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Scratched your iPhone? It will cost you $199 to fix

It was a fluke. One time I was driving and my friend leaned against my window and the whole window shattered. You cant make this stuff up. It was so weird and probably would never happen again if we tried.

Sorry to hear about your phone. Good luck getting it repaired.
 
Now I have heard it all. You scratch your phone and expect Apple to replace it.

Wow...
 
wongulous said:
Or the same with a car, a plasma TV, an apartment, an ice cream cone that you dropped on the ground, etc.

What planet are these people from asking this kind of stuff!?
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So I was at McDonalds the other day and dropped my ice cream cone on the ground... unlike apple, mcdonalds replaced the cone for free and did not charge me the the actualy cost of the cone (2 cents vs the 89 cent they charge us) to replace it :p
 
So, you did something wrong...and Apple offered to fix it, for a fee?



That doesn't seems bad, they could have told you "Sucks to be you, pay up 600USD for a new one"

As for the screen scatches, of course it does. As for it happening for everyone, it won't. Some people will protect their iPhone, and not expect others to pay to fix it.
 
Missing the point...

I think you are all missing the point. I don't have an iphone yet, but I've had several ipods, and I've always been annoyed at how easy they are to scratch. That is something Apple should have resolved, and is not something the customer should have to pay for.

I understand the point of negligence on the point of the user, but the point I am making is that there is also negligence on the part of the manufacturer for not making a more durable screen - especially on a phone, which is something that people are expected to carry around a lot more than an ipod.

It makes great business for all the companies that make protection products, but should you really have to have some sort of protection over your new phone, just to use it? Especially since it's not exactly small already...
 
Are you sure that is a scratch (that actually goes into the glass) or is it paint that is super-stuck to the surface?

It looks like it could just be a surface mark and could be rubbed out.
 
imagine5950 said:
I think you are all missing the point. I don't have an iphone yet, but I've had several ipods, and I've always been annoyed at how easy they are to scratch. That is something Apple should have resolved, and is not something the customer should have to pay for.
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Actually I think you are missing the point, a lot of people actually take care of their equipment, albeit not handling it with kid gloves, and never experience issues.

I have had one of every iPod generation save the Video, and have never once scratched a screen. Maybe it's an issue that you should resolve, since you seem to be having it happen it so often?
 
billyripkin said:
For now I am going to try visiting a jewerely store and see if they can buff the scratch out if that does not work then I am going to try and return the phone and take the restocking loss. .
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Why would Apple take a phone back that YOU damaged? Forget about the re-stocking fee, the fact that it's damaged makes it useless to them, the re-stocking fee isn't for people who break their stuff and then want to replace it- it's for people who change their minds, or find out they can't use that product for whatever reason.. The saying "you break it- you bought it" has meaning..

I'm not trying to harsh your deal or anything, stuff happens- it's a shame that you scratched your phone, but I don't think you have much choice but to live with it.. If it bothers you that much the only other option is to buy a new one (at full listing) or try to repair that one on your own dime..
 
imagine5950 said:
I think you are all missing the point. I don't have an iphone yet, but I've had several ipods, and I've always been annoyed at how easy they are to scratch. That is something Apple should have resolved, and is not something the customer should have to pay for.

I understand the point of negligence on the point of the user, but the point I am making is that there is also negligence on the part of the manufacturer for not making a more durable screen - especially on a phone, which is something that people are expected to carry around a lot more than an ipod.

It makes great business for all the companies that make protection products, but should you really have to have some sort of protection over your new phone, just to use it? Especially since it's not exactly small already...
Click to expand...

Apple did resolve it by switching from plastic surface to optical glass. Have you seen videos showing how resistent they are? Do you expect Apple or other companies to use sapphire crystal like some of the higher end watches? If so then get ready to pay double or more for your products.
 
imagine5950 said:
I think you are all missing the point. I don't have an iphone yet, but I've had several ipods, and I've always been annoyed at how easy they are to scratch. That is something Apple should have resolved, and is not something the customer should have to pay for.
Click to expand...

I think you are the one missing the point. The iPhone is very very resistant to scratches. The screen is covered in optical glass and I have seen test videos of people using keys and even a pocket knife on the screen w/o a scratch, something no iPod to date would survive un-harmed. Does this mean that it is un-scratch-able? No definitely not. You could argue the iPhone's screen will be more prone to shattering if dropped but it is very tough against scratches.
 
I think everyone is missing the bigger point......Is the laptop OK?:D
 
Actually, I think you are all missing the point!

Wait... I don't really have a point...

But I did want to mention that AT&T had me cancel my $5/mo. Phone Insurance plan when I bought my iPhone, since they do not cover the iPhone with that plan.

I would be interested in hearing more about attaching the phone to a Property Insurance plan. I wonder if since I am a student, I could attach my phone to my parents plan for our home.
 
Call your credit card company (assuming you paid with a CC) they may be able to find you a solution
 
billyripkin said:
So the other day I accidently rubbed my iPhone against my older powerbook and it left a one inch silver paint scratch on the screen. I tried to clean it off but it seems to be stuck on there for good. I thought to myself no big deal because the phone is only a week and half old and apple has always been good about fixing issues quickly. I took the phone to the Woodfield apple store in IL and was told by 3 different employees that sorry that happened but it will cost $199 to get a new phone for replacement. I just can't believe that they expect me to spend another $199 on this phone less than 2 weeks after purchase. I have used macs all my life and love apple products but this has really left me feeling angry with apple. I just wanted to let you all know that the screen does scratch and when it does it will cost you dearly.
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Return it and pay the $60 restocking fee plus $36 to activate the new phone. That will be under $100... which isnt that bad for something that you did. you should of brought the screen protector for $15.
 
Well, unethical and wrong as it may be, there might be a chance that someone CAN return a damaged product if it satisfied the guidelines here: http://www.apple.com/legal/sales_policies/retail_us.html

If you are not satisfied with your Apple purchase, return it with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase. If the item is returned unopened, in the original box, we will exchange it or offer a refund based only on the original payment method. Apple will mail a check within ten (10) business days for cash, cash equivalent, and check transactions over $250. Except where prohibited, a 10% restocking fee will apply to any non-defective item that requires Apple to perform rework prior to resale; please ask a Mac Specialist for details.
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The questions here are:

(1) What is meant by "non-defective," does that mean "in original condition," or "free from manufacturer's defects," or simply "free from defects," because that could either mean it includes or does not include cosmetic damage or even actual relevant damage (e.g. "I shawt a rifull threw mah iPawd, ma!").

(2) What is the extent of the rework before sale that they will do? What details does a Mac Specialist have to offer when asked? How do we know that they're telling us the truth, or that it doesn't vary by case scenario or area (or knowledge/ego/skill/experience/etc)?
 
Why not just sell the thing on ebay for about 70-80% cost, and then use that money towards a new one?

As long as you make it evident in the sale that it has a scratch, then everyone shout be happy.
 
What part of your Powerbook came into contact with the screen of your phone??? You have one of those models that came with the "jagged edge" option?
 
Ok so just to update everyone I went to the Apple store today to have my new macbook looked at for a wireless issue and asked a different nicer employee today what he would suggest to get the scratch out. I had the receipt from the AT&T store where I bought it from with me along with the box but not the parts. I only had this stuff with me because I was going to try and take it back to the AT&T store. He looked at it and tried to buff the mark out but could not remove it. He said that they have been telling people that they would have to send it back into Apple for repair for a $199 fee. Then HE offered that I could return it right then and there and just pay the restocking fee for a exchange. Let me make this VERY clear I did not ask for a refund or a new phone HE offered and even though I did not buy it from that Apple store they still did a exchange. So it does pay to ask sometimes. Yes I caused the scratch and yes it was my fault and they owed me nothing but having been an Apple user for 20 years I knew they were one of the few companies that still treated people right. Thank you to all the nice people on here that made suggestions and to the rest....well I will keep this clean.:cool:
 
marklon said:
Call your credit card company (assuming you paid with a CC) they may be able to find you a solution
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Seriously. I know that AMEX covers damage, theft, et cetera, for up to 90 days after purchase: just enough time to get it on an insurance policy.
 
Your update post made me happy for you and willing to eat my words up until when you said something about how they "treat people right," in reference to how they treated you.

They didn't treat you RIGHT, they did you a NICE FAVOR, or some might say gave you a GIFT of a new undamaged unit.

To say that they are one of the few companies that treat you right, because of doing this, you are indicating that your opinion is that of entitlement to a replacement when your unit has been damaged (and solely because your unit has been damaged), and the damage was caused by you, yet it is still their responsibility. This is WRONG.

On the other hand, their return policy is so vague that one could say that they are merely abiding by a literal, simplistic understanding of their posted return policies; nowhere is it stated that the 14-day returns must be made with the item in original condition.

But regardless, congratulations. If you scratch it again and need to return it, I think I'll have to punch you though. ;) Enjoy the iPhone!
 
What I meant was it is nice sometimes when companies treat you like a human being and not a faceless person. Your right they did do me a favor and I did not expect them to nor will I in the future. I just thought others should know that dont always expect people to be cold and unforgiving everytime you try and return a product. Sometimes people make mistakes and others will be nice to you in return.
 
By the way the first thing I did while in the store was buy a pack of the screen protectors and a case since they were out of stock when I bought it the first time.
 
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