes later and changed her tune and basically stated that they would return the laptop but then I would be responsible for a 20% restocking fee. I explained to her that I wasn't interested in paying another $700 on top of the $600 that the upgrade was going to cost where I was then told that was all they were willing to do. I cancelled the order and it's going to cost them $9399. and some change. At that point she explained that since it was in transit they couldn't cancel it and I would have to refuse shipment. Then there was a snarky comment of some possible shipping fees or what have you. At that point I got real upset and called my credit card company and disputed the charge. FedEx has also been notified to return the shipment to the sender. I will never do business with B&H Photo again. All over the website is says 30-Day return policy, but if you look into it deeper, in small print they state basically "unless you open it". There was a 27" i7 fully loaded iMac and and a 2.8 Mac mini with SSD in the order I cancelled. I purchased a fully loaded 27" iMac i7 from them a year ago. I've spent no less than $20,000 with them the last year and they were unwilling to work with me at all to retain my business. They wouldn't even match Apple's 14-Day policy on a laptop return, which I sure Apple would have made right with them, had they even asked but were evidently unwilling to do. Their loss. B&H Photo has good prices and quick and reasonable shipping. Unfortunately the first time I had a "problem" with them they really dropped the ball in my book and fell on some "small print" policy. My advice to anyone doing business with B&H... don't if you're planning on purchasing a computer because once you break the plastic wrap seal, you're screwed.

Anyhow, I've contacted Apple to see if they would be willing to help me and they are feverishly looking into it for me. They do have some sort of department that will hear your case if the Authorized Retailer you purchased from won't return your item but it's real hard to find and I haven't heard back from them yet. I'm hoping they will hear me out and help even though they are under no obligation to do so. Fingers crossed. I'll be sure and let everyone know how it all works out in the wash, but one thing is for sure... I'll never do business with B&H again, if for no other reason than the snarky comment by the rep that was on the phone and the way they flip flopped on their policy after they realized I had a $10,000 order outstanding, but wouldn't go ahead and follow thru and tried to bilk me out of another $700. Shamefull.

I probably could have literally told them the item was defective and just returned it and no one would have been the wiser but I tried to do the right thing and I guess... shame on me. Live and Learn. Apple, if you're watching.... please, please, please help me out here like you've done so many other people. Please don't make me regret doing business with your Apple Authorized Retailer, B&H PHOTO, anymore than I already have. :(

Gary Fletcher

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was planning on buying a new macbook pro from B&H. Now I'll rather head to the Apple store.