Apple currently offers a 14-day, no-questions-asked return policy for purchases made through its official website and direct sales channels in the domestic market. Under this policy, customers can receive refunds for products that have been unsealed, activated, or even lightly used, provided there is no damage caused by the user. However, a recent trend has emerged where professional coupon hunters are taking advantage of the price disparity between original iPhone screens and third-party alternatives to make a profit. They do this by disassembling newly purchased iPhones, swapping out the original screens for cheaper third-party ones, and then returning the modified devices to Apple for a refund. By reselling the original screens separately, these individuals can illegally pocket nearly a thousand yuan in profit per device.

Faced with a surge in such fraudulent return activities, Apple has been compelled to tighten its return verification procedures. Now, all returned iPhones undergo a thorough inspection, during which the exclusive serial numbers of internal core components are checked. Any device found to have tampered screws or non-original parts installed will be flagged, and the refund request will be denied. Moreover, the accounts associated with such fraudulent returns will be blacklisted. Unfortunately, these stricter measures have inadvertently lengthened the refund processing time for honest consumers, thereby affecting their overall return and exchange experience.