Cheap iPhone Screen Repair For All Apple Customers Replaces Apples Free Repair Policy
Tech Insider writer Bill Gilbert claims that once upon a time, Apple replaced broken iPhones for free. Yep, you read that right – completely free!
While it might sound like a modern day fairy tale, Gilbert researched the matter and his research came up sound. However, like all things too good to be true, it no longer exists.
With their implementation of AppleCare+ – their paid insurance program insuring cheap iPhone screen repair – Apple abandoned any policy of free replacement.
Gilbert was one of the lucky few however, managing to score an entirely new iPhone when he shattered the screen of his iPhone 4 a few years ago.
Gilbert writes that he accidentally shattered the screen of his iPhone 4 when it fell off his swivel chair.
To repair it, he booked an appointment at the Apple store. Once Gilbert told the Apple employee what he had done to the phone, the worker disappeared into the back of the store and re-emerged with an entirely new iPhone – free of charge.
The Apple worker exchanged the new phone with the broken one, leaving Gilbert surprised.
And rightly so – while Apple does have a one year warranty, it does not cover accidental breakages. This means that with iPhones broken accidentally in the first year, Apple are not obliged to repair it free of cost under their warranty. The warranty only covers defects and issues like internal hardware faults.
And yet, Gilbert received not only a free repair – but an entirely new iPhone, free of cost. What gives?
Tech Insider writer was surprised to receive a free iPhone replacement for his cracked iPhone screen. Is every iPhone user entitled to a free replacement for their first iPhone break?
After researching the matter, Gilbert found that Apple used to have a policy that gave their employees free reign to surprise and delight their customers. This included randomly giving out free iPhone replacements for customers who had broken their phone for the first time.
The next time the same customer breaks their iPhone however, their best bet will be a cheap iPhone screen repair – as Apple only does this as a once off.
Tech Insider spoke with a few Apple retail employees and found that Apple did indeed used to give the majority of iPhone owners one free fix or replacement. Now however, this free repair/replacement policy is a lot stricter.
Apple employees point to the advent of the iPhone 5 and AppleCare+ as the reason for stopping the free repair/replacement policy.
AppleCare+ allows iPhone buyers the option of paying an extra $100 upon the purchase of their iPhone. This extra $100 is a paid insurance program that allows buyers cheap iPhone screen repair.
As far as the AppleCare+ goes, it makes sense financially to forgo free repairs and replacement for a paid insurance scheme. Furthermore, it increases equality for consumers. As one employee said to Tech Insider: “People pay for a reduce price on damage, so giving stuff for free became more unfair for people who pay for added insurance.”
Apple did not respond to Gilbert’s requests for comment.
To read more on Apple and their warranty and repair policies, click here.