Using an AppleCare "incident replacement" with my iPhone 5?

[aajeevlin]

...and this is why the price of AppleCare and the incident replacements keep going up and why Apple is getting stingier with handing out replacements for those in need.

I agree with you that this is certainly not the proper way of using apple care. But frankly at the end of the day, I'm sure that Apple have thought about all situations and those very well paid guys with MBA degree has done all the math possible for them to not to lose money.

While this is not right, I don't feel bad for Apple. Considering that Apple is not really known to be nice to their customers in terms of pricing anyways. If they really want to avoid this situation then rise the replacement cost. But, I'm very confident that they are not loosing money over this.

 

[cyks]

I agree with you that this is certainly not the proper way of using apple care. But frankly at the end of the day, I'm sure that Apple have thought about all situations and those very well paid guys with MBA degree has done all the math possible for them to not to lose money.

While this is not right, I don't feel bad for Apple. Considering that Apple is not really known to be nice to their customers in terms of pricing anyways. If they really want to avoid this situation then rise the replacement cost. But, I'm very confident that they are not loosing money over this.

I never said Apple was losing money... especially because their business guys have already found an easy way to make sure they don't.

Apple raised the price of the incident replacements and they aren't nearly as quick to hand out free replacement devices as they used to be.

Apple isn't losing money... it's just costing the rest of us more.

People will support the OP now, but will be the first to complain when Apple refuses to replace their device for free or when Apple raises the incident cost again.

 

[bmac4]

I never said Apple was losing money... especially because their business guys have already found an easy way to make sure they don't.

Apple raised the price of the incident replacements and they aren't nearly as quick to hand out free replacement devices as they used to be.

Apple isn't losing money... it's just costing the rest of us more.

People will support the OP now, but will be the first to complain when Apple refuses to replace their device for free or when Apple raises the incident cost again.

Ok so Apple decides to introduce AC+ for iPhones a couple of years back. They knew good and well when they did this that people would do things like the OP. If they don't want customers to do it then all they have to do is say no. It's as easy as that.

Saying that the OP and people like him are the reason the price of replacements are going up is just crazy. The reason the price went up is because Apple saw an opportunity to make more money. We are willing to pay $79 for a replacement, so Apple decides to charge that. It has nothing to do with people turning in scratched up iPhones. If you want to say that. Then people that open a brand new iPhone, and see a small imperfection on the phone, and ask for a new one. They also would be driving the price up. All those phones have to be refurbed too. Don't kid yourself Apple just saw this as a chance to make more money.

 

[cyks]

Ok so Apple decides to introduce AC+ for iPhones a couple of years back. They knew good and well when they did this that people would do things like the OP. If they don't want customers to do it then all they have to do is say no. It's as easy as that.

How would they say no? People would, as others have already mentioned in this thread, simply break the screen or submerge the phone in water in order to replace a phone with a few minor scratches.

Saying that the OP and people like him are the reason the price of replacements are going up is just crazy.

It's not the only reason, but, yes, it is a reason. Years ago, one could walk into an Apple store without AppleCare or a warranty and there was a good chance that they'd walk out with a free replacement phone. Nowadays, that's the exception rather than the rule. Geniuses and store managers have been told not to replace phones as quickly as they used to.

You'd have to be crazy to think that so many people abusing the system didn't contribute to that decision or the price increases.

 

[bmac4]

How would they say no? People would, as others have already mentioned in this thread, simply break the screen or submerge the phone in water in order to replace a phone with a few minor scratches.







It's not the only reason, but, yes, it is a reason. Years ago, one could walk into an Apple store without AppleCare or a warranty and there was a good chance that they'd walk out with a free replacement phone. Nowadays, that's the exception rather than the rule. Geniuses and store managers have been told not to replace phones as quickly as they used to.



You'd have to be crazy to think that so many people abusing the system didn't contribute to that decision or the price increases.

Yes years ago people got free phones, but guess what. Apple saw profit from charging, so they did. Simply Apple doing business.

 

[Jamesesesesess]

Sounds pretty silly to me. If there aren't any major cosmetic problems, just save the $50 until you get the iPhone 6. That's the time to get a replacement because then you can sell it as brand new/refurbished since it'll still have the plastic on it and you'll get a lot more back than if you sell it used. If you use up one incident now and then over the summer you crack your screen (no matter how careful you are, anything can happen) and need to use another incident, you won't be able to get a replacement when the 6 comes out and you'll end up profiting less.

 

[blarivee]

How would they say no? People would, as others have already mentioned in this thread, simply break the screen or submerge the phone in water in order to replace a phone with a few minor scratches.



It's not the only reason, but, yes, it is a reason. Years ago, one could walk into an Apple store without AppleCare or a warranty and there was a good chance that they'd walk out with a free replacement phone. Nowadays, that's the exception rather than the rule. Geniuses and store managers have been told not to replace phones as quickly as they used to.

You'd have to be crazy to think that so many people abusing the system didn't contribute to that decision or the price increases.

People really do not have to resort to making their cosmetic damage phone take a dunk in the tank to get a replacement. Although I am guilty of suggesting it, I only meant it as a joke. The Genius would be more than happy to replace your cosmetically damaged phone (as confirmed by a few posters). To them they are still making money from your deductible.

Geniuses and managers are told not to hand out replacements as quickly because they want you to get the AC+.

Also didn't SquareTrade also increased their deductible after Apple did? This lends some credibility that Apple might have increased the deductible to increase their margins. Apple may see their AC+ as a premium service like their devices and charge a higher price (they may have started low to test the market).

 

[lordofthereef]

Geniuses and managers are told not to hand out replacements as quickly because they want you to get the AC+.

This x100

Handing out free phones undervalues a product that they currently sell (AC+) severely. Why would I buy AC+ if I could just get the phone replaced for free? Years ago I had an iPhone 4 replaced ON LAUNCH DAY for $100 after taking a spin cycle in my jeans. Doubt they would do that today. AT BEST they may let me add AC+ plus pay a deductible. And that is a BIG might.

It's foolish to think that people "abusing the system" are the reason prices have gone up. As if Apple didn't think people would "abuse the system" when they implemented the service? Give me a break folks! You don't even have to destroy your phone to get a replacement. I can literally activate an iPhone in the store, buy AC+ on it, hand it right back and say I want another with my $50 deductible. That's not abusing the system. That IS the system.

 

[mofunk]

So I have had my iPhone 5 since it launched in late 2012 and I purchased AppleCare with it and part of that includes two "incident replacements" in case I break my screen or whatever. Pretty much I can pay $50 bucks and get a whole new phone if I break my screen etc.

Well after having my iPhone 5 now for over a year it has gotten roughed up a bit. Mainly because of an OtterBox case I had on it that scratched parts of the screen and the volume buttons feel extremely loose.

I would love to pay $50 bucks and get a whole new iPhone 5 that I will use until the iPhone 6 comes out.

But my question is will Apple let me just replace my roughed up iPhone 5 for a new one using my $50 dollar incident replacement stuff? Or does my screen actually have to be busted?

I had my nice lovely iPad replaced under AppleCare. It was a software issue. What I got was a refurbish iPad eventhough it was just launched 6 months ago. Oh and the battery life on my refurbish sucked. Sure I was getting 6hrs… On my iPad I was get the full shebang.


It can be a 50/50 deal.

 

[Jasonkrick]

Just say that you power button is defective

Be polite. Be honest.

This is what America is built on.

Intentionally damaging something to get a replacement is no different than breaking into your own home, breaking things up (i.e. windows, tv's etc) to get replacements.

My 5 had a true power button issue which was a little sticky. I showed it to the Apple employee and said that normally he would charge for this because it did show signs of me dropping it and making the button stick a little…but because I didn't know that was the problem and was honest about the whole thing, not only did he replace it but did so at no extra charge.

I wasn't asking for a free replacement. I was just asking why the power button is sticking and was irritating me. You know, first world problems.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Read the AppleCare+ service agreement. Intentional abuse is not covered and cosmetic damage is not covered (among other things).

(Excerpts from the U.S. AppleCare+ Terms and Conditions. Bolding is added for emphasis and clarity. For complete text, and Terms and Conditions for other countries, see: http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplusforiphone.html

3.2 Accidental Damage from Handling

...ADH coverage only applies to an operational or mechanical failure caused by an accident from handling that is the result of an unexpected and unintentional external event (e.g., drops and liquid contact) that arises from your normal daily usage of the Covered iPhone as intended for such Covered iPhone. ADH coverage does not include (a) protection against normal wear and tear, theft, misplacement, reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct associated with handling and use of the Covered iPhone, (b) protection against any other act or result not covered by the Plan, as described in Section 4.2 below, or (c) any resultant damage to the Covered iPhone that arises from one or more conditions described in Section 3.2(a) or (b)....

4.2 Hardware Coverage and ADH Coverage.
... (ii)The Plan does not apply to damage caused by (a) a product that is not the Covered iPhone, (b) abuse, misuse, fire, earthquake or other external causes except as described in section 3.2 above, (c) operating the Covered iPhone outside the permitted or intended uses described by the manufacturer, or (d) service (including upgrades and expansions) if such was performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”).
(iii) The Plan does not apply to an iPhone with a serial number that has been altered, defaced or removed, or has been modified to alter its functionality or capability without the written permission of the manufacturer.
(iv) The Plan does not apply to a Covered iPhone that has been lost or stolen. This Plan only covers a Covered iPhone that is returned to Apple in its entirety.
(v) The Plan does not apply to cosmetic damage to the Covered iPhone, including but not limited to scratches and dents, that do not otherwise affect the functionality of the Covered iPhone.
(vi) The Plan does not apply to preventative maintenance on the Covered iPhone;
(vii) The Plan does not apply to defects caused by normal wear and tear or which is otherwise due to normal aging of the product....

In the U.S., a broken on/off switch (defects in workmanship and materials) is covered by the basic warranty for the first year. AppleCare "basic" ($69 for an iPhone) includes materials and workmanship coverage for a second year. No need to burn an AppleCare+ "incident" at all.

That means accidental damage coverage adds just $30 to my base cost of AppleCare, plus the $49 or $79 deductible (depending on when I bought the phone), if I need a replacement. Essentially, my cost is $109 if I replace a phone once, $93 per phone if I need both replacements. Meantime, the price for an out-of-warranty repair is $269 for an iPhone 5/5c/5s. $109 vs. $269? Who wouldn't dunk their phone to get that bargain? That, clearly, becomes a matter of personal ethics.

The price Apple charges for accidental damage coverage is based on their total costs - real accidental damage plus not-so-real accidental damage. A problem arises for Apple when more people than expected are clumsy, and/or more people than expected intentionally damage the phone.

If everyone dunked their phones, why would Apple charge anything less than $269? The difference between paying $109/$93 and $269 is that most people voluntarily honor the contract.

Bottom line for me? I'm not worried by people who would normally think to make a false claim of accidental damage. It's built into the system, they are who they are, and they probably understand the risk if they fail. I am bothered when they encourage others to behave in the same manner, and claim that it's all legal and above board. That seems like malice to me; malice against Apple, and perhaps even against the people who take their bad advice. Pity the person who trashes his iPhone on that advice and is refused a replacement by Apple.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Saying that the OP and people like him are the reason the price of replacements are going up is just crazy. The reason the price went up is because Apple saw an opportunity to make more money.

So I take it you believe insurance fraud costs us absolutely nothing and we're not paying more in our premiums (basically built into it) as a result and insurance companies just want to make more money?

 

[beachbrum]

I have a genius bar appt for the afternoon to get my phone replaced due to the top button failing on my iphone5. Should I even have to pay the $49? Since this was not accidental issue on my part?

 

[thedeejay]

No.

I have a genius bar appt for the afternoon to get my phone replaced due to the top button failing on my iphone5. Should I even have to pay the $49? Since this was not accidental issue on my part?

Nah you won't be required to pay the $50