iPad 4 service replacement with iPad Air 2 not universal policy, but allowed in low-stock conditions

AppleInsider said:

Apple for at least two decades has historically upgraded a customer's order or service replacement if a lack of stock would result in a long wait without a device.

Wait, really? Why don’t I remember hearing about that? (“Because your memory is shit.”) Shaddup. So people who have their iPhone 6 out for repair for (whatever ‘a long wait’ means to Apple) get a 7 as a replacement or even temporary use device? That’s the only instance I can remember (“You’re telling me!”) where Apple even gives a temporary product replacement during a repair session.

I can tell you from experience that managers do not have any authority to change the replacement beyond what is available. Apple Corporate at time will allow a substitute replacement when stock is depleted - this is on a store by store basis. Where one store may be waiting for incoming stock of the 4th gen and using iPad Air 2 as a substitute, another may be able to continue to provide new 4th gen units from available stock. But in no means will a manager choose an iPad from their inventory in this event. It's all systematic and controlled by the software available to technicians. The only caveat here is if a customer somehow convinces management that an entirely new item is allowable and they select the new iPad from sellable - good luck getting that to happen.

Where do you source your facts? This article is very poorly researched - or your source is a poor one. 

randointernette said:

I can tell you from experience that managers do not have any authority to change the replacement beyond what is available. Apple Corporate at time will allow a substitute replacement when stock is depleted - this is on a store by store basis. Where one store may be waiting for incoming stock of the 4th gen and using iPad Air 2 as a substitute, another may be able to continue to provide new 4th gen units from available stock. But in no means will a manager choose an iPad from their inventory in this event. It's all systematic and controlled by the software available to technicians. The only caveat here is if a customer somehow convinces management that an entirely new item is allowable and they select the new iPad from sellable - good luck getting that to happen.

Where do you source your facts? This article is very poorly researched - or your source is a poor one. 

We never go with one source.

FTA: "and in particularly rare cases, the 2017 iPad."