Some bad news about the dust issue occuring with new cinema displays

Question

Hi. Just wanted to share what I went through today. I received a new cinema display for Christmas (early gift exchange with my gf) and was very shocked when I hooked it up to my MacBook Pro and noticed a long piece of dust under the glass (resembled a short piece of string). Once I confirmed it was under the glass, I packed up the display and brought it to the Apple Store in midtown. The Apple reps at the store were friendly and understanding and gave me no problems with an in store exchange request (the original display was purchased online). Upon receiving my second display, I hooked it up in the store to make sure there were no issues. Guess what...DOA. The Apple reps were shocked and slightly embarrassed and went to the back to get me another display. Once display #3 was brought out, we unpacked it and hooked it up to make sure everything looks alright. As soon as we turned on, 1 dead pixel and multiple pieces of dust behind the glass (5-6 dust particles). Once again, the reps say the dust issue is not acceptable and they go into the back to get display #4. Repeat routine and guess what...even MORE dust this time. Close to 9-10 particles throughout the monitor. Unbelievable! I ended up clearing out their stock so we had to leave the store empty handed (gift card equal to the amount of the display for future purchase).
So what to do now? The manager and staff were very friendly and helpful and told me I could call in next week to see if they replenished their stock yet. Once replenished, the manager will check the monitor I am going to purchase prior to me stopping by the store so I don't waste another trip. I have a feeling this issue will be ongoing until it is addressed by Apple but we shall see. I really want this monitor for my new MacBook Pro so hopefully this will get sorted soon.
Anyone else have this problem? Anyone purchase a good display?

Answer 1

I'm glad there are others out there who are also seeing this stuff. My local apple store manager was more concerned about her stores sales rather than making the swap and getting me a new one. They held one after I was on the phone with them for 45 minutes, and this process required me to call back the next day again to make sure it was put on hold because even though they were closed, she couldnt place it on hold. Then, this monitor had dust behind it, and they were out of stock and were very unhelpful. I contacted apple and they have since been shipping me a new monitor. The first one came two days ago, cluster of 4 stuck green pixels noticeable on a black background, backlight issues, and there was some dust.
I've said it before and will again, Apple you make great great stuff, but the displays are going down in quality. I've had iphones, new MBP's, and now cinema displays with dust under the glass. I dont know if they feel that most people don't catch this, and this is worth the price of doing busisness, however, its a shame to waste my time in hopes of getting one eventually that is perfect.
Everyone who I talk to at aplcare is very nice and helpful. It just seems a huge waste of money for them to keep shipping monitors out with this issue when they are ultimately spending more to let me win the lottery so to speak in getting a display that doesnt have issues.
Hopefully apple will see these posts and escalate them. Because I am bout to drop another 6,000 on a 2nd macbook pro and the new imacs when they release, and I pray that I dont have these issues. I would love to know who the vendor is, because they have been very sloppy lately.
Maybe I could get a job at apple working quality assurance? That would be a dream job, playing with all thier new product and doing something useful, and getting paid.......