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Apple Now Offering to Swap Water-Damaged iPhones for $199
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I dropped my iPhone 16GB 3G in water a few months ago, and thought I was going to get away with it at the Apple store...
"We're sorry you're having problems with this, but since it's still under warranty, we'll get you set up with a new one...."
then, almost as an afterthought, she grabs a tool that looks like what doctors examine your ears with, peers into the hole in the phone, frowns, then says,
"ooops. I have really bad news. Your water sensor's been triggered. Your warranty is void and you'd have to pay full price for a new phone."
Dammit.
I've heard there's been a new model coming out, so I've been putting up with spotty performance (drops calls, sometimes doesn't get reception, etc.) for a while, just biding my time.
I'm pretty irritated, though. I probably would've paid $199 just to have had it for a few months. But at this point, I should probably just keep waiting...
"We're sorry you're having problems with this, but since it's still under warranty, we'll get you set up with a new one...."
then, almost as an afterthought, she grabs a tool that looks like what doctors examine your ears with, peers into the hole in the phone, frowns, then says,
"ooops. I have really bad news. Your water sensor's been triggered. Your warranty is void and you'd have to pay full price for a new phone."
Dammit.
I've heard there's been a new model coming out, so I've been putting up with spotty performance (drops calls, sometimes doesn't get reception, etc.) for a while, just biding my time.
I'm pretty irritated, though. I probably would've paid $199 just to have had it for a few months. But at this point, I should probably just keep waiting...
Oh please tell me fanboys aren't sucked into their stupid PR things like this so easily. It's exactly the same as buying a new one, which is something you've always been able to do, except you give them your old broken one in return. If microsoft did this i'm sure there'd be pages of posts about people laughing at them because of this point, but fanboys just go '<3 apple' and think it's great, not even questioning the logic of it. In fact, you can do this with any product, go and get a new one for the buying price. Seriously.
My wife cracked her screen this morning. Had a genius bar appt at 12:30 and they replaced the screen on the spot for $199. While $199 is insane for a screen replacement, they are replacing them, not handing out refurb phones. I thought this very odd, but that's what they're doing.
If you're irresponsible enough with your $500 toy to give it water damage then you shouldn't deserve to get another one when it breaks. $199 isn't cheap anyways, this isn't anything to be excited over. Just get a cheaper, more appropriate phone, if you can't handle expensive items.
How is $199 exactly like buying a new one again?
I believe you spend 500 and 600 to replace before this....
Ya, but what I'm saying is you guys are still acting like $199 is still cheap and something to be excited about when it's exactly still the opposite - anyone who gets water damage on their phone is just plain irresponsible, and they shouldn't deserve to be spending big money on things like cellular devices when they are going to be careless about it and break it in the end. $200 is still a great amount of money, and money doesn't grow off trees. If you break your $500+ phone, you don't spend $200 to replace it - you go on eBay and buy a cheap $20 phone to use. That's how I was raised at least. How could people spend their money on such unimportant things like that?
I'm on the "why is this news?" bandwagon. It must just be a new policy specifically for water-damaged phones, rather than other kinds of damage.
I cracked my iPhone a few months ago. At the time, I scoured the internet for hours upon hours looking for advice. What I learned is that not only did Apple offer replacement phones for either $199 (8GB) or $299 (16GB) with absolutely no mention of renewing your contract, but that some people were even able to get a replacement for free if they found the right Genius who was in a good mood.
I just haven't bothered with going to the Genius bar and have been dealing with looking through this severely damaged screen. Maybe if it really is only $199 for a replacement 16GB, I might go try my luck. I'll probably wait for the new one, though.
I cracked my iPhone a few months ago. At the time, I scoured the internet for hours upon hours looking for advice. What I learned is that not only did Apple offer replacement phones for either $199 (8GB) or $299 (16GB) with absolutely no mention of renewing your contract, but that some people were even able to get a replacement for free if they found the right Genius who was in a good mood.
I just haven't bothered with going to the Genius bar and have been dealing with looking through this severely damaged screen. Maybe if it really is only $199 for a replacement 16GB, I might go try my luck. I'll probably wait for the new one, though.
I'm so lucky I read this thread. I had ruined my iPhone 3G by dropping it accidentally in the toilet and assumed that it would cost me $599 to get a new one. So I've been using an unlocked Nokia E71 and was going into iPhone withdrawal. Just took the broken phone into the store today, and they acknowledged it was water damaged but replaced it for $199 anyway. 
Um, $199 is cheap considering they are giving you a fully functional iphone and for all intents and purposes a new phone. $199 seems to just cover the cost of the unit to ensure someone thats had an accident is not burdened with $600 charges for a new one and contractual issues. And irresponsible.. your an idiot. Maybe someone should push you in a pool and then we'll see who was irresponsible for standing so close with a iPhone in there pocket...
AND
FYI - Apple's been covering water damage in its iPod line for over a year now the same as other user damage pricing (smashed screen dead hd etc), and to what I knew the iPhone was covered under the same policy, So I dont think this is really news, and Its certainly not to clear out old stock. Apple keeps stock of all parts for at least 5 years, 7 in california. Saying they are clearing out stocks for a new iPhone is just wishful thinking. There not going to give old iPhone users a new iPhone when they break em for $199 eventually otherwise there be a lot of wet iPhones out there wont there!
Apple just replaced my 3G 9 month old phone with a free new one under warranty; the silent switch had snapped off and I was told by Apple UK this is definately a warranty issue. They also replaced my headphones which had lost the usuability of the microphone for free even through I told them it could be one of the kids pulling on the cable.
So I'm really pleased!
Jeeeeeeez, accidents happen!
I think people are happy because should something unfortunate happen to their iPhone, Apple have a scheme in place to replace it for a reasonable sum.
Haha, wait a minute. So you would pay apple $500 or $600 to replace your phone after it had been water damaged? When you could just not tell them you water damaged your previous one, or even had a previous one, and buy a brand new one for $200 - the same price as getting it replaced. Sometimes you people are unbelievable in the way you manage to see these things.
Not in the UK they won't
Apple say that they have no plans to offer any similar service in the UK and have told me to buy a new one at full price to replace my un-insured water damaged one. Obviously not going to do that as I will wait for the new iPhone but still... :-(
Apple say that they have no plans to offer any similar service in the UK and have told me to buy a new one at full price to replace my un-insured water damaged one. Obviously not going to do that as I will wait for the new iPhone but still... :-(
Sim Card Replacement in UK
If your sim card is damaged on an iphone contract in the UK 02 will replace it for free.
If your sim card is damaged on an iphone contract in the UK 02 will replace it for free.
I broke my silent key also, apple replaced it for free. But you have to goto the apple store the AT&T store won't swap the device.
Sim cards are usually replaced for free if you swap you old with a new. But you can always find one on eBay for $3-$5 shipped.
But if your getting a new phone cause the old was damaged, they should just give you a new sim too...if needed.
Can anyone say Ker Plunkt or Splash
Somewhere in the NJ Shoreline is a Fish using my old Moto Q, if fell off my hip, hit the side of my boat and Ker Plunkt Splash into the Atlantic Ocean, good thing for insurance, $50.00 later I had a newly refurbished phone
Somewhere in the NJ Shoreline is a Fish using my old Moto Q, if fell off my hip, hit the side of my boat and Ker Plunkt Splash into the Atlantic Ocean, good thing for insurance, $50.00 later I had a newly refurbished phone
I was totally unaware of this policy when my roommate accidentally washed my phone on Tuesday. Then I went into the Apple Store and they said that I could switch it out for $199.
Consider it confirmed.
I have NEVER dropped my phone in water or liquid of any sort and my water sensor on the dock connector on my phone is slightly pink. I treat my phone like gold, but somehow I'm automatically "irresponsible" and shouldn't be an iphone buyer? I'm offended by your blanket statements.
I totally believe in karma, and yours is coming to you! Eat your words!
It's become common knowledge how sensitive those water censors are.
I totally believe in karma, and yours is coming to you! Eat your words!
It's become common knowledge how sensitive those water censors are.