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Bought used iPhone 5 off CL, will Apple issue me a refurb?

K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
2,275
760
The bottom screws have been opened, I can tell since there is some wear. My touch screen is slightly unresponsive and I'm a little paranoid the previous owner replaced the screen. Either way the phone is simply a "loaner" until I get the 6 next year.

If a Genius checks the phone out since it is still under warranty until next week, is it possible that they will replace the phone or fix it for free?
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,488
43,412
If something is defective with the phone and its under warranty then they'll replace it.

Given that there' missing screws, Apple may state that its damage brought on by opening the phone and not defective components, i.e., you're out of luck
 
U

user-name-here

macrumors 65816
Aug 31, 2013
1,111
1
Edit: Ignore this, sore subject for me that I shouldn't have gotten involved in to begin with. My apologies.
 
Last edited:
K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
2,275
760
maflynn said:
If something is defective with the phone and its under warranty then they'll replace it.

Given that there' missing screws, Apple may state that its damage brought on by opening the phone and not defective components, i.e., you're out of luck
Click to expand...

Not missing, there is simply wear on the screws as if they have been turned.
 
0007776

0007776

Suspended
Jul 11, 2006
6,473
8,170
Somewhere
Kendo said:
If a Genius checks the phone out since it is still under warranty until next week, is it possible that they will replace the phone or fix it for free?
Click to expand...

If the screen was replaced by the previous owner then the warranty is void, the best you might get is being able to do an out of warranty replacement which I think is around $150, maybe more for the 5.
 
A

aka777

macrumors 6502a
Mar 13, 2012
858
421
Rule #1: Never ever buy a phone off craigslist...

It's a haven for sellers with Zero accountability but a minefield for buyers. The opposite can be said for ebay, where you have buyers protection for 45 days.
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,488
43,412
Kendo said:
Not missing, there is simply wear on the screws as if they have been turned.
Click to expand...

If there's any evidence of tampering then they may not be so inclined to replace it. So the screws may not be missing but if it shows wear and tear from unscrewing then you may not have a warranty.
 
R

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,721
1,238
LOL @ the OP! Gotta love these people who are holding out for something that doesn't exist. A years wait really isn't a loaner! Didn't you try the phone before you purchased it??? FYI, Technically the 5S doesn't exist yet either. :D
 
C

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,154
How much did you pay?

Just get an out of warranty replacement for 150-200 (whatever it is) and enjoy a like new refurb until the 6 is released.
 
K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
2,275
760
rockitdog said:
LOL @ the OP! Gotta love these people who are holding out for something that doesn't exist. A years wait really isn't a loaner! Didn't you try the phone before you purchased it??? FYI, Technically the 5S doesn't exist yet either. :D
Click to expand...

Yes it works fine and beautifully. To be honest, much of it is probably my paranoia. I got such a good deal ($450 for 64GB) that I can't see myself losing much money when I sell it next year. In fact Apple gives a trade-in value of $400 for it and trade-ins are usually the worst values.
 
R

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,721
1,238
aka777 said:
Rule #1: Never ever buy a phone off craigslist...

It's a haven for sellers with Zero accountability but a minefield for buyers. The opposite can be said for ebay, where you have buyers protection for 45 days.
Click to expand...

If you do, the best thing to do it meet at an Apple store and ask them to run a diagnostic on it to make sure its under warranty and not been reported stolen. If someone agrees to do this, they are most likely a legit seller.
 
GoCubsGo

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,741
153
Kendo said:
The bottom screws have been opened, I can tell since there is some wear. My touch screen is slightly unresponsive and I'm a little paranoid the previous owner replaced the screen. Either way the phone is simply a "loaner" until I get the 6 next year.

If a Genius checks the phone out since it is still under warranty until next week, is it possible that they will replace the phone or fix it for free?
Click to expand...


Kendo said:
Yes it works fine and beautifully. To be honest, much of it is probably my paranoia. I got such a good deal ($450 for 64GB) that I can't see myself losing much money when I sell it next year. In fact Apple gives a trade-in value of $400 for it and trade-ins are usually the worst values.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.

Phones that appear to have been opened will not be replaced under warranty but it seems your assessment of the phone has changed so this thread seems pointless.
 
M

Mrbobb

macrumors 603
Aug 27, 2012
5,009
209
Kendo said:
The bottom screws have been opened, I can tell since there is some wear.
Click to expand...

There is a post here that says the Genius refused warranty because they noticed fingerprints once they opened it. I believe warranty and any AppleCare is now nil.
 
charlituna

charlituna

macrumors G3
Jun 11, 2008
9,636
816
Los Angeles, CA
Kendo said:
The bottom screws have been opened, I can tell since there is some wear. My touch screen is slightly unresponsive and I'm a little paranoid the previous owner replaced the screen. Either way the phone is simply a "loaner" until I get the 6 next year.

If a Genius checks the phone out since it is still under warranty until next week, is it possible that they will replace the phone or fix it for free?
Click to expand...

if the screen was replaced third party, no. They won't touch it.

If it is not tampered with and there is something wrong, sure.

----------
mrkramer said:
If the screen was replaced by the previous owner then the warranty is void, the best you might get is being able to do an out of warranty replacement which I think is around $150, maybe more for the 5.
Click to expand...

If the device is tampered with all service options paid or otherwise are void.
 
dukebound85

dukebound85

macrumors Core
Jul 17, 2005
19,131
4,110
5045 feet above sea level
Kendo said:
The bottom screws have been opened, I can tell since there is some wear. My touch screen is slightly unresponsive and I'm a little paranoid the previous owner replaced the screen. Either way the phone is simply a "loaner" until I get the 6 next year.

If a Genius checks the phone out since it is still under warranty until next week, is it possible that they will replace the phone or fix it for free?
Click to expand...

AC doesn't cover user tampering.....only manu defects

Seems you are out of luck
 
K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
2,275
760
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not trying to "screw" Apple or take advantage of them. Just wondering what my options were since the device is still under warranty until 9/26/2013 (I looked up the serial on Apple's website).

If they can take a look, great. If not, I am gonna use this phone happily until the 6. When I meant the phone is slightly unresponsive, I'm not sure if it is just the placebo effect or me being paranoid. It might just be a software bug. For example when I get an iMessage in lock screen, sometimes I can't unlock it right when I get the message. It takes me a few swipes. But if I hit the sleep wake button and then try to unlock it, I can swipe easily.
 
Applejuiced

Applejuiced

macrumors Westmere
Apr 16, 2008
40,672
6,533
At the iPhone hacks section.
Kendo said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not trying to "screw" Apple or take advantage of them. Just wondering what my options were since the device is still under warranty until 9/26/2013 (I looked up the serial on Apple's website).

If they can take a look, great. If not, I am gonna use this phone happily until the 6. When I meant the phone is slightly unresponsive, I'm not sure if it is just the placebo effect or me being paranoid. It might just be a software bug. For example when I get an iMessage in lock screen, sometimes I can't unlock it right when I get the message. It takes me a few swipes. But if I hit the sleep wake button and then try to unlock it, I can swipe easily.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a software bug.
I'd restore and setup as new.
 
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