Studio 7 are bonkers

[digbeth]

Only apple stores and online actually has return policy where you can actually return for no reason, so if you're buying cash with no carrier discount/plan it's best to get them direct from apple.

 

only time there's a better deals from these resellers is when there's new model along and they have plenty of stock of the existing models

 

lots of their customers do need help with setting it up and signing in to everything though, 

 

I remembered around the iphone 4 days getting it from true, that during the process of going through inspecting everythign from dead pixels to moisture detector in the port - if you reject one they'll just reset,  wrap it up again for the next customer who might not be as critical 

[Paradise Pete]

16 hours ago, James105 said:

 

I might go and pick one up from the other Studio 7 in town today and see if the madness occurs there as well or if this is just an isolated case of Studio 7 idiocy.   

 

Why not order directly from Apple? Free shipping and free no-questions-asked returns.

[Peterphuket]

Why are you making it so difficult, when you know which one you need you can order one directly from Apple.

I have been that for many years, even the big computers,and if you don't like it, you can simple return it, free of charge and get your money back right away

[LukKrueng]

21 hours ago, James105 said:

 

I might go and pick one up from the other Studio 7 in town today and see if the madness occurs there as well or if this is just an isolated case of Studio 7 idiocy.   

Now that you're experienced already, you should tell them upfront you want the phone unchecked and you are willing to sign for it as is. See what they say and then decide if you buy it out not

[James105]

54 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Why are you making it so difficult, when you know which one you need you can order one directly from Apple.

I have been that for many years, even the big computers,and if you don't like it, you can simple return it, free of charge and get your money back right away

 

Buying it from Apple directly I have done in the past, but every time it has been shipped from China (even if in stock in Thailand) so can take a week or more to get it.  

 

Buying something from a Studio 7 store has never been a problem before.  I bought my last iPad from one of them.  The system was that I paid for the device and left the store with the device in its box without anyone needing to open it.  

[steven100]

16 hours ago, Will B Good said:

555....DeWalt, Honda and Honda.......555

I agree Will ....  haha

[James105]

11 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

Now that you're experienced already, you should tell them upfront you want the phone unchecked and you are willing to sign for it as is. See what they say and then decide if you buy it out not

 

I tried that in the second store yesterday.  They said they cannot sell me it if they couldn't open it themselves, and go through the set up themselves, connect it to the internet and 'activate' it themselves.   I even asked them what if I was buying it as a gift and they said the same.   No new iPhone leaves the store without being opened and activated by a store employee before the customer has had a chance to use it themselves.  They were not in the least surprised that I was unwilling to purchase the phone on those terms so I doubt I am the only one who is uncomfortable with this process.   

[BigStar]

24 minutes ago, James105 said:

They were not in the least surprised that I was unwilling to purchase the phone on those terms so I doubt I am the only one who is uncomfortable with this process.   

 

Company policy they're obligated to follow, business is good, don't really care, up 2 u. No one's uncomfortable except the occasional bothersome farang oddball who happens to wander in, who in turn would make them uncomfortable.

Edited November 4 by BigStar

[Ohyesuare]

32 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

Company policy they're obligated to follow, business is good, don't really care, up 2 u. No one's uncomfortable except the occasional bothersome farang oddball who happens to wander in, who in turn would make them uncomfortable.

 

Exactly. They don't really care because their profits on the actual phones are minimal. The majority of their profits is from selling cases, accessories etc.. that they want people pick up along with the new phone.

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

I agree Will ....  haha

 

Gutted.....the chuck on the DeWalt wouldn't even tighten.....gave that one to the FIL.

[digger70]

22 hours ago, PJ71 said:

But once you've paid if they refund you it's to Lazada wallet so they've got you....

 

I'm not sure if it's possible to get it refunded back to bank account / credit card.

 

I gave up buying high value items long ago

I always get my Refunds back into my Debit card account That's what I pay with and that's were they refund it back to. 

[James105]

2 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

 

Exactly. They don't really care because their profits on the actual phones are minimal. The majority of their profits is from selling cases, accessories etc.. that they want people pick up along with the new phone.

 

Sure, but if they don't sell the phone they also don't sell the case or other accessory.   I doubt I'll ever use them again either.   Not sure how not just letting the customer leave with the device they have bought in the brand new condition it was bought in is a good store policy here.   

 

Anyway I've ordered it directly from Apple now and it doesn't appear that it will come with a store employee in the box who insists on opening it and messing with it before I have had a chance to use it so problem solved.  

[BigStar]

54 minutes ago, James105 said:

Sure, but if they don't sell the phone they also don't sell the case or other accessory. 

 

You wish, but in fact they can sell cases and accessories for phones bought elsewhere.

 

54 minutes ago, James105 said:

Not sure how not just letting the customer leave with the device they have bought in the brand new condition it was bought in is a good store policy here. 

 

Reasonable store policy for ensuring goods leaving the store are in good working condition and already set up, so avoiding later ignorant customer complaints that something doesn't work; and distinguishing customer misuse, and spurious accusations resultant therefrom, vs. an original fault with the phone. Saves time and money. Takes little time to perform a quick check & setup; I'd guess most customers appreciate it or in any case don't mind.

 

If you don't see that, then it's merely because you stubbornly refuse to, a not atypical forum poster behavior. The real issue is that you just don't like the policy.

 

54 minutes ago, James105 said:

Anyway I've ordered it directly from Apple now and it doesn't appear that it will come with a store employee in the box who insists on opening it and messing with it before I have had a chance to use it so problem solved.

 

THANK GOD. How ironic, though, if it's DOA or has some issue that compels you to return it.

Edited November 4 by BigStar

[James105]

10 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

You wish, but in fact they can sell cases and accessories for phones bought elsewhere.

 

 

Reasonable store policy for ensuring goods leaving the store are in good working condition and already set up, so avoiding later ignorant customer complaints that something doesn't work and distinguishing customer misuse, and spurious accusations resultant therefrom, vs. an original fault with the phone. Saves time and money. Takes little time to perform a quick check & setup; I'd guess most customers appreciate it or in any case don't mind.

 

If you don't see that, then it's merely because you stubbornly don't want to. The real issue is that you just don't like the policy.

 

 

THANK GOD. How ironic, though, if it's DOA or has some issue that compels you to return it.

 

You are correct I don't like the policy but I did buy a case with it in the first store, which was also refunded to me with the phone refund.   Every apple device comes with a worldwide Apple guarantee as standard for 1 year.   There is zero risk in buying these products and as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, if a fault was found with the device after purchase and tested in store, then the purchaser wouldn't get issued a new replacement device and the phone with the fault would be sent back to Apple to deal with.   So it makes the whole testing completely and utterly pointless as the customer might as well deal with Apple directly anyway if there is a fault after they have left the store.   

 

In the highly unlikely event that it is DOA then I contact Apple support and presumably I get a replacement from Apple.   Not sure why you sound so salty about this really.    

[Keeps]

I certainly wouldn't have let the guy peel off the protective film from the screen.

 

That is one of life's greatest pleasures.

[sometimewoodworker]

16 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

16 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

It has a definite meaning in relation to the Apple ecosystem.

You seem to have an idiosyncratic view of vocabulary.

No, I don´t! It´s well known that who ever wish, can use the name/title authorized for what they wish to use it for. It means totally nothing. End of!

You are displaying your ignorance of the Apple ecosystem.

 

Just because in your opinion it has no meaning doesn’t make it true.

 

Apple have given it a definite meaning with their use to describe their contracted resellers. So in that context it has a definite meaning, that you don’t accept that or can’t understand that just shows you lack of knowledge.

[sometimewoodworker]

16 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

16 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

You probably have a data limit that is much larger than mine, for me my data limit is set for using WiFi for the vast majority of my use.

Yes, I have unlimited!

I prefer my plan, at a little over 4,000 per annum for 2 devices with the same number 

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, James105 said:

I tried that in the second store yesterday.  They said they cannot sell me it if they couldn't open it themselves, and go through the set up themselves, connect it to the internet and 'activate' it themselves.   I even asked them what if I was buying it as a gift and they said the same.   No new iPhone leaves the store without being opened and activated by a store employee before the customer has had a chance to use it themselves.  They were not in the least surprised that I was unwilling to purchase the phone on those terms so I doubt I am the only one who is uncomfortable with this process.   

 

Valid point on regarding 'what if its a present'..... 

 

If in Bangkok there is the option of sourcing direct from the Apple Store... and walking out with an unopened box. 

If outside of Bangkok, ordering online is the option - but yes, it takes about a week.

 

 

I can understand if people want to walk out with an 'unoppened box' and do the checks and set up 100% themselves from scratch...   the obvious response is if this is a show stopper, just walk away.

 

 

 

 

 

[0ffshore360]

Interested to know if IPhones purchased direct with Apple come "activated" or not?

If not I would find it suspicious for resellers to insist.

Is it perhaps down to a store "credit" from Apple and the "activation and connectivity "check in reality is registering the device sale location with it's individualized serial number or similar that all  devices capable of electronic  communications have.?

 

[wwest5829]

Only as relates to my own experience .. I have been in Chiang Mai, retired for 13 years. I have bought 2 Apple McBook Airs, iPad, 3 iPhones without any issues. Last dealing was my purchase of my iPhone 15. They set up the new phone by transferring all my saved data/apps, etc. coordinated it with my Apple account and iCloud storage. All worked seamlessly, as expected. I suppose I am over trusting … well, with known entities anyway…

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Interested to know if IPhones purchased direct with Apple come "activated" or not?

Neither of my iPhones, both purchased from the online store, required an activation step, however they were both unlocked and the activation could have happened in the background.

This is different if you have a carrier locked phone. I have a Japanese locked phone and that one is only used as a iPod, no phone functionality available and the unlock for a Japanese one is problematic iffy and not worth bothering with.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Interested to know if IPhones purchased direct with Apple come "activated" or not?

If not I would find it suspicious for resellers to insist.

 

What to you mean by 'activated' ????

 

Phones directly from apple are the same as phones directly from iStudio...    they need to be turned on and a brief set up process takes places - you can then 'install your profile from back up' or 'installed your profile directly from your currnet phone'...   Its the same with iPads and Apple Computures.

 

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Is it perhaps down to a store "credit" from Apple and the "activation and connectivity "check in reality is registering the device sale location with it's individualized serial number or similar that all  devices capable of electronic  communications have.?

Nothing to do with that - they're just checking that the thing functions, powers up, WiFi works, no damaged pixels on screen etc...   Its the same as HomePro opening and turning on your TV before you take it from the store... the difference is that we don't do our internet banking on our TV - thats the issue the Op had being paranoid that the person doing the 'checking' may have covertly installed malware. 

 

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Neither of my iPhones, both purchased from the online store, required an activation step, however they were both unlocked and the activation could have happened in the background.

This is different if you have a carrier locked phone. I have a Japanese locked phone and that one is only used as a iPod, no phone functionality available and the unlock for a Japanese one is problematic iffy and not worth bothering with.

 

I don't think Thailand has 'carrier locked phones' at all.

 

So from that perspective, in this is quite different from Carrier locked Phones in the US that many may be familar with. 

I recall that the Carrier phones in the US don't (or didn't) have a SIM tray.

 

If buying a phone here through a 'Carrier Promo' - you can theoretically use the phone with any SIM, travel to a different country switch SIMs or swtich to a local SIM of a different service provider, however - you are still locked into paying the 'contract' with the initial provide. 

 

 

 

[0ffshore360]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

What to you mean by 'activated' ????

 

Phones directly from apple are the same as phones directly from iStudio...    they need to be turned on and a brief set up process takes places - you can then 'install your profile from back up' or 'installed your profile directly from your currnet phone'...   Its the same with iPads and Apple Computures.

 

Nothing to do with that - they're just checking that the thing functions, powers up, WiFi works, no damaged pixels on screen etc...   Its the same as HomePro opening and turning on your TV before you take it from the store... the difference is that we don't do our internet banking on our TV - thats the issue the Op had being paranoid that the person doing the 'checking' may have covertly installed malware. 

 

oh ok.

I avoid Apple products anyway so  so much for my curiosity.

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

oh ok.

I avoid Apple products anyway so  so much for my curiosity.

As far as 'activation' is concerned - I imagine its very much the same with Andoid products...   none need a 'carrier' activation, they just require to be turned on and used (i.e. any SIM inserted (or e-SIM) to be used). 

[Ohyesuare]

6 hours ago, James105 said:

Anyway I've ordered it directly from Apple now and it doesn't appear that it will come with a store employee in the box who insists on opening it and messing with it before I have had a chance to use it so problem solved.  

 

Sounds good. Problem solved, lesson learned. Studio 7 is not for you. Buying or booking direct is always the best way anyway when it's an option.

[digbeth]

5 hours ago, James105 said:

 

You are correct I don't like the policy but I did buy a case with it in the first store, which was also refunded to me with the phone refund.   Every apple device comes with a worldwide Apple guarantee as standard for 1 year.   There is zero risk in buying these products and as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, if a fault was found with the device after purchase and tested in store, then the purchaser wouldn't get issued a new replacement device and the phone with the fault would be sent back to Apple to deal with.   So it makes the whole testing completely and utterly pointless as the customer might as well deal with Apple directly anyway if there is a fault after they have left the store.   

 

In the highly unlikely event that it is DOA then I contact Apple support and presumably I get a replacement from Apple.   Not sure why you sound so salty about this really.    

 

Just because apple will accept repairs doesn't mean the shop selling it have to accept return for no reason, 

 

only at physical apple stores and online direct from apple is where they accept 14 days returns no question asks which is beyond the industry norms and legal requirement for Thailand, if you bought from a resellers like this, they're only obliged to send it in for repair, which is might not be what the customers expected as they heard you can return any apple products; which is not true- if you go up to apple's own store with products purchased elsewhere they best they'll do is replace it if it's defective or you have applecare, but to return and get a refund for no reason? no 

 

- imagine the typical thai customer - if they had a session of box opening, going through and makeing sure every thign works with the staff this do cut down on this somewhat

[BigStar]

6 hours ago, James105 said:

 So it makes the whole testing completely and utterly pointless as the customer might as well deal with Apple directly anyway if there is a fault after they have left the store.   

 

No, the point is to find a possible fault before the phone leaves the store and also set it up. If there's a fault out of the box in the phone you ordered--which would have been detected at the store--you'll have to go through the bother of returning it and getting a new one and then go through, or attempt to go through, your check and setup again.

 

The question really isn't mainly about your losing money. In the time you've taken to post here, Studio 7 could have set up at least 3 phones for you.

 

I agree it's unlikely the ordered phone from Apple with be defective, but--shock!--it can be. If you look on the 'net, you'll find plenty of users reporting issues with their new iPhones out of the box. So you'll find support pages like this:

 

How to fix iPhone 16 Pro Max Stuck on Setup?

If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen

 

Now, I don't care in the least where you buy your phone. Since you posted your complaint, I'm merely pointing out, for your edification, that a store's rational policy, which might even have benefitted you, isn't "bonkers" merely because you don't like it. Please inform us of the store's bankruptcy in the near future.

 

 

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

I prefer my plan, at a little over 4,000 per annum for 2 devices with the same number 

When was that important in this thread?

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

You are displaying your ignorance of the Apple ecosystem.

 

Just because in your opinion it has no meaning doesn’t make it true.

 

Apple have given it a definite meaning with their use to describe their contracted resellers. So in that context it has a definite meaning, that you don’t accept that or can’t understand that just shows you lack of knowledge.

Why do you quote another person in my quote. Learn to use the forum, or refrain from it.