Bose May Replace Non-Working QuietComfort 35's with QuietComfort 45's on RMA / Repair Requests

Moved to Forum: Original Link

Mod: moved to forums as this requires the customer to submit a genuine RMA request and also have Bose agree (out of goodwill) to replace your headset outside of warranty (which is not guaranteed and Bose reserves their right to decline such requests if your product isn't covered by warranty)

If this post is more suitable for the forum, please kindly relocate it there.

Many people may not be aware of this, if your Bose QC 35 has stopped working, Bose might provide a free replacement with a new QC 45, even if it's well beyond the warranty period.

My QC 35 had been sitting unused for three years. Last week, when I attempted to use it with my new Fire Stick, I encountered an issue where my QC 35 would turn back on after switching it off. I tried Bose repair and replacement with little hope for a resolution since I purchased it back in 2016. To my surprise, Bose offered me a complimentary replacement of the QC 45 and even sent me a free return label. I sent my headphones back this Monday and have already received a notification stating that my new headphones are on the way.

Happy to be a Bose customer!

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Comments

  • +12

    Great customer service but probably better off as a PSA in the forums.

  • +2

    how about QC 15 ?

    • +1

      Also interested on this model. Had mine for 10 years and still work though…

    • +3

      I had a pair of QC25 and tried this. I had an issue with the connection holding the battery in place. Bose wouldn't replace it but offered a sizable discount off the RRP for QC45s. This was around the time of the recent sales and it was about the same price as the cheapest Amazon price.

    • QC 3s?

      • Mine still work, just got some earpad replacements.

    • in general the issue of "always turned on" only affects the wireless models…

      but you can try…

  • Thanks OP, nice gesture from Bose. Quality products too

  • +4

    I wish I knew this before I threw them in the bin

    • Sorry to hear that!

    • +1

      take it out

      • +2

        This was 4 months ago and it was in Scotland. I think they're gone.

    • +2

      Instructions unclear. Posting bad customer service as deals.

    • +1

      getting a brand new current model with a old used faulty model that might be 3+ years old out of warranty is JUST good customer service? you're kidding right!?

    • +1

      More useful than when the latest super hero turd appears on a streaming service

  • +4

    Hey OP,

    Lucky you.

    Had you previously registered the headphones?

    Did you need proof of purchase?

    • +1

      No registration or proof of purchase required. They just asked for the serial number.

  • +14

    Anyone know how to make a working pair of QC35 II’s non functioning?

    • came here to ask the same question

      dip it in water?

    • QC35II is better if not the same though?

      • QC45 is a 4 year newer model

        • +2

          And so what is better about it?

          • @reactor-au: For starters they would be half a decade newer than the pair I've been using the past 5 years…

          • @reactor-au: I can't say I own either model, but I'm sure those with a broken QC35 would appreciate a few upgrade?

            • +1

              @YeemaiI: I have the QC35II; when the QC45 came out the reviews said it felt cheaper than the QC35II, sounded the same, and I think had USB-C instead of micro-USB. Doesn't sound like an upgrade.

              • @reactor-au: So if your QC35II were broken, you wouldn't send them in and get a free pair of headphones? I know I would, better than them sitting around collecting dust.

                • +2

                  @YeemaiI: Mine aren't broken, and I don't plan on breaking them to get a pair of QC45.

                • @YeemaiI: Think you're ignoring the context here

                  Anyone know how to make a working pair of QC35 II’s non functioning?

    • Put it in the microwave for short bursts

    • +1

      I mean you could just send it and pretend that it's not working. Not like they'll check if it's actually working and send you your 35II's back

    • my QC35 I was still functioning… only the earcups were peeling.

  • +3

    Had the quitecomfort earbuds with one side developing some random noise a little into a year of owing it-didnt even use it that often as I dont use noise canceling earbuds unless Im doing long distance travelling. Never dropped on the ground, never smashed, heck case was (and still is) like new with no scratches. Was advised its out of warranty and quoted some 250$(or around this value, don’t remember now) to replace one earbud.

    Wont deal with bose again with the horrible qc and service. Of course YMMV. There’s gotta be something critically wrong withe QC35 that they are going out of their way to provide free replacements, battery bloat/explosion concerns?

    • I've never owned or used their earbuds but I own the QC35IIs.

      Many years ago (15 or more) I was gifted a pair of new on ear wired Bose headphones. I don't remember the model. I loved them and used them quite often but I'm never rough on my stuff and they lasted about 2 years before one ear became intermittent and eventually stopped working entirely. I vowed to never get Bose products again.

      In late 2019 I bought the QC35IIs after endless research. I didn't want to out of principal but to me they sounded better, were more comfortable and allegedly had better noise cancellation performance compared to the equivalent Sony model. I very nearly purchased the Sonys. I've used my Boses quite literally almost every day since then, normally for a few hours at night and sometimes for the whole day, with barely a hiccup. They'll usually get charged every 2-3 days. Bose replaced the ear foams the first time (I think it was just out of warranty) and I have since replaced those with knockoffs, but other than that they've been great. I would without hesitation purchase a pair of QC45s.

      • QC35 sounds better than QC45 though

  • Curious if they offer this type of replacement for any of their other products.

  • @Harrison did they ask many questions regarding your problem? or just offered you a replacement?

    • I just filled the repair and replacement form. no additional questions asked.

      • thanks for sharing this. Just did it and will receive a replacement.

  • "might"…YMMV

  • Does this apply to grey import stock?

    • Update : Yes it does.

  • BOSES MO

  • +1

    Mate, thank you so much for posting this! Have a pair of broken QC35s that have been sitting collecting dust for ages. Very nice gesture from Bose

  • Can you share your steps or do you just send an email to the general contact email address ?

  • +5

    It only offered me a discount on the QC45 for $325

  • +1

    some information from previous deals: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13707345/redir

  • I think they can do it doesn't mean they have to do it
    Mine was bought like many years ago, it's working fine but the battery is running out quickly
    Don't know what to do with it as the battery is not replacable

  • -1

    I have done this a month or so back and can confirm they will provide a free replacement, just say your QC35 has some issue with power.

    However I liked my QC35 for than QC45.

    • why liekd more ?

    • Agreed, QC35 sounds better than QC45

  • +1

    Many people may not be aware of this, if your <product> has stopped working, <company> might provide a free replacement with a new <product>, even if it's well beyond the warranty period.

    Yes. Its always worth asking.

  • What a legend!

  • +1

    For those that have done the faulty return of QC35's… Did you return the carry case and cables etc. or the headphones itself will suffice?

    • +2

      headphone itself… put inside an amazon box.

      the original QC35 case is better than QC45 as it has the headphone airplane adaptor.

    • Nope, just returned the headphones itself.

  • +4

    Reddit post as reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/bose/comments/kvo0yn/bose_qc35_turn…

    Credit to: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/12458489/redir

    Follow the exact steps below:

    1. Enter serial number
    2. Confirm THIS IS MY PRODUCT
    3. Choose Power and Battery
    4. Power - Will not power off

    And submit some descriptions similar to what was discussed in the reddit post and then it should be receiving acknowledgement

    BTW, retain your original QC35 headphone case as it has the airplane adaptor holder. just return the QC35 without the headphone case.

    • @4iedemon - I am thinking about retaining the case and airplane adapter and just sending the headphone, usb cable and 3.5mm cable. Will Bose expect the case to be returned to send the replacement. How did you go?

      • +1

        Nope. You were mesnt to return a 'broken' headphone anyway so they just expect basic packaging. I didn't return the case.

  • thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you <3 also harrison is a hot name <3

  • It doesn't work for me I do power and battery > power: will not power off > added a description of 'always on wont power off and I only get offered a discount for my QC35ii

    • -1

      its only for qc35's i believe, mark ii dont have power issue

      • -1

        Well that would make sense haha, I've been having some connectivity issues recently so was hoping to get a replacement to fix that issue :P

      • Should work for mark 2 based on the Reddit post

        • Can confirm this too. My friend was able to replace his pair of QC35 II with this.

  • how is it for phonecalls ?

    • doesn't work only offered discount

    • My QC 35 (i) was good for phone calls/work meetings. Never had anyone complaining about background noise.

  • Thank you @Harrison got the shipping label for free replacement. I tried contacting Bose in 2019 ( approx. 2 years after purchase) when this problem started. Bose got back to me that since it is outside warranty period they can offer Bose QC35 ii for $375. No repair, no replacement. I am surprised they are doing this now.

    • Its the US Bose that initiated this… There may be more cases in US than Aus

  • I just tried it but was offered a replacement at a discounted price.

  • what if you lie and say yours are broken and then get sent a new freebie?

    • You still need to return the broken one.

  • Thank you for this post! I just ordered my free replacement. Mine have been dead and sitting in the drawer for a few years.

  • Does anyone know how long it takes for them to send the new ones once they've received the old one?

    • +1

      Mine just took 7 days from lodging the request to the new QC45 being delivered. But I live < 5km from Bose HQ. :)

  • Can confirm this just worked for me. Have had my QC35s for 6-7 yrs and have this issue intermittently, so I replaced them for the Bose earbud II’s a few months back. Thought I’d give this a shot and the free replacement was confirmed in less than 2 minutes!

    This is great, but I have mixed feelings as the earbuds I replaced them with were also faulty but within 4 weeks of use. When I notified Bose back in April, customer support said they’d only offer a repair after inspection which could take up to 6 weeks and it wasn’t guaranteed. It took a few more months of them deteriorating in performance for Bose to finally confirm a faulty replacement.

    So yeah. Mixed feelings on this one. I bought a very faulty pair of earbuds to replace a somewhat faulty old set of headphones, when they were offering free replacements on this known issue anyway…

  • +1

    Thanks OP, just placed my replacement order. I reckon when placing order below selection is key otherwise instead of free replacement they offer on a discounted price.

    • Power and Battery
    • Power - Will not power off
    • Is yours actually having that problem? I have one that have issues with the battery holding charge. Not sure if I can go through this route?

  • Hey OP, thanks so much for posting this. I am in the process of getting mine exchanged for a new pair at no cost. I have had the issue of it powering on randomly for years.

  • +1

    Got a replacement offered for free. Had original QC35 which I bought in Jan 2017. Thanks OP. had been wanting to get the latest one but couldn't justify with the current ones still working.

  • We’re sorry.

    Your product is out of warranty, but we can replace it at a discounted price.

    In order to receive your replacement, you must send in your current product. We will email you an order confirmation, which includes the prepaid Australia Post label, and delivery instructions. Once we have received your product, we will dispatch your replacement. The exchange process should take no longer than four weeks.

    Learn more about the Bose limited warranty.

    ===========

    Offered me new ones for $375:( how do I get a free ones?

  • It worked for me as described, thanks OP!

    • I just received my new QC45s today, such an easy process!

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