If I have AppleCare+ on my phone will Apple replace my phone no questions asked? I'm wondering if for things like scratches or something very minor they would even ask you whats wrong or do they flat out refuse?
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Will Applecare Replace iPhone no questions asked?
- Thread starter bartonjd
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If you pay the $79 fee they will.
For those that claim they won't, think about it: All the customer would have to do is damage it further to qualify, and Apple isn't stupid. They'd much rather just collect an easy to refurbish unit and $79.
If you're asking if they'll do it for free, then... no.
Not unless there are other issues beyond cosmetic. People try this all the time, and it just boils down to if it's worth $79 to replace your scratches or not?
People will tell you to committ fraud and invent an issue. I would advise against this. Apple knows (in most cases) and can flag your account. People will also say they can't do that (they certainly do) yet when they do they treat those same people with much more scrutiny on future warranty issues. It's only good business.
Be honest. If the scratches drive you nuts, it's $79. It may be smarter to wait a bit and then get a new one, but if you want to you certainly can.
For those that claim they won't, think about it: All the customer would have to do is damage it further to qualify, and Apple isn't stupid. They'd much rather just collect an easy to refurbish unit and $79.
If you're asking if they'll do it for free, then... no.
Not unless there are other issues beyond cosmetic. People try this all the time, and it just boils down to if it's worth $79 to replace your scratches or not?
People will tell you to committ fraud and invent an issue. I would advise against this. Apple knows (in most cases) and can flag your account. People will also say they can't do that (they certainly do) yet when they do they treat those same people with much more scrutiny on future warranty issues. It's only good business.
Be honest. If the scratches drive you nuts, it's $79. It may be smarter to wait a bit and then get a new one, but if you want to you certainly can.
For minor scratches, I think they might resist doing an exchange. If it's not something that hampers the usability of the phone or makes it obvious that the internals might be damaged, they will probably avoid doing a repair unless/until something more serious happens.
If it's an obvious manufacturing defect and there's no sign that accidental damage contributed to the problem, then they will usually replace no questions asked.
If there is damage, and it's not something that came out of a defect or normal use, then they will tell you that you need to do a $79 repair/replacement.
In all of the above cases thought, they usually don't ask questions if the issue is pretty obvious. Though if it's not a problem you can see right away, you are going to need to explain what the problem is.
I brought a phone in once that I dropped and the screen was shattered. All the genius said was "looks like this phone came into contact with a hard surface." I said "Yes, it did." And from there we did a $79 replacement, with no other questions.
There is no way apple can know if you are committing fraud, you drop your phone, the screen is shattered or it isn't. If this was the case, there would be a long fight everytime a replacement really is justified.
You claim, 3 times in 3 years.. then yes its suspicous
No, they will inspect it and have to be approved by the person inspecting it. You have to have a real reason.
Or, pay the deductible and get a refurbished phone.
Or, pay the deductible and get a refurbished phone.
That's not what I meant. If you want to drop your phone, go for it.
I meant people who go in and complain of all kinds of fake "issues" just to try and get a free replacement for scratches... rather than paying the $79.
Apple is keenly aware that this happens, and there are flags they can put on your serial number if they are suspicious that you are just trying to game a free replacement when it's obviously just for cosmetics.
If you want to pay the $79 otoh, no need to lie about anything, just take it in, say the scratches drive you nuts, and they will do it (again, for the $79 fee of course).
Are people still destroying their phones at the 2 year point to get a new one...the unethical way?
Well, it's not really "unethical" as long as they are paying the deductible and "accidentally" destroying the phone. What's an accident really?
Very hard to prove when you think about it. Especially in the case of damage to a phone.
Apple has no problem at all if you want a new device on the last day of AC+, provided you are paying the deductible. My statements about ethics deal with the folks that go in on the last day and start complaining about "wi-fi dropping" or some other BS in order to try and score a new one WITHOUT paying the deductible.
It may be a little shady to replace it on the last day because of damage, but I wouldn't consider that unethical as long as you aren't making up an issue to try and avoid the deductible. That crosses the line (obviously, although I'm not surprised people still do it anyway...).
How do you "know" this? I would think they would flag your account vs the serial number. Is there any solid evidence from a former Apple employee that can confirm or deny this?
a couple of years back, my wife's iphone 5 power button would sometimes not work. We had trouble getting her case off and the guy at the genius bar said "dont worry about scratching it or damaging it, it is about to be replaced anyway"
It was within the 1st year so it was a free replacement
It was within the 1st year so it was a free replacement