Beware - A.Lab Questionable/Dishonest Practices

[sonicbas]

Hi all,

not sure if this has been discussed before.

i have been using my iphone 8 since it was released. nothing else was faulty except that the battery has degraded till 78% capacity.

hence i’ve decided to make an appointment to have the battery replaced at A.Lab Plaza Sing on wednesday.

when i was there, the A. Lab service personnel ran the tests on my iphone, but the tests turned out that my both my L and R microphones were faulty, he also tried to find fault with my phone, tracking the phone logs that had instances where it restarted by itself, saying that it could be the circuit board is alr faulty.

i asked if i could just replace the battery ($75) and ignore the “software error” from the microphones he said no.

we even did a test call just to make sure that the microphones were okay but he simply refused to service my phone and recommended me to get a replacement iphone 8 at $518 (i could just get a new iphone SE if i top up ard $200 that comes with the full warranty, wts?)

he added that if i don’t get it now, the next time i come back they might not have available stock cause there’s only one left.

i refused to take his word for it, decided to get a 2nd opinion, made an appointment at apple orchard to have my battery replaced today and it was simply done.

nth was said about my microphones being faulty.

From this i just feel like A. Lab is desperate to push sales, making their service personnel hard-sell unsuspecting victims for stuff they don’t need to pay for.

suspect that they might have even rigged their diagnostic software to churn out errors coming from hardware.

Anyone else ever experienced this?

it was a total waste of my time at A. Lab, we did the tests twice, cos he wiped my phone and updated to ios 14, saying that software might cause error messages. really what a load of bs from them

 

[reddevil0728]

Hi all,

not sure if this has been discussed before.

i have been using my iphone 8 since it was released. nothing else was faulty except that the battery has degraded till 78% capacity.

hence i’ve decided to make an appointment to have the battery replaced at A.Lab Plaza Sing on wednesday.

when i was there, the A. Lab service personnel ran the tests on my iphone, but the tests turned out that my both my L and R microphones were faulty, he also tried to find fault with my phone, tracking the phone logs that had instances where it restarted by itself, saying that it could be the circuit board is alr faulty.

i asked if i could just replace the battery ($75) and ignore the “software error” from the microphones he said no.

we even did a test call just to make sure that the microphones were okay but he simply refused to service my phone and recommended me to get a replacement iphone 8 at $518 (i could just get a new iphone SE if i top up ard $200 that comes with the full warranty, wts?)

he added that if i don’t get it now, the next time i come back they might not have available stock cause there’s only one left.

i refused to take his word for it, decided to get a 2nd opinion, made an appointment at apple orchard to have my battery replaced today and it was simply done.

nth was said about my microphones being faulty.

From this i just feel like A. Lab is desperate to push sales, making their service personnel hard-sell unsuspecting victims for stuff they don’t need to pay for.

suspect that they might have even rigged their diagnostic software to churn out errors coming from hardware.

Anyone else ever experienced this?

it was a total waste of my time at A. Lab, we did the tests twice, cos he wiped my phone and updated to ios 14, saying that software might cause error messages. really what a load of bs from them

They might just be following Apple's SOP.

bring it down to Apple directly see what they say?

 

[sonicbas]

They might just be following Apple's SOP.

bring it down to Apple directly see what they say?

i brought it down to apple store orchard today, and it was resolved without issues

what sop? my microphones were tested to be working, but he simply refused to replace the battery just because the diagnostic software churned out an error

so now the apple sop is different from the a. lab sop?

 

[sonicbas]

imagine how many not-so-tech-savvy users/seniors/elderly they might have conned because of this hard-selling SOP?

 

[Snoweagle]

I’ve been to A.Lab before but not for phone issue, but for my original Apple Watch with its back sensor dislodging. Quite similar to your case, that time still within warranty and that happened. A.Lab quoted me $600+ replacement of the watch model (42mm stainless steel) after ‘sending’ it to the service centre saying it’s not covered.

I was of course angry and e-mailed Apple about this issue, explaining to them in detail and being Apple, very professionally, agreed to my request and told me the $600+ will be voided and be fully replaced for the watch module itself. Their senior customer liaison officer even called me up to follow about this issue and informed me that they’ve notified A.Lab (CCP outlet) for a free replacement.

So shortly later, A.Lab SMSed me telling me the watch can be collected, and as usual, in a white replacement box at no charge.

Ever since the first Apple Store opened in Orchard back on May 27th 2017, I’ve ONLY made appointments with the Genius Bar to get my Apple stuffs serviced, NEVER A.Lab anymore.

 

[Snoweagle]

so now the apple sop is different from the a. lab sop?

A.Lab might try to cut some corners.

 

[sonicbas]

I’ve been to A.Lab before but not for phone issue, but for my original Apple Watch with its back sensor dislodging. Quite similar to your case, that time still within warranty and that happened. A.Lab quoted me $600+ replacement of the watch model (42mm stainless steel) after ‘sending’ it to the service centre saying it’s not covered.

I was of course angry and e-mailed Apple about this issue, explaining to them in detail and being Apple, very professionally, agreed to my request and told me the $600+ will be voided and be fully replaced for the watch module itself. Their senior customer liaison officer even called me up to follow about this issue and informed me that they’ve notified A.Lab (CCP outlet) for a free replacement.

So shortly later, A.Lab SMSed me telling me the watch can be collected, and as usual, in a white replacement box at no charge.

Ever since the first Apple Store opened in Orchard back on May 24th 2017, I’ve ONLY made appointments with the Genius Bar to get my Apple stuffs serviced, NEVER A.Lab anymore.

wow, imagine if you didn’t raise a fuss, and had to pay that amount!

i imagine some elderly who just wanted to help send their grandkids’ devices in for servicing would, just to make sure that the devices are working again! that’s scary!

how can apple allow a reseller who doesn’t advocate their values operate?

 

[Snoweagle]

wow, imagine if you didn’t raise a fuss, and had to pay that amount!

i imagine some elderly who just wanted to help send their grandkids’ devices in for servicing would, just to make sure that the devices are working again! that’s scary!

how can apple allow a reseller who doesn’t advocate their values operate?

That’s why now most people flock to Apple Stores to get services and support. Last time no choice, only have A.Lab and QCD. Your best bet now is the Genius Bar at Apple Stores, forget about these agents.

 

[sonicbas]

That’s why now most people flock to Apple Stores to get services and support. Last time no choice, only have A.Lab and QCD. Your best bet now is the Genius Bar at Apple Stores, forget about these agents.

i didn’t know because i didn’t do my research online prior to making appointment. i just assume these so called agents are honest and nice just like apple store

but i know i wasn’t about to pay $518 for a replacement iphone 8

just felt the frustration at that time because the issue wasn’t resolved at all, when it could be resolved easily

 

[Snoweagle]

i didn’t know because i didn’t do my research online prior to making appointment. i just assume these so called agents are honest and nice just like apple store

but i know i wasn’t about to pay $518 for a replacement iphone 8

just felt the frustration at that time because the issue wasn’t resolved at all, when it could be resolved easily

So now you’ve learnt the lesson too.

The only time I paid $470+ for a replacement 7 Plus was at Apple Orchard because it was my spare phone then and warranty was over. The problem with the phone was one fine day, I couldn’t turn on the phone in the morning even though the noght before had a full charge. So I plugged into the charger and was completely flat! It took a while to turn on then and after some monitoring, resets, restoring and even when it’s turned off, the batt will drain drastically to flat.

So Apple did a diagnostic for me and found that the logic board was dead, hence the replacement which was justifiable.

 

[Glariel]

Go Apple directly

 

[sansanjikikut]

Sic the a lab fella ** face? at least teach them lesson

 

[rockyan]

Yeah many reports at A.Lab if you did on search.QCD is fine for me few years ago when using 6s..

 

[jq75]

Email and report to Apple

Copyright Protected HardwareZone Forums app

 

[luckygal]

QCD is ok? So far my experience with them still positive.

 

[reddevil0728]

QCD is ok? So far my experience with them still positive.

it depends on the occasion.

 

[Singrish]

QCD generally seems to have better reviews than alabs from what i’ve read here. Best is go direct to apple.

3rd party sometimes a lot of BS. Like how this guy at istudio tried convincing me that getting a “fast charger” for my apple watch will charge it faster which is pure crap!

 

[Nevereatrice]

Complain to Apple have their license revoked by Apple

 

[grynove]

sounds like simlim experience. lucky you understand the issue. wonder if many people already fall into their trap

 

[manofsorrows]

Think the only time i go there is to buy apple care+. That itself was a horrible experience. After paying didnt receive any applecare documents nor the agreement numbee. Thankfully i know the whole process of having an apple care. Went home to report to apple agreement admin. Submitted receipt to them and logged a case.