Apple Provided Wrong Colour MacBook Pro in 2018. What’s Going to Happen?

I have purchased a Space Grey MacBook Pro in March 2018. Never owned a iPad or any Mac devices before that.

Ordered it online and collected it from the Apple in Highpoint.

Recently chatting with my wife’s sister, about MacBooks. I told her I own a space grey MacBook but it doesn’t seem as dark like hers. After showing her, she insisted it was silver. Yesterday I checked my order from previous emails and I indeed ordered a Space grey. Comparing the invoice and receipt, I have realised they had given me the wrong product, as the product codes were different by one letter, with one being a V and the other a X.

I have emailed them this weekend. But they aren’t operating. I’ll be contacting them this week. Curious on what is the possibilities? Looking at ACCC website, there is no set time limit on warranties/guaranties if it is a wrong product. Still have the original box and all.

Let me know your thoughts.

Related Stores

Apple
Apple

closed Comments

  • +28

    Does it really matter if it’s space grey or silver?

    • +54

      It clearly didn’t for 2.5 years because OP didn’t even notice.

    • +4

      One factor is, I am considering of selling it later and providing the receipt. It would give doubts with a wrong product description.

      Regardless of the colour. My question, does it classify as a wrong product and how would Apple deal with the situation as it has been more than 2 years.

      • +26

        Just ask Apple to give you a corrected receipt.

      • +4

        I don’t think they would give you any warranty. It’s up to the individual to check the product, and not try a d make a case 2 years later

        • +1

          I’m arguing over the point of consumer guaranty of ACCC.

          See page 3 on https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Consumer%20Guarantees%2…

          • @Turkic wolf: Apple gives you about two weeks to test drive any product that you buy from their retail or online store.
            Within that time period, you can return the product for a full refund (no questions asked).

            It is not Apple's fault that you failed to notice the colour is not the one you selected and paid for within the above period.

            If you think they will swap you a brand new laptop now, or provide any other form of compensation you are dreaming.
            However, if you approach them nicely they are more likely to provide you with a correct tax invoice / receipt (if the original is not correct).

            In any case, have you checked the serial number listed on the current invoice, and does it match or differ from that of the device itself?

      • +1

        you don't need a reciept with apple gear. goes by serial no.

      • +1

        After you pick up at the store, they'll send a 'pick up confirmation' which has a bar code and the serial number for the computer they gave you. Does that list the correct serial number?

        • The serial number is correct with the current MacBook. This is on the receipt. However, the product code on the invoice provided is not the same as the receipt.

          • @Turkic wolf: You could then use the receipt as proof of purchase when you're selling. After all, what matters is that you're selling the same MBP that you got from Apple. If you go to an Apple store and show the 2 documents and the computer, you may be able to get Apple to amend the invoice.
            I think it would be quite wrong to now demand that Apple give you a new SG unit after 2 years!

      • +1

        What's the benefit of providing a receipt for a product that is out of warranty anyway? Actually, Apple warranty is baked into the item's serial number so you can just bring it in within the warranty period without a receipt and still be ok.

        Receipts for product out of warranty is usually only used for selling products that often have their authenticity questioned like luxury fashion products.. i.e LV handbags. I don't think anyone will dispute the fact that it is indeed a real Apple computer vs a fake.

        Also, what exactly are you trying to get by going to Apple referencing ACCC two and a half years after you've purchased the product? Are you expecting them to provide you a brand new space grey macbook? It's on you to contact them and let them know there has been a mistake with your order in a reasonable timeframe, not 2.5 years after the fact.

        I think it will be hard for you to argue on any reasonable ground for any kind of compensation. But really though, what are you expecting?

      • It would give doubts with a wrong product description.

        Why do you have to provide the receipt?

    • It matters now, because its an Apple and paid top $$. Unless a Lenovo just black.

  • +16

    I think given it’s taken you two years to notice and you haven’t cared until now, probably nothing will happen. If you had noticed it straight away, then they would have swapped it.

    It’s on you to double check you got the right product. But I will emphasise that you didn’t notice or care for 2.5 years so it’s not a big deal.

    (Unless, of course, the prices were different. Then it’s a different conversation.)

      • +17

        That's on you, not Apple. It's called due diligence.

      • Sounds like you thoroughly researched your $2500+ purchase.

      • It’s the fact I didn’t know what space grey looked like for Macs

        You said you ordered online; the Apple website has photos of all devices you know…

  • +13

    Member Since
    19 min ago

    • -5

      I was always subscribed but never made an account.

      • +1

        How does that work?

        • +1

          Years ago you were able to just write your email and subscribe. Correct me if I’m wrong.

  • Is the device still under warranty?

    • I don’t know.

      • Put the serial number into the apple website warranty checker thing

        • Ohh yes it’s expired. But I’m arguing the point of ACCC consumer guaranties. Look here at page 3.

          https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Consumer%20Guarantees%2…

          • +13

            @Turkic wolf: If your position is that the goods don't match the description, my thoughts are twofold…
            1. They don't.
            However…
            2. If you had highlighted the error at the time of receipt off the new item, you would have been given the correct colour. You have used the device for a number of years, which clearly indicates you were ok with the device delivered.

            So no, IMO, you are barking up the wrong tree and to be honest, it's a poor attempt to rort the system.

            • -6

              @oscargamer: Let’s see what they say.

              • +4

                @Turkic wolf: I hope they give you a scratched return with 50% battery life left.

                • +1

                  @Slippery Fish: lol that would actually give OP a legitimate reason to ask for a refund

              • +1

                @Turkic wolf: I'm reading through the post and I'm still confused. What are you trying to achieve? A new laptop? Extended warranty? Full refund? A multimillion dollar settlement retirement package?

                • @buckethat: My thought when I first read the post was that the OP was angling for a new replacement and hoping to take advantage of this “error”.

  • +11

    Start planning your retirement. You've got a multimillion dollar settlement coming up

    • -3

      Where’s your multimillions? Haha

      • +9

        Haven't won the apple lottery like you have.

  • +4

    Member since 58min. Tell us what Apple say when you get their response and post it back on here. Go for it. But you did accept the item and at no point in the last 2half years did you even notice the possible difference enen though you could have gone back to a store at anytime to check if it were an error. Good way to try and get a new Pro. Be an uphill battle, but hey try it on if you have the time. Apple may or may not offer you anything. Up to you how far you want to go with it.

  • +9

    Make sure you demand a full refund plus cOmPeNsAtIOnZ

    • -1

      Of course. Going through a traumatic experience with Apple.

      • First World Problems!

  • +4

    specsavers lol

    • -1

      Maybe. Or need to be more vigilant.

  • +4

    So you've used in for 2.5 years and now you're just looking for a reason to exchange it for a new one.

      • +3

        How shameless

      • No one would even bother doing that 2 and a half years later over a colour difference. Its your responsibility to inspect and make sure that your model numbers match up with your laptop at the time of purchase.

      • Huh? My computer's the wrong colour and I don't want it exchanged so I need to give it to you? What?

  • +1

    This is awesome. Cheers op

  • +1

    Apple changes what they call space grey constantly. I hasn't been consistant over the years and between products.

  • +6

    Apple Provided Wrong Product. What’s Going to Happen?

    They will give you a free 16 inch MacBook Pro with an i9 and 64GB of ram and a 8TB ssd.

    In all seriousness you have used the laptop for 2 and a half years and expect them to give you a new MacBook Pro over a colour difference!!!!???
    Should've gone to Specsavers if you can't notice a model number difference!
    I think apple will just correct the invoice you got given
    I think you are just trying to get them to give you a Brand new 2020 MacBook Pro after getting 2.5 years out of your old one, Free upgrade!

    • -1

      Well there is a colour difference for a reason.

      • +2

        If it was 3 months ago max then I would not blame you for trying to get something out of this but 2 and a half (Profanity) years ago is insane and the only thing apple will do is just correct the receipt, not give you a 2020 MacBook Pro space grey

        • This is not what OP wants to hear. ;-)

  • +4

    Maybe you should have included "two years ago" in the title.

    • You are right. Sorry for the inconvenience.

  • +3

    Curious on what is the possibilities?

    Let me guess, you hope to get a free new laptop out of this after getting 2+ years out of your existing one? By pointing out a minor clerical error? That you never even noticed? Yeah? Good luck.

  • in March 2018

    Oops. LOL.

  • +2

    Always check your McD bag before leaving the shop.

    This is the reason why Apple charge a premium on their goods.

    • +1

      Same for KFC

  • +2

    I think it is remarkable in 2.5 years you never looked at the Apple website, at other people's MacBooks, that you never had an iPhone, looked at advertisments, product reviews or announcements … how can you seriously have not realised silver isn't space grey for all that time? I find it hard to believe.

    • +1

      ease up on the guy
      maybe he's blind
      lives in Antarctica in a tent with no lights
      grey colour blind
      never seen space grey in his life
      fully sick and wears sunnies 24/7

      • +3

        Thanks IVI.

      • +1

        How can you know what space grey is when you've never been to space?

        • OP
    • -2

      Regardless of colour. It doesn’t match product description.

  • get into u car
    make ambulance noise
    wait for ambo chasing lawyer to turn up
    tell story
    then wait for the court case and monies to roll in

    don't forget to call tracey for an interview on aca

    and post it email here, news.com.au prolly wanna interview u too

    I don't use the word 'hero' lightly, but you are the greatest hero in ozbargain history

  • In terms of this MacBook Pro model, would the space grey colour have a better resale value than the silver?

  • ARE YOU SERIOUS

  • You probably should have posted to Whirlpool rather than OzPileOn. In reality, you won't know until they reply to you. Sometimes Apple plays it straight down the line and other times, they are over accomodating in making things right. I've experienced both. Hopefully when they offer you a solution, you'll come back and let us know how you went.

    • -2

      I like the bitter harshness of OzBargain’s wisdom. Many people aren’t referring to ACCC consumer guidelines and cross referencing with other sources to provide their reasoning. Just going with what they think is right. Anecdotal evidence does the job too.

      • +1

        Go and follow steps outlined on pages 20 & 21 of the ACCC guide you linked, and see what Apple offers you.

        There are no specific time limits defined in the document, leaving it to be determined on a case-by-case basis (reasonable expectation). Both consumer & vendor have obligations.

        You're looking to claim they fail their consumer guarantee, as the colour you received was different to what you were sold (goods will match their description).

        Whether it's reasonable to expect anything be done about it 2.5+ years after purchase (your usage of it for that long can be interpreted as the colour having no difference), is between you and Apple.

        If you'd noticed and acted on this within a reasonable time-frame after purchase (30 days would be my expectation), then you would have no issues obtaining a replacement unit from them (Major fault).

        "the product is significantly different from the description, sample or
        demonstration model you were shown. For example, you ordered a red bicycle
        from a catalogue but the bicycle delivered was green."

        • +1

          However after receiving the green bicycle, which is significantly different from what was ordered, you ride it for a period of two and a half years only to then complain that the colour was not what you originally ordered, demanding brand new replacement.

          Hm… ok

        • Yes xuqi, indeed my friend. I’m not structuring my life on the hopes to get a brand new MacBook Pro. However, the result would be interesting to see. Now I also understand OzBargain is a platform for facts and not possibilities.

          • +1

            @Turkic wolf:

            I’m not structuring my life on the hopes to get a brand new MacBook Pro

            What then are you hoping to get out of this, or this senseless thread?
            Would you like us to coddle you further?

            As many have pointed out already, you are making this claim (which is merely a cosmetic issue not a major fault) after 2.5 years.
            Apple are fairly generous when it comes to refunds and replacements, but only if you act within a reasonable time period.

            Furthermore, you can keep quoting the ACCC all you like. Apple are no longer at fault as you have used the product for 2.5 years blissfully unaware of the minor cosmetic difference.

  • Is this like a hospital swap name tags with another newborn and relatives tells them your baby looks nothing like you… but only after 2.5 years

  • +8

    I think Apple will be able to argue (successfully) that your inaction for 2.5 years meant that you accepted the product despite you ordering a different colour. If you are now arguing that you couldn't tell the difference, I think this only strengthens the argument that it didn't matter (to you).

    • -3

      Where does it right that inaction for 2.5 years is invalid? A good did not match description as stated in ACCC.

      • +2

        The ACL doesn't give a time limit but it does expect people to act reasonably. Expressing dissatisfaction with the colour of your purchase 2.5 years late most likely implies your acceptance of the goods with the incorrect colour.

        A reasonable person would have complained immediately and had the product replaced. An unreasonable person goes back to the retailer 2.5years later demanding a new product. Fair trading will likely rule that you had ample time to express your dissatisfaction and apple most likely would have accommodated it, but your failure to act over an extended period of time means you were not actually dissatisfied at all.

        Just substitute any other product for a macbook and see if it passes the sniff test. Would it be reasonable to accept an incorrect car colour and demand a new one 2.5 years later claiming you didn't know the difference? How about someone painting your house? what about having carpet installed?

        No offence, but I don't think your claim is reasonable.

        • +1

          No offence, but I don't think your claim is reasonable.

          It is downright absurd. The sense of entitlement from the OP is disgusting, really.

  • +1

    Oz bargain reminds me of that guy that laughs self righteously when they see someone else pulled over by the police, and cries injustice when its them that is pulled over.

    Are they going to give you a knew warranty/product ?
    Doubt it

    Will they change the receipt serial # to the correct one?
    Probably

    Will you be compensated in some way?
    Maybe, if you kick up enough of a stink.

    Was asking Ozbargain a good idea?
    No.

    • Some people probably thinks OzBargain is a place of savvy thinkers, thus they seek “The OzBargain” advice to satisfy their desire to solve their YOYO ( You’re Own Your Own) problems.

      • This is not even savvy, this is just some guy trying to rort the system

  • Looking forward to Apples response. I’ve got front row seats

    • You got back row because you are at the bottom of the comments.
      Username checks out

      • Ops comment about his response is likely going to be at the bottom, hence my point stands

        Of course username checks out

  • So we’re posting these types of posts now.

    • +1

      Reflection of current state of affairs in society IMO.

      Eg. People complain about a nanny state, then when such people need “protection” then we now need rules to protect them us…

    • +1

      this and accident post

      • Snap

  • +3

    This will be the new go to thread.

    RIP high yield investment thread.

    • This has joined the ozbargain folklore of threads. McDonalds drive thru, Mercedes Benz,

  • +6

    Way to clog ACCC with meaningless drivel.

Login or Join to leave a comment