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Second Day Owning My 2017 Macbook Pro.... Someone Spilled Water On It

James.K.Polk

James.K.Polk

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
865
333
The spill was quick - probably 6 oz of water, and I immediately began wiping it from the MBP, and got paper towels within 30 seconds.

It's currently off, and sitting face-down on a towel, with the keyboard parallel to the ground (screen hanging off the table) as was suggested to me. I've rotated the towel, in case it got moisture, but it didn't appear so to the touch. The issue is, as soon as I fold it to take it to the store, it'll turn back on because of the silly auto-on policies of the 2016-17 Pros.

I have a Genius Bar appointment for tomorrow (~36h from spill).

I don't know what to do. This computer is 3 days old. The spill was not done by me, not that it's relevant right now. It costs me well over $2000 out the door, a huge expenditure. Is there any way I can get it covered? I purchased on a Chase Ink Preferred Card... but it looks like I need to go through Renter's insurance, first?

Can someone give me a rundown on the best course of action over the next week? I'm at my wits end.
 
James.K.Polk said:
The spill was quick - probably 6 oz of water, and I immediately began wiping it from the MBP, and got paper towels within 30 seconds.

It's currently off, and sitting face-down on a towel, with the keyboard parallel to the ground (screen hanging off the table) as was suggested to me. I've rotated the towel, in case it got moisture, but it didn't appear so to the touch. The issue is, as soon as I fold it to take it to the store, it'll turn back on because of the silly auto-on policies of the 2016-17 Pros.

I have a Genius Bar appointment for tomorrow (~36h from spill).

I don't know what to do. This computer is 3 days old. The spill was not done by me, not that it's relevant right now. It costs me well over $2000 out the door, a huge expenditure. Is there any way I can get it covered? I purchased on a Chase Ink Preferred Card... but it looks like I need to go through Renter's insurance, first?

Can someone give me a rundown on the best course of action over the next week? I'm at my wits end.
Click to expand...


did you purchase AppleCare +
 
I would never claim a laptop on renters or homeowners insurance. Who spilled the water on it? They are ultimately responsible.
 
TofSanity said:
did you purchase AppleCare +
Click to expand...

Did not. Didn't even think about it... Was just so excited to have it in my hands...
[doublepost=1508459169][/doublepost]
robvas said:
I would never claim a laptop on renters or homeowners insurance. Who spilled the water on it? They are ultimately responsible.
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Perhaps they are; it was my water bottle. She's also a student so neither of us have all that much free cash.
 
this isn't too helpful but a co-worker rested his elbow on my 2012 rMBP and damaged the case and killed some pixels. There was a dent on the top display and Apple still replaced for free. I also should say my local Apple store seems to always replace without question. at least in my experience, so maybe you'll get lucky
 
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I never understand why people insist on putting drinks near laptops. It does not matter how thirsty you are NEVER EVER let liquid near a laptop, PERIOD. That being said, if the laptop fails to power, those at the Genius bar will ask what happened and as soon as you say you spill liquid on it, it will automatically be referred to as 'customer damage' and they will charge you for any repair, regardless of how old the machine it.

Now you could be lucky and have a sympathetic apple employee who will try and get it fixed for free under normal manufacturers warranty BUT and this is a big BUT, the laptop internals have liquid indicators in them and if any of them have turned red, they know that liquid has been spilled over the laptop and they will refuse to carry out any warranty repairs and instruct that you have to pay for the repair.

You may have to try with your home insurance.
[doublepost=1508460073][/doublepost]
TofSanity said:
this isn't too helpful but a co-worker rested his elbow on my 2012 rMBP and damaged the case and killed some pixels. There was a dent on the top display and Apple still replaced for free. I also should say my local Apple store seems to always replace without question. at least in my experience, so maybe you'll get lucky
Click to expand...

How did you manage that because Apple will not replace under warranty or Apple Care a laptop replacement or part for free if it is considered to have been damaged by the customer.
 
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like I said the local store here just seems to always replace without question. it was still under AppleCare. I didn't tell them what happened, just showed them the pixels, but the dent was obvious. They replaced the display in a couple of hours. Now if they had sent it out to the repair depot I am sure I wouldn't have been so lucky.

They have also replaced an iPad Pro out of warranty for dead pixels too.
 
Be honest with the staff at the store. As others have stated their are indicators inside the MacBook to catch when liquids have been present.
Get the assessment / see what they'll do for you at the Apple store - then you'll either have a quote to repair or you'll luck out and they're doing it for free (or next to free).
If you're out of pocket, then talk to your credit card company (I wouldn't let them push you towards your renters insurance if they have coverage for the first 90 days for accidental damage - that's what the annual fees are for on these cards).

Good luck!!
 
fischersd said:
Be honest with the staff at the store. As others have stated their are indicators inside the MacBook to catch when liquids have been present.
Get the assessment / see what they'll do for you at the Apple store - then you'll either have a quote to repair or you'll luck out and they're doing it for free (or next to free).
If you're out of pocket, then talk to your credit card company (I wouldn't let them push you towards your renters insurance if they have coverage for the first 90 days for accidental damage - that's what the annual fees are for on these cards).

Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Wasn’t planning on anything other than honestly on this. It’s not some OCD dead pixel repair (which I’ve had plenty of), but a self-inflicted financial injury. My only chance is the fact that it’s 4 days old but yes - my plan is pay first, and figure out insurance/warranty on the back end.

Thanks!
 
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I don't understand. Make them pay for the spill. That is damaged property. It's going to cost $900 to replace logic board and any other damaged components. If it's not your fault, then make the person who damaged it pay.
 
Nilhum said:
I don't understand. Make them pay for the spill. That is damaged property. It's going to cost $900 to replace logic board and any other damaged components. If it's not your fault, then make the person who damaged it pay.
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I don’t know where the liability falls - legally or morally. I negligently left my water bottle open besides my own computer. She just knocked it over.

Moreover, as I said earlier, we’re both grad students. I have no interest in unduly adding that stress to her life. I think she feels bad enough as-is. I’ll pay for it and see if my CC can’t refund me.
 
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Nilhum said:
I don't understand. Make them pay for the spill. That is damaged property. It's going to cost $900 to replace logic board and any other damaged components. If it's not your fault, then make the person who damaged it pay.
Click to expand...
the person who knocked over the water isn't going to pay for 900 worth of damage lets face it.

who knows apple may be good about this seeing as it's only 3 days old
 
James.K.Polk said:
I don’t know where the liability falls - legally or morally. I negligently left my water bottle open besides my own computer. She just knocked it over.

Moreover, as I said earlier, we’re both grad students. I have no interest in unduly adding that stress to her life. I think she feels bad enough as-is. I’ll pay for it and see if my CC can’t refund me.
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You’re a good human being with an eye on what really matters in life.

I had a similar problem. Except, I spilled coffee on it. Same thing. A week into owning it. Went to Apple and explained the problem. They assessed the laptop and said the spill likely wasn’t the cause (I am absolutely sure it was) and replaced it.

Apple store people are helpful and they know how much it stinks when this happens. Also, the guy said that if the damage was not covered, they did offer a flat fee repair no matter the damage. I believe it was $250 for a MacBook. Could be more for Pro and you would have to mail it into a depot.

Good luck with the computer and good luck in grad school. It’s an awesome experience. I miss it.
 
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iMi said:
You’re a good human being with an eye on what really matters in life.

I had a similar problem. Except, I spilled coffee on it. Same thing. A week into owning it. Went to Apple and explained the problem. They assessed the laptop and said the spill likely wasn’t the cause (I am absolutely sure it was) and replaced it.

Apple store people are helpful and they know how much it stinks when this happens. Also, the guy said that if the damage was not covered, they did offer a flat fee repair no matter the damage. I believe it was $250 for a MacBook. Could be more for Pro and you would have to mail it into a depot.

Good luck with the computer and good luck in grad school. It’s an awesome experience. I miss it.
Click to expand...

On the phone, they quoted me $750-1250, depending on the components needed. Hoping it's the lower end, if I don't get as fortunate with Genius selection as you.

Regardless, I appreciate the kind words and the understanding. I'll try and report back here soon - hopefully on a functional laptop!
 
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James.K.Polk said:
On the phone, they quoted me $750-1250, depending on the components needed. Hoping it's the lower end, if I don't get as fortunate with Genius selection as you.

Regardless, I appreciate the kind words and the understanding. I'll try and report back here soon - hopefully on a functional laptop!
Click to expand...

In such case, buying AppleCare now may be a good idea as someone suggested earlier. Good luck!
 
I was in a similar position a 3 - 4 weeks ago but reversed.

At work all contractors use their own machine. During a meeting I accidentally knocked over a glass of water which fell on to a colleagues closed MBA, immediately the MBA was picked up and wiped down with towels and turned off whilst it dried. Luckily it fired back up a few hours later and has had no issue's since what so ever.

If the MBA refused to of turned back on I would have been willing to pay the amount the laptop was worth at the time.
 
Update for the concerned parties: It passed all the initial diagnostics, but they decided to take it in for a quick tear-down in case the water has flagged the interior indicators. He's already marked it as out-of-warranty so I don't think I'll get as lucky as others.
 
Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope it works out OK for you.

In real life spill happen. Computer manufacturers need to make their system capability of handling spills. The Thinkpad series has done this for years. Why can't the other companies do this?

 
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