When you buy a new phone from a carrier or smartphone maker, you typically have a set time to return the device in working condition for a full refund. Verizon Wireless and AT&T, for example, allow you to return your device with 14 days for a full refund. Apple used to be a little more relaxed, however, giving customers a full 30 days to decide whether or not if it was the right choice. That’s about to change.
9to5Mac noticed Apple’s policies have changed, and the company now says on its site that you have 14 calendar days to return an iPhone. That change should go into effect tomorrow. Typically, that 14 day return window applied to all Apple products except for the iPhone. As usual, the returns only apply to devices that were purchased directly from Apple, either on its site or in one of its stores. If you bought your iPhone from Best Buy, for example, you’ll need to return your phone to Best Buy.
California once tried to make it mandatory, at least for carriers and retailers in its state, to provide a 30-day return window on mobile phones. Originally, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) created a consumer bill of rights to extend the window. That was eventually shot down and, today, it looks like 14 days is becoming the standard across the board – especially now that Apple is changing its own policies. 9to5Mac said Apple is making the policy change so that it’s return policy is uniform for all devices.
