Too bad. Current policy is after 2 weeks bought from Apple online, all service must bring to local service reseller first. Really lost confidence.
That is the clearly stated return policy on Iphones purchased from Apple Store Online. So you should consider it before you make your purchase.
ok... i asked this question before too. The local service centre technician told me they need to open it to check on the phone, whether it's tampered before.
I saw one aunty and her daughter brought the iPhone 5 for warranty claim, opened up they saw some warranty stickers on the phone. They told customer that its being opened before and the customers insist never send for warranty claim. So SC ask them to bring back to the place of purchase.
in this scenario, if they dont open it, apple singapore may reject the claim too. So i fully understand why they need to open up the phone.
Don't forget one thing, u never know where the imported set comes from. it might be a rejected stock from other countries. Your seller can said so many wonderful thing to you, but can they proved it?
And while all sets are send back to Singapore for RMA, who is responsible for the cost of delivery? Apple or SC? if SC need to pay for shipping, do you think they will be happy to collect those set not bought from them? Think about it. Will you feel happy if you are operating a business and those not buying from you come and ask u to help claim warranty?
And what about data collection? Apple Malaysia/Singapore need to ensure the faulty unit need to be a product from their region, otherwise it will affect the data within the region.
Let's look at another scenario.
Apple China - 100 units 20 faulty
Apple Malaysia/SG - 100 units 10 faulty
If the 100 units are brought in from china and sold in Malaysia. If its allowed to be claimed in Malaysia, that would means out of 100 units, there are 30 units faulty which is 30%. The 100 units from Apple Malaysia/SG is registered under them while the other 100 brought in by resellers are not. This will mess up the data.
These are my thoughts if I put myself in a their shoes.
I never did raise any issue of who and where and why and should or should not Resellers like Machines help send overseas units for RMA on behalf of customers. I have already clearly stated many times in previous posts that Only Iphone purchased from overseas that are possible to be RMA'ed here in Malaysia resellers are Apple Store Singapore units. I do not wish to go into these topic anymore.
Im saying that if your unit "qualifies" to be RMA'ed by local resellers here, Resellers here should not question the authencity of the phone as they should know better after checking the origins of the phone. If the resellers were to refuse any 'qualified" RMA units, maybe they should review the terms and conditions of the contracts signed with Apple.