iPhone Died, NOT happy with "warranty"

[Roy Hobbs]

You people sure do whine and complain. Did you expect them just to reach back to the shelf and hand you another iPhone???

If a MacBook or any other Apple product breaks what happens, they send it in for repair (unless you are within the first 14 days)

They then offer you the service of a loaner phone and you complain over a measly $29 fee?? And then you complain that you will be held liable if you break it.

Come on you people need to lighten up this is standard procedure in todays world. If your car breaks they don't give you a new one. Many dealership don't offer free loaner services but they may offer you one for a fee.

 

[Chargedvenom]

A couple of points.

1. Everyone is right, $29 is not alot of money....It's the principle of the matter. I own a business...if I delivered a defective product to one of my customers, I would replace it no questions asked. I wouldn't charge them a fee to fix the problem. It's my way of letting my customers know they are important to me. When I take care of my customers, what do you think they have to say about my company when someone else asks for a reference?

2. I understand apple's point of view...they need to check the phone first incase I damaged it. The paper work they sent back said it was a defect and my phone needed to be replaced...so maybe they could refund the $29 if it is indeed found to be a defect.

4. I am a loyal Apple customer....I have buying Apple products since the 80's, I have had every version of every computer Apple has produced since then. I am used to Apple products being the best. I can honestly say I have never had an Apple product die on me except for my Mac Mini and now my iPhone. So my disapointment stems from being used to Apple products being the best I can buy.

 

[dsdnyc]

Another Dead iPhone

I loved my iphone, but it died, after only a few weeks of use. Yesterday I took a very warm, dark iphone out of my pocket and discovered it was dead. A hot phone in standby mode is very strange. The black screen stayed black no matter what buttons, cables or connections I punched. Apple Tech couldn't get it to work either. They agreed to fix it. I set the warm phone aside.

This morning, I realized the iphone had cooled down, so just for fun, I hit the power button, and it started up to my surprise. I decided to check my email, but immediately realized something was terribly wrong; the type was gnarled, fuzzy and sickly. Two seconds later, the iphone totally froze, this time in ON mode. Again, no amount of button punching would turn off the phone. I even took out the sim card but the phone remained aglow, getting hotter and hotter. Worried, I sat it in a metal bowl fearing flames and smoke. Two hours later, the phone went dark, dead, and cold.

Apple Tech has agreed to "repair" or "replace" my phone, for no charge. They were not nearly so specific about my options should the 2nd phone die in as much time. My old reliable NOKIA, sits on my desk. It's looking better and better. I agree with the person who suggested that the real issue here is one of phone reliability, especially in a brand new phone.

Listen, if anyone wants to buy a $600 high-tech pet rock, let me know.

David

 

[jt2ga65]

A couple points...

1) The loaner phone is not always going to be a brand new phone. It's only new now because the iPhone itself is new. They will likely reuse the loaner phones for quite a few customers. Since most carriers will give you a loaner phone for no cost, I think Apple should do the same.

2) Even the normal carriers, or any other company that will give you a loaner product will expect you to pay for any damage or its loss. I think Apple is within their right to expect you to pay for that.

3) With items like the iPhone, very rarely are they going to repair your unit and send it back to you. They will almost certainly send you a phone from the depot. These may be either new, or refurbished, depending on if they have any refurbished units on hand. There really isn't a good reason why they COULDN'T cross ship the replacement phone. Some companies ship you the replacement product in advance of you sending in your old one.

4) Expecting the store to give you a new one is not really reasonable. Sure, it it is within a few days old it may be possible, but most companies won't do it past that. It's really only reasonable when your product is brand new.

Still, Apple seems to be giving pretty good turn around on the depot repair/exchange. That's better than expected.

-jt2

 

[kdarling]

You people sure do whine and complain. Did you expect them just to reach back to the shelf and hand you another iPhone??? .

Part of it is that they're doing just that for many people. So it's become expected

Also, this is a phone. It's a critical piece of people's lives. Being without it for even a short while just isn't a viable situation.

Come on you people need to lighten up this is standard procedure in todays world. If your car breaks they don't give you a new one. Many dealership don't offer free loaner services but they may offer you one for a fee.

Not at all. When you buy a premium vehicle nowadays, absolutely yes you're given a free loaner during the warranty period.

You also aren't charged the entire dealer cost of the vehicle for all repairs, like Apple does with the iPhone. A flat $200/250 whether it's just a broken home button, or the whole touch screen. Not fair to 8G owners that they pay $50 more just because.

 

[D1G1T4L]

I love how the comparison of a laptop and a cell phone has been made.

Being without a laptop might not be a matter of life and death......being without a phone can be.

No 911 service can be an issue.....not being able to do that presentation on your laptop.....well you get the point.

 

[scaredpoet]

That might mean that Apple is either low on phones (because so many have been returned and replaced) or they're at the point where they can no longer afford to swap every iPhone out that has a problem.

Actually, this is standard operating procedure in a lot of product lines. During introduction, repair facilities, spare parts and refurbs are virtually nonexistent, so it's common for initial defective units to get swapped out with new equipment. Once the repair facilities ramp up, spare parts are available, and the initial returns have been refurbished and a supply chain for refurbs exists, the repair/refurbishment procedure becomes commonplace. Ironic as it sounds, those early adopters who had early defective units just got lucky.

This is even what happens when Apples repairs its other products (iPods, computers, etc.), so I don't understand why this is a shock to anyone.

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of rumor and speculation people have over this device, even when Apple does things that virtually every other manufacturer does. It's just business as usual.

 

[scaredpoet]

Being without a laptop might not be a matter of life and death......being without a phone can be.

No 911 service can be an issue.....not being able to do that presentation on your laptop.....well you get the point.

With all due respect, if you're relying solely on a cell phone for 911 access, then you're putting your life at risk all the time. Cell phone service is not a public utility, nor has cell phone equipment proven itself to be fully reliable.

Besides, cell phones weren't that commonplace prior to 1995. Yet somehow, people managed to survive, didn't they?

Maybe I'm getting old in my 30 years, but while not having a cell phone can be a darn spot inconvenient, relying on it as your lifeline is something you do at your own (extreme) risk. Neither AT&T or Apple is to blame in that case.

If you've really put yourself in such a perilous spot, I suggest you get yourself one of these. Last I checked one could be had at Best Buy for around $18.00 in the AT&T prepaid section (you don't have to activate it). It's no iPhone, but you can pop your SIM in it if ever you find your iPhone damaged, and it will make voice calls. It'll even dial 911 without a SIM in it.

 

[kdarling]

With all due respect, if you're relying solely on a cell phone for 911 access, then you're putting your life at risk all the time. Cell phone service is not a public utility, nor has cell phone equipment proven itself to be fully reliable..

True, but you're way out of date, Poet

Something like 15% of the population no longer has a landline phone, preferring to only have a cell phone.

In a way, it makes sense in today's mobile world. But yes, older people don't trust them, and keep a landline number as well.

The last time we had a big electrical outage here in the Northeast a few years back, the cell towers died very quickly. Our house was one of the few on our block to still have a landline with a non-wireless remote phone. (That is to say, I had an old Princess handset.) So everyone was sheepishly coming by and asking to make calls.

 

[scaredpoet]

True, but you're way out of date, Poet

Am I, really? Nothing has changed about the reliability of the network.

Something like 15% of the population no longer has a landline phone, preferring to only have a cell phone.

That's nice. And several million people have relied on VoIP as their primary means of business communication.

In the past month, we all know how that's turned out, now don't we?

In a way, it makes sense in today's mobile world.

It makes sense as a matter of convenience. Not as a life or death reliance.

But yes, older people don't trust them, and keep a landline number as well.

And those older people aren't going to freak out if and when the next big calamity happens, and the cell phone network is too crowded to handle everyone's mass panic.

The last time we had a big electrical outage here in the Northeast a few years back, the cell towers died very quickly. Our house was one of the few on our block to still have a landline with a non-wireless remote phone. (That is to say, I had an old Princess handset.) So everyone was sheepishly coming by and asking to make calls.

Precisely my point.

 

[D1G1T4L]

With all due respect, if you're relying solely on a cell phone for 911 access, then you're putting your life at risk all the time. Cell phone service is not a public utility, nor has cell phone equipment proven itself to be fully reliable.

Besides, cell phones weren't that commonplace prior to 1995. Yet somehow, people managed to survive, didn't they?

Maybe I'm getting old in my 30 years, but while not having a cell phone can be a darn spot inconvenient, relying on it as your lifeline is something you do at your own (extreme) risk. Neither AT&T or Apple is to blame in that case.

If you've really put yourself in such a perilous spot, I suggest you get yourself one of these. Last I checked one could be had at Best Buy for around $18.00 in the AT&T prepaid section (you don't have to activate it). It's no iPhone, but you can pop your SIM in it if ever you find your iPhone damaged, and it will make voice calls. It'll even dial 911 without a SIM in it.

1. Not sure where you are going on the Public utility. Pots isn't a public utility here.

2. Because people didn't use cell service before 1995 that means we shouldn't rely on it now? What is your point?

3. Are you call use old because we are 30+? Blah!

So are you fell not being without a cell phone is an equal inconvenience as being without your laptop? Is that why you responded or did you respond because you don't think people should rely on just cell service and give up pots.

Trying to figure out what your point is.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Am I, really? Nothing has changed about the reliability of the network.



That's nice. And several million people have relied on VoIP as their primary means of business communication.

In the past month, we all know how that's turned out, now don't we?

Yet some of the major companies are installing VoIP equipment and you are using it just fine. You just don't know it.

 

[doctor newb]

even though i do not own an iphone i think i can make a decent point. This is apples first phone. when you compare it to your treo or nokia both companies have 100's of phones theyve made over the years so its kindof hard to make it reasonable. But if you compare it to LG and there chocolate phone there doing a great job. I have had 5 chocolates in the course of 5 months. But i will agree 600 bucks is alot of a malfunctioning phone.

 

[Sobe]

Why? The OP has a valid complaint. Many providers offer this type of service. With there other products it isn't as essiental if you are without for a day or so. With that I can see how Apple isn't used to having to provide a "loaner" to a customer. Now today many people use a cell phone as their only communication device and don't have a landline. So if my iPhone breaks due to a manufacture defect I should expect NOT to have phone service or pay extra for Apple to fix my phone and continue to have service?

If you purchased the phone and that was the policy at the time. Yes.

Seriously what is wrong with people sometimes?

The policy on replacement phones has been out there for at least a month if not longer.

The information on how Apple handles these issues is well established and available for anyone willing to self-educate prior to purchase.

If you don't like the policy, no one is required to purchase the phone and the service that goes with it.

 

[megfilmworks]

Losing my laptop would be far worse than losing my iPhone. One is my life, the other is (I hate to say it) just a phone.
And why do people complain when Apple does more for the owner who needs warranty service than any other cell phone manufacturer. Ever owned a Motorola phone? Congratulations to Apple on a great product, great purchasing experience, and great customer service.

Are you call use old because we are 30+? Blah!

Huh??, Not quite sure what you are trying to say.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Huh??, Not quite sure what you are trying to say.

Add "ing" at the end of "call". Should clear it up. Hadn't finished my morning coffee yet

Losing my laptop would be far worse than losing my iPhone. One is my life, the other is (I hate to say it) just a phone.
And why do people complain when Apple does more for the owner who needs warranty service than any other cell phone manufacturer. Ever owned a Motorola phone? Congratulations to Apple on a great product, great purchasing experience, and great customer service.

Your laptop is your life? Ok. Fair....but could you die without it?

For many people their Cell phone is their only means of communications today. I see port count reports every month. I really don't care if people agree with it or not. It is reality.

 

[megfilmworks]

Reading Madame Debarge's post earlier re: troubles with production output creating warranty issues, it seems like you are jumping to unfounded conclusions again. The story you quote (originally an US source) was recanted the next morning by all involved making your conclusion baseless.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I think the 29.99 apple is charging for the iPhone well way to much money. Now I would be a bit more understanding if apple would offer a free generic loner phone for free.

For a lot of people going with out their cell phone is NOT something they can do. They relay on the phone for work and they need to be available at almost all times to take and answer calls. Others the cell phone is their only telephone and going with out it is just not possible.

I am among the group of people who can not go with out their cell phone for a day. It is my only phone and the only way people know how to contact me. Almost all college students primary numbers and only telephone is their cell phone. University are quickly no longer offering land lines to the dorm rooms because most students stated they never used them and their cell was their only phone. Hell when I was in the dorms 2 years I never even knew what my number was the following year I did not even bother with hooking up a phone.

This is to shut down the people claiming it 2 days with out a phone what is the big deal.... To those people get it though you thick heads that a lot of people can not go with out a cell phone for 2 days and even if they had a land line it would not cover their need.

Apple charging for a loner phone for Warranty repairs is uncalled for because warranty repair means APPLE yes APPLE screwed up and they need to make it right. That includes offering a free loner phone. Also everyone needs to rememeber for most warrenty claims the cell phone provider handles it all and they either replace it or give you a free loner to cover you while yours is getting repaired. Apple choose to remove the ablitiy to go though the cell phone providers for the warrenty so APPLE needs to make up the lose of the loner phone since it will not let AT&t handle warranty claims

 

[kgarchar]

Mine had a problem, and at first I was bugged that they had to send it in, but I took it in Thursday afternoon, and had a brand new on at my door before 10AM on Saturday.

 

[scaredpoet]

1. Not sure where you are going on the Public utility. Pots isn't a public utility here.

Does your municipality regulate it? then it's a public utility.

2. Because people didn't use cell service before 1995 that means we shouldn't rely on it now? What is your point?

That's exactly my point. It's not time proven technology. If it fails, and it will, then that's that. Don't get mad because it's not something you can rely on all the time.

So are you fell not being without a cell phone is an equal inconvenience as being without your laptop?

That's exactly my point.

Is that why you responded or did you respond because you don't think people should rely on just cell service and give up pots.

That would be a good side-point.

Trying to figure out what your point is.

You know exactly what the point is. You simply choose to ignore it, that's all.

 

[scaredpoet]

Yet some of the major companies are installing VoIP equipment and you are using it just fine. You just don't know it.

Actually, there's a difference between the VoIP that major landline carriers are installing for backhaul, the VoIP that that you use for Vonage and Skype.

If it's backhaul, then it's on private subnets, for which the carrier in question can control all aspects, including what backups and safeguards are needed to provide five-nines reliability.

Vonage uses the commodity internet, which is about as unreliable as it gets, and is subject to packet shaping (i.e. Comcast assigning Vonage-bound packets the lowest priority in favor of their own services). And Skype lowers the bar by adding a peer-to-peer element to the mix.

It's the latter two that people have relied on and have been burned. Gotta do your research.

But we digress. I still say it's ridiculous, foolish and dangerous to play the "this is my lifeline" card when it comes to cell service.

 

[docal97]

i think Apple should take a credit card # in liu of giving u a replacement for $29. If it's broken or u don't return it, THEN u pay. To pay for a replacement while they fix their own defective product is a joke. A lot of companies do this for their customers.

 

[megfilmworks]

If you rely on a cell phone for emergencies then you need to get your head examined. Cell companies are unreliable, even during normal times. Loss of electricity, disasters, etc. Guess what goes first? The cell towers. Useless in a large scale emergency. Cell phones are good back-up to several other solutions. Landlines function during electrical outages.

 

[D1G1T4L]

If you rely on a cell phone for emergencies then you need to get your head examined. Cell companies are unreliable, even during normal times. Loss of electricity, disasters, etc. Guess what goes first? The cell towers. Useless in a large scale emergency. Cell phones are good back-up to several other solutions. Landlines function during electrical outages.

Odd.......during Katrina..........guess what worked?

 

[D1G1T4L]

That's exactly my point. It's not time proven technology. If it fails, and it will, then that's that. Don't get mad because it's not something you can rely on all the time.


You know exactly what the point is. You simply choose to ignore it, that's all.

Just so I'm clear...........because cell technology isn't time proven being without a cell phone is the same inconvenience as being without a laptop?

Don't want to ignore you Just want to be sure I understand your thinking here.

Actually, there's a difference between the VoIP that major landline carriers are installing for backhaul, the VoIP that that you use for Vonage and Skype.

If it's backhaul, then it's on private subnets, for which the carrier in question can control all aspects, including what backups and safeguards are needed to provide five-nines reliability.

Vonage uses the commodity internet, which is about as unreliable as it gets, and is subject to packet shaping (i.e. Comcast assigning Vonage-bound packets the lowest priority in favor of their own services). And Skype lowers the bar by adding a peer-to-peer element to the mix.

It's the latter two that people have relied on and have been burned. Gotta do your research.

But we digress. I still say it's ridiculous, foolish and dangerous to play the "this is my lifeline" card when it comes to cell service.

Sigh.........

I don't have to do the research. I work on it every night.

Guess you didn't understand my point even though with your own post you should have seen it very clearly. You used Vonage as a point that VoIP is an unreliable service.

That's nice. And several million people have relied on VoIP as their primary means of business communication.

In the past month, we all know how that's turned out, now don't we?

That isn't necessary always true. No I didn't go into an ego stroke and describe exactly what and why. You did a good enough job doing that.