Official Apple repair services refuse to repair iPhone

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Official Apple repair services refuse to repair iPhone

I have bought an iPhone in Barcelona. Now I have a hardware problem - the upper switch on/off button has stopped working (a common problem). As I a domicile in Moscow, Russia, I was explained that I am not entitled to a warranty. This is nonsense. This iPhone is covered by the warranty, so I have to be entitled for a worldwide warranty. If not, I am ready to pay for it. HOWEVER, the official service repairs REFUSE to repair my iPhone, even for money. I am a loyal Apple customer, I have FOUR officially purchased iPads in my family, and one officialy purchased iPhone, so WHY should I be refused in repair of one of many Apple devices? HOW can I repair it.

Please do not advise me to "go to Barcelona" or "send your phone to Barcelona". I will not do it, I doubt anyone would.

Please help me.

Thank you and regards,

Serge

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Sep 17, 2013 3:09 AM

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Answer 1

FelipeV

Level 6

12,077 points

Sep 17, 2013 4:34 AM in response to sshevchenko

sshevchenko wrote:

Please do not advise me to "go to Barcelona" or "send your phone to Barcelona". I will not do it, I doubt anyone would.

Please help me.

Thank you and regards,

Serge

Obviously, you have done your research and you have found out that the warranty is not international and as your problem is with the mechanics of the phone itself the only thing you can do is:

Got to Spain and/or send the phone to Spain. (or another EU country). The reality of the situation is that that is all you can do. Whether you decide to do it is up to you.

Oh, and next time, buy the Phone in Russia. It will save you tons of headaches.

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Answer 2

sshevchenko Author

Level 1

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Sep 17, 2013 4:40 AM in response to FelipeV

This isn`t about warranty. If you`ve read the message, I have a problem with official repairs - they refuse to repair iPhone even for money. I am not asking for a free service, I understand that I was scammed by Apple warranty. But I want my phone repaired by an official repair service FOR CONSIDERATION.

And more - if I happen to buy an iPhone in Russia and move to live in Ghana for a while - do I really have to get back to Russia to repair a phone? This is ridiculous.

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Answer 3

FelipeV

Level 6

12,077 points

Sep 17, 2013 4:49 AM in response to sshevchenko

Again. I did read your message. But you did not read mine. Apple service and warranty for the iPhone is NOT international. You can offer to pay them and they will NOT repair it. You were not scammed by Apple. You did not bother to read the warranty.

And more - if I happen to buy an iPhone in Russia and move to live in Ghana for a while - do I really have to get back to Russia to repair a phone?

Yes. It is not ridiculous. It is Apple's policy. You have been told how to solve your problem. Complaining on this forum will not get Apple to change their policy. Whether you decide to follow the advice given here it is up to you. If you wish to give Apple feedback you can do it here:

www.apple.com/feedback

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Answer 4

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 17, 2013 4:51 AM in response to sshevchenko

They will repair or give you a new one in SPAIN. It has nothing to do with money.

The warrantee is only in the country where you bought it: that is because there are so many differeneces in iPhones in different countries :not allowed apps, not allowed wifi channels, not allowed or different basebands etcetera.

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Answer 5

sshevchenko Author

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Sep 17, 2013 5:01 AM in response to FelipeV

No, this IS ridiculous. The laptop by one respectable japanese manufacturer, which I had purchased in the UK, was repaired by warranty in Russia without any questions. Why pay EUR 700 for a phone when in your country you cannot get even a minimal support. So, the Apple policy is a scam.

And yes, thank you for the link, I will send en email to them.

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Answer 6

sshevchenko Author

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Sep 17, 2013 5:02 AM in response to Lexiepex

This is just a hardware problem - a button not working. Or the buttons are different in Spain and in Russia?

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 17, 2013 5:06 AM in response to sshevchenko

No the buttons are not different, but they do not use client oriented common sense, but they have procedures and protocols which are publicised enough. We have to live with that. Hundreds of iPhones sold. Repairing one that is different inside can lead to problems even if you do not touch that inside. Sorry s.

Lex

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Answer 8

FelipeV

Level 6

12,077 points

Sep 17, 2013 5:06 AM in response to sshevchenko

Before you label Apple's warranty a scam:

Did you check the warranties of other phone manufacturers? Do they offer a "worldwide warranty"?

As Lex has stated, there are many iPhone models on the market. And different regulations around the world. Not the same as laptops.

Apple laptops and computers have an international warranty. So you are comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended).

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 17, 2013 5:08 AM in response to sshevchenko

BTW this is only for iPhones who have hardware differences inside, laptops are the same everywhere and diferences are software changes, so you can have your Spain bought laptop repaired in another country.

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Answer 10

sshevchenko Author

Level 1

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Sep 17, 2013 5:20 AM in response to FelipeV

This is a hardware problem - a button is not subject to various regulations. Just a button. Which is easily repaired (in 20 minutes actually) by unofficial services.

And yes, by the moment I bought the iPhone in Spain, it was not officially sold in Russia.

I got your point anyway. Luckily all 4 of my iPads were bought in Russia.

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Answer 11

sshevchenko Author

Level 1

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Sep 17, 2013 5:22 AM in response to Lexiepex

LexSchellings wrote:

they do not use client oriented common sense. We have to live with that.

That is the point 🙂 Thanks for your fair opinion, mate!

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Answer 12

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 17, 2013 5:32 AM in response to sshevchenko

Next time when you are in Spain, have Apple give you a new one under warrantee: In Europe (whatever that may be nowadays) it is obligatory to have two years of guarantee, and Apple is is changing that too to conform to the laws...

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Answer 13

sshevchenko Author

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Sep 17, 2013 5:48 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thanks! This is actually a very interesting piece of information. Do they extend an existing warranty as well?

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Answer 14

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 17, 2013 6:24 AM in response to sshevchenko

I think so, but I am not absolutly sure, the timing is different in each country. But this euopean law was institutionalised begin 2012 as I remember well.

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