Apple Repair Costs

[iAdamator]

Hey all

I took my 6S into an Apple Service Center in Best Buy to be repaired today. The issue with my phone is a white "Hot spot" about a 1/8 of an inch in diameter on the screen. Having plugging it into the diagnosis, I was very surprised to hear him say there is a fee!

I have had this very phone repaired for this exact same issue. I went into an apple store that time and they repaired it. I later had the phone itself completely replaced twice due to another issue and have never been charged. I have AppleCare+, which is now on year 2.

According to the Geek Squad guy, he said Apple changed their services a few months ago to where all repairs now cost. Is that true? This damage is not accidental, it's a hardware issue. I don't feel I should have to pay for it. Even if the way they do it did change recently, shouldn't that not apply since I got my AppleCare a year ago? I should be locked to whatever the agreement was at that time I would think.

If this repair does indeed costs, it makes me wonder why I even got AppleCare. I got it to save money. Not spend more.

Any info is appreciated.

 

[RootBeerMan]

Well, first off you need to contact Apple and not Best Buy. Best Buy is in the business of making money and are not above charging you for something that Applecare would cover free. BB has a bad reputation for lying to customers about service. I know. I used to work for them many years ago. Take it to an Apple Store or call Apple. You'll get better service.

 

[iAdamator]

I originally went online to get service and one of the service centers it listed was Best Buy, which is a lot closer to me than the nearest Apple Store. Since Apple itself said they were an authorized service center, I thought it ok to go there.

 

[jetsam]

I originally went online to get service and one of the service centers it listed was Best Buy, which is a lot closer to me than the nearest Apple Store. Since Apple itself said they were an authorized service center, I thought it ok to go there.

If Apple had changed their service policy on Applecare+, there would have been 1,000 posts about it by now. It seems pretty clear that the "Geek Squad guy" was, uh, "misinformed."

At the very least, call Apple and complain. If you really want your phone fixed at Best Buy, you could try going back and insisting on speaking to a manager. Make it clear you have an Applecare+ contract that is in full effect, and if they don't honor it, you will complain to Apple.

Personally, I wouldn't let Best Buy touch my iPhone. If you really can't get to an Apple store, Applecare+ includes express replacement service by mail, where they'll ship a replacement phone and then you mail in your defective phone.
https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/express-replacement

 

[chscag]

Personally, I wouldn't let Best Buy touch my iPhone. If you really can't get to an Apple store, Applecare+ includes express replacement service by mail, where they'll ship a replacement phone and then you mail in your defective phone.

+1. Never, never, take your Apple products to Best Buy for repair as that will only wind up compounding your troubles and repairs. As "jetsam" advises take it to an Apple Store or mail it to them. Stay away from the Geek Squad!

 

[mhollandnyc]

Yeah please just call or chat with AppleCare and get an express replacement device if you can't make it to the store. I've done it plenty of times before and it's a great option. You get a new phone and a day or two restore it and make sure it's good to go while you have your old phone still in hand then you ship back the old one.

 

[hennmann]

A new phone or refurbished? I work with a fellow that purchased that expensive apple care and when his NEW iphone died due to damage he went to the Apple store and paid a fee for a replacement, received a refurb at the apple store that they couldn't get working AT the store. He ordered another phone AT the store and again paid another fee for yet another glitchy refurb where the wifi isn't working properly, threw his hands up in disgust and is limping along on this lemon. I most certainly will not purchase Apple Care. Good luck with your situation.

Yeah please just call or chat with AppleCare and get an express replacement device if you can't make it to the store. I've done it plenty of times before and it's a great option. You get a new phone and a day or two restore it and make sure it's good to go while you have your old phone still in hand then you ship back the old one.

new

 

[chscag]

A new phone or refurbished? I work with a fellow that purchased that expensive apple care and when his NEW iphone died due to damage he went to the Apple store and paid a fee for a replacement, received a refurb at the apple store that they couldn't get working AT the store. He ordered another phone AT the store and again paid another fee for yet another glitchy refurb where the wifi isn't working properly, threw his hands up in disgust and is limping along on this lemon. I most certainly will not purchase Apple Care. Good luck with your situation.

I don't know what or which Apple Store your friend went to but his experience is not typical. My personal experience at Apple Stores has been very good and I have saved $$ by purchasing Apple Care and having repairs done. Apple Care is a personal choice like any other insurance.