My understanding is that Apple doesn't have restock fees for any of their products, even if opened and used, as long as they returned in like-new condition within 14 days - Please correct me if I'm wrong.

My question here is - did Apple make a mistake by not implementing a minor, but painful-enough, restock fee of say 5%, to dissuade the many people that are buying them with no intention of keeping them ?

I think the product looks amazing and will be a huge success, but I've got to think their return numbers around day 13 are going to be (relatively) huge - like 20 thousand plus. (Returns will likely continue at a much lower % once the initial must-try-it people are done, but the return rate of people who ordered on day 1 are likely to be higher than normal, I bet)

It will be interesting to see how quickly Apple starts selling them as 'certified' or whatever they call it.

Received a new iPhone 14 pro max that had issues with Face ID and poor battery performance. I was charged a $55 restocking fee for an exchange. In the fine print, it says returns within 14 days (which it was) a $55/10%restocking fee MAY apply.

Wasn’t this an exchange not a return or does it make a difference? Also charging customers for new devices that are not functioning properly right out of the box seems very wrong and a poor business practice.

This device was under the manufactures warranty but the AT&T rep said it was best to return it under the 14-day buyer's remorse clause. I think he was wrong here.