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Will Apple fix my 3GS

J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
So I bought an iphone 3gs a couple of weeks ago. It was said to be unlocked and all so i thought why not, I will be using this with a different carrier. Brought it home to see it was just a dirty can of worms about which i will explain later. I immediately texted this kid who sold it to me and he says sorry cant take it back. Hummm of-course!

Anyways so here are the problems in the iphone: Came home to see the black iphone wasn't really black, it had a white back cover with a crack at the bottom, white sim tray and black front. He had covered the back with a nice silicon case that he said he is throwing in for free. Now I know why.
The battery does not hod charge for more than 15 20 mins.
AND it was jail broken NOT unlocked. Called up ATT and they did unlock it for me though. Now I was thinking I have 2 options...
1. Sell it to someone else for the same price. (conscience does not allow me) Trust me I tried. even sent original pics to interested buyers. But I cant do it...i cant sell the crap to anyone else...atleast if its not working......How can it if it does not hold a charge.
2. Take it to apple store on 5th av and request them to change the battery? I know I will pay around 70 80 $'s but I have heard people get new phones in exchange. BUT I have my doubts...as looking at the JB and the multi colored phone..will they do it? If they do change the battery then all problem will be solved and I intend to use the phone at that point.

What do you guys think...is it worth it? Will they help me looking at all the issues?
 
R

rusty2192

macrumors 6502a
Oct 15, 2008
997
81
Kentucky
JrsyGal said:
. BUT I have my doubts...as looking at the JB and the multi colored phone..will they do it? If they do change the battery then all problem will be solved and I intend to use the phone at that point.
Click to expand...

For one thing, it doesn't sound multi-colored at all. The white 3GSs had black fronts. Just the plastic was white. Second, restore it in iTunes and then the JB is gone. You had (or will have to if you haven't yet) to restore it to unlock it so the JB is (will be) gone. That takes care of your two main points. But yeah, most likely they will off the $99 replacement already mentioned. Only one way to find out...

How close is the nearest Apple Store?
 
J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
rusty2192 said:
For one thing, it doesn't sound multi-colored at all. The white 3GSs had black fronts. Just the plastic was white. Second, restore it in iTunes and then the JB is gone. You had (or will have to if you haven't yet) to restore it to unlock it so the JB is (will be) gone. That takes care of your two main points. But yeah, most likely they will off the $99 replacement already mentioned. Only one way to find out...

How close is the nearest Apple Store?
Click to expand...

It not being multicolored - that sounds good.
 
J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
rusty2192 said:
For one thing, it doesn't sound multi-colored at all. The white 3GSs had black fronts. Just the plastic was white. Second, restore it in iTunes and then the JB is gone. You had (or will have to if you haven't yet) to restore it to unlock it so the JB is (will be) gone. That takes care of your two main points. But yeah, most likely they will off the $99 replacement already mentioned. Only one way to find out...

How close is the nearest Apple Store?
Click to expand...

Also...ATT sent me the unlock code...they asked me to connect to itunes and it will be unlocked. However itunes never really gave me any message on the screen saying its now unlocked. Could any one help me figure out if the Jail break has actually been removed? I do see Cydia in my phone still. If I delete that, from the device that fixes it?

PS no I or my friends do not have a TMO sim to put in and check the unlock.
 
blueroom

blueroom

macrumors 603
Feb 15, 2009
6,381
26
Toronto, Canada
JrsyGal said:
WOW I paid $140 for this crap :( Any one has any experience of apple doing it for cheaper?
Click to expand...

You could always try getting a iPhone 4 on contract for $0

----------
JrsyGal said:
Also...ATT sent me the unlock code...they asked me to connect to itunes and it will be unlocked. However itunes never really gave me any message on the screen saying its now unlocked. Could any one help me figure out if the Jail break has actually been removed? I do see Cydia in my phone still. If I delete that, from the device that fixes it?

PS no I or my friends do not have a TMO sim to put in and check the unlock.
Click to expand...

Do a DFU restore (google it)
 
J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
blueroom said:
You could always try getting a iPhone 4 on contract for $0

----------



Do a DFU restore (Google it)
Click to expand...

I will be using it in India, moving there for 5 or so months. Going to look after dad. So contract wont work.
 
blueroom

blueroom

macrumors 603
Feb 15, 2009
6,381
26
Toronto, Canada
JrsyGal said:
I will be using it in India, moving there for 5 or so months. Going to look after dad. So contract wont work.
Click to expand...

Then I'd recommend the $99 exchange. This will get you a good as new factory refurbished iPhone 3gs. Otherwise you'll have to take your chances with a third party repair that may or may not fix your list of problems.
 
T

TooLowToZero

macrumors newbie
Dec 29, 2012
24
0
I have replaced the back cover and battery my self, took around 30 minutes to do. I might add, I am no electronics wizard. All parts from eBay.
 
pnoyblazed

pnoyblazed

macrumors 6502a
Mar 1, 2008
986
403
for all that trouble you might as well pony up the $99+tax as others have mentioned
 
J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
aneftp said:
It's $149 for out of warranty replacement for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.

$199 for iPhone 4S. And $229 for iPhone 5.
Click to expand...

So for being the fool that I have been I will be paying $300 in total for this crapola! :mad: any one has any experience with any apple store in NYC replacing it for cheaper or possibly free? Please don't shoot me for asking this. :cool::D
 
B

Breaking Good

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2012
1,449
1,225
JrsyGal said:
So for being the fool that I have been I will be paying $300 in total for this crapola! :mad: any one has any experience with any apple store in NYC replacing it for cheaper or possibly free? Please don't shoot me for asking this. :cool::D
Click to expand...

My experience in getting two 3GS's replaced out of warranty is that Apple will either charge you $79 plus tax for a battery replacement or $149 plus tax if there is anything else wrong with the phone.

They will take your phone and give you a refurbished phone in return. The refurbished phone will have a new glass screen and new body. It will look new, but it will not come with any accessories. The refurbished phone you receive will have a 90 day warranty.

They will also be able to tell you whether the unlock was successful or not.

If the unlock was successful, then you will receive an unlocked phone as a replacement. Since you will be traveling out of the country, I recommend that you ask they to look into their system and show you that the phone you are receiving is in fact an unlocked phone.
 
blueroom

blueroom

macrumors 603
Feb 15, 2009
6,381
26
Toronto, Canada
JrsyGal said:
So for being the fool that I have been I will be paying $300 in total for this crapola! :mad: any one has any experience with any apple store in NYC replacing it for cheaper or possibly free? Please don't shoot me for asking this. :cool::D
Click to expand...

Yep seems $149 for the 3gs, not sure why I thought $99.

Can't imagine why Apple would replace it for free, you didn't even buy it from them.

If it were me (and I don't know anything about cell phones or WiFi in India) I'd sell the 3gs as is and buy an iPad with 3G (they're unlocked) or iPod Touch (is free WiFi is a thing in India?) and buy some cheap disposable phone in India for the duration.
 
B

Breaking Good

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2012
1,449
1,225
JrsyGal said:
Also...ATT sent me the unlock code...they asked me to connect to itunes and it will be unlocked. However itunes never really gave me any message on the screen saying its now unlocked.
Click to expand...

The same thing happend to me. However, when I took the phone into the Apple store they confirmed that it was indeed unlocked.

JrsyGal said:
Could any one help me figure out if the Jail break has actually been removed? I do see Cydia in my phone still. If I delete that, from the device that fixes it?
Click to expand...


This gives me some concern. I would have thought that once you restored the phone to its original settings using iTunes, any apps that the previous owner had installed would have been removed. I don't understand why you would still be seeing Cydia on your phone.

Did you actually restore the phone using iTunes, or did you just connect it to iTunes.

I recommend that you start another thread in the trouble shooting section and ask about unjailbreaking your phone before you take it into the Apple store. If they discover that the phone was jailbroken, they will not offer an out of warranty replacement on it for any price.
 
J

JrsyGal

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2013
18
0
Breaking Good said:
The same thing happend to me. However, when I took the phone into the Apple store they confirmed that it was indeed unlocked.




This gives me some concern. I would have thought that once you restored the phone to its original settings using iTunes, any apps that the previous owner had installed would have been removed. I don't understand why you would still be seeing Cydia on your phone.

Did you actually restore the phone using iTunes, or did you just connect it to iTunes.

I recommend that you start another thread in the trouble shooting section and ask about unjailbreaking your phone before you take it into the Apple store. If they discover that the phone was jailbroken, they will not offer an out of warranty replacement on it for any price.
Click to expand...

:eek: Dang! This all gives me the palpitations. Will post another for the jailbreak thingie. But seriously you guys are the best!
 
Appl3FTW

Appl3FTW

macrumors 603
Nov 15, 2012
5,552
1,252
Glad to be of assistance. Why don't u just get another used one from eBay? Unless u want to pony up the repair and get apple to fix what u have
 
A

aneftp

macrumors 601
Jul 28, 2007
4,363
549
My advice: Pay the $149 for replacement 3GS from Apple retail store.

Don't try to be cheap anymore and try to "fix" the problem by going to these unauthorized iphone "repair specialists" who you see on craigslist ads. Yes, some of them are good. Some do excellent work.

However, since you aren't the original owner of the 3GS, you don't know if it's been watered damaged. Someone could have just replace the water sensor. You don't know why the battery is bad. Could the motherboard be bad. You will be spending more money and not even fix the problem.

I guess you can get an authorized battery replacement from Apple retail for $79? But does Apple really switch the entire phone out? I thought they replace batteries in store in less than 20 minutes and give you back your phone? Correct me if I am wrong? I thought Apple also can repair the back of the iPhone 4/4S without giving you a completely new phone and charge you less than the full $149/$199 replacement fee?
 
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