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Will AT&T fix air bubbles in screen protector?

SPNarwhal

SPNarwhal

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 22, 2009
1,260
156
illinois
So I bought an iPhone 4S from an AT&T store, or I guess I should say an authorized reseller, and they told me that if I bought a screen protector that they would apply it for me.

I bought one and asked them to put it on, which they did, but the guy putting it on didn't use any tools whatsoever, not even a card, just his fingers. So, he messed up and it has air bubbles in it (both front and back - I bought a double pack for both sides) and they drive me crazy. (the back I don't mind as much because I don't really have to look at that, but the screen. :() The main guy who said they would apply it for me came by and asked how it was, the guy applying said "I messed up, there's air bubbles" and the guy says "well at least it's covered"

So, now here I am with an airbubbly screen.

Wondering if I brought it into an AT&T if they would/could fix this for me?
I know that places have tools for applying screen protectors, I know Sprint does at least. Anyone have any experience with this?
 
Well they obviously didn't have tools to do the job, I figured I would just take it to somewhere else that can do it. Honestly I didn't want them messing it up more than they already did.
 
sullez said:
Why did you not ask this at the store?
Click to expand...

I know huh.
So he messed it up and you paid him and left.
And now you want to go to another AT&T to have it fixed?
How about you open your mouth and inspect it before you leave?

SPNarwhal said:
Well they obviously didn't have tools to do the job, I figured I would just take it to somewhere else that can do it. Honestly I didn't want them messing it up more than they already did.
Click to expand...

What tools?
All you need is a plastic card, licence, credit card anything like that.
You dont need a tool kit to install a screen protector.
 
Use a piece of scotch tape and pull it up at the bottom about half way up. Use a credit card to smooth out the bubbles. Do same for all sides. Then smooth out leftover bubbles. I have done so many screen protectors I should literally do it for a living. Everyone brings them to me.
 
I already paid for the screen protector, I asked them about the air bubbles and he said that's the best he can do. What do you guys want from me?
Just because I didn't have a temper tantrum in the at&t store and cause a scene doesn't mean I handled the situation wrong, I kindof assumed I could just go home and work out the rest of the bubbles myself. They're not exactly big, there's 5 of them and they're pretty small, but they won't come out.

All I want to know is it another at&t store would fix it.

and I will ask them but it's not exactly right next to my house, and it's too late to call. I'm just looking for some advice here, gee. I don't know why so many people here are asking about their iMacs and Apple products, why don't they just ask Apple?
 
SPNarwhal said:
I already paid for the screen protector, I asked them about the air bubbles and he said that's the best he can do. What do you guys want from me?
Just because I didn't have a temper tantrum in the at&t store and cause a scene doesn't mean I handled the situation wrong, I kindof assumed I could just go home and work out the rest of the bubbles myself. They're not exactly big, there's 5 of them and they're pretty small, but they won't come out.

All I want to know is it another at&t store would fix it.
Click to expand...

You can try but I never heard of AT&T having a screen protector warranty.
You asked him to put it on, he did a crappy job and told you its the best he can do.
Also those things are dirt cheap, like 10 of them for $3-4 on ebay.
You would have probably done a better job yourself installing it anyway.
 
What do we want from you? We want you to quit asking us if an AT&T store will fix your air bubbles. How the heck do we know? You have to go ask them to find out...
 
You could just not respond rather than complaining about my question, it's not as if I'm asking if iPhone 5 will come out in blue where nobody can possibly answer that, someone here might have some kind of experience with this. Are screen protector bubbles fixable? If you peel the screen off again will it go on the same way? Will it cause more damage than good?

I don't exactly have a ton of experience with these.

The screen protector I bought was like 13 bucks, it's a Speck Anti-Glare cover.
 
SPNarwhal said:
You could just not respond rather than complaining about my question, it's not as if I'm asking if iPhone 5 will come out in blue where nobody can possibly answer that, someone here might have some kind of experience with this. Are screen protector bubbles fixable? If you peel the screen off again will it go on the same way? Will it cause more damage than good?

I don't exactly have a ton of experience with these.

The screen protector I bought was like 13 bucks, it's a Speck Anti-Glare cover.
Click to expand...

I believe they are reusable, you can peel it and restick it.
But just because you paid 10 times what its worth from at&t doesnt make it anything special. Those antiglare covers are dirt cheap.
But again as you know you can buy a car charger at AT&T for $40 or one on ebay for $2.
 
Ok, you want an answer on whether or not the AT&T store will fix or replace it for you? Here ya go:

They might fix it.
They may not do anything for you.

There ya go! It's an honest, and 100% correct answer to your question. Now that we've answered your question, I'd suggest going to the AT&T store and trying to get it fixed if you don't want to try and fix it yourself.
 
sawah said:
Use a piece of scotch tape and pull it up at the bottom about half way up. Use a credit card to smooth out the bubbles. Do same for all sides. Then smooth out leftover bubbles. I have done so many screen protectors I should literally do it for a living. Everyone brings them to me.
Click to expand...

^^ this....OP...seriously...just do it yourself...
 
sawah said:
Use a piece of scotch tape and pull it up at the bottom about half way up. Use a credit card to smooth out the bubbles. Do same for all sides. Then smooth out leftover bubbles. I have done so many screen protectors I should literally do it for a living. Everyone brings them to me.
Click to expand...

Where do you live? Can you do mine? lol

I hate putting them on. I've put on a bunch of them, but keeping the dust away is so freaking annoying.

As for the AT&T store, if you go to the AT&T store I went to, then they probably won't do anything for you. My AT&T store said that they weren't allowed to do an upgrade swap. The funny part was that the manager said this. I was going to argue with them, but I didn't feel like wasting my time. They need to be trained better lol. I called up AT&T and got it done over the phone in under 15 minutes.
 
Why are you in such a bad mood Bryan?
I can answer anyone's question with a maybe, I'm asking if anyone has experience with AT&T, hey who knows, maybe someone on here works there and this happens all the time. I realize it's a maybe, it depends on teh store I go to and the person I talk to, but I'm asking for input. You don't need to go out of your way to respond to this thread just to whine.

I realize theyre dirt cheap, but even from Speck themselves it's like 13 bucks. e-Bay has them for 1 dollar, but they're not as high quality, although they still aren't 13 dollars worth of plastic.

The guy aligned it nicely, just didn't apply it that nicely. The airbubbles are small and there's only 5, and honestly I thought I could get them out, and if not all of them, at least I could live with them. But they drive me crazy.

I might try to fix it myself but don't want to make it worse than it already is.

Thanks.
 
Give the OP a break. It seems that this forum has become less of an advice forum and more of "I'm better than you" forum. We all vary in expertise and wisdom. This is what makes a forum a great way to get questions answered, just like the OP's question. I am sure there are others on this forum that have had the same issue and he would like some kind of reassurance and feedback on what he should do. Please respect one another. Respect goes a long ways. Good luck OP.

Advice for OP:

I looked up your screen protector and it is as easy as putting a piece of scotch tape on the edge and lifting it up slowly until you reach the bubbles. Once you have reached the bubbles you can press your finger down and push it out. Once again good luck.
 
SPNarwhal,

I'm not being rude or mean. I'm just trying to answer your question of whether or not an AT&T store will fix your screen protector for you.

Here's another answer for you: yes, they will fix it. Go see them and get it fixed so you can start enjoying your phone.

Hope this helps and have a nice day.
 
Cool, just tried to fix this myself and I messed it up.
Too much dust got onto the screen, annoying since I don't know where I can possibly go where that won't happen. I can't even see the dust.
 
Just go back to that store and Ask them to do it again, with a new protector. Refuse everything less until they fix it for you. But really you should have said something right there and then.
Also bring your receipt or at least remember the dudes name that messed it up. hopefully you get someone different at the 'authorized retailer'. I always avoid the 'Authorized Retailers' for reasons like this. The quality of service is always so much worse then at an actual AT&T store. Most actual AT&T employees pride themselves on being better then the other guys.
 
Woo hoo! I fixed it!
I took some scotch tape and kept going over the bottom of the screen protector, apparently you can clean it that way, good tip? If that's a known thing or something, I had no idea. That was extremely frustrating but at least no air bubbles on the screen anymore.

Also, I didn't even know it was an authorized retailer until after I got home and the receipt said some random weird name, something wireless I think.
All the outside of the store says really is AT&T, then in small letters it says their other name. I'm assuming that if I went through an AT&T store directly they would have been sold out of 4S anyway, the way this little store worked was first come first serve, ah well. I'm satisfied now. It all worked out. Sorry for bringing this hassle here, and thank you for everyone who responded. Except grumpypants Bryan.
 
If you mail me your phone and screen protectors, I can apply them correctly. And then maybe I'll mail the phone back.
 
SPNarwhal said:
Woo hoo! I fixed it!
I took some scotch tape and kept going over the bottom of the screen protector, apparently you can clean it that way, good tip? If that's a known thing or something, I had no idea. That was extremely frustrating but at least no air bubbles on the screen anymore.

Also, I didn't even know it was an authorized retailer until after I got home and the receipt said some random weird name, something wireless I think.
All the outside of the store says really is AT&T, then in small letters it says their other name. I'm assuming that if I went through an AT&T store directly they would have been sold out of 4S anyway, the way this little store worked was first come first serve, ah well. I'm satisfied now. It all worked out. Sorry for bringing this hassle here, and thank you for everyone who responded. Except grumpypants Bryan.
Click to expand...

Scotch tape comes in handy.

Sounds like my local AT&T store. Since they're not a corporate store, they wanted me to pay $25 for a micro SIM. The closest corporate store is in the mall, but it's too far of a drive for just that, so I ordered one off of the internet for $5.
 
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