What to do if Apple Repair “Breaks” your Macbook

quigpriss

I have a late 2016 Apple Macbook, purchased in early 2017. I did have Apple replace the “butterfly” keyboard a couple of years ago. Otherwise a solid laptop. Recently the laptop would shut down around 20% battery life. Did the diagnostic on the computer, it recommended bringing in for battery replacement. I went in to Apple, they preformed the same diagnostic, recommended either $199 for new battery or $95 in trade value towards a new Apple product. Eh … $199 to extend the laptop 2+ years (hopefully) … that is the option I chose. They had the part in stock, told me to expect 3-5 business days. Left with Apple December 24. Nothing heard from Apple until late last week. They could not make the computer re-boot with new battery, they mentioned a possible cable issue? I did not ask any other questions, they said a couple of more days.

Hopefully I hear soon that all is good.

Question - If Apple has “broken” my Laptop. I left them with a fully operating Laptop that would occasionally shut down around 20% of battery life (frequency of that occurring was about 2x a week). What is just compensation to me and what should I ask for.

Again - Hopefully I hear soon that all is good. But the longer thing go with no word is ominous.

Thank you  

quigpriss

Update - As luck would have it. Apple just called. They are having trouble with the keyboard responding. Now they think they need a logic board. Wondered if I would consider trading in? I replied  … “I asked for a new battery on a laptop that was working just fine, except for a 2x a week shut down at 20% battery life … now … with a possible need for a new logic board … it is costing you more then it is work for you to cover your coast of repairing … so is there a more generous compromise that recognizes I turned in a operating laptop and you having to incur significant costs to repair (logic board). 

They said they would get back to me.

I guess I could “force” them to fix it (my leverage).

Thoughts given new information? 

edited January 2023

mike wuerthele

quigpriss said:

Update - As luck would have it. Apple just called. They are having trouble with the keyboard responding. Now they think they need a logic board. Wondered if I would consider trading in? I replied  … “I asked for a new battery on a laptop that was working just fine, except for a 2x a week shut down at 20% battery life … now … with a possible need for a new logic board … it is costing you more then it is work for you to cover your coast of repairing … so is there a more generous compromise that recognizes I turned in a operating laptop and you having to incur significant costs to repair (logic board). 

They said they would get back to me.

I guess I could “force” them to fix it (my leverage).

Thoughts given new information? 

At this point, I'd probably just hang on for a few more days and see what they offer.

quigpriss

Apple just called - offered me $200. I said no, Told them … last time you told me last time you would fix all expenses beyond cost of the battery would be borne by Apple. My expense would be $199 for a battery.

They now want to check again and get back to me.  

quigpriss

I did try and reach out to customer relations at Apple … ended up with a Sr Advisor … who put me on hold for 5 min a communicated my issue with customer relations … the Sr Advisor referred me back to the store. I am still waiting for the store, as they promised, to get back to me from 2 days ago. I’ll give it until Monday before I reach out again 

quigpriss

Apple has upped the offer to $350 … might be the best I can do

marvin

quigpriss said:

Apple has upped the offer to $350 … might be the best I can do

Seems reasonable for a computer that is 5-6 years old. It's possible to pick up used ones for under $300 (assuming it's the same model):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165790499224