Uh...is there any reason why Apple would reject my cracked housing claim? I was told the crack was cosmetic, and Apple won't replace the iPhone for cosmetic problems. Instead, I need to mail it in to them for repair. I bought the phone 3 weeks ago so it's still under the warranty, does this sound right to you?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing
- Thread starter dogheadboy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I had no problem swapping out my 3G, which had cracks by the USB port. Actually, both my husband and I had cracks in the same exact place. But I know some people had a genius who refused to do it, and had luck going in again and speaking with a different person. Hope it goes smoothly for ya today 
Thanks again guys.
Just curious, but did you folks wipe your phones prior to giving it to the genius, or did they do it on the spot when they swapped the phones. We all have sensitive data on our phones, and I was wondering what the best practice is when we go in to get our phones swapped.
Thanks!
Just curious, but did you folks wipe your phones prior to giving it to the genius, or did they do it on the spot when they swapped the phones. We all have sensitive data on our phones, and I was wondering what the best practice is when we go in to get our phones swapped.
Thanks!
Apple repalced my iPhone 3G
As a long-standing Apple customer (like well before they became 'cool - i.e. pre-OS X days), I wanted to share my most recent experience with Apple's customer service, this time regarding my iPhone 3G.
I purchased an officially unlocked (purchased in Italy) iPhone 3G via Gumtree (not recommended unless doing it in person) in January 2009 for £400.
Over time, the phone developed a crack in the rear plastic housing, and having read about it on this site, I looked up the iPhone's serial number on apple.com to see if it was still under warranty.
Luckily, I caught it on September 26th, with the warranty running out a few days later (it must have been purchased in late September 2008). I spoke to Apple in the UK (which is where I live), and the agent spent over an hour on the phone with my diagnosing the problem. He asked me to take a picture of the phone and send it to him so that he could send me written confirmation that it would be replaced.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to send the phone to Italy to be replaced by Apple Italy, as it was purchased there (and also because I wanted to make sure I got an unlocked phone that I could continue to use on T-mobile in the UK). Although this took longer than I expected (getting it to Italy; and on my own dime), but from there on in, Apple collected it from my friend's place and replaced it within 24 hours.
Fantastic customer service, and will keep me coming back!
As a long-standing Apple customer (like well before they became 'cool - i.e. pre-OS X days), I wanted to share my most recent experience with Apple's customer service, this time regarding my iPhone 3G.
I purchased an officially unlocked (purchased in Italy) iPhone 3G via Gumtree (not recommended unless doing it in person) in January 2009 for £400.
Over time, the phone developed a crack in the rear plastic housing, and having read about it on this site, I looked up the iPhone's serial number on apple.com to see if it was still under warranty.
Luckily, I caught it on September 26th, with the warranty running out a few days later (it must have been purchased in late September 2008). I spoke to Apple in the UK (which is where I live), and the agent spent over an hour on the phone with my diagnosing the problem. He asked me to take a picture of the phone and send it to him so that he could send me written confirmation that it would be replaced.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to send the phone to Italy to be replaced by Apple Italy, as it was purchased there (and also because I wanted to make sure I got an unlocked phone that I could continue to use on T-mobile in the UK). Although this took longer than I expected (getting it to Italy; and on my own dime), but from there on in, Apple collected it from my friend's place and replaced it within 24 hours.
Fantastic customer service, and will keep me coming back!
Apparently they are aware of specific crack spots?
My case cracked right at the volume toggle. I was told that it was under warranty (yay Applecare) and handed me a new phone. Total time was about 3 minutes. It took longer to restore the phone then it did to make a warranty claim.
That being said, the Genius said that if the crack is from a button they swap it out 95% of the time. They also said that it is obvious which are 'step on' cracks versus what I had.
The folks that got rejected, were the cracks on or near one of the interfaces located on the plastic backing? (headphone jack, power button, silent "switch" or volume toggle)
My case cracked right at the volume toggle. I was told that it was under warranty (yay Applecare) and handed me a new phone. Total time was about 3 minutes. It took longer to restore the phone then it did to make a warranty claim.
That being said, the Genius said that if the crack is from a button they swap it out 95% of the time. They also said that it is obvious which are 'step on' cracks versus what I had.
The folks that got rejected, were the cracks on or near one of the interfaces located on the plastic backing? (headphone jack, power button, silent "switch" or volume toggle)
My 3G cracked where between the bezel and the ringer toggle switch. I called them, they asked me if I used a case (which I responded with a no), sent it in, and they replaced the black plastic back (which is annoying because the chrome is slightly bigger than the plastic and the volume switch is smaller than plastic hole so it wobbles a little). It was a phone that was replaced for battery defects and I called them the day I received the new phone.
I Also have some cracks in the housing of my White iPhone 3G, bought on PAYG when we had the option. There a:
Crack between the simtray and bezel
Crack between the Sleep/Wake button
Crack in the bottom of the phone in the centre of the USB connection on the back.
I've had my phone in a Wave case for about 6 months but realized that was scratching the bezel, so then put it into a shades case for the rest of the time.
and ive just checked my receipt and i bought mine on 19/09/08 cr*p i didnt have apple care with the phone cos we dont have an Apple store where i live, and i only had 2 options of where to buy the phone, O2 or CPW, so i choose O2 but their insurance is questionable at the best of time so didnt get insurance from them.
So i suppose it will be ok, my phone apple tomorrow see what they say, but im not holding out much hope as it has gone past the 12-months, and i should have phoned them earlier when i noticed the cracks.
Crack between the simtray and bezel
Crack between the Sleep/Wake button
Crack in the bottom of the phone in the centre of the USB connection on the back.
I've had my phone in a Wave case for about 6 months but realized that was scratching the bezel, so then put it into a shades case for the rest of the time.
and ive just checked my receipt and i bought mine on 19/09/08 cr*p i didnt have apple care with the phone cos we dont have an Apple store where i live, and i only had 2 options of where to buy the phone, O2 or CPW, so i choose O2 but their insurance is questionable at the best of time so didnt get insurance from them.
So i suppose it will be ok, my phone apple tomorrow see what they say, but im not holding out much hope as it has gone past the 12-months, and i should have phoned them earlier when i noticed the cracks.
I just noticed today that I have a tiny little crack between the headphone socket and the chrome rim (which is in itself odd as I think I've used headphones twice). The top right hand side of the chrome rim and screen are also slightly raised but it should be noted I have never dropped the phone or tripped the water sensors.
Do people think I have a good reason for a replacement? The problem I see is that I have a white 16GB 3G which I don't believe they stock anymore. The phone was also bought at an O2 store so would it be an O2 issue rather than Apple? I really doubt either would give out a 3G S so would I have to send the phone off to Apple for it to be repaired or what?
My warranty is probably two weeks away from expiring so any answers would be much appreciated.
Do people think I have a good reason for a replacement? The problem I see is that I have a white 16GB 3G which I don't believe they stock anymore. The phone was also bought at an O2 store so would it be an O2 issue rather than Apple? I really doubt either would give out a 3G S so would I have to send the phone off to Apple for it to be repaired or what?
My warranty is probably two weeks away from expiring so any answers would be much appreciated.
The crack at the volume spot widened enough for dust particles to come in (under the glass, above the screen). Since I use a case, it only became an issue once the internals were comprised with something I visually noticed. The issue isn't the crack, it's what can get inside the phone through the crack.
What saved me the most time was calling ahead (or in my case, making a Genius appointment as well as browsing the Interwebs for others that had my same issue). In the end though, I was still at the mercy of the Apple folks to decide if it did qualify..
Hope this helps!
Phoned Apple today and the guy on the phone was really nice but did say that unfortunatly my warranty was 31 days over the 12 months so the only option I had was to pay apple £146 and they would replace my phone with a brand new 1 (I thought thy didn't have any brand new 16gb White iPhones 3G's left, prob just a refurb one) or if I had taken out insurance, which I never or I could try claiming on my house insurance, nevermind worth a phone call anyway?
i have an iphone 3gs which i got as a gift from a uncle about a week ago, i ahve never taken it out the house and its been in a silicone case with a screen protector. i have notice a very small hair line crack at the bottom of the phone ontop of one of the screws. the phone is in brand new condition.
do you think i will get a replacement for a new one even though the crack is very small (you can just about see it) but can see it when you look closly.
i dont want the genius laughing at me for taking a small crack in concern but i like my stuff perfect.
also if i am eligible for a new1 will it be a refurbished one or a new one thanks
do you think i will get a replacement for a new one even though the crack is very small (you can just about see it) but can see it when you look closly.
i dont want the genius laughing at me for taking a small crack in concern but i like my stuff perfect.
also if i am eligible for a new1 will it be a refurbished one or a new one thanks
3gs Cracks ?
hey,
i didnt even realize i had cracks until i came across this thread awhile back, and since then they've been multiplying
I have a white 3GS, the cracks are located on the power/sleep button, sim card tray, headphone jack, silent switch, volume rocker and the speaker/microphone.
right now im using really bad cases, but i plan on getting better ones .. and i've dropped my phone once other than that its been in my pocket.
so what im wondering is, can i replace it ? i purchased it at the apple store.
thanks for reading
hey,
i didnt even realize i had cracks until i came across this thread awhile back, and since then they've been multiplying
I have a white 3GS, the cracks are located on the power/sleep button, sim card tray, headphone jack, silent switch, volume rocker and the speaker/microphone.
right now im using really bad cases, but i plan on getting better ones .. and i've dropped my phone once other than that its been in my pocket.
so what im wondering is, can i replace it ? i purchased it at the apple store.
thanks for reading
Thanx ! I live in Canada :S so will it make a difference ? cause i read early that a person in Toronto went to swap theirs but the genius didnt do it.
Or does it depend on the genius ?
Apple has Glued the Bezel to the Back Cover?
Which is once you drop the phone it seperates? Why you ask so they know when you have dropped it resulting in no Warranty? Are solution is to get a New Back cover from a 3rd Party Repair Shop? Are reccomendation is Affordable E-Tech Repair/Parts as they offer Grade A OEM Parts and not High Copys from Taiwan that are seen all over EBAY. You pay for quality not quanity.
Kind Regards:
Which is once you drop the phone it seperates? Why you ask so they know when you have dropped it resulting in no Warranty? Are solution is to get a New Back cover from a 3rd Party Repair Shop? Are reccomendation is Affordable E-Tech Repair/Parts as they offer Grade A OEM Parts and not High Copys from Taiwan that are seen all over EBAY. You pay for quality not quanity.
Kind Regards:
Crack on the back of a 3G S?
Before I'm handed a fire-retardant suit, I searched and couldn't find anything on this.
My 3G S has a small hair-line crack on the back of the plastic housing. I haven't dropped it and I protect it with great care, always keeping it in my pocket.
Will Apple replace this?
Before I'm handed a fire-retardant suit, I searched and couldn't find anything on this.
My 3G S has a small hair-line crack on the back of the plastic housing. I haven't dropped it and I protect it with great care, always keeping it in my pocket.
Will Apple replace this?
As long as there's no indication that it was damge caused by you, then sure, they'll replace it.
Thanks for the quick responses.
That's good to know that they'll replace it. Do I just call up my local Apple store and tell them what happened? Or do I need to call the support line?
That's good to know that they'll replace it. Do I just call up my local Apple store and tell them what happened? Or do I need to call the support line?
Set up an appointment with a Genius, go to the store, get a replacement (refurb though).