Water Damage Return

[Watersquirrel]

I got the iPhone 4s and within 3 days my toddler got it wet. Not sure how, I just found it soggy. Yes, the indicators are red. It wasn't working, and I went to the Sprint Store to see what they would say. I said I wasn't sure what happened to it and left it at that. She took it in a back room, and finally came out and said that I could file a claim and have a new phone sent to me, but that she would take my credit card info and they would refund my $ when I returned my old phone.

So my question is this: will they check for water damage wherever the phone is sent to? Or do they just expect the Sprint reps to do that before they fill out the paperwork? Because now my phone is working fine except that the flash light on the back won't ever turn off. I can live with that if it's going to cost me $600 for a new one!

Thanks!

 

[cwa107]

So my question is this: will they check for water damage wherever the phone is sent to?

Bet on it. This is by far the most common way cell phones fail, so the manufacturers and carriers (who are subsidizing your phone) protect themselves well.

Or do they just expect the Sprint reps to do that before they fill out the paperwork?

Nope. They are retail drones. All the technical work is sent off to their repair facilities.

Because now my phone is working fine except that the flash light on the back won't ever turn off. I can live with that if it's going to cost me $600 for a new one!

Thanks!

Your best bet is to just be honest and hope that they offer you some kind of good will gesture like a discount on a replacement.

Being dishonest about will only make things more complicated (and possibly more costly).

 

[Watersquirrel]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll stick with my phone (despite the light stuck in the "on" position) rather than pay for a new one. I thought maybe the rep was cutting me some slack since it was within their 14-day exchange policy and a corporate account... but if they're going to charge me down the road then I can live with what I've got. Appreciate the clarification.

 

[RavingMac]

Since you have it on a Corporate account, any chance that AppleCare+ was purchased with the iPhone? If so, I believe water damage is covered (max 2 claims during the coverage period).

 

[aoifeee]

Sometimes they even replace them with water damage.

 

[Watersquirrel]

It's okay, I'll keep the phone I have... before, I was going to get a new one even if they charged me $600 because it wasn't working and I needed one. I've called the Sprint reps and they're sending me a new return kit so I can send back the new, unopened one. Thanks for the help.