Apple center bricks my phone

I think with a little research, you would find that the members in question here are extremely highly regarded repairers worldwide, at a much higher level than everyday part swap outs... The guy has already opened his phone - what's the issue with advising him to do the same to check what it is that's damaged? Lets not forget that the 'authorized repairers' are actually the ones that bricked this particular handset without first explaining the ramifications.

Crittie wrote:

I think with a little research, you would find that the members in question here are extremely highly regarded repairers worldwide, at a much higher level than everyday part swap outs... The guy has already opened his phone - what's the issue with advising him to do the same to check what it is that's damaged? Lets not forget that the 'authorized repairers' are actually the ones that bricked this particular handset without first explaining the ramifications.

So, you own or work at an independent repair shop. Got it.

My occupation isn't relevant to this thread..... I'm actually in a small country town in Australia, I'm currently happy with my workload and I'm pretty sure most people on the support community aren't here looking for a technician - they are looking for answers.... Do you volunteer your spare time doing the same thing you get paid for? It appears very unlikely that you do. These people have a passion for their work and know what they are talking about if your opinion differs it may not be wrong but there's no need to be rude and judge mental towards people that are doing very well for themselves without 'advertising' on a support community.
Actually come to think of it, I didn't actually see you offering cschai any support. As far as I saw you only degraded the user for attempting to repair their own device. After all it is their property and they aren't the first and won't be the last consumer to attempt repairing their own device.They were asking for help not to be judged, I'm pretty sure they are probably already cranky enough that the stuffed it up.

Crittie wrote:

My occupation isn't relevant to this thread..... I

Yes, it is. As there has been a concerted campaign on the part of independent repair shop owners to push their agenda here on the forums, it matters a lot. You just seem later to the party than most.

I've noticed that you did t respond to any of my questions. Believe it or not these people are offering their advice (which they would usually be paid for) in their spare time for FREE because they love their job and actually want to help. I'm yet to see your help on this subject at all. All I've seen from you is negativity and a link that could be found quite easily with a quick Google search. What makes you any better than any of these independent repairers? I refuse to waste any more time stating the obvious to you when I could be helping someone who actually wants the help.

Crittie wrote:

I think with a little research, you would find that the members in question here are extremely highly regarded repairers worldwide, at a much higher level than everyday part swap outs... The guy has already opened his phone - what's the issue with advising him to do the same to check what it is that's damaged? Lets not forget that the 'authorized repairers' are actually the ones that bricked this particular handset without first explaining the ramifications.

That's merely your interpretation, not fact. I would instead say the owner ruined their own device when they chose to replace the display themselves. That action directly led to the problem they now have. Had they simply gone to Apple or an apple authorized repair center to begin with, they'd not have this issue.

Yes, agreed. They had not attempted an update or restore though which is when the device become bricked. In many cases it is not possible for a consumer to visit an Apple Store however you can buy a device almost everywhere. To mail it in leaves you without it for a period of time, most people rely on these devices for business it's not possible for them to go without a phone for a mail in repair. Why is everyone so judgemental? This poor person is asking for advice not to be lectured....

Judgemental? The OP themsef was blaming the repair shop for something that they themselves are ultimately responsible for. What about accepting personal responsibility for one's own decisions and choices? You can do whatever you want with your own property, but don't then blame others for the consequences of doing so.

In terms of protecting personal data, Apple makes some of the most secure consumer electronics devices avaialble. That is something that many people are very appreciative of. That security, as with all security, comes at a price and that price is don't mess with the hardware unless you are willing to accept the consequences of doing so.

Come on. Guy sent a phone to Apple for help. The phone could make calls, take pictures, check email, surf the internet, text, and play Candy Crush. He was hoping Apple to give him back his touch ID function. He got back a brick and WAS CHARGED for that!

Apple could have said "we can't help you, you opened your phone"

But they didn't. Even though by definition they knew that restoring a phone with no fingerprint sensor function would trigger error 53, they did it anyway.

THIS is exactly the problem. Mistakes happen and poor service happens everywhere. Apple and AASP are not somehow immune to this.

You know what, OP replaced his screen because of you guys saying it is not a big deal.

Many Error 53 cases were not bricked by the owner themselves but by your so called Independent Repairer.

Also what a coincidence that after the Error 53 became public, a swarm of IRs trying to help in this forum, many of you joined within this week.

If you want to advertise your business, please go somewhere.

If you're really that good, a word of mouth from your clients are your best resume.

I don't know you and I don't trust you.

I'd agree with that. A problem with independent repairers is that you won't know if you got a good, competent and honorable one until after the repair fact. And if they've simple further fubar'd things or refuse to stand by their work, you're just SOL. With Apple, there is an explicit warranty with the work they do, on both in or out of warranty repairs or exchanges. And a reputable corporation to seek restitution with if you feel that service was not provided properly.

Anyone can set up an independent repair shop and offer their services. From the posts I've seen here over the past decade and a half, i would say a large and significant proportion of them are flat out hucksters, crooks or at least highly incompetent. I know I would not trust my money to any of them - more often than not people posting here tell tales of simply being out of pocket, or endlessly paying good money after bad.

To love repair and others who may well be decent people who stand by their work, I mean no offense. But the simply reality is that you can say anything you want, and nobody has any way of knowing if it is reliable or not until after dealing with you. And if not, a user may just end up screwed over after the fact. There is also no way to assess your competency as by definition you've not had service training by Apple on their devices.

So I'm another who sticks rigorously to Apple or their authorized repair services (that and the fact that I know Apple limits the distribution of truly new OEM parts for iDevices to only authorized repairers as well)

ckuan wrote:

You know what, OP replaced his screen because of you guys saying it is not a big deal.

No. Independent repair exists as a group of professionals specifically because it IS a big deal to replace an iPhone 6 screen with no experience.

Many Error 53 cases were not bricked by the owner themselves but by your so called Independent Repairer.

No. Error 53 is caused by Apple. While all quality repair shops, such as those posting on this forum this week never have to worry about error 53 because we fastidiously transfer the original home button, the fact is that devices prone to error 53 that no longer have the OEM fingerprint sensor are not in need of any repair. They work no differently than my personal iPhone 6---where I choose not to use Touch ID. They are no less secure than my iPhone.

If I sell you a bike for $700 and then see you riding it down the street without a helmet, do I have the right to go to your house and smash it into little bits? It's for your own good. Safety first. I'm saving you. No. That's ridiculous. As is error 53.

Also what a coincidence that after the Error 53 became public, a swarm of IRs trying to help in this forum, many of you joined within this week.

It's not a coincidence. In the wake of error 53 coverage "independent repair is shady" I came here for intelligent discourse on repair option for Apple products. I was treated like crap and made a video about it, asking other quality independent shops to lend their voices to this forum to let the consumers judge for themselves what the best repair option is for them.

I

f you want to advertise your business, please go somewhere.

If you're really that good, a word of mouth from your clients are your best resume.

I don't know you and I don't trust you.

No one is advertising their business. Do you see a single link or reference to any specific business? If so, flag that post, that's not cool.

We are here to dispel the myth that independent repair is inherently shady and bad. We are here because we care about customers and are passionate about repair, and pointing customer to the right repair for them---which is sometimes a trip to the Apple store, and other times not.

You're right that there are a ton of "pizza techs" out there and we hope to educate the consumer about what quality repair looks like, and how to get the best value when trying to extend the lives of their devices.

Well said Michael.

Especially now that the iPhones can be used for payment, a good and strong security construct (a finance industries requirement) would never allow any tampering. Error 53 is the result if parts do not match/paired, even IRs would not be of any help because they don't have the tools to overcome this.

Michael Black wrote:

I'd agree with that. A problem with independent repairers is that you won't know if you got a good, competent and honorable one until after the repair fact. And if they've simple further fubar'd things or refuse to stand by their work, you're just SOL. With Apple, there is an explicit warranty with the work they do, on both in or out of warranty repairs or exchanges. And a reputable corporation to seek restitution with if you feel that service was not provided properly.

I hope the irony is not lost on you that THIS EXACT post is about a user who had a minor issue with their phone (touch ID wasn't working) they went to get repair, and the "repair" ended up destroying the device. And then, they asked that shop to 'stand by their work' and were told that they are SOL. They are having difficulty seeking restitution. Of course this repair shop was Apple, Inc.

To love repair and others who may well be decent people who stand by their work, I mean no offense. But the simply reality is that you can say anything you want, and nobody has any way of knowing if it is reliable or not until after dealing with you. And if not, a user may just end up screwed over after the fact. There is also no way to assess your competency as by definition you've not had service training by Apple on their devices.

I totally understand that, and you're right. Independent repair has a low barrier to entry and there are way too many shops out there with bad practices who simply don't know any better. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We are here to show consumers, and even the pizza techs, that we do know a heck of a lot about iPhone hardware problems, that we do use quality parts and stand by our craft, and that quality independent repair does exist.

Our goal is to inform and educate. No one should be choosing an independent repair provider based on price. Find an established business with excellent reviews, a solid warranty, and one that your friends and neighbors recommend. Anyone can pick up a paintbrush and hang a shingle saying "house painter' that doesn't mean there aren't great house painters out there. Let's work together to get some better answers on this forum so that the millions of consumers that can't feasibly go to Apple for every iPhone problem have some options!

love repair wrote:

I hope the irony is not lost on you that THIS EXACT post is about a user who had a minor issue with their phone (touch ID wasn't working) they went to get repair, and the "repair" ended up destroying the device. And then, they asked that shop to 'stand by their work' and were told that they are SOL. They are having difficulty seeking restitution. Of course this repair shop was Apple, Inc.

Actually, I don't know that it was Apple. The OP never identified their location, so "Apple repair center" could be Apple or an independent aAplle Authorized repair center. Or, as has often been the case in posts here, a place that told them it was an Apple authorized repair center but was in fact nothing of the sort.

The the bottom line is I don't know where the OP is, whom is the official point of contact for Apple iphone service there, or actually what company they took it to. They simply referred to an "Apple center" whatever that was.