iPad Mini: How much to fix cracked iPad mini screen?

[pjny]

I just dropped my ipad mini onto linoleum 4 days after getting it and the screen is cracked. The smartcover separated while I was reading in bed and it took about a 1 foot tumble.

I've never cracked any iphone(since 2008) or ipad(since 2010) screen. I always keep them in tough iphone/ipad cases.

How much will Apple ask to fix it or replace? I didn't get Applecare+. Do you think Apple will cut me a break?

One thing's for sure: I am returning the smartcover. The ipad 1 cover was rock solid and did not just slip off because of a weak magnetic bond.

I had some near misses when the smartcover separated from the mini especially when folded up in a triangle so I could watch CNN on my desk with it.

[G-Mo]

I've heard many cases where Apple will allow you to take in the broken iPad, they charge you for AppleCare+ and burn your first $49... So, $148 plus local taxes. I don't know what the OOW replacement cost on the minis is at the moment.

[FlashHead]

I"ve heard this as well.

Originally Posted by G-Mo

I've heard many cases where Apple will allow you to take in the broken iPad, they charge you for AppleCare+ and burn your first $49... So, $148 plus local taxes. I don't know what the OOW replacement cost on the minis is at the moment.

[deaglecat]

Not always.


"Out-of-Warranty Service
If you own an iPad that is ineligible for warranty service but is eligible for Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Service, Apple will replace your iPad with an iPad that is new or equivalent to new in both performance and reliability for the Out-of-Warranty Service fee listed below.

iPad model Out-of-Warranty Service Fee
iPad mini $219
iPad 3rd, 4th generation $299
iPad 2, iPad $249"

[SnowLeopard2008]

My Smart Cover works just fine. I used it as a stand to watch movies and it has never slipped off. I was surprised by how strong the magnet was.

[Txjole]

Thank you, just signed both my mini LTE's up for Worth Ave insurance because of this post.

[EDH667]

Originally Posted by pjny

I just dropped my ipad mini onto linoleum 4 days after getting it and the screen is cracked. The smartcover separated while I was reading in bed and it took about a 1 foot tumble.

If you used a credit card like American Express or Visa Signature, they provide 90 days of accidental damage and an extra year to the manufacture warranty.

[cyrways]

Originally Posted by EDH667

If you used a credit card like American Express or Visa Signature, they provide 90 days of accidental damage and an extra year to the manufacture warranty.

plus one on this, discover does this as well, I had this happen with my iphone 5 and they covered it.

- make sure you take pictures.
- keep your reciept!
- i had the item replaced first then was reimbursed
- they generally reimburse for the lesser amount be it original cost or repair cost.

took less than 7 days for a check to appear.

[aross99]

I would take it to the Apple store ASAP. I have heard they are more lenient with exchanges when a new product comes out.

Just be honest with them, tell them you dropped it and it broke. Tell them you "know" they can't just exchange it, but see what they can do.

You may get lucky...

[pjny]

Here's my long and windy road to a replacement ipad mini. I've been an apple customer since 2000 and currently have in my home 2 iphone 4s, 1 iphone 4, 2 macbook pro 13", 1 ipad, 1 mini, and about 5 ipods. also have about $1000 in accessories docks/chargers/battery cases/battery packs etc.

I have to say I've heard great things about Apple store employees using discretion to help out. Heck, I was even next to a woman with an white macbook and they said something like "this is a one time" replacement and they swapped out her mac for a newer one. But I've never received any sort of discretionary help since the iphone was introduced.

I stopped getting applecare for my iphone/idevices after i went in with my iphone 3g 20 months after purchase(with applecare) for failing battery(not holding charge) after calling apple over the phone to diagnose the problem. they told me to backup and reset it before going in to replace. when i get there i spent 30 min as "genius" looked at the phone and then gave me crap about how i reset it and they need the phone to be turned on for 3 days so they can monitor the battery for usage. anyway, he told me to come back in 3 days. i went to a manager and explained the situation and how even apple states 500 charges or 18 months before battery starts losing charge. anyway, they grudgingly gave me a 3g replacement.

back to the mini. i had called apple store to ask if they repaired but they wouldn't tell me. so i went down and genius told me i would have to pay $220+ tax and they would swap out the mini. he said they don't and may never do in house repairs for cracked screens. genius was not very helpful as is my experience in nyc.

i almost bit the bullet but figured I could keep the ipad mini, get another mini, and only spend $110 more total($350+$240 vs. $350+$350). heck, for $220 more I could even get applecare+ with the new mini. so not a great deal.

so i went to a family manager and asked if he could help in anyway. after some research he said he could add applecare+ and that i could come in a few days later and pay $50 to get it replaced.

i was out of town in the south and went in for my appointment and was greeted by an older gentleman who looked like a grizzled ex-surfer. very cool guy and in minutes he brought out a mini to replace the broken one.

to top it off: his co-worker also said damage was caused by "stress factor" so i didn't even have to pay $50 and it didn't count as one of the 2 replacements.

Amazing difference between this and the 5th avenue store in manhattan. no attitude. no confrontation. very refreshing.

[jdag]

1st, I am a bit surprised that they didn't look at the failure of the Smart Cover as a reason to exchange. I would have used that point and pushed for a new unit. I am not saying it would have been successful, but if politely discussed it might have worked.

2nd, I would suggest that you speak to your insurance agent if you own a home. I have a rider on my home owners policy that costs approximately $60/year. It covers all of my "computers"...including my household iPads and iPhones.

In fact, I recently emailed with my agent about iPhone coverage and he confirmed in writing. Mi subsequently cancelled my Verizon insurance on 3 iPhones $10/mo per phone, so $360/yr savings).

The deductible on the computer policy is only $50. The Verzon deductible is $180 on an iPhone!

[HenryBishop]

Originally Posted by pjny

i was out of town in the south where i was surprised that many of the people in blue shirts do not look like the hipsters at the nyc apple stores. NO BUDDY HOLLY GLASSES in the store. God forbid some were even wearing sketcher sneakers which the hipsters in the manhattan stores would stone you to death for wearing.

Honestly, what does this have anything to do with it? That's some BS judgmental thought IMO.

Also, there's an Apple Store on Prince that I usually go to that has some of the nicest reps that I've dealt with, who are very accommodating.

My advice: there's around 4-5 more stores in Manhattan alone. Don't go to the Fifth Avenue one then.

[Byt]

Originally Posted by pjny

Here's my long and windy road to a replacement ipad mini. I've been an apple customer since 2000 and currently have in my home 2 iphone 4s, 1 iphone 4, 2 macbook pro 13", 1 ipad, 1 mini, and about 5 ipods. also have about $1000 in accessories docks/chargers/battery cases/battery packs etc.

I have to say I've heard great things about Apple store employees using discretion to help out. Heck, I was even next to a woman with an white macbook and they said something like "this is a one time" replacement and they swapped out her mac for a newer one. But I've never received any sort of discretionary help since the iphone was introduced.

I stopped getting applecare for my iphone/idevices after i went in with my iphone 3g 20 months after purchase(with applecare) for failing battery(not holding charge) after calling apple over the phone to diagnose the problem. they told me to backup and reset it before going in to replace. when i get there i spent 30 min as "genius" looked at the phone and then gave me crap about how i reset it and they need the phone to be turned on for 3 days so they can monitor the battery for usage. anyway, he told me to come back in 3 days. i went to a manager and explained the situation and how even apple states 500 charges or 18 months before battery starts losing charge. anyway, they grudgingly gave me a 3g replacement.

back to the mini. i had called apple store to ask if they repaired but they wouldn't tell me. so i went down and genius told me i would have to pay $220+ tax and they would swap out the mini. he said they don't and may never do in house repairs for cracked screens. genius was not very helpful as is my experience in nyc.

i almost bit the bullet but figured I could keep the ipad mini, get another mini, and only spend $110 more total($350+$240 vs. $350+$350). heck, for $220 more I could even get applecare+ with the new mini. so not a great deal.

so i went to a family manager and asked if he could help in anyway. after some research he said he could add applecare+ and that i could come in a few days later and pay $50 to get it replaced.

i was out of town in the south and went in for my appointment and was greeted by an older gentleman who looked like a grizzled ex-surfer. very cool guy and in minutes he brought out a mini to replace the broken one.

to top it off: his co-worker also said damage was caused by "stress factor" so i didn't even have to pay $50 and it didn't count as one of the 2 replacements.

Amazing difference between this and the 5th avenue store in manhattan. no attitude. no confrontation. very refreshing.

Hello Pjny,

I am having the same problem with my mini. My girlfriend was taking pictures and she though the smart cover was strong but as she hold it and let go of the ipad mini, the mini fell on the floor and the screen is now broken. I went down to the apple store on 5th ave yesterday and they are charging me $219 for a swap as I didn't purchase applecare+. I didn't feel good about the deal and decided to look online for help. I am lucky I found this forum. Can you please give me more details on where to go? First, I am a new apple products user and don't know what's a Family Manager. I would be glad to pay for apple care and get my ipad replaced. My girlfriend is sick because of this situation as she feels guilty. She will be glad to hear that there is a possibility to fix the issue. Thank you in advance for your help!

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by pjny

Here's my long and windy road to a replacement ipad mini. I've been an apple customer since 2000 and currently have in my home 2 iphone 4s, 1 iphone 4, 2 macbook pro 13", 1 ipad, 1 mini, and about 5 ipods. also have about $1000 in accessories docks/chargers/battery cases/battery packs etc.

Yeah and? That makes you special? That gives you some kind of exemption? Sounds like you have been an Apple customer long enough to know you need to take responsibility when your **** is damaged. I'm sure the store employees just love you and your entitlement.

I stopped getting applecare for my iphone/idevices after i went in with my iphone 3g 20 months after purchase(with applecare) for failing battery . . . how even apple states 500 charges or 18 months before battery starts losing charge.

And your iPhone was past that 18 months.

O wait, I forgot, you are entitled to special treatment cause you have been such a long time customer.

i had called apple store to ask if they repaired but they wouldn't tell me.

Phone operators at the stores aren't techs so they aren't allowed to diagnose, quote etc. as such a 'good' customer for such a long time you should know that.

. he said they don't and may never do in house repairs for cracked screens.

Takes too long and has too much of a chance that someone would screw it up trying to get it done quickly. Plus the iPads aren't really made to be opened up

so i went to a family manager and asked if he could help in anyway. after some research he said he could add applecare+ and that i could come in a few days later and pay $50 to get it replaced.

So you and your entitlement snarled at some employee over how you didn't think you should have to play by the rules and to shut you up he falsified selling you Apple Care you didn't deserve. Charming.

Oh and then you happened to have your busted up iPad with you out of town and just thought you'd go into another store. I feel certain to see if you could convince them to replace it for free anyway. Bet you conveniently claimed you didn't know what happened. You just picked it up and it was broken.

If I was an Apple employee, especially a manager, I would have happily refused you service and invited you and your self entitlement to never return. People like you are why there are like 100 twitter accounts from Apple employees that hate their jobs and the customers they have to deal with all day

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Originally Posted by jdag

1st, I am a bit surprised that they didn't look at the failure of the Smart Cover as a reason to exchange.

Nothing about the Smart Cover advertises it as protecting the iPad from drops so it didn't fail anything

----------

Originally Posted by EMAN19

The 5th Ave. Apple Store gave me crap about how they couldn't return my iPad mini replacement (not a refurb/new) because it was considered a "part" and not in their stock, even though I was still within my 14 day grace period.

Your receipt is for a particular unit as indicated by the serial listed on the receipt. Not for any iPad mini you happen to bring in.

That you didn't look at the terms of the swap or ask is not Apple's fault, its yours.

[EMAN19]

I usually go to the Apple Store on the Upper West Side. The 5th Ave. store was my only option at the time as it's open 24 hrs. and I wanted to return my "New / Parts" iPad mini ASAP.

And while the Buddy Holly glasses comment was funny when I read it, it's not true. You shouldn't generalize.

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by pjny

How much will Apple ask to fix it or replace? I didn't get Applecare+. Do you think Apple will cut me a break?

.

Of course they will. They will let you buy the swap at part cost which will be like $199 and give you a chance to buy Apple Care + for the new unit.

Which is a nice little discount over the other choice which is to trash that one and buy a full retail. Which is what most companies would do for a broken item

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Originally Posted by aross99

I would take it to the Apple store ASAP. I have heard they are more lenient with exchanges when a new product comes out.

That period of time is only like the first 2-3 weeks after the product launches and is generally only for borderline defects like you feel like the screen is too warm etc.

Damage never generally falls under that guide and they don't do 'one time on us' damage swaps now that they over AppleCare+

[HazyCloud]

Originally Posted by charlituna

Of course they will. They will let you buy the swap at part cost which will be like $199 and give you a chance to buy Apple Care + for the new unit.

No, they probably won't. You'd be lucky if they did. If anything they'll offer an OOW device for $249/$299 depending on the device model. They never offer a replacement for the price of a part's cost.

If you're really lucky, they'll allow you to purchase AC+ for $99 and use your first accidental repair at $49 for a total of $148.

[ITz Life NL]

209GBP to fix the screen or 323.7 USD