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HELP - my new iPhone 3gs got into laundry !!!

cub4bearin

cub4bearin

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 20, 2009
341
248
guys I need help asap if it is still possible. My iPhone got into wash machine with my pants. It is dead right now. I need any advice possible.. from trying to do anything I can now on my own with the phone.. to any options I have left with getting new one (already signed new contract on June 19th, 2009).. Please any help welcome.. thank U. :(:(:(:(:(:(
 
If it was on, like in sleep mode, you're screwed. When you have power going to components and then you throw in water, it shorts out and blows resistors and what-not.

If it was completely turned off, let it dry out. Completely dry out. I mean for many days next to a fan. You might get lucky.
 
I believe apple will exchange a water damaged phone for $200. That is your best option if available. Otherwise, leave powered off for a few days and let it dry in a bag of white uncooked rice.
 
It's dead. Water leaves residue like salt after drying. Shorts electric circuits. Take it with your insurance plan for some money back.
 
Also, I found your next case.
psi45429.main.jpg
 
Make an appointment at the Apple store, go in and look innocent. Under no circumstances admit what happened, show them the phone, tell them it died suddenly, and shut up; let them do the talking. The less you speak, the more they will. I am guessing there is a chance (!!!) that you tripped the water sensor; still admit nothing and blame shipping, storage before purchase, or poor manufacturing inspection. Also look cute and helpless; tell them you took pictures of puppies and babies that are now probably lost with the rest of the most invaluable data on your iPhone, and maybe they will take mercy upon you.

Otherwise you're screwed; it's worth a shot.
 
Frosties said:
It's dead. Water leaves residue like salt after drying. Shorts electric circuits. Take it with your insurance plan for some money back.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't think about that - residue, especially soapy water from the laundry. You have a point.
 
My advice is to NOT lie, even to cover up your mistake. That strategy is never worth it in the long wrong and ultimately makes everyone else pay for your mistake.

If you have loss insurance on your credit card or even on your homeowners/renters policy that may help.

I have heard others have success by putting electronics in some sort of drying agent such as rice or silica gel, and then leaving it for a long time.

You might get lucky on that.
 
frunze said:
Make an appointment at the Apple store, go in and look innocent. Under no circumstances admit what happened, show them the phone, tell them it died suddenly, and shut up; let them do the talking. The less you speak, the more they will. I am guessing there is a chance (!!!) that you tripped the water sensor; still admit nothing and blame shipping, storage before purchase, or poor manufacturing inspection. Also look cute and helpless; tell them you took pictures of puppies and babies that are now probably lost with the rest of the most invaluable data on your iPhone, and maybe they will take mercy upon you.

Otherwise you're screwed; it's worth a shot.
Click to expand...

Karma Sucks.
 
frunze said:
Make an appointment at the Apple store, go in and look innocent. Under no circumstances admit what happened, show them the phone, tell them it died suddenly, and shut up; let them do the talking. The less you speak, the more they will. I am guessing there is a chance (!!!) that you tripped the water sensor; still admit nothing and blame shipping, storage before purchase, or poor manufacturing inspection. Also look cute and helpless; tell them you took pictures of puppies and babies that are now probably lost with the rest of the most invaluable data on your iPhone, and maybe they will take mercy upon you.

Otherwise you're screwed; it's worth a shot.
Click to expand...

Not only is this dishonest and fraudulent; it is stupid.

A. How the hell would the water sensor not be tripped? It went through the wash.

B. Checking the water sensor is the first thing that they do.

OP, it was your carelessness that lost you your iPhone, don't lie, it won't even work. Put it in a jar of rice for several days, then see if it works. Don't power it on till then.
 
hamish5178 said:
Not only is this dishonest and fraudulent; it is stupid.

A. How the hell would the water sensor not be tripped? It went through the wash.

B. Checking the water sensor is the first thing that they do.

OP, it was your carelessness that lost you your iPhone, don't lie, it won't even work. Put it in a jar of rice for several days, then see if it works. Don't power it on till then.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the brilliance and superiority flash there Hamish. Clearly the water sensor will be tripped; sarcasm in my writing has escaped you; sorry for that. And I submit to you that each time you run a red light and try to bs your way out of it, you're also dishonest and fraudulent; are you telling me you've never tried to weasel out of a speeding ticket?

OP - your phone is likely less than recoverable. Take it to Apple; I am being serious now - see what they can do for you. Doing anything else to it now by yourself will probably make it worse.
 
frunze said:
Make an appointment at the Apple store, go in and look innocent. Under no circumstances admit what happened, show them the phone, tell them it died suddenly, and shut up; let them do the talking. The less you speak, the more they will. I am guessing there is a chance (!!!) that you tripped the water sensor; still admit nothing and blame shipping, storage before purchase, or poor manufacturing inspection. Also look cute and helpless; tell them you took pictures of puppies and babies that are now probably lost with the rest of the most invaluable data on your iPhone, and maybe they will take mercy upon you.

Otherwise you're screwed; it's worth a shot.
Click to expand...
This is definitely bad advice.

OP, make an appointment. Be honest when you get there and see what happens.
 
I don't know about him, but I have never tried to weasel out of a speeding ticket. Own up to mistakes it makes you a better person.
 
robanga said:
I don't know about him, but I have never tried to weasel out of a speeding ticket. Own up to mistakes it makes you a better person.
Click to expand...

OK, ok, you all shamed me into admitting that lying is probably a bad idea. I don't think I even could do it with a straight face anyway. I just think if you tell them what happened, you are leaving yourself out of options - warranty is void, and it's such a shame after only days of use. Sorry for that OP. Come back and tell what you've decided to do - and whether the Apple store was able to help in any way.
 
sushi said:
Okay, ask yourself this.

Why should the OP not have to pay for his mistake?
Click to expand...


guys guys guys.. I am not asking about how to lie and get something for free.. I am asking what are my options.. The person who did it is my partner. Am I mad at him? HELL YES.. he will have to pay for whatever happen next.. Am I sad about it? YES.. cause this was my first iPhone.. and in less than month it is gone.. I haven't even paid yet my monthly statement and here we go... I am also sorry for my partner cause of unnecessary spending of money now. Problem is that I live 2 hrs from Chicago and the closest Apple store.. we would have to take the whole day off to drive there, pay all the toll roads fees.. .. find parking lot for less than $20 in downtown of Chicago etc.. Now I found on Apple website that I am able to get replacement for my damage iphone with a new OR refurbished one - it will be $200 though. SO after all I am not asking how to get something for nothing.. Unfortunately the phone was ON while it went thru washer.. so I just think it is gone.. I need the phone ASAP back since thats the only phone I have and use (no landline). I only wish I could go to local Best Buy or ATT store and make it all here in my town instead of making special trip to Chicago.. it just doesn't have sense to me. AND YES the water damage sensor is pink.. I checked it already.
 
robanga said:
I don't know about him, but I have never tried to weasel out of a speeding ticket. Own up to mistakes it makes you a better person.
Click to expand...

Exactly, if I'm speeding, I'm speeding. I've never been pulled over, but when I inevitably am, it will be my own fault. If I break the rules by speeding/smoking weed/etc, I expect to be punished if I'm caught.

edit:

OP's sig makes sense now, well played sir.
 
cub4bearin said:
guys guys guys.. I am not asking about how to lie and get something for free.. I am asking what are my options..
Click to expand...
We all understand that.

Our issue was with frunze's comments and suggestions which were terrible.

Our comments were not directed at you.

cub4bearin said:
The person who did it is my partner. Am I mad at him? HELL YES.. he will have to pay for whatever happen next.. Am I sad about it? YES.. cause this was my first iPhone.. and in less than month it is gone.. I haven't even paid yet my monthly statement and here we go... I am also sorry for my partner cause of unnecessary spending of money now. Problem is that I live 2 hrs from Chicago and the closest Apple store.. we would have to take the whole day off to drive there, pay all the toll roads fees.. .. find parking lot for less than $20 in downtown of Chicago etc.. Now I found on Apple website that I am able to get replacement for my damage iphone with a new OR refurbished one - it will be $200 though. SO after all I am not asking how to get something for nothing.. Unfortunately the phone was ON while it went thru washer.. so I just think it is gone.. I need the phone ASAP back since thats the only phone I have and use (no landline). I only wish I could go to local Best Buy or AII store and make it all here in my town instead of making special trip to Chicago.. it just doesn't have sense to me. AND YES the water damage sensor it pink.. I checked it already.
Click to expand...
Did you have Applecare for your iPhone?

Even if not, you might give Applecare a call and explain your situation. Who knows, they might be willing to send a replacement to you for the replacement cost.
 
Did you have Applecare for your iPhone?

I do not think so.. from what I understood was that I do not need till the end of the first year since I bought my iPhone - I guess it was wrong understanding anyway..
 
robanga said:
If you have loss insurance on your credit card or even on your homeowners/renters policy that may help.
Click to expand...


Excellent advice. Check with your credit card company to see if they have a 90 day loss-or-damage policy on purchases. My American Express card has such a feature-- it saved me a bundle when my son's iPhone was stolen. While I agree with folks here about not lying and owning up to what happened, the card companies offer such protection for good reason: it makes you want to use their cards. It works!

If you don't have such a card, maybe the take-away here is to get one.
 
cub4bearin said:
Did you have Applecare for your iPhone?

I do not think so.. from what I understood was that I do not need till the end of the first year since I bought my iPhone - I guess it was wrong understanding anyway..
Click to expand...

yes you have applecare but it won't help in this case. its gonna cost you the 200 or maybe even 400 to replace it. done and done nothing else you can do but lie now. this probably happened because you are a cubs and bears fan :p
 
chstr said:
yes you have applecare but it won't help in this case. its gonna cost you the 200 or maybe even 400 to replace it. done and done nothing else you can do but lie now. this probably happened because you are a cubs and bears fan :p
Click to expand...

LOL, I'm pretty sure he's not talking about sports. :D Sorry, just had to respond.

In response to the laundry cycle the iPhone went through, you never know. My friend had his take a dip in the atlantic while on a cruise and it had issues at first, but now, it's working perfectly. Risen from the dead it has, so have a little hope. If not, the 200 dollar replacement sucks, but living without your iPhone might suck even more. Hope it works out for ya man!
 
What are you crazy or something??

Come on everyone knows you have to hand wash the 3 GS or the colours in the app logos will run.
 
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