iPhone 6 screen repair turns into weird and frustrating Apple Store experience

[jnwilk4]

Hello, new member here.

Anyway, I had a shattered screen and decided to shell out $109 to have it repaired at the Apple Store. Was similar price to buy the replacement LCD screen with the digitizer anyway so I thought I'd let someone else do it and save myself the trouble.

I had to sign an agreement form stating I understood the Terms and Conditions of the repair, which included an explanation stating that a "calibration test" would be performed after the screen was repaired. If this test failed, then I'd have to pay $299 for a replacement phone or walk away with the screen repaired, but the phone would be unusable. That set off a red flag, but I was on my lunch break from work dropping the phone off and I'd had no trouble whatsoever from any hardware or software since it shattered months ago so I assumed it'd be fine, which I was of course wrong and brings me to my current dilemma.

I took the unusable phone and scoured the internet as well as attempting to get it to work myself. My only options in iTunes when I connect the device is to restore or update. I've tried both and get the same error (53), which is an error tied to the Touch ID sensor. You can not proceed while getting this error and it typically occurs if the cable ribbon has been damaged or disconnected. Or if the original Touch ID sensor that came with that specific phone has been replaced with any other than its original sensor.

The Terms also state that they can replace any part with a new part and they get to keep the replaced part, which I suppose could be used to swap out the Touch ID sensor.

I know, a lot of skepticism here, but I find it very suspicious that I now get this error when I had no troubles before regarding that.

So. Is it possible that they tampered with the sensor intentionally or not which would essentially result in bricking my phone?

I have 5 days to decide if I want to pay for a replacement. And I'm aware it's my own fault for proceeding through with the repair when they forewarned me of that possibility. I just never imagined it would go down like this.

Just looking for thoughts on the matter. They're greatly appreciated. Sorry for the super long post.

 

[sunking101]

Is that $299-109, ie $190...or a further $299 on top of the $109 you've already spent? That's rough either way but I guess you have no choice now.

 

[jnwilk4]

Is that $299-109, ie $190...or a further $299 on top of the $109 you've already spent? That's rough either way but I guess you have no choice now.

$299 total. They let me walk out with the repaired screen without paying, but seemed to make the phone unusable in the process. =/

 

[bushman4]

Geniuses are not all great at screen repairs. A friend had to go back twice as the Touch ID didn't work as the screen was defective and the touch ID is built into the screen. At least they were able to finally get it right and it has a 1 year warranty.
Nothings perfect in life.

 

[jnwilk4]

Geniuses are not all great at screen repairs. A friend had to go back twice as the Touch ID didn't work as the screen was defective and the touch ID is built into the screen. At least they were able to finally get it right and it has a 1 year warranty.
Nothings perfect in life.

That sounded rough for your friend. I do realize everyone makes mistakes. Currently my phone is not fixed though. I either have to fork up the $299 or try to talk with support or something.

 

[C DM]

Realistically in situations like that they should just replace the phone for the price of the screen repair. I mean they often just replace the phones without even trying to repair the screen and replace phones under warranty for free for other random things like speaker stopping working or something like that. It's too bad they aren't consistent about their decisions and while are quite customer friendly many times and sometimes even overly so for some, other times they seem to go the opposite way.

 

[Phone Junky]

I had my iPhone 6 screen replaced Monday. They said they tried 2 different screens and they wouldn't work so they gave me a new phone for the screen replacement cost of $109.

 

[slippery-pete]

Hello, new member here.

Anyway, I had a shattered screen and decided to shell out $109 to have it repaired at the Apple Store. Was similar price to buy the replacement LCD screen with the digitizer anyway so I thought I'd let someone else do it and save myself the trouble.

I had to sign an agreement form stating I understood the Terms and Conditions of the repair, which included an explanation stating that a "calibration test" would be performed after the screen was repaired. If this test failed, then I'd have to pay $299 for a replacement phone or walk away with the screen repaired, but the phone would be unusable. That set off a red flag, but I was on my lunch break from work dropping the phone off and I'd had no trouble whatsoever from any hardware or software since it shattered months ago so I assumed it'd be fine, which I was of course wrong and brings me to my current dilemma.

I took the unusable phone and scoured the internet as well as attempting to get it to work myself. My only options in iTunes when I connect the device is to restore or update. I've tried both and get the same error (53), which is an error tied to the Touch ID sensor. You can not proceed while getting this error and it typically occurs if the cable ribbon has been damaged or disconnected. Or if the original Touch ID sensor that came with that specific phone has been replaced with any other than its original sensor.

The Terms also state that they can replace any part with a new part and they get to keep the replaced part, which I suppose could be used to swap out the Touch ID sensor.

I know, a lot of skepticism here, but I find it very suspicious that I now get this error when I had no troubles before regarding that.

So. Is it possible that they tampered with the sensor intentionally or not which would essentially result in bricking my phone?

I have 5 days to decide if I want to pay for a replacement. And I'm aware it's my own fault for proceeding through with the repair when they forewarned me of that possibility. I just never imagined it would go down like this.

Just looking for thoughts on the matter. They're greatly appreciated. Sorry for the super long post.

I would contact the FCC. Honestly, this seems like a case of tampering or at the very least a " bait a switch" tactic.

 

[cousintim]

I would contact the FCC. Honestly, this seems like a case of tampering or at the very least a " bait a switch" tactic.

The FCC has no jurisdiction is such a case. Perhaps you meant the FTC. I would suggest contacting the State Attorney General's office.