Why are you taking this so lightly? The hinge broke itself and the Genuis cut your cable and you're just accepting all that? Pshh ...
I haven't posted the details because, frankly, I don't think they are interesting or add to the thread. In hindsight I should have mentioned that I don't have AppleCare and instead bought an extended warranty from the Apple Authorized Reseller I bought it from (Apple Stores did not have any MBA in stock and weren't going to in the foreseeable future because of demand). I'm not a "stand in line" sort of guy.
Since you asked, I'm taking it lightly because at this point it's a process and I don't think it's over. I just happen to not yell and thump my chest in forums. I've been doing a lot of work and research and this thread was intended to be information so the next person who Googles or visits the forum will see it. At this point there's probably no new information anyone can give but I started the thread anyway.
So if it helps anyone, here's the breakdown:
* Bought MBA from reseller with an extended warranty
* Hinge breaks 13 months later
* Reseller denies warranty repair due to hinge failure considered "cosmetic"
* Manager of reseller store agrees
* Apple Genius claims breakage from abuse
* Manager of Apple Store agrees
* Discover next day that video no longer works
* Back to reseller and laptop sent to Apple to repair covered by warranty due to video not working
* Reseller provides loaner laptop
* Make calls to different Apple Stores to see if this is a known problem and get the deer in the headlights response
* One month later laptop comes back from Apple with summary of video cable is not covered due to damage caused by broken hinge (also not covered)
* Next day (Saturday) I make light attempts to contact Apple directly but because it is the weekend I don't knock myself out
* I visited a locally owned Apple Store because they have more leeway than the Apple owned stores to get an "exception code", but when they heard "no AppleCare and 13 months" the shrugged their shoulders. They buy used laptops but not broken ones.
* I will go back to Apple Store that broke video cable and try to convince them a month ago they broke the video cable
* This week I will make persistent attempt to get someone at Apple who cares
* I'm considering taking it back to the Apple Store that provded a written estimate of $330 and roll the dice on if the video cable is also now covered.
* Laptop now on eBay, please leave good feedback (kidding)
* Laptop on Craigslist (kidding, but considering)
I feel like I'm leaving something out, but it comes down to five store visits and less than a dozen phone calls during the few days when it wasn't at Apple for a month. Not much but it is a start. It just means I'm working with the wrong people and I'll work on that, too.
So, to summarize this stinks but it isn't the most important thing going on right now. I just happened to buy the wrong product from the wrong vendor from the wrong reseller with the wrong extended warranty. My whole life I've refused to buy the first model year of any car, and in hindsight that should of applied to revolutionary laptops. But I drank the koolaid and thought Apple was low risk and after Vista on a klunky HP the wifey loved her MBA. The benefits I received were, let's say, less tangible. I'd put her on Windows7 but that won't be out soon (no betas for the wifey).
I've had friends who were very aggressive in their dealings with others to the point of occsionally being ejected. I'm not passive, but I have been successful looking people in the eye and calmly telling them why they're wrong (especially when the girl with colored streaks in her hair guessed when she told me hinges "should" be covered by AppleCare). If I don't get the answer I want I escalate or try something else. But, as Dennis Miller once said, "Sometimes you've got to suck the pipe, baby." I might have lost this one, but I'm not done. In this case time is on my side. If there are enough reports Apple, like HP, may change their mind and fix my laptop in six months or a year or who knows. It may work with an external monitor and the kids have Macs at school so I still have a use for it. My five year old will tell the other kids she has a MBA at home! LOL!
If nothing else, I can be smug and honest when I tell the Mac fanboi at work he's wrong when he tells me Apple fixes anything for everyone and they are the greatest company with the greates products in the WORLD!!!
If anyone disagrees with the efforts I've made and believe they can get a different response I'll sell you the MBA at a discount. Really. Send me a private message. I'm OK losing money on this because I'd like for it to go away. I've already spent too much time on it, which is more important than the $$$.
I'll repeat myself: My broken MBA is for sale at a discount. If you have a Genius friend or an Apple Store who repairs these at no charge, now is your change to own a piece of history. Buy a refurbished MGA before the reburbishment. That will make you unique and interesting. Sorry, but I will remove the girl porn before shipping (unless you want to make that part of the negotiations sir and/or madam).
