14 DAY TRIAL // Following Apple’s response to the bad press surrounding its iPhone 4, a number of reports claimed that the company had nixed the 10% restocking fee applied for returned devices. In the meanwhile, customers have also been told that iPhone 4 doesn’t actually have reception issues, as described in recent reports, therefore they may want to hold on to their handsets.
The first clue indicating Apple had ditched the additional payment was actually the company’s own statement (open letter) on the iPhone 4 reception issues. On July 2, the Mac maker explained to customers that its new smartphone merely displayed the wrong number of signal bars on screen, rather than have actual issues with reception. The company promised to roll out a software update within the following weeks, in order to address the issue.
“We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same— the iPhone 4’s wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped,” Apple said. “For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused,” Apple added. Towards the end of the letter, Apple added: “As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.”
Computerworld is now reporting that Apple has suspend its standard 10% restocking fee for returns of the iPhone 4, although just temporarily, according to the BGR, which quotes the site in question. According to the former source, an AppleCare support representative named “Erica” confirmed that the restocking fee had been dropped. The site points out that at least one of several lawsuits targeting iPhone 4 reception issues mentions the restocking fee among the charges.
Two Apple customers, Kevin McCaffrey and Linda Wrinn, reportedly accused Apple of knowingly selling a defective iPhone 4, citing an inability to “return the phone without incurring a substantial restocking fee."