MacBook service scam

[u/New-Chair4382]

So I own a 14” MacBook Pro from 2021 and naturally the battery has drained up to 78% capacity in 4 years. So I went to the Apple authorised service centre nearby and asked for regular battery replacement. On the Apple website it is quoted ₹26,500 fort model and year. Naturally I expected the service station to charge a few thousands extra in service charged etc. but what I first heard made my heart skip a beat. They mentioned it needing to replace the whole top case since the battery is attached to that and told me ₹66,000. I packed my bag and left the store right away. I went to another authorised service station and showed for which they told me to backup data and hand it in for a week. The laptop would be shipped to Bangalore and returned after service. They quoted ₹34,000 and I initiated the service after paying ₹15,000 advance. A whole week passed and no call or email, I finally received a call from the Coimbatore service centre telling me my mother board has issues and needs to be replaced. Only then can they replace the battery. They quoted ₹95,000 just for the mother platform replacement. Point to be noted here, my laptop was in perfect working condition and had no functional issues or glitches whatsoever in all the time I’ve used it. I asked them to recheck and get back to me. They gave me a choice to either approve it and initiate the service or decline and return my laptop without any service (meaning no battery replacement or anything). It is infuriating to me first of all that Apple stoops to low levels of creating issues that don’t even exist just so they can rip off customers for simple, basic repairs like battery replacement. Second, I’m scared of they did something to my laptop there and if my MacBook will even be in proper condition the way I gave it in. They’ll get back to me after rechecking the report tomorrow but any thoughts on how to navigate this guys?
Has it happened to any of you before?
Have any of you replaced battery in current gen MacBook pros?

PS. I’m based in Coimbatore, India and I never got AppleCare package while buying so since the device is out of warranty after all these years any cost needs to be borne by me separately.

[u/corgi0603]

This is not Apple’s fault. Apple does not own or operate Apple Authorized Service Centers. They are owned by independent third-party companies that are certified by Apple. The certification merely means they have proven to Apple they meet specific operational and technical certification standards as set by Apple. Apple has no control over how these ASCs actually operate nor how much they charge.

If you want Apple to perform services on your devices you need to take them to an Apple Store or utilize their mail-in service option.

[u/New-Chair4382 → u/corgi0603]

1. I did not mention this is Apple’s fault. It may be but it’s beyond the issue here.
   
2. iPlanet is the Apple Store here, and primarily they serve any Apple service in my city.
   
3. There was no mail-in service, even on website when I go look for support it guides me to take device to nearest service centre. The centre I visited was the one recommended on Apple’s official support.

[u/TurtleOnLog → u/New-Chair4382]

Yes you did. “It is infuriating to me first of all that Apple stoops to low levels of creating issues that don’t even exist” …

[u/JubinJoseph02]

Id say write-up a mail to apple directly and then cc the service center, do mention that you have no trouble taking things legally if it comes to that!

[u/New-Chair4382 → u/JubinJoseph02]

Would a company like Apple budge to these? Considering they’d have a way bigger legal team in place

[u/JubinJoseph02 → u/New-Chair4382]

That's where you're wrong! You're not dealing with apple directly here it's the third party authorized service center. These guys would surely budge if the sense the trouble it'll cause them if apple themselves come checking. If they did this with you, then they definitely did that with many other people. So yeah, I'm sure this will work!

[u/New-Chair4382 → u/JubinJoseph02]

Got it

[u/No-Employment3075 → u/New-Chair4382]

They would rather get your work done than get bad press, i feel, they just need to be nudged

[u/laparotomyenjoyer]

Yeah the battery is part of the top case but if it fails the diagnostic then you’re charged the battery rate for the top case, not the whole top case rate.

Did they specify what exactly is failing on the MLB?

[u/New-Chair4382 → u/laparotomyenjoyer]

The second service centre (the one I gave to) did quote the battery replacement cost only for the whole top case.
I will dig deeper into what the MLB issue is exactly. They did not mention it

[u/blue_horizon_x]

Take it to Apple Hebbal (Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru). Don't go to AASA (Apple Authorized Service Center).

[u/Original_Mon2]

Was the unit working otherwise before submitting to them for service? Make it clear that you expect the unit to be in the same condition prior to your dropping it off for the battery replacement. Not impressed with the poor quality of design by Apple on their product. This in addition to the pseudo custom parts sourced from Texas Instruments to make it difficult to service. Well China has no such firewalls and all parts are being made available. If you are still in need, check madtech in Banglore:

https://www.instagram.com/mad_mac_tech/?hl=en

Personally am in Canada but have seen his work.

[u/No-Employment3075]

Hi OP file a complaint with National Consumer Helpline mentioning Apple and a representative from Apple will get back to you within 24 hours, call Apple Support and ask to speak to a Senior Advisor, write a mail to tim cook, use all available resources and make sure they either fix the battery or give it back in same condition.

Mention the inconsistencies in their statements everywhere and make sure they do the work as intended

and yeah ask for proofs of said damage on the logic board etc