[jorvi]

The problem is that anecdotes are not data. On the internet Apple stores are ‘famous’ for giving people the newest model MacBook Pro or iPhone in trade for an old model because their old model has some obscure specific problem that can’t readily be fixed. Or someone has had their crackedscreen replaced free of charge. However, 99% of these things happen only in US Apple stores. Geniuses in the Apple stores in Europe would laugh you out of the store if you asked for similar treatment, and would’ve told you to just wait for a few days until the replacement part / device has arrived. This leads to contentious discussions and flame wars about Apple having alternatively crap or amazing service. The same is probably true for the majority of manufacturers: some people get amazing service whilst others get dicked around. Sometimes it depends on geography. Sometimes the customer service agent was grumpy (or happy!) that day. You simply cannot base your purchase on these stories.

[gambiting]

Again, anecdote. I've had a very minor problem with my MacBook Air(the case was making a creaking noise when pressed in one place) and got the entire case replaced without any question at an apple store here in UK. That was the best customer experience I've ever had with any company. My point is that I'm not sure why you say this kind of treatment is only limited to US.

[dethac]

I had a problem with a MacBook Air (the hinge had an issue)... They asked for $800 to fix it. Never dropped, everything still worked, the hinge just would not stay up.

I'm in Canada :(

I guess Apple gives better service in countries where they dominate mindshare? They dominate the US market and presumably the UK market.

In Canada, they're still fairly strong... but I also see a ton of Surfaces everywhere.

[rayhendricks]

They replaced the whole display on my old [2017] MacBook Air because the plastic creaked. Didn’t even buy the device new...