Apple Refuses Return of Defective MacBook Air M4 Because I Threw Away the Box
On January 13, 2026, I purchased a MacBook Air M4 from the Apple Bağdat Caddesi store, paying 57,000 Turkish lira (approximately $1,311 USD based on current exchange rates). Since I had no intention of returning the product, I naturally threw away the box. At the time of the sale, the salesperson explicitly told me that Apple would accept an unconditional return within 14 days as long as the product had no physical damage. We trusted this promise and bought the MacBook from Apple even though it was about 12,000 TL more expensive than other stores.
About ten days after the purchase, the device’s screen began freezing and the Wi-Fi started disconnecting constantly. We took the product back to the same store, requesting a return with an issued return invoice. However, this time they said they could not accept the return because I did not have the original box. The original verbal promise of a “14-day unconditional return” was completely ignored, and they used the lack of the box as an excuse to avoid responsibility.
Apple’s claim that returned products are sent for recycling is completely undermined in this case; if that were true, the box should not matter at all. I strongly believe the real reason they insist on keeping the box is so they can resell the product as if it were new. This behavior is both trust-breaking and misleading to consumers.
On behalf of my company, we have always chosen to purchase from Apple stores despite higher prices. After this experience, my trust in Apple has been seriously damaged, and I want to make it clear that we will no longer choose Apple products. In line with the verbal “14-day unconditional return” commitment given to me at the time of sale, I request that Apple accept the return of my defective MacBook Air M4 without using the box as an excuse and refund the full 57,000 Turkish lira (about $1,311 USD) without deduction.
