Legit hardware error+unlocked. Will Apple Store replace?

[ChemiosMurphy]

Hey everyone.. Here's my issue.

The usb interface on my iPhone is broken. It won't charge if i plug it into the wall, or it won't be recognized by a computer.

I tried three different cables, four different computers running OS X and XP. I get the "the accessory being used is not compatible" sometimes. Something is wrong.

The issue is the phone is unocked and jailbroken while being run by T-Mobile.

How hard are the apple stores in regards to unlocked phones? Would i be better off restoring the phone back to the activation stage?

Here's the stats on the phone.
8GB
1.0.2 firmware
03,14,08_G modem firmware

I hope someone knows the answer....

 

[McGiord]

Try to restore it via wifi, I'm not sure if there is a way, but just a thought.
________
Lexus SC specifications

 

[l4t13]

If it is unlocked, no matter what the problem, apple will hand it back and say I am sorry and point you to the sign dealing with their policy on unlocked phones.

 

[ChemiosMurphy]

If it is unlocked, no matter what the problem, apple will hand it back and say I am sorry and point you to the sign dealing with their policy on unlocked phones.

even if i restore the phone back to the activation screen?

 

[156457]

If you can actually get onto your iPhone then go into Settings > General and there's a reset option, do the full reset, then take to the Apple store!

 

[l4t13]

Nope, if it is restored it will be fine.

 

[ChemiosMurphy]

well i have an appointment tomorrow at the King of Prussia Apple Store with a so called "genius." I'm gonna restore the phone back to original condition and revirginize it and all that jazz. I'll report back tomorrow evening.... Thanks for your help guys!

 

[doobi18]

What if it isn't "unlocked", it's just being used on another carrier with a TurboSIM (hence no activation) ?

Also, what if you said you had just bought it second hand and were yet to activate it?



Doobs

 

[ChemiosMurphy]

well. i went. i lost.

The guy looked at it and was like its a hardware problem, but somehow he knew it wasn't activated and told me i needed to have activated the phone and be an att subscriber to get it replaced

 

[Cudadown]

Oh Darn. Sorry, just not alot of sympathy. A little...but not alot.

 

[carfac]

Oh Darn. Sorry, just not alot of sympathy. A little...but not alot.

I agree- because its so obvious that this problem is caused by unlocking and not a real hardware issue </sarcasm>

For what you pay for these things, Apple should be a bit more responsible for problems that are obviously their problem and stop hiding behind the BS of "you unlocked it, we won't cover it."

 

[carfac]

Hey- rather than bitch, I have an idea. I do not know if it will work.... but what if you go get a Pay as you go ATT phone and account, and activate the iPhone with that? Would that have it working to get it fixed at Apple. (I do NOT know if this would work, just an idea).

 

[edesignuk]

well. i went. i lost.

The guy looked at it and was like its a hardware problem, but somehow he knew it wasn't activated and told me i needed to have activated the phone and be an att subscriber to get it replaced

That's complete horse ****. You have paid for a device which has a problem under warranty, they don't know it was unlocked so that's not relevant. Activated or not, they have a duty to repair/replace. Don't sit back and take it, escalate. Their supposed Geniuses are idiots.

 

[aristobrat]

That's complete horse ****. You have paid for a device which has a problem under warranty, they don't know it was unlocked so that's not relevant. Activated or not, they have a duty to repair/replace. Don't sit back and take it, escalate. Their supposed Geniuses are idiots.

The Geniuses are following Apple's policy which states that an iPhone must have active service before any warranty repair can be done.

Bitch about Apple's policy on this matter if you want, but calling the employees that have to follow it "idiots" is rude.

 

[SIUGRAD99]

I'm so fed up with people who unlock their phone and have problems, then bitch because Apple won't honor their warranty. I have no sympathy for people who refuse to follow the rules and even activate the phone properly. If you don't want to follow the guidelines set forth by Apple then you don't want their help when something goes wrong.

The Geniuses are far from the people in the wrong when it comes to this and calling them "Idiots" because they follow Apple's policy is ignorant.

 

[jeffmc]

Nope, if it is restored it will be fine.

NO it's not why doesn't anyone understand this

the genii can see when the phone was activated with AT&T

no activation = no exchanged iPhone

end of story

 

[jeffmc]

That's complete horse ****. You have paid for a device which has a problem under warranty, they don't know it was unlocked so that's not relevant. Activated or not, they have a duty to repair/replace. Don't sit back and take it, escalate. Their supposed Geniuses are idiots.

use your head.

if the phone was never activated. how does the user know there's a problem.

they're not idiots, that's just plain common sense. it's not them, it's apple, they can get in serious **** for swapping things like that since their name most likely gets tagged to the exchange.

apple made it EXTREMELY clear that they cannot support phones that are not running on an at&t service contract, so stop bitching when months later something happens and you're not covered

you were aware that you were taking a risk, and you lost. it's life.

 

[edesignuk]

The idea that they will not provide any help what so ever on something they have sold you is preposterous.

Signing your life away for the next two years should not be necessary for them to provide support on their product which you have paid them good money for. I don't care if it's the genius, the manager, or Apples policy. It's wrong.

btw, when I called geniuses idiots it was in a far more general sense, not just in this instance. so sue me.

 

[aristobrat]

Signing your life away for the next two years should not be necessary for them to provide support on their product which you have paid them good money for. I don't care if it's the genius, the manager, or Apples policy. It's wrong.

It's also wrong to pay your good money to a company for a product when you knowingly plan on violating the companies stated terms and conditions for servicing that product.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[emotion]

The idea that they will not provide any help what so ever on something they have sold you is preposterous.

Until you've activated the phone and signed the contract you've only half bought the phone. The contract with ATT/O2 just shows that you are paying the rest of the money that's due to Apple.

I wish Apple hadn't played it like this but in fairness they are pretty clear about the rules.

 

[edesignuk]

I wish Apple hadn't played it like this but in fairness they are pretty clear about the rules.

I know, but it is still crap and I can't believe anyone can think otherwise.

I'd like to know what would happen if they were taken to court. Yes there is the technicality that you haven't activated, but you still have the receipt for your purchase and so should be entitled to a replacement IMO.

 

[emotion]

I know, but it is still crap and I can't believe anyone can think otherwise.

I'd like to know what would happen if they were taken to court. Yes there is the technicality that you haven't activated, but you still have the receipt for your purchase and so should be entitled to a replacement IMO.

I would say it's pretty clear cut. I dunno though, I'm a computer nerd not a legal person.

I think a lot of the ire associated with this issue is down to the fact the iPhone is a subsidised phone, but it's presented as un-subsidised.

Would it be better if the price was, say £369, not £269, and the price of O2's contract £30 not £35 to compensate? (that's assuming locking was still required).

 

[jeffmc]

The idea that they will not provide any help what so ever on something they have sold you is preposterous.

not if you use it in a way that it's not meant to be used

years ago there were triggers in a lot of pc's to tell whether or not you opened the case.

if you opened the case dell doesn't know what you did to the computer, therefore they cannot support it.

if you install ram in a mac mini or if you replace your mac pro logic board, you void your warranty as well, this isn't much different.

it is possible for software to damage hardware, this is why when some random guy from russia writes some unsigned code, and you install it, it voids your warranty.

there is the possibility of YOU being at fault for damaging the phone.

and i am not biased on this, i have a 4 gig on t-mobile in my pocket.

 

[mlg32]

sign up att &cancel with in 30days

sign up with att & then cancel after you get your new iphone 30 days to back out of contract no ETF

 

[TEG]

The real question is how long you've had the phone. If you haven't had it all that long, you could just say you haven't activated it because you can't.

Also, I expect a lawsuit against Apple for not covering unlocked phones in the near future.

TEG