Apple Watch & John Lewis

littlezee · 28 October 2020 at 3:31PM

I bought an Apple Watch from JL & it turns out I'm allergic to the wristband.

JL advised that this wasn't something they could deal with and advised I speak with Apple.

Apple agreed it was an allergic reaction but said that I just need to wear the watch less.

I thought this was pretty useless advice so spoke with JL about a replacement or refund as watch not fit for purpose.

They said no and that the watch is fine. They advised I buy a new strap. They also said they couldn't accept a return due to 'data protection'.

Am I just unlucky or do I have any rights?

Aylesbury_Duck · 28 October 2020 at 3:46PM

The watch would only be unfit for purpose if you had specifically asked for a watch that was compatible with your allergy and they had subsequently recommended it. It sounds like you weren't to know you would react to it, but neither were John Lewis.

When did you buy it and did you buy it in store or online? If you bought it online and have had it less than 14 days, you are able to return it but they can make a deduction if you've handled it more than you would have done in store to ascertain suitability, which it sounds like you have. If you've fired it up, sync'd it, updated software or whatever you do with an Apple watch, then again, they can make a deduction for that. The simplest solution may be a new strap, which can be bought for almost any price from £5.

KatrinaWaves · 28 October 2020 at 3:46PM

The issue you have is the watch is fit for purpose, but you are not! And that’s not the fault of the watch, JL nor Apple. You cannot return it as you have used it in assuming far beyond a brief test, and it’s not faulty.

There are so many strap options, can you not find one to fit? I wouldn’t say I’m allergic to the rubbery ones but they def irritated me under sweaty conditions and left red welts, so I now use a fabric ‘sports band’ I think they call it.

littlezee · 28 October 2020 at 4:07PM

I've never been described as 'not fit for purpose' before - not sure how I feel about that! 😂

And yes, though it's not Apple or JL's fault I could also say it's not mine either. I bought a watch and can't wear it because of what appears to be a common problem and the only remedy offered is 'wear it less' or buy another strap.

I contacted JL & Apple within the first week as the allergic reaction was quite severe and just got worse. Apple said a replacement strap was £95 - a fabric one so less likely to cause a reaction. JL also advised just to buy a new strap.

I'll look into buying a temp strap for now so I can actually use the blinking thing as a watch.

Aylesbury_Duck · 28 October 2020 at 4:15PM

littlezee said:

I've never been described as 'not fit for purpose' before - not sure how I feel about that! 😂

And yes, though it's not Apple or JL's fault I could also say it's not mine either. I bought a watch and can't wear it because of what appears to be a common problem and the only remedy offered is 'wear it less' or buy another strap.

I contacted JL & Apple within the first week as the allergic reaction was quite severe and just got worse. Apple said a replacement strap was £95 - a fabric one so less likely to cause a reaction. JL also advised just to buy a new strap.
I'll look into buying a temp strap for now so I can actually use the blinking thing as a watch.

The "wear it less" advice is indeed rubbish!

Have a look on Amazon. Plenty of alternative straps. The other option is to wear something under it, like a wristband/sweatband sort of thing.

KatrinaWaves · 28 October 2020 at 4:21PM

Aylesbury_Duck said:

littlezee said:

I've never been described as 'not fit for purpose' before - not sure how I feel about that! 😂

And yes, though it's not Apple or JL's fault I could also say it's not mine either. I bought a watch and can't wear it because of what appears to be a common problem and the only remedy offered is 'wear it less' or buy another strap.

I contacted JL & Apple within the first week as the allergic reaction was quite severe and just got worse. Apple said a replacement strap was £95 - a fabric one so less likely to cause a reaction. JL also advised just to buy a new strap.
I'll look into buying a temp strap for now so I can actually use the blinking thing as a watch.

The "wear it less" advice is indeed rubbish!

Have a look on Amazon. Plenty of alternative straps. The other option is to wear something under it, like a wristband/sweatband sort of thing.

The heart rate monitors won’t work with something between the watch itself and the skin, but yeah tonnes of watch options and some of them are really cheap

Aylesbury_Duck · 28 October 2020 at 4:36PM

KatrinaWaves said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

littlezee said:

I've never been described as 'not fit for purpose' before - not sure how I feel about that! 😂

And yes, though it's not Apple or JL's fault I could also say it's not mine either. I bought a watch and can't wear it because of what appears to be a common problem and the only remedy offered is 'wear it less' or buy another strap.

I contacted JL & Apple within the first week as the allergic reaction was quite severe and just got worse. Apple said a replacement strap was £95 - a fabric one so less likely to cause a reaction. JL also advised just to buy a new strap.
I'll look into buying a temp strap for now so I can actually use the blinking thing as a watch.

The "wear it less" advice is indeed rubbish!

Have a look on Amazon. Plenty of alternative straps. The other option is to wear something under it, like a wristband/sweatband sort of thing.

The heart rate monitors won’t work with something between the watch itself and the skin, but yeah tonnes of watch options and some of them are really cheap

Oops, forgot about the HR. Not that it's particularly accurate or useful but yes, it won't work at all in that scenario.

cymruchris · 28 October 2020 at 4:45PM

Plenty of compatible straps on EBay/Amazon for under a tenner - good enough quality - and the idea anyway is that you have a range of straps that you change to suit your outfits etc.