Smashed My iPhone

bobman1235

So I was out at a pub crawl this weekend, and managed to drop my iPhone onto a tile floor at a bar and completely smash the screen. I've seen some broken screens where they still functioned, but this one is COMPLETELY destroyed, so the LCD underneath must have been damaged as well.

I'm not eligible for a "phone upgrade" until January 9th, so I'll be using an old phone until then. I don't know if I can last that long; the iPhone is definitely an addiction.

mhardy6647

So,what you're saying is: those marketeers who championed small, complex, proprietary, fragile, expensive high-tech equipment were right on target?

I do feel your pain, though.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd be surprised if AT&T didn't work with you on getting a new phone. My experience has been that when I'm that close they'll usually work with you if you give their CS a call, the guys in store really can't help you though because they have very little control over that part of the process.

I've been a customer for a little over 10 years now, and I've had this happen a couple times and they've always worked with me and I've never been without a phone.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Oh, and agreed 100% with the Iphone being an addiction. It's the best phone I've ever used, by a significant margin. And believe me, given that it's an Apple product, I feel like I'm giving away just a little bit of my soul every time I tell someone that...I really wanted to hate that phone when my wife got hers, but I just couldn't and now we each have one.

bobman1235

mhardy6647 wrote: »

So,what you're saying is: those marketeers who championed small, complex, proprietary, fragile, expensive high-tech equipment were right on target?

Considering I'm running right out to buy another one despite this, they're obviously doing something right.

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I'd be surprised if AT&T didn't work with you on getting a new phone. My experience has been that when I'm that close they'll usually work with you if you give their CS a call, the guys in store really can't help you though because they have very little control over that part of the process.

I've been a customer for a little over 10 years now, and I've had this happen a couple times and they've always worked with me and I've never been without a phone.

That's great to hear. I've also been a customer since.... '99 I think (I think it was CellularOne back then) so I'm hoping they're willing to work with me.

wingnut4772

Been there. Done that. That's why I have a soft rubber cover on mine now.

Poee7R

Sorry to hear that. In my line of work, I see it everyday.

Bob if you want it repaired send me a pm, I run a cell repair store and can get you taken care of.


Dave

Demiurge

wingnut4772 wrote: »

Been there. Done that. That's why I have a soft rubber cover on mine now.

What, don't want any iPhone Minis?

Jstas

Demiurge wrote: »

What, don't want any iPhone Minis?

hehehehehe!!!





On a side note, I've dropped both my Blackberrys multiple times. They've been kicked as well. I've even thrown my work Blackberry across the room at times and aside from some scratches and nicks on the pretty plastic they are still working like champs.

But yeah, I'd either take Poee7R up on his offer or go to AT&T and see what they can do to help. An ex had an AT&T phone when the Motorola Razrs came out. Her phone still had just over 2 months left on the plan before she could get a new one. Well her nephew threw the phone in the garbage disposal. She took the mangled mess in to the AT&T store, explained what happened and they waved the last two and a half months on the plan and gave her a $50 credit for a new phone if she signed a contract for another two years. She got a brand new Razr for like half price and no fees. If you are planning to get another iPhone and stay with AT&T they would rather have your business than screw you on a month and a half worth of your contract.

KASR

If you do replace or get the screen fixed (not sure if that's an option, I own a samsung instinct), check out OTTERBOX for your phone protector.

bobman1235

For the record, I've dropped my iPhone dozens of times, including onto the pavement when getting into or out of my car, without anything but, as you say, a scuff on the pretty plastic. Given that it's a glass screen, it has been pretty durable up to this point.

vc69

I'm pretty rough on mine. I use an inCase and screen protector. So far so good (1 1/2yr).

Maybe you can get the 3Gs a little ahead of your contract. I have been an ATT customer forever and they have always been easy to work with in these situations as assimilated said.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I have the 3Gs, my wife has the 3G - there is a difference between the two, in terms of speed. This is most noticeable with something like the TomTom GPS app that's a bit more cpu intensive.

bobman1235

Well, just talked to AT&T, if I "upgrade early" it'll cost me 200 dollars MORE than it would if I waited, so it looks like I'll be iPhone-less until January. No way I'm spending 400 bucks on a phone.

BB3

bobman1235,

Won't your Apple Care Coverage Take Care Of It ?

---

BILL

Jstas

bobman1235 wrote: »

Well, just talked to AT&T, if I "upgrade early" it'll cost me 200 dollars MORE than it would if I waited, so it looks like I'll be iPhone-less until January. No way I'm spending 400 bucks on a phone.

That's rough. But is that because you are trying to upgrade early or are you just looking to replace it?

Also, I've found that if I'm in the store, I can get better service than if I'm on the phone.

bobman1235

BB3 wrote: »

bobman1235,

Won't your Apple Care Coverage Take Care Of It ?

Apple's warranty doesn't cover any accidental damage, so no.

bobman1235

A refurb would save me fifty bucks. I could get a regular 3G for 300 dollars right now, or a refurb for 250. Or I could wait a month and a half and get a 3GS for 200, or a 3G for 100.

I think I can wait (though I will, as Jstas suggested, go to the store and see if they'll work with me, I'm not holding my breath).

danger boy

bobman sorry about your iPhone. but can you post a picture of your smashed up phone?

Not trying to be cruel, but I am contemplating getting an iPhone.. and i want to see how it looks after I drop it. I am very rough on phones.. went through 3 just last year because I'm a big klutz.

thanks

bobman1235

Sure, I'll post a picture tonight. Though if you Google Image search for "broken iPhone" you get a pretty good idea of what happened.

danger boy

ok i'll google search it. thanks.. and sorry... i have heard that once you have an iphone, you'll never want any other kind of phone.

Sherardp

I'm surprised you guys don't pay the extra 4 bucks a month for insurance on these gadgets. I have a BBerry 9000 and pay 300 yen a month for insurance. I drop it, crack it, whatever I just go to the store and get a new one. Simple. Get the optional insurance guys, these newer phones are expensive.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Anyone hear the story about Apple refusing to honor the warranty on PCs for smokers?

phuz

Sherardp wrote: »

I'm surprised you guys don't pay the extra 4 bucks a month for insurance on these gadgets. I have a BBerry 9000 and pay 300 yen a month for insurance. I drop it, crack it, whatever I just go to the store and get a new one. Simple. Get the optional insurance guys, these newer phones are expensive.

There is no insurance available for the iPhone.

Sherardp

phuz wrote: »

There is no insurance available for the iPhone.

Sure there is, Statefarm will cover the iphone for 30 bucks a yr as noted here.

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=76912&page=2

As will squaretrade, both reputable from Apple forums

http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/97596

wingnut4772

Demiurge wrote: »

What, don't want any iPhone Minis?

He he he:p

bobman1235

Sherardp wrote: »

I'm surprised you guys don't pay the extra 4 bucks a month for insurance on these gadgets. I have a BBerry 9000 and pay 300 yen a month for insurance. I drop it, crack it, whatever I just go to the store and get a new one. Simple. Get the optional insurance guys, these newer phones are expensive.

I, and I imagine the vast vast vast majority of people, are unaware of third-party insurers for those types of devices. If it's not available through AT&T / Apple (which it is NOT, which is obviously what people are referring to when they say it's "not available") it wouldn't even cross my mind to look elsewhere.

Sherardp

bobman1235 wrote: »

I, and I imagine the vast vast vast majority of people, are unaware of third-party insurers for those types of devices. If it's not available through AT&T / Apple (which it is NOT, which is obviously what people are referring to when they say it's "not available") it wouldn't even cross my mind to look elsewhere.

Understood completely. See my above post. I had a friend who experienced the same problem as the OP and went with squaretrade after the replacement.

bobman1235

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check out insurance options for next time

mantis

Sorry to hear but I know all about it.
My son just got a brand new 3g for his birthday and one week later dropped it in our garage while jumping out the damn door. It went across the garage and hit the floor face down and shattered the screen. We went to the At&T store(closer then driving to the Apple Store and learned about fixing it. Apple will repair it for around 180.00. It's not a bad deal if your not up for a upgrade. The Iphones start at 499.99 so 180.00 is much better. Upgrade you can get the reg 3g for 99.99 which is a fantastic deal.
I upgraded my 1st gen to a 3gs and it's the bomb.

shack

ATT would not allow us to purchase insurance on the three iPhones we purchased. My homeowners carrier would not write a rider on them either. I really won't deal with 3rd party warranty insurers...not worth the hassle and effort based on some of the stories friends have told me when they tried to file a claim on electronics.

Apple's warranty doesn't cover any accidental damage, so no.

It would not hurt take it into the "geniuses". One of my daughters dropped her iPhone just a few days shy of the Apple warranty expiration. It cracked the screen and damaged the LCD. She took it in and told them what happened fully expecting to pay for repairs. They looked at the purchase date, took it to the back and brought it out with a brand new screen and LCD...no charge. Worth a try.