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Apple Requires AT&T Plan For iPhone Repairs

Submitted by Edward Kirk on October 15, 2007 - 10:31pm.
in

A word of warning to iPhone owners with no AT&T service: It looks like Apple isn't honoring any 2 year guarantees, or for that matter 90-day service plans, for owners not owning the manditory 2-year AT&T plan for their iPhone. Apparently they are treating all iPhones not currently subscribed to the AT&T network as ordinary iPods, as iPhone owner Jake Dugard found out the hard way.

Jake cancelled his iPhone account receiving poor AT&T reception. When his phone stopped working correctly soon after, he was informed that Apple would not service his phone.

“Every single time I called, they said they would not service my phone. I told them that I had an AT&T service account, but it’s no longer valid because I had bad service with it and all I want is my phone fixed,” said Durgard. “They tell me, ‘Sorry, you have to have a two-year active agreement in order to get any hardware replaced or fixed with the phone.’”

Apparently access to repairs and service depend on an active plan with AT&T, and they won't administer any repairs or other services covered by the warranties for AT&T plan owners.

His argument is that the problem is with the hardware, not the software, and that there is no reason Apple should need the SIM to be with the phone to fix it. Apparently they don't agree, because when he refused to leave until they fixed it, he was escorted out by police.

[via KPTV]

Such arrogance!

Submitted by Quicknik (not verified) on October 15, 2007 - 10:53pm.
And I'm not referring to Apple! That dude thinks he can shirk the agreement and then demand service? LOL! Hey, listen, I'm ALL about challenging authority and breaking the rules, but this arrogant twerp thinks he can do that and THEN vomit his self-entitlement all over the Apple Store employees? Oh, nonononononoooo… that's just not how it works. You don't like it?… buy a Nokia. Puhhleez!

Submitted by *iphonelessinVA (not verified) on October 15, 2007 - 11:38pm.
Simple. Doesn't AT&T have a limited trial like 14 days and you can return and cancle plan without penalty? Sign up with AT&T, take phone to Apple and just as long as Apple can repair within that time frame. It not, cancel AT&T service while phone is with Apple and if Apple squirms, just say hey, it's not much of a use to me if it's in the shop!

Do A Switch!

Submitted by oscarleedavis on October 16, 2007 - 5:39am.
1. Go buy and iphone
2.take the back off both iphones and switch!
3.take the bad one back ,pay 10% stocking fee
4.you have just fixed your iphone.......

Damn skippy!

Submitted by the good doctor d (not verified) on October 16, 2007 - 5:55am.
Amen to that!

Submitted by Eurisko on October 16, 2007 - 8:52am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quicknik View Post
And I'm not referring to Apple! That dude thinks he can shirk the agreement and then demand service? LOL! Hey, listen, I'm ALL about challenging authority and breaking the rules, but this arrogant twerp thinks he can do that and THEN vomit his self-entitlement all over the Apple Store employees? Oh, nonononononoooo… that's just not how it works. You don't like it?… buy a Nokia. Puhhleez!
You're all about challenging authority and breaking the rules? More like "Please sir, I want some more".

Why stop there?

Submitted by Eurisko on October 16, 2007 - 8:55am.
I think Apple should start refusing to service iPods if any of songs on it didn't come from the iTunes Store. Or hey, stop servicing Mac's if any of the software on them isn't Apple's.

They're just digging themselves deeper, and all of their loyal followers (the only ones who have kept them afloat) are going to bail.

Submitted by Stephen (not verified) on October 16, 2007 - 11:01am.
I love this line from the actual story "Durgard said that there is nothing written on the box or the warranty that stated the SIM card must be with the phone to have it fixed."

It's this kind of douchebag that makes us have all that fine print everywhere.

Bail? Yeah right.

Submitted by *drb (not verified) on October 16, 2007 - 8:34pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eurisko View Post
I think Apple should start refusing to service iPods if any of songs on it didn't come from the iTunes Store. Or hey, stop servicing Mac's if any of the software on them isn't Apple's.

They're just digging themselves deeper, and all of their loyal followers (the only ones who have kept them afloat) are going to bail.
Speaking as a loyal follower having owned 30 macs since 1985 I think your business prediction is absurd. Apple established the terms for having an iphone. It's a free country and you can use any other phone or service you want if you don't like it. It's absurd to blame them when the user tries to rip them off. Yes, the ATT contract is part of Apple's business model. You make not like it or think it's right, I certanly was shocked last MacWorld when they announced it would only be with ATT, but I doubt you or I have more business acumen than Steve Jobs.

And speaking as a loyal Apple user I still totally support them. They have driven innovation in the computer world whether it's graphic user interface, mice, menus and all the other things that Microsoft subsequently "invented" a few years later. You mention iTunes, well it was Apple that decriminalized computer music by giving honest people a way to purchase it. They have consistently changed the paradigm and now they are going to drive the cellphone industry. More power to them and screw the whiney few who think they are entitled or initiate lawsuits. Go Apple!

Submitted by Eurisko on October 18, 2007 - 9:41am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by *drb View Post
Speaking as a loyal follower having owned 30 macs since 1985 I think your business prediction is absurd. Apple established the terms for having an iphone. It's a free country and you can use any other phone or service you want if you don't like it. It's absurd to blame them when the user tries to rip them off. Yes, the ATT contract is part of Apple's business model. You make not like it or think it's right, I certanly was shocked last MacWorld when they announced it would only be with ATT, but I doubt you or I have more business acumen than Steve Jobs.

And speaking as a loyal Apple user I still totally support them. They have driven innovation in the computer world whether it's graphic user interface, mice, menus and all the other things that Microsoft subsequently "invented" a few years later. You mention iTunes, well it was Apple that decriminalized computer music by giving honest people a way to purchase it. They have consistently changed the paradigm and now they are going to drive the cellphone industry. More power to them and screw the whiney few who think they are entitled or initiate lawsuits. Go Apple!
Yes, it is absurd, but not for the loyalist reasons you're outlining. People have purchased a product from a company, and they are entitled, yes entitled to have that product serviced, regardless of any agreements that company has with a third party.

I would like you to name any wireless manufacturer, besides Apple, who has refused to service their product simply because the owner of that product does not have a wireless service contract.

Finally, I did not make a "business prediction", I rather sarcastically pointed out analogies to the type of absurd behavior Apple is taking on this issue. Sarcasm which obviously is over your head.

Apple sucks

Submitted by *macfanssuck (not verified) on December 16, 2007 - 3:10am.
It still shocks me how Apple can get away with b.s. like that. If Microsoft were to do something similar, I could see all those bastards suing the company, but not those fancy-pantsies Mac heads, oh no.

If Steve Jobs tells them to stick their heads in an iToilet, there they go, like blind followers of a suicidal cult.

Apple sucks, whether you like it or not. If this is not a monopolistic practice, then you are blinded from reality.

They are responsible for their hardware and they should service it.

Repulsed...

iphone reception fix

Submitted by ClemyP on January 3, 2008 - 3:41pm.
I was really close to getting rid of my iPhone because I was getting horrible reception with AT&T but then I heard about zBoost. Its a signal repeater/booster and it works really well. I went from one bar to 4 the minute I plugged it in. It is wireless and just sits in the corner of my bedroom but I get awesome service all over my house now. I think they now make a smaller version that you can take to your office or other locations where you get bad reception. I love my iPhone and I really didn't want to get rid of it, so zBoost was like a saving grace! If you are interested the website is:


www.wi-ex.com

I highly recommend it!

help

Submitted by gZZZ (not verified) on June 14, 2008 - 2:45am.
can some1 help me out. i bought an unlock iphone and the screen doesnt work anymore..can i the apple repair my phone?.. lets say i sign up for 2 yrs with at&t.

help

Submitted by gzzz (not verified) on June 14, 2008 - 2:51am.
i bought an unlock iphone and the screen doesnt work anymore.can apple replace it or do i have to sign up for 2 yrs plan.?'

Submitted by Spoon on June 14, 2008 - 2:57am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gzzz View Post
i bought an unlock iphone and the screen doesnt work anymore.can apple replace it or do i have to sign up for 2 yrs plan.?'
The only way Apple will help you is if you lock the phone and sign up for an AT&T contract. I'd just get an iPhone 3G and sign up for a contract. It may be easier.