Jammed lock button - what to do?

[Fugabutacus]

My warranty ran out less than a month ago and in pretty typical timing, my lock button has jammed. It still works, but it's tricky and I'm afraid it could get worse and jam permanently, although it's only just happened (I'll wait a bit to see if it miraculously fixes itself).

What I'm wondering: Is there any point going to Apple? If there's a problem, would they take pity on me and repair it or anything though my warranty ended?

Thanks.

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Also, how much would it cost to get Apple to fix it?

 

[Fugabutacus]

Bump, because the forum's quite busy.

 

[meirvin]

something sticky in it maybe?

 

[Fugabutacus]

Maybe. Anyone know what Apple would do if I took it into the store?

 

[dave420]

Maybe. Anyone know what Apple would do if I took it into the store?

It would be worth a shot to try to take it in. They often are lenient on the end date of the warranty, but not always. I had an iPhone 4 replaced for the same issue during the warranty period. It is a known problem, but not as common as some others.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Maybe. Anyone know what Apple would do if I took it into the store?

Out-of-warranty repair is $149, so that's worst-case through Apple.

You can get the part from iFixIt.com and instructions for replacing the button yourself, but it looks pretty complex.

There are companies that will do it for you, here is one for $59.99 - I used this company for screen replacement and they did a great job:

http://www.ifixyouri.com/iphone-4-repair/268-iphone-4-power-button-repair.html

However you're without your phone for at least a couple days, plus shipping costs, so it's not necessarily THAT much cheaper than Apple Store (instant exchange for $149).

 

[Fugabutacus]

It would be worth a shot to try to take it in. They often are lenient on the end date of the warranty, but not always. I had an iPhone 4 replaced for the same issue during the warranty period. It is a known problem, but not as common as some others.

Thanks. So it is something they would definitely fix if it was in warranty? I wasn't sure because I'm assuming something's got stuck and it's not actually a problem with the handset itself.

Thinking of taking it in today. It would suck to go to the store for nothing though :/

 

[alphaod]

If it's been out of warranty for only a short while, if you take it to the Apple Store, you'll most likely be able to get it replaced for free as long as you're nice about it and your phone isn't broken in zillion places.

 

[ann713]

Thanks. So it is something they would definitely fix if it was in warranty? I wasn't sure because I'm assuming something's got stuck and it's not actually a problem with the handset itself.

Thinking of taking it in today. It would suck to go to the store for nothing though :/

Can't you call before going in and making the drive? I wouldn't justify it as being an expensive repair at all. Worst comes to worst, you can replace the button yourself.

 

[Fugabutacus]

Can't you call before going in and making the drive? I wouldn't justify it as being an expensive repair at all. Worst comes to worst, you can replace the button yourself.

I tried the website, there weren't any options to book a genius bar appointment before wednesday. I think I'll just call in and hope they have time!

People say they're lenient on warranty ending recently, but how recently?

I think mine ended exactly 4 weeks ago.

 

[dave420]

Thanks. So it is something they would definitely fix if it was in warranty? I wasn't sure because I'm assuming something's got stuck and it's not actually a problem with the handset itself.

Thinking of taking it in today. It would suck to go to the store for nothing though :/

They would probably replace it during the warranty period. My friend's phone that I brought in wasn't in very good cosmetic shape in addition to the button being stuck, but they replaced it anyway. The employee said he had seen the problem before.
At the time I had it replaced there was a thread on here about the issue. A couple other people had gotten them replaced, and they had also been told that other people had the same issue.
I would definitely recommend taking it to a local Apple store. That same phone I got the back replaced free 3 weeks out of warranty after he dropped it.