Apple Store Refused a Refund for a Belkin Screen Protector That Cracked on Its Own
On March 7, 2026, I purchased a Belkin Pro SPS ZML privacy screen protector for my iPhone 17 Pro from the Apple Store Caddebostan location. I paid $55 for the product, and I've used the screen protector regularly on my phone ever since that day.
Last Saturday evening, when I took my phone out of my handbag, I saw that the edge of the screen protector had cracked and was nearly shattered into pieces. While in my bag, my phone was only sitting alongside my keys and wallet — there was no specific impact, drop, or collision. For a product I paid this much for, having it crack this badly in such a short time during ordinary use inside a handbag isn't acceptable. I had previously used a screen protector I bought from a street phone shop for a fifth of the price, and I used that one for 4 years without a single crack.
I took the product to Apple Store Caddebostan the next day, but my return or exchange request was rejected, with staff telling me, "We don't process returns for this type of cracking; exchanges are only possible if there's an air bubble." I don't think this approach is befitting of the brand, either in terms of product quality or after-sales support. I feel like the $55 I paid was wasted on a product that cracked this quickly during everyday, normal use inside a bag and failed to do its job of protecting my phone.
To resolve the hardship I've experienced, I'm requesting a refund for the amount I paid for this Belkin screen protector. I still have the receipt/invoice and can provide it if requested.
