[ad_1]
During these uncomfortable and uncertain times, the last thing consumers need is a process that is inexplicably inconvenient for seemingly arbitrary reasons. One of those processes is to replace the fancy new Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop bands if they don’t fit your wrist. Before today, buyers had to go to an Apple Store to replace the band or mail in both the band and the Apple Watch and wait weeks or even months for a replacement. Fortunately, Apple seems to have changed its mind, but not after I asked.
Under normal circumstances, it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal if those who bought the new Apple Watch Series 6 or Apple Watch SE with Solo Loops online had to return everything for a replacement. Apple’s return policy was apparently based on how the two come as a custom set, as the claspless band had to be measured to fit the wearer’s wrist.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in normal times, and Apple’s return policy seemed pretty absurd or impractical at best. Low supplies from Apple Watches meant that users had to wait weeks before getting a replacement just for a strap that didn’t fit well. You could try to get a replacement at the store, but most Apple stores in the country are still closed at this time. Also, people who took the risk of ordering the watch and strap online did so precisely to avoid the increased risk of going out and into a store in the first place.
Fortunately, it appears that Apple has finally relented and is allowing the return of the braided Solo or Solo Loop, without the Apple Watch, for a replacement. There may still be a lead time, of course, as the replacement will only ship after the old one has been received, but at least users will be able to use the Apple Watch in the meantime, assuming they have an extra strap on hand. . .
MacRumors notes a rather strange requirement to make a phone call to start the process. Apparently Apple’s online support staff can’t do this and may not even know yet that they need to direct customers to phone support to replace their bands.
