Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Coffee stains shouldn't be that damaging just wash it off with clear water. Let it dry. Put it back together and get replacements for the speakers. I doubt it is all broken just because coffee stains are everywhere. If it turns on it might still be fine. And if you have to pay 2000$ to have the warranty reinstated it sounds like you can forget about it. Just fix it up yourself and forget the warranty it isn't worth that much.

Coffee stains aren't nearly as damaging as the short circuits they created when the machine was wet. Also, it's doubtful the machine turned off "immediately" when you pulled the power plug since it has a battery inside it...
 
I'm not saying Apple are the only ones who do it - it's harder to think of a company who doesn't. Absolutely nothing is built to last.

----------



I'd love to know what some of you'd do in the same situation. I bet over half of you (telling me to accept the consequences of my actions) would be insuring it once the damage was done, only to claim six months down the line. There are definitely a lot of hypocrites in society.

That's a rather uninteresting response, as it goes right along with victim mentality.

Do or say anything to get others to see you as the victim, and use any justification/excuse that you feel is necessary for your behaviour.

In the end, it is only a laptop (perspective!) There are lots worse things that could be affected by your attitude than a piece of technology. Doesn't make what you've done "right", though.
 
That's a rather uninteresting response, as it goes right along with victim mentality.

Why is this being pointed out as if it's some great deduction? I'm hardly disguising the fact that I'm, partially, the victim in this scenario. I hold my hands up, I spilt coffee over my new Mac, that's completely on me. What Apple did, however, was try to make sure that my accident rendered me financially ruined.

Furthermore, what did I actually do wrong here? I cleaned the coffee off my device, I didn't at all disguise liquid damage. Putting aside the fact that I had to get rid of the coffee residue to prevent inevitable corrosion, why should coffee be judged any differently to water? Liquid damage is liquid damage, if it had just been water, despite the damage being exactly the same, they wouldn't have instantly dismissed me. Nowhere in Apple's warranty do they state that they differentiate between liquid damage and coffee damage, so I'm afraid my morals remain intact.

In the end, it is only a laptop (perspective!) There are lots worse things that could be affected by your attitude than a piece of technology.

Like what?
 
OP already stated the beverage was over half milk which doesn't qualify as coffee IMO. But people would be less sympathetic, so it was "just a drop of coffee."

It's all about spinning the facts to make oneself look better. And we all know that it was much more that "just a drop" of whatever you want to call coffee, cream and sugar.
 
I hold my hands up, I spilt coffee over my new Mac, that's completely on me. What Apple did, however, was try to make sure that my accident rendered me financially ruined.

Just a heads up but when you buy a car, be prepared. Ford don't cover you against the consequences of your actions, you'll need separate insurance for that. If you buy a new car and it is damaged, it will need repairing by an approved shop to approved standards to reinstate the warranty.

Put gas in a diesel car and sit back and let them tell you everything that needs replacing once the seals etc are damaged. On a new car that may well mean you buying a new engine else (surprise) the warranty will suffer.

You aren't a victim, you are just trying to make out you are. Apple aren't responsible for the consequences of your actions (the coffee), or your lack of foresight (no insurance), they are down to you. Nor are Apple unique in their position on this.
 
You aren't a victim, you are just trying to make out you are. Apple aren't responsible for the consequences of your actions (the coffee), or your lack of foresight (no insurance), they are down to you. Nor are Apple unique in their position on this.

Apple aren't responsible for what I did, I've never claimed they were, but Apple are responsible for their own vulnerable designs, and their lack of assistance once the spill was reported. They were more than happy to allow my position to worsen as the coffee ate away at my computer. They refused to clean it, and they advised me against finding someone else to clean it, despite already warning me about the risks of corrosion. When questioned, they couldn't even provide valid reasoning to back up their own deliberately terrible advice.

You're clearly on a mission to defend everything Apple have done, yet you won't touch anything I've mentioned in the above paragraph. Why's that?
 
It's all about spinning the facts to make oneself look better. And we all know that it was much more that "just a drop" of whatever you want to call coffee, cream and sugar.

I can't believe this is even up for discussion. In England, coffee is very rarely drank without milk, hence the wording. I had no idea that the implications of the word "coffee" would suggest just water and granules to those reading over in America.

I feel like you're running out of things to complain about. If you're getting bored, just move along.
 
Apple aren't responsible for what I did, I've never claimed they were, but Apple are responsible for their own vulnerable designs, and their lack of assistance once the spill was reported. They were more than happy to allow my position to worsen as the coffee ate away at my computer. They refused to clean it, and they advised me against finding someone else to clean it, despite already warning me about the risks of corrosion. When questioned, they couldn't even provide valid reasoning to back up their own deliberately terrible advice.

You're clearly on a mission to defend everything Apple have done, yet you won't touch anything I've mentioned in the above paragraph. Why's that?

Please tell me that you don't really believe the first sentence you posted?
 
Please tell me that you don't really believe the first sentence you posted?

To me it's a pretty eloquent argument. Think on Lenovo which makes spill-friendly laptops. They're trying to avoid trouble from a very common situation (using your laptop while you drink something). They probably made their top-notch lineup spill-friendly just because some corporate user could lose valuable data because of a spilling episode.

This could lead to a case in the court, and perhaps would make Lenovo paying 10 times the price of a new laptop. Even if Lenovo won the case, it would be an unecessary waste of time and legal services.

Denying that spilling liquids on the keyboard is a pretty common consequence of using a laptop is like saying: "don't type on the keyboard because you'll void the warranty". Or "don't use the laptop on your lap because you'll damage either the laptop or your balls - both of them not covered by warranty".



----------

In England, coffee is very rarely drank without milk

Come on, where did you learn to drink coffee?
 
Last edited:
To me it's a pretty eloquent argument. Think on Lenovo which makes spill-friendly laptops. They're trying to avoid trouble from a very common situation (using your laptop while you drink something). They probably made their top-notch lineup spill-friendly just because some corporate user could lose valuable data because of a spilling episode.

This could lead to a case in the court, and perhaps would make Lenovo paying 10 times the price of a new laptop. Even if Lenovo won the case, it would be an unecessary waste of time and legal services.

Denying that spilling liquids on the keyboard is a pretty common consequence of using a laptop is like saying: "don't type on the keyboard because you'll void the warranty". Or "don't use the laptop on your lap because you'll damage either the laptop or your balls - both of them not covered by warranty".



----------



Come on, where did you learn to drink coffee?

I simply consider it a competitive advantage. You never trust data on an end user workstation. A laptop can be stolen at any time. A hard drive can fail at any time. You have a backup plan.

Folks, it comes down to voting with your wallet. Dell makes mil-spec hardware if that's what you need. There are spill proof and toughened options out there. If you want the thinnest and lightest, you lose the protection. Apple laptops are pretty but not very durable. If that doesn't fit your needs, don't buy it.
 
Apple aren't responsible for what I did, I've never claimed they were, but Apple are responsible for their own vulnerable designs, and their lack of assistance once the spill was reported. They were more than happy to allow my position to worsen as the coffee ate away at my computer. They refused to clean it, and they advised me against finding someone else to clean it, despite already warning me about the risks of corrosion. When questioned, they couldn't even provide valid reasoning to back up their own deliberately terrible advice.

You're clearly on a mission to defend everything Apple have done, yet you won't touch anything I've mentioned in the above paragraph. Why's that?

Because your assertions are based on an intent by Apple that I don't believe exists.

Don't dump water/coffee etc on electronics. They won't be the first corporate have impose a standard way of handling such issues, that is common in other manufacturers and other industries. So yes I'm defending Apple's position. And Fords and whomever else you want to name who has that policy.

If you want accidental damage cover (on anything), take out insurance.

If you don't want "weak" electronic devices around liquids then buy specifically resistant electronic devices (and pay a premium for doing so).
 
Wow who knew this thread would be so full of drama. Reading through all of this, I've seen the comment of "vulnerable design" be brought up multiple times. Most electronics are "vulnerable" to liquid damage, and those that aren't typically make other compromises in their design(i.e.performance, cooling capabilities etc..). This shouldn't even be news to anyone. You talk of the design as vulnerable as if it was designed to prevent such occurrences of user inflicted damage. User inflicted damage is not a component of hardware warranties as it is not the computers fault that you spilled something on it, dropped it, ran it over with a car, or whatever else the case may be.

The OP did several things right and wrong, getting it evaluated was a good idea, as was getting it cleaned. However blatantly lying about what was spilled on the computer to fraudulently restore their warranty is definitely not something that was a good idea. There may be some long term effects of what was spilled, and then when that occurs you will be able to fraud your way into another parts replacement for being deceptive to begin with.

And if you really think that saying "I spilled a tablespoon of water on it", when you actually spilled coffee, is not a lie then you are either stupid, willing to deceive yourself, or just not able to think clearly. Imagine if you were given a sealed container of liquid, told that it was water, then go to take a drink and realize its coffee (w/milk and sugar as you describe), you probably won't be pleased that you were deceived(and what if you were lactose intolerant?).

Sucrose and lactose is corrosive to components on your logic board, that had better be the worlds best computer cleaning, or you will have a failure at some point as a result of corrosion, or even mold build up. I suppose you found a means to your desired ends, and you have clearly demonstrated your moral character or lack thereof. As far as the idea of "people in my position would do the same thing", perhaps.. if they share your moral fortitude.

I hope everything works out with your computer working for many years to come, but if it doesn't, you will find no sympathy here. Your deceitful and purposeful actions may lead to an issue in the long term, and it is those very actions that will be to blame. Cheers
 
(and what if you were lactose intolerant?).

What the hell. I think your argument ran away from you a little bit there.

I'll say it again, Apple's warranty does not differentiate between water damage and coffee damage. It all falls under the same category as "liquid damage". Therefore, my lie, or my truth for that matter, shouldn't have had any influence in their decision. Morally, I remain sound. Maybe you'd have a point if it was hydrochloric acid that I'd spilt, but it wasn't, it was coffee, and it was obviously cleaned well enough for Apple to feel comfortable with reinstating the warranty. I'm sure their knowledge on the subject is better than anyone's here, so please, don't worry yourself.
 
Last edited:
Because your assertions are based on an intent by Apple that I don't believe exists.

Don't dump water/coffee etc on electronics. They won't be the first corporate have impose a standard way of handling such issues, that is common in other manufacturers and other industries. So yes I'm defending Apple's position. And Fords and whomever else you want to name who has that policy.

If you want accidental damage cover (on anything), take out insurance.

If you don't want "weak" electronic devices around liquids then buy specifically resistant electronic devices (and pay a premium for doing so).

Your Ford analogy isn't at all applicable. When a car is crashed, the crumple zones activate. This is what causes the majority of the damage. If cars were built out of a solid material, you could crash them at almost any speed and there'd be little to show for the impact, (other than the mangled corpse inside).

That would only be applicable if say, the laptop broke in an attempt to save me from being electrocuted. That's not the case, though. Laptops aren't designed to break to save the user, they're designed to break so the user has to buy a new one.

All it'd take is an airtight keyboard and these scenarios would be all but nonexistent.
 
To me it's a pretty eloquent argument. Think on Lenovo which makes spill-friendly laptops. They're trying to avoid trouble from a very common situation (using your laptop while you drink something). They probably made their top-notch lineup spill-friendly just because some corporate user could lose valuable data because of a spilling episode.

This could lead to a case in the court, and perhaps would make Lenovo paying 10 times the price of a new laptop. Even if Lenovo won the case, it would be an unecessary waste of time and legal services.

Denying that spilling liquids on the keyboard is a pretty common consequence of using a laptop is like saying: "don't type on the keyboard because you'll void the warranty". Or "don't use the laptop on your lap because you'll damage either the laptop or your balls - both of them not covered by warranty".



----------



Come on, where did you learn to drink coffee?

Nah, the argument doesn't wash (pardon the liquid pun). If every other manufacturer only offered spill proof laptops, ok. If all of Lenovo's laptops were spill proof, maybe. But spill resistant laptops are at best a very small part of Lenovo's line. So if the OP managed to buy the only known example of the MacBook Sport, he has a complaint. ;)

Your other analogy doesn't work, either. If you wear the keyboard out during the warranty period, Apple will replace it with no questions asked - you were using it as it was designed to be used. The fact that accidents are foreseeable doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with a product that is damaged by an accident.
 
I can't believe this is even up for discussion. In England, coffee is very rarely drank without milk, hence the wording. I had no idea that the implications of the word "coffee" would suggest just water and granules to those reading over in America.

I feel like you're running out of things to complain about. If you're getting bored, just move along.

Not running out of things to talk about. Want to talk about fraud? Deception? Half truths? The end justifying the means?

----------

What the hell. I think your argument ran away from you a little bit there.

I'll say it again, Apple's warranty does not differentiate between water damage and coffee damage. It all falls under the same category as "liquid damage". Therefore, my lie, or my truth for that matter, shouldn't have had any influence in their decision. Morally, I remain sound. Maybe you'd have a point if it was hydrochloric acid that I'd spilt, but it wasn't, it was coffee, and it was obviously cleaned well enough for Apple to feel comfortable with reinstating the warranty. I'm sure their knowledge on the subject is better than anyone's here, so please, don't worry yourself.

If that helps you sleep at night, you have your reward.

----------

Laptops aren't designed to break to save the user, they're designed to break so the user has to buy a new one.

... when you abuse them by pouring/spilling liquid on them ...

----------

All it'd take is an airtight keyboard and these scenarios would be all but nonexistent.

If that's a priority, then your shopping experience needs to exclude products that do not include this feature.
 
Let me set this straight for you... You spill any kind of liquid on your laptop and it touches your Logic board, then its automatically out of warranty. If any of the LCI's on the board are tripped, its automatic out of warranty. It doesn't matter how many Geniuses you have look at your computer, there are notes attached to that machines serial number in the iRepair system for accidental liquid damage. Even If the genius didn't notice any sign of liquid damage, the Depot repair center that they send it too will issue a re quote of the repair to the Genius admins and have them call you. There is a flat rate charge to replace all the components within the machine, and the parts have a 90 day warranty attached to them. Honestly this is completely your fault, and you should own up to it.

I don't keep any liquid around my $2000 Retina 15-inch, and never will. See If home owners/renters insurance will cover it if you have it. Liquid damage even a tiny drop on the board is a time bomb. Thats why they gut the top case and put new components in to avoid corrosion build up overtime. This is how it works in here in the US. People always want some minor "cheaper" modular repair done because of liquid damage, but have no idea how it spreads to multiple components besides the MLB. They fix one thing, and eventually something else will go out..
 
One thing I don't understand, why didn't you just say, I don't want you to replace every part. Just replace the speakers?

If the Genius refused, you could have just taken it to an authorised Apple repair shop they will do anything you want for money.

But anyway if they are going to change the speakers for you now after you've effectively cleaned up the water damage and you're going to pay for the speaker replacement then I don't see it as fraud.

Remember folks only his speakers aren't working and he's going to pay for Apple to replace them. I think it's a good lesson for all of us that you shouldn't just accept nonsensical replacement repairs when you can just have parts cleaned when they work fine as a precaution.

£2,000 to repair parts that still work fine but have a little staining and could be cleaned is a bit much to swallow and I too wouldn't have paid that. I would have disassembled the laptop, cleaned it properly and then either sourced replacement speakers myself and fitted them or taken it to an authorised repair centre and paid for them to replace them.
 
Hi,

Does your Mac work fine apart from the speakers?

I did the same on my brand new MacBook Pro, I was totally gutted. It worked fine providing it was on charge. A few months later I went to he Apple Store they quoted me £900odd for a few parts, lucky the Apple Genius whipped the cost.

I would advise, if the Mac works fine. I would keep using it till it dies, or if over the next few months its fine....just replace the speakers...

At the end of the day, I think a new logic board is like £1k on the retina models.....
 
mm i once had a iphone 4 that was totaled by water damage,

i took it into apple , and they replaced it after inspecting it, I didnt tell them it was water damaged.

The mistake you made im guessing was telling the Genius(hate that term) that you spilt coffee over it,

I would of tried to clean it or get it cleaned , then took it into apple and played dumb.

Im surprised apple doesn't offer accidental warranty cover, I had a warranty on my dell xps that saved me after i threw a cup of tea across the room and it landed on my dell, they came out and replaced the screen, motherboard.
 
I'm always skeptical when I hear of service reports from the company that sells you the computer, when you can't observe what they're doing behind closed doors. Call me a cynic but who's to say they didn't just poor coffee over it themselves? Unlikely but the point is you can't be sure.

For this reason I'd always suggest taking a water or liquid-damaged laptop to an independent repair store and ask them to thoroughly clean and dry the internals first before switching on. Then if it's dead you know it's basically not salvageable. You know Apple won't do this. They'll switch it on first potentially causing further damage. They don't care because they can sell you a new computer anyway.

The third-party repairer has nothing to gain from screwing you around.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.