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How generous is Apple?

M

modit

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 8, 2008
340
37
Canada
I'm planning on buying a MacBook Pro and iPod for university this fall from an Apple store in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). My iPhone 3G's screen is broken and the fix is around $200.

What the chance that the people at the Apple store will help me out at no cost? Should I ask for a fix before or after?

Thanks!
 
sinsin07 said:
Time for a face palm.
Click to expand...

Before anyone smacks anyone, how come some people (eg crying girl) luck out? I know they don't need incentive to sell products but since I have my screen replacement from Amazon (for $23) sitting on my table, I thought I might give it a try before voiding my warrenty before October.

YMMV right?

Example

I dropped my iPhone 4 yesterday on a cement floor. I didn't have a bumper/case on the phone. The screen had a crack that started on the left and ran all the way to the right. The phone was still working with the cracked screen. I contacted Apple's online store, they said they don't cover accidental damages and basically sorry you are out of luck. I did a search online and read a few comments on different websites that people were able to get a free replacement at a store. I decided to try my luck at the Apple store that I bought it at. I was honest about it and told them that I dropped it and the screen cracked. Right after I said that, he told me that he did not hear me say that I dropped it but instead it cracked on it's own. He said in that case, the warranty would cover the fix which would normally cost $199. At the end he just gave me a brand new phone.

A few tips from this experience:
- Make an appointment online with the Genius Bar. (The guys at the GB are the ones that makes the decision.)
- Backup your phone before you go into the Genius Bar. (I had to go home and come back to the store since I didn't do this before hand.)
- Just be honest. If they sense that you are lying, it may work against you.
- If one person says no, ask another one and keep going until someone says yes. You can even try another store if you are not having any luck.
- Last resort, your credit card that you bought your phone with will have some kind of coverage. You can file a claim with them. (I called AmEx and they said they do cover accidental iPhone damages but it takes 30 days for them to process the claim.)
Click to expand...
 
Maverick1337 said:
Try just walking in there naked and see how that turns out. It's your best bet imo.
Click to expand...

How about stop trolling my thread?

Anyways...bere's another person's experience.

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. And I absolutely LOVE my iPhone..until I accidentely dropped it on my tile floor (from about knee height…it fell out of my pocket while I was getting on my shoes!!) *DEVASTATING* I had a protective cover on the back of my phone (and just the plastic paste on cover for the front of my iPhone). The phone screen completely SMASHED – more than 50% of the screen was damaged!!! YIKES, I could NOT believe my luck. Terrible (did I mention my phone was ONLY 3 months old!)
I spent the entire day stressing out and wondering if this problem is fixable, how much would it cost, where would I take it for repair etc.
After reading a couple of internet websites, I went to the apple iPhone website and did some research about my “cracked screen issue” (severely cracked screen). Anyways after doing a little bit of research I phoned the local Apple Store and made an appt with a “Genius”.
When I got to the store I was promptly checked in (even admist the line of people waiting for their brand new i pads – turns out it was the i pad launch day here in Calgary). The Genius assessed my severely cracked iPhone screen and asked me HOW this happened. I was very honest and told him that I unfourtunately dropped my phone by accident. My boyfriend and I patiently waited while he took some time to enter the serial number of my phone and inspect it further. After about 5 min of the “genius” quietly working in front of us he said “Usually the cost to replace your iPhone screen is $250, however I have one freebie a day, and I am going to replace your phone for you for FREE” I could not believe it!! This was awesome!!!!!
I just wanted to share my story with any other fellow Calgarians that had to experience something like this…and let them know that there is hope..and nice understanding people in the world. I have no idea why the genius chose to help me out, but I truly am VERY grateful and have now purchased an “Otter Box” Defender for my NEW iPhone at the recommendation of the Apple Genius. Thank you Apple for such great customer service. My worst day…was turned into one of the best!! Much appreciated.
Regards,
JB
Click to expand...
 
Just replace the screen, I just did it a week ago the first time. Took me a hour.
I grabbed a 16$ kit of ebay and it works great!
 
I have a couple of questions. If you already knew those 2 stories why even bother creating this thread anyways? Or did you post first before searching? You know that will get you flamed here

Secondly, I don't see how the purchases could change anything unless you were buying at that moment ("But I'm going to be buying a macbook pro next month!") and I know that I wouldn't be able to wait to fix my iphone. I would need it fixed asap.

I say just use ur screen replacement. it's why you bought it anyway right?

But if you feel like waiting till your purchase to try to get a free replacement be my guest. The worst that can happen is they say no
 
OP - Apple usually responds well to those who are A) Honest and B) Not trying to gain anything out of the situation. Additionally, the 4 just came out and is a fairly popular product. They're more likely to give some leniency here, like when thy upgraded me to SL for free when all I wanted to do was borrow an external DVD drive for them, simply because I needed SL to use with the 4. I don't think they'll necessarily be swayed by the "I'm buying a computer from you" angle, but give it a shot.
 
I love how people say there is no chance.

I can not count the amount of times the people at apple have taken care of me.

My boy dropped his iPhone 4 and cracked the back. He had it that way until I convinced him to call apple and the person at applecare immediately OK'd the repair.
 
In neither of those anecdotal stories does someone go in and try and use the fact that they are buying a new Apple product to try and gain leverage for a free repair on another (which your initial post made it sound like you intended doing).
 
You can't get something you don't ask for. It's worth a shot.

I dropped my brand new iPhone 4 on asphalt from about 7 feet in the air two days after I got it. The edge of the antenna band had a gash in it, and I went to the Apple store hoping they could help me out (not expecting them to though.) I told them exactly what happened and that it was my fault and clearly not a warranty issue. They replaced my phone right there with a brand new one. I now have it in a case. :)
 
Free iPod

Here's what I would do. They're running a deal where you get a free 8gb ipod touch with purchase of a computer for school (its over Sept. 7th I think). The "free" ipod is really just a $200 rebate - I used it to get $200 off a monitor in store. Go into the store before the offer expires and try and use that rebate for the free repair.

Besides in another couple weeks when apple releases the new ipods the 8gb touch will be worth nothing, so its not like its a huge waste and you have an iphone anyway.
 
Should I try again?

So I called AppleCare and told my situation being honest. After being on hold, my call went to a senior Apple advisor who gave me a case number & contact info and said my problem is that I need "insurance not warranty" and I need to find money (~$259) from car insurance or a credit card company. I'm a broke student so would I have ANY insurance besides my education?

I'm going to call in during a time he is off his shift and work my way up without that case number. My warrenty is still good for a month but I hope my serial number isn't flagged or something like that.

Any thoughts? Please help me out guys and gals!
 
That case number is logged against the serial number of the device. Anyone you call will bring up the history of the device, read that and you're back where you started.
 
robbieduncan said:
That case number is logged against the serial number of the device. Anyone you call will bring up the history of the device, read that and you're back where you started.
Click to expand...

So should I into an Apple store instead or try to ask for another senior advisor or another supervisor tier? I'm I stuck? :(
 
modit said:
So should I into an Apple store instead or try to ask for another senior advisor or another supervisor tier? I'm I stuck :(
Click to expand...

The Apple Store have access to the same database. I had 3 replacement batteries on a single MBP. The last time I went in with it they scanned the barcode and the Genius commented on the number of battery replacements.
 
modit said:
So should I into an Apple store instead or try to ask for another senior advisor or another supervisor tier? I'm I stuck? :(
Click to expand...

I would have went in the store in the first place. It's a lot harder to tell someone "no" to their face than over the phone. I had my 3g replaced three times for minor issues and I went in the store and talked to the genius like a I would a friend and had a great outcome each time. Don't play dumb but, don't act like a know-it-all either. I also replaced the screen on a 3g and it wasn't difficult. I definitely wouldn't pay Apple $200 for a screen replacement. Local shops are fixing screens for under $100 now.
 
dontworry said:
I would have went in the store in the first place. It's a lot harder to tell someone "no" to their face than over the phone. I had my 3g replaced three times for minor issues and I went in the store and talked to the genius like a I would a friend and had a great outcome each time. Don't play dumb but, don't act like a know-it-all either. I also replaced the screen on a 3g and it wasn't difficult. I definitely wouldn't pay Apple $200 for a screen replacement. Local shops are fixing screens for under $100 now.
Click to expand...

Alright...I'll make a genius appointment and plead my case at the store by not expecting anything and hope for the best.

If anyone has more constructive advice, please chime in. Much thanks! :)
 
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