Not Apple's biggest fan atm

[Monsterlover]

I have the extended service plan on my iPhone.

The button that switches it to vibrate fell off.  I call apple, and wow, it's covered under warranty.  Sweet.

They send me a new phone the next day, and charge my card $500 until my old phone gets back to them. 

I transfer all my stuff to the new phone and ship it back.

That was easy

But wait, there's more. . .

I get an email today that says:

"Dear Apple Customer,

Thank you for selecting AppleCare Service to repair your Apple product.

Upon inspection of the phone you recently returned to us, Apple technicians have determined that the iPhone was damaged. Because of the damage, your credit card will be charged in the amount USD 205.95/ CAD 239.77 as stated in the iPhone Advance Replacement Terms and Conditions: http://www.apple.com/legal/terms/iphonears/.

If you have questions regarding this repair, please call 800-APL-CARE (800-275-2273) and choose the option for status on a previously scheduled repair. Help is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. central.

Regards,
AppleCare Service"

So, the phone was damaged. . .  well no make the beast with two backsing shit!   

I call the number in the email and got a nice girl that looked into things.  Turns out the apple techs decided that the phone has experienced heavy liquid damage.

"Like it's been submerged?" I ask.

"Yes.  They say it has experienced heavy liquid damage that would be consistent with that," she tells me.

Un-make the beast with two backsing-believable  This phone has never ever been underwater.  Id be surprised if it has ever experience more than 10 rain drops.

The customer service dept we need to talk to is closed for the weekend.  I have to call back monday 8-8 central time.

You guys think my credit card company would help me out on this if Apple doesn't get their head out of their ass?!?

[Randimus Maximus]

Is there not an Apple store near you?

That button fell off my 3G.  I took it to them, and was on my way with a new iPhone in 5 minutes, no questions asked.

[derby]

i'm sure it'll get worked out.

i'm curious, how long have you had your damaged phone? was it an original iphone/3g?

it's possible you would've qualified for an upgrade to the 3gs which is only $200.

buddy of mine dropped his 3g last month and when he went into the store, they gave him the option of a replacement or a new 3gs for the same price.

read: if you end up paying for the repair, you might as well get a 3gs out of it.

[Monsterlover]

Is there not an Apple store near you?

That button fell off my 3G.  I took it to them, and was on my way with a new iPhone in 5 minutes, no questions asked.

Id have a 90 minute ride to get to an apple store.  Sounds like it may have been worth it to just take a drive. . .

i'm sure it'll get worked out.

i'm curious, how long have you had your damaged phone? was it an original iphone/3g?

it's possible you would've qualified for an upgrade to the 3gs which is only $200.

buddy of mine dropped his 3g last month and when he went into the store, they gave him the option of a replacement or a new 3gs for the same price.

read: if you end up paying for the repair, you might as well get a 3gs out of it.

Original iPhone 3g bought last september.

I know it's a stretch, but I was wondering if I could get my old phone back and give it to the wife.  16g 3g phones are $199 now I think, right?  So if im paying that anyway, I may as well have a second phone to show for it.  3Gs would be cool too.

[Randimus Maximus]

So the phone was still under the factory warranty, and not AppleCare.

That button is a pretty common issue, from what I gathered when I took mine in.

[Monsterlover]

Hmm, not sure if they said factory warranty covered it or the extended one did.

I read a lot online and it seems like a common issue as you said.

Im not paying $200 for what amounts to having a button replaced.

[pitbull03]

Apple has pulled this stuff before.  I'd see about a charge-back from your CC.

[Porsche Monkey]

This is good stuff.  I am trying to decide on the IPhone versus the new My touch to replace my well aged blackberry. 

[derby]

This is good stuff.  I am trying to decide on the IPhone versus the new My touch to replace my well aged blackberry. 

i recently read a comparison between the two... the iphone won.

[minnesotamonster]

I've had my iPhone for about a week and thought the button felt a little flimsy. Other than that I love the damn thing. And I am not an "apple person"


Hope they make it right for you ML

[Howie]

I don't know what Apple does, but most companies put a little paper dot in the phone that changes color in the presence of moisture.  This may be what they are basing their decision on.  I would call them back and ask for a supervisor.  If this is the case, I would ask them to explain what moisture had to do with the button breaking.   

[Monsterlover]

I had similar thoughts

[cyrus buelton]

between the two... the iphone won.

depends on what you are looking for out of a phone/pda/whatever you use it for to escape talking to others/interaction

[factorPlayer]

I work in AppleCare, although I don't support iPhones, but feel free to pm if you need some advice.

[triangleforge]

I call the number in the email and got a nice girl that looked into things.  Turns out the apple techs decided that the phone has experienced heavy liquid damage.

"Like it's been submerged?" I ask.

"Yes.  They say it has experienced heavy liquid damage that would be consistent with that," she tells me.

The biggest restraint on my iPhone lust (or any other smartphone for that matter) is that they're not waterproof & not all that robust. It's too bad, because there's a decent market for ruggedized phones, whether for construction trades or outdoor enthusiasts. I mean, it's nice to have a compass ap on the phone, but if you can't use it outside in the rain, what's the point?