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I went to the Apple Store in Miami today to get a replacement iPhone after the touchscreen on mine broke when I dropped it on my wood floor.
Since I read on the iPhone warranty that “service may not be available if your iPhone has been damaged due to accident or abuse,” I wasn’t expecting the store to give me a free replacement.
And they didn’t. Despite my pleas, both the tech support rep and a manager insisted that the warranty would not cover any physical damage.
So I reluctantly handed over $250 big ones — an act I’m hoping to soon forget — to get myself a replacement iPhone.
Apple’s repair fee for the iPhone is much too high, in my opinion. I feel that charging $250 for something that probably costs $10 or $20 to fix is taking advantage of customers.
Apple knows that once I’ve paid the hefty price for an iPhone, I’m not likely to leave it damaged and buy a competitor’s phone, especially when there are few phones out there that can offer the same user experience. They could probably charge a repair fee of $400, the price of a new iPhone, and people would still pay up.
So I went home and tried to forget about the arm and the leg I’d just given to Apple in exchange for a new iPhone. Then, as I was importing my backed up contacts from iTunes and upgrading to firmware version 1.1.3, I noticed a significant discoloration on the chrome that I had missed before.
Had the iPhone replacement cost me $50, I would have disregarded the smudge, but for $250 I refused to settle for a new iPhone that was anything less than perfect. So, irritated, I drove back to the Apple Store and explained this to a manager.
Although he was nice, he tried to explain to me that certain defects are “within spec,” and that I might be out of luck.
He said, “for example, if a pixel on the screen is out, that would be within spec and we wouldn’t be required to replace it.” In other words, “if we give you a damaged product, it’s not our fault.”
I refused to accept such a nonsense policy, so the manager agreed to put me on standby so that I could talk to a tech support rep at the Genius bar. Once I was called up, the tech support employee replaced my phone without hesitation.
Now I’ve finally got a clean, functioning iPhone. Next week, I’m ordering myself a case so that this doesn’t happen again. Can anyone recommend a good iPhone case?
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Next time that happens take a look at iphoneshopusa.com they have a video there that you can reference to replace your own glass for a fraction of the cost. They also carry OEM parts and kits to do the replacement yourself. Go check them out @ http://bit.ly/eC88K
I found a website http://www.iplaypower.com that will repair broken screens on iPhones for a reasonable price. They also provide free return shipping via USPS and overnight return for a small fee.
I have used their service and I was very satisfied.
I dropped my iPhone accidentally on the stairs and it got one of those subsurface cracks, too. It looks crummy. Of course, I got the same run around with Apple people on the phone and at the store. After accidental cracks on iBook monitors thanks to my kids, and one iPod destroyed in the washing machine, I’ve decided this is how Apple makes their billions. They make people think that their product is a must-have, cream of the crop product, but the reality is, these are cheesy, fragile, expensive rip-offs. And now, the iPad — a product with even more easily breakable surface glass, with no cover! When the time is up, I refuse to buy another iPhone. I’ve got to believe all these fragile glass-faced, LCD products will bring Apple down eventually.
There is a guy in Lafayette, LA that will change a 3G glass for $100 and 3GS glass for $120. Great deal and perfection when finished. His email address is iPhoneglassMD@yahoo.com, if you happen to need him in the future. He comes highly recommended as well.
Rachel, have you used this guy? I live in Lafayette, and was just told about a place off of Pinhook that offers this service. I unfortunately dropped mine today on concrete, screen down (i tripped and the phone flew) and the screen is cracked, although the phone still works thankfully.
thanks for any info!
Yes, I have and many of my friends and patients have too! He’s great. I have heard about the guy on Pinhook and have heard nothing but poor reviews from his shop. I had one of my friends go to him before I had my glass changed, he was going only for the guy to change his glass because that is all the was wrong with. The guy took his phone, brought it to the back, then brought it back to the front and said that he needed to change the LCD. My friends phone was working fine before the guy took his phone. I have heard of a couple of situations with that guy on Pinhook that were not good, but my friends situation was first hand knowledge. The guy that changed my glass and fixed my friend phone that I was telling you about is awesome. He will pick up your phone and fix it and deliver it back to you the same night. I think he does this on the side. I think he works a real job during the day. Are you thinking of having him fix your phone? Have you contacted him? I would love to hear your outcome.
I am the guy on Pinhook, I promise your comments are totally out of line. IF the customer only wanted their screen fixed, I could have done that for them. But if the LCD is bad that will be a additional charge. I doubt the claims of any bad service, frankly they sound like competiton making up stories 3827 Pinhook Broussard LA 70518 337-781-6488.. I have done more iphone repairs than anyone else within 100 miles of LAfayette.
I had a phone screen crack as well. Had dropped my iphone a few times with no problems and low and behold a girl accidentally knocked it off the bar and when she picked it up it was spidered pretty bad. I called Apple and was quoted on the $200 replacement and was really not into paying that much. Ended up visiting a great guy that runs unlockmonster.com and he had it fixed and taken care of in 15 minutes with a new screen for $75. Definitely a great deal and if your screen gets scratched up or broke I would definitely recommend him. He lives in the Minneapolis area and is just a really nice guy but also accepts you to ship your phone to him. UnlockMonster.com THANK YOU!
The screen of my iPhone 3GS 32GB cracked after i dropped it. I went to the Genius Bar and they offered to repair the damaged handset OR replace with a new refurbished one.
Does anyone has any experiences with the replacement handset ?
it’s better to replace if it’s the handset problem, for handset price, u can enquiry your local repair shop, then compair with Imobileparts.
I had my iphone 3G and 3Gs repaired by the folks at http://www.cellulardr.com they have always done an exceptional job on my phones at reasonable costs. I have used other cellphone repair centers but what I like about CellularDR.com is that they use high quality parts which are extensively tested before sold to the public, that way you don’t end up with something that breaks a few weeks later. You can also contact them by phone at 818-553-2700. Take Care and Good Luck
I’ve used this company a couple of times now. The latest repair was for a cracked glass on my iPhone. My sons liked the light saber game on the iPhone and accidentally threw my phone… I sent my phone in and got it back with a new glass front.
Ivyskin T4 quattro. I bought one dropped my phone and all that broke was the glass screen protector. You know you can get insurance on an iPhone through companies like geico. Just ask if they have a personal properties insurance. It covers iPhones, iPods, mp3 players, etc.
I was thinking about taking my iPhone to the apple store, since I dropped it last night and the screen in blue and white. It’s not cracked.. But idk if they will fix it with my warranty.
I bought the new 3G back in July because of my my original 8GB was stolen. I only paid $100 plus tax so about $150. This is BS if they think Im going to pay double the amount i paid for The phone its self. I might as well just buy a new phone and transfer my information. Im thinking a bout by anther phone other the than the Iphone any suggestion of other phones that is a touch screen with apps and internet that wont crack the glass. oh and by the way my phone still works, but still when i slid my fingers across the screen it feels like its going to cut my skin open.
i bought the glass/digitizer combo on Amazon, then paid a cell phone repair shopt $25 to fix it- total coast was $65. I later had problems with my cell phone, backing up new software (it would get stuck in the process) and returned it for a new one with Apple without a problem. There was absolutely no getting around the $199 fee with Apple so I researched because there was no way i was paying $199 for a phone that had just cost me $150…good luck- where there’s a will, there’s a way…just takes a little research.
I also forgot to mention that the phone does still work..the crack cannot be felt on the glass but I have not had any problems with the touch screen since the crack
I was sitting my phone on top of my car at the gas station lastnite when the clear Agent18 case I put on it caused it to not stick and it slid off the hood and onto the concrete at the gas station. After picking it up I noticed a 1 inch crack from the bottom left hand corner where the first icon is to the left side where the bottom row of icons are..I have the 3g 8 gig..Is this going to cost me 250 bucks to fix this small crack? I just upgraded from the first iphone back in september so this phone is fairly new. I have also been having multiple problems with the phone including it just shutting off randomly and refusing to turn on for 30 minutes at a time, my photos closing out while I look at them and when I receive text messages the box pops up that I have one and there is about a 10 second delay before the audio alert sounds ( all problems happening before the phone got cracked) any ideas?
[...] confident that you won’t ever crack the glass and ruin your phone, a mistake that could cost you up to $250, then just buy a protective [...]
I just got the crack in my iPhone screen repaired today and the genius bar told me that if you have one single hairline crack in the screen they will replace it for free under warranty but if there is more than one crack on the screen they will charge you.
I dropped mine so that there’s about nine cracks from the top right to the middle left, then there’s a big one down the screen. It still works just fine, though, it just makes me dizzy to scroll and stuff because, you know, the cracks don’t move.
I’ve dropped it a number of times (down my wooden stairs and onto thin carpet, for example) and it hasn’t broken at all. The sim card came out, but the screen never cracked and the phone worked just fine.
I can drop it from high places, but the ONE TIME I drop it from less than my height, the screen breaks. Very exasperating.
I don’t plan on begging Apple for a new one, though, and I refuse to have it replaced. I don’t know why, I just can’t bring myself to do it.
(I did have a case (the one that came with the phone) but that broke when I dropped it the first time. Bleh.
I agree, Todd you’re a dickhead. If you broke you’re phone, did you enjoy paying $199 to get it fixed? If you didn’t break it what are you on here for? Post another comment when you do try to deal with Apple, it sucks. They don’t care. I spent 3 hours on the phone with Apple & at least 10 on the computer looking for a cheaper fix that doesn’t involve DIY. Considering I make $25 an hour this is beyond ridiculous to spend this much time looking for resolve. Still, I refuse to give in to Apple & pay their outrageous price. Repairs will get cheaper & hopefully Apple steps up & takes care of this, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. As far as someone else covering my mishap Todd, people would like insurance available like every other phone, insurance that I would pay for monthly Todd. If money means nothing to you Todd, will you please pay my overpriced repair. I’ll check back for you’re response.
I bought my iPhone 3months ago I’ve dropped it a couple times just minor scratches nothing big but 2days ago I dropped it an my screen cracked.I called apple and AT&T and they were like it’s 300 to fix it WTF I only paid 199!!I told them really what kind of service is this. I switched from verizon cuz their customer service was horrible but this just tops it off!!!! Does anyone know where I can go to get it fix in the dc area?
How I had my glass fixed on my iphone for $65- I searched and searched reading many message boards…finally, I bought the glass with the digitizer on Amazon for under $40, including shipping…I had a friend that works at the apple store tell me he could have one of his pals fix it for free which never panned out because he was told he could be fired for doing it- so i searched on Craigs list and found a cell phone store to do the repair…took him an hour and he charged me 25…that was a month ago and you’d never be able to tell….I had to drive an hour to bring it to that store but it was well worth it to me….
Todd, “It’s a cell phone People”!!! Of course you are going to drop it…they know that. Build a dam phone that is durable or cover the cost of repair…Apple’s choice. Do you think the additional profit Apple is making in repairs is a suprise. With today’s technology, marketing and testing they know what problems are going to occur and have a good budget number on how much they are projected to make repairing this. It is all build in… pay half when you buy the phone and have later when it breaks. I have had a case on my Iphone and just noticed it was broken…but I did not drop it. Also I did not know it was glass when I purchased it. Apple probably know what percent of new phones will break in 7 days, 30 days, 3 months, etc.
I use Revo’s iSkin. The case offers all-around surface protection and repels dust. It can be found @ http://www.iskin.com/revo_overview.html.
I also recommend Crystal Film Set from Power Support @ http://www.powersupportusa.com.....-iphone-3g. It is a lightweight custom-fit screen protector that adheres to screen and protects in from scratches.
it’s inevitable that someone might drop their phone at one time or another. I paid $150 for my phone but they want $199 to fix it…that needs to be fixed, period…