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tirexstorm

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 22, 2007
157
21
I recently got water in my iPhone4. The front camera stopped working and the screen has really dark and really light spots in it. I have a genius bar appointment for today. Has anyone ever tried "tipping" the genius bar employee $20 or so when bringing in a phone that has gotten wet? Has anyone tried tipping them and asking for a phone on 4.0.1 (or any non-current OS?) Successful?
 
I don't see how this is 'Hacks' related except for the part of asking for a JBable phone. Some of them will do it just because they have no reason not to help another person out while some will not just for spite. I don't even believe they are allowed to except tips.
 
$20 tip for fixing your camera? no, that's their job.
$20 tip for giving you iPhone w/4.0.1? Yes, but use discretion I say :)
 
$20 tip for fixing your camera? no, that's their job.
$20 tip for giving you iPhone w/4.0.1? Yes, but use discretion I say :)

"tipping" the Genius does work, specially for cases like the one you mentioned, if they have any stock of old firmware, they sometime save it for Friends and "tippers" :D:D.

However having them replace your phone for water damage it is totally out of the genius' hands, hey have to send the phone back to the manufacture with a report, water damage is not included on Apple Care, that is why they charge customer $199 for those replacement. I think you are SOL on that one.
 
I recently got water in my iPhone4. The front camera stopped working and the screen has really dark and really light spots in it. I have a genius bar appointment for today. Has anyone ever tried "tipping" the genius bar employee $20 or so when bringing in a phone that has gotten wet? Has anyone tried tipping them and asking for a phone on 4.0.1 (or any non-current OS?) Successful?

Tipping is usually done after the fact and once a service has been provided.
What you're thinking is kinda like bribing. Give him a 20 when bringing in an iphone for replacement.
If a phone got wet you're gonna need alot more than $20 and requesting for 4.0.1 is up to the rep. Some would do it while others wont.
 
Oddly enough that otterbox case is not water tight.

If you are going to bribe the guy at least have the sense not to do it where anyone else can see or over hear you, otherwise this will go VERY POORLY as you are now potentially jeopardizing his job.
 
Just hand him your iPhone with a folded up Jackson underneath it (never done it, but might be worth a try). ;)
 
Thank you, but I'm fully aware of the difference. Multitasking with a typo and clicked the wrong one in spell checker. I'll try to be more observant for you next time Master.

Your avatar is oddly apropos for both content and tone here. (I can totally imagine House saying your last sentence with that expression.)
 
FWIW, the only tips that Apple Store employees are supposed to accept are things that can be shared with the entire team, like cookies/muffins, etc.

They are prohibited from taking cash tips, including things like Starbucks gift cards, etc.

If you're still going to offer a cash tip, remember that in most stores, the entire Genius Bar is under video surveillance. If you try to pull something off slyly, any another employee thinks they saw something, it's usually really easy for mgmt. to verify.
 
I know it's annoying when people can't spell (and then try to blame spell-check for their own stupidity when there's no possible way spell-check would auto-correct two words so unlike in spelling), but seriously - don't bother. After seeing there/their substitutions all day, to/too, 'could of' (my personal favorite), etc, it should be fairly apparent that a large number of forum members simply cannot spell correctly and that correcting them is an exercise in futility. ;)

Same goes for correcting the following here at MacRumors:
  • MAC
  • Ipod
  • Itouch
  • IPOD
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go judge a spelling bee in 26 minutes. :D
 
FWIW, the only tips that Apple Store employees are supposed to accept are things that can be shared with the entire team, like cookies/muffins, etc.

They are prohibited from taking cash tips, including things like Starbucks gift cards, etc.

If you're still going to offer a cash tip, remember that in most stores, the entire Genius Bar is under video surveillance. If you try to pull something off slyly, any another employee thinks they saw something, it's usually really easy for mgmt. to verify.


I've tipped (gave cash) to an apple genius a few times and they've always accepted it.
 
Tip or Bribe?

This sounds more like a bribe than a tip. A tip is used to ensure proper service and is given after service is rendered. Giving someone money in order to get special service or treatment is a bribe. Either way, money talks....just look for the shadiest so called "genius" (which is a major misnomer) and pull him/her/it to the side and do the damn thing. Good luck to ya.
 
I had the $20 ready, but I got the guy seemed like kind of a dick right off the bat, so I didn't even bother. Told me that I had water damage and that it would be $199 to get it replaced.

Going to use this one until the 4.1 jailbreak is out and then try another Apple store and see if my bribe will work there.
 
I had the $20 ready, but I got the guy seemed like kind of a dick right off the bat, so I didn't even bother. Told me that I had water damage and that it would be $199 to get it replaced.

Going to use this one until the 4.1 jailbreak is out and then try another Apple store and see if my bribe will work there.

Not sure if you read my post or not, but as I said, exchanging an iPhone for water damage it out of the genius hands, the store have to send those "damage" phone with a report of the damage and exchange reason, if it not cover for Apple care the store get charge $199, that is why they make customer pay for that.

$20 dollars bride is not going to get you an exchange for water damage. sorry.
 
Not sure if you read my post or not, but as I said, exchanging an iPhone for water damage it out of the genius hands, the store have to send those "damage" phone with a report of the damage and exchange reason, if it not cover for Apple care the store get charge $199, that is why they make customer pay for that.

$20 dollars bride is not going to get you an exchange for water damage. sorry.

I agree.
I would skip the whole $20 thing cause they might see it either as an insult or as a way of them losing their job.
I'd try again at different times with other reps and hope to get lucky and get someone that will overlook it or let you slide. But odds are not looking good with a water damaged phone.
 
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