Other A hard lesson learned

[msackey]

I wonder if there's another lesson to learn here, too. That is, if it is suspected that the phone did not have genuine parts (which I admit you did not suspect), it would be at that point wise NOT to use Apple to repair the phone and rather go to third-party stores where they are willing to repair regardless of parts being genuine or not.

 

[Lyula]

Buying refurbished iPhone is like buying a pre-owned car. None will tell you the truth about the real tech conditions of your future purchase ))))

 

[NoBoMac]

Amazon is turning into the Wild West for tech devices.

It seems Amazon Renewed is a gamble.

+1 these and anyone else that posted same.

Ordered an Apple Watch band via Amazon Renewed. Got the correct Apple packaging to the band, correct color on the box, but box had a whole different band in it. Ugh!

Started return the next day, spent nearly two weeks delayed at various UPS depots. Finally made it to processing facility yesterday with a week to go estimate for refund.

Luckily this experiment was for a cheap, simple thing vs something more pricey. Won't be a big hit if this return gets nixed for some reason.

 

[TgeekB]

We all have different appetites for risk and desire for savings.

Very true.
I have purchased many slightly used phones in the past couple of decades and do not remember ever having an issue. Lucky? Maybe, but I am also extremely careful and do my homework with the seller.
It has saved me a ton of money overall which may just be a game I play. Bargain hunting.
Buying new directly from Apple will give you the best insurance though, no doubt.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

.Delete

 

[rambo47]

I will say this for Amazon - their return policy is outstanding. Arrange the return through the app or website. They quickly send you an email with a QR code for the return. Then drop the return merch off at a local Whole Foods as they have a special Amazon desk for pickups and returns. You don't have to wrap the return - just hand it to the clerk and let him scan the QR code. That's it. I had my account credited within 24 hours.

 

[markredf150]

Ouch. Thank you for sharing. The good news is that as we get to newer iPhones, they have become harder and harder to break.

True. And my policy has always been to protect it before deployment. Once I decide which phone I plan to buy, I order screen protectors (starting with my 8+ I bought front and back protectors, and now since the 12, camera lens protectors) and a decent case or two from Amazon. I like how the protectors usually come in bundles, like 2 of each, so 6 pieces, and usually they don't add much bulk to the case, there's a bit of tolerance to play with. The only issue I run into is with generic wireless charging, but MagSafe works good, and I prefer to use a cable anyway. I put on all that protection and then I've got my new daily. Just like the old saying for cars "oil is cheap, engines are expensive", for phones "screen protectors are cheap, screens are expensive".

 

[markredf150]

I will say this for Amazon - their return policy is outstanding. Arrange the return through the app or website. They quickly send you an email with a QR code for the return. Then drop the return merch off at a local Whole Foods as they have a special Amazon desk for pickups and returns. You don't have to wrap the return - just hand it to the clerk and let him scan the QR code. That's it. I had my account credited within 24 hours.

Works at Kohl's, too, and in some cases, Staples.

 

[markredf150]

You seriously couldn’t check the Settings>General>About Page and see if all your iPhone parts were original?

I ran some kind of diagnostic program (can't remember which one it was) when I received the phone, and everything checked out. I was thinking to take it to Geek Squad/Apple but figured they'd tell me the same thing. Or that Apple would have tried to sell me a new phone🙄

 

[markredf150]

I had the battery on my son's SE2 replaced by uBreakiFix, along with a part that had to do with audio. uBreakiFix is a national chain (USA) of repair shops run by Assurant. Assurant is one of the two major insurance providers that the big three carriers use (I'm with T-Mobile). So, I imagine if they did NOT use OEM Apple parts for that they probably worked around it. They do advertise that they use OEM parts though. But, it's not Apple.

I've got one nearby, but it's closed currently as some nutcase shot up the place, unalived the employee he had a disagreement with, and was unalived by another employee who had a firearm. Sad story. I'm not sure where the other locations here in town are so I shied away from them. I was trying to go the Best Buy/Geek Squad route as I'm a Total member (20% off repairs) but they didn't have the battery to do the repair.

 

[racerhomie]

I ran some kind of diagnostic program (can't remember which one it was) when I received the phone, and everything checked out. I was thinking to take it to Geek Squad/Apple but figured they'd tell me the same thing. Or that Apple would have tried to sell me a new phone🙄

You don’t need to do that. Just go to Settings and check for original Parts or Repair History. Apple has taken initiatives like these to make sure people don’t get easily scammed