Apple sued over use of moisture indicators to deny free repairs

the8thark · Apr 17, 2010

Apple sued over use of moisture indicators to deny free repairs
AppleInsider | Apple sued over use of moisture indicators to deny free repairs

A San Francisco resident has filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that the company unfairly declines warranty coverage for its products solely on the basis of triggered moisture sensors, which the suit alleges are unreliable evidence of abuse.

Chris H. · Apr 17, 2010

I think Apple has every right to do this. Why? Because a 15 year old doesn't need an iPhone, and shouldn't be drinking or eating around a MacBook. Just saying.

the8thark · Apr 17, 2010

Yes I agree with you. But if atmospheric conditions or hand sweat or other similar things set off the indicators then well Apple should pay the repairs. I know now that an Act of God is no longer covered by Apple's warranty but cause I live in a humid climate and that set off the indicators. That's a little too much I think.

SammySlim · Apr 17, 2010

Let's see: I am in the process of moving to Houston and I think that if anyone uses their computer there in the summertime, it's going to register with the Apple moisture indicator... the relative humidity there in the summer is close to 100% all the time. I wonder if folks have had that kind of experience where repairs were denied?

JUKE179r · Apr 17, 2010

Honestly... who doesn't have an air conditioner in the South???

MikeIsGood · Apr 17, 2010

Who never leaves the presence of an air conditioner?

osxx · Apr 17, 2010

SammySlim said:
Let's see: I am in the process of moving to Houston and I think that if anyone uses their computer there in the summertime, it's going to register with the Apple moisture indicator... the relative humidity there in the summer is close to 100% all the time. I wonder if folks have had that kind of experience where repairs were denied?

Let me answer that for you I have never had an issue with Apple Service
because of humidity and have lived in Houston all my life. But you will not find
to many people outside in the peak of summer unless they are being paid for it the rest are in AC or headed there.

Chris H. · Apr 17, 2010

I live in central New Mexico and we use evaporative coolers during the summer here. I don't think condensation occurs though because the heat of the ductwork in the attic eliminates some of the moisture as it cools down. Not to mention that in order to effectively and efficiently cool down the house you have to open an exterior orifice (like a window) to circulate the system. Somehow I don't see my use of the swamp cooler in the summer has affected my iPod touch.

darrelwk · Apr 17, 2010

Chris H. said:
I think Apple has every right to do this. Why? Because a 15 year old doesn't need an iPhone, and shouldn't be drinking or eating around a MacBook. Just saying.

I agree. But the moisture indicator utilized by apple is another piece of useful technology employed by apple

osxx · Apr 17, 2010

I bet they are not the only ones using this.

ZorroAMG · Apr 17, 2010

You guys really think it's only apple? My BB from 2005 had the moisture indicators.

Sucks but too many BS'ers out there get their stuff wet and try to pretend it didn't and THAT is why the indicators were invented, to protect the company from 4$$holes, not to rip some chick off.

MYmacROX · Apr 17, 2010

ZorroAMG said:
You guys really think it's only apple? My BB from 2005 had the moisture indicators.

Sucks but too many BS'ers out there get their stuff wet and try to pretend it didn't and THAT is why the indicators were invented, to protect the company from 4$$holes, not to rip some chick off.

I agree.
Maybe they can handle it on a case-by-case basis? But even then you have the burden of proof....

dtravis7 · Apr 17, 2010

Will just say this, if Apple is sued for the indicators, Nokia should be also. My friends mom took her Nokia phone to an AT&T store. They refused to help her as the Moisture indicators showed them she got her phone wet. I know her quite well and she never spilled liquid on the phone.

So it's not just Apple.

harryb2448 · Apr 17, 2010

Ahh well you all know if it was not for lawyers ~~ we would not need lawyers!

kingkurry · Apr 17, 2010

Honestly, the water damage indicator is totally unnecessary. Water damage is easy to spot in a device, without using an indicator.

This is actually why I opted to buy a G1 instead of an iPhone. Im really paranoid, so i always assume the worst.

osxx · Apr 17, 2010

kingkurry said:
Honestly, the water damage indicator is totally unnecessary. Water damage is easy to spot in a device, without using an indicator.

This is actually why I opted to buy a G1 instead of an iPhone. Im really paranoid, so i always assume the worst.

It has a sticker on your battery that turns red upon contact with moisture and
thats just the current known one.

bargsbeer · Apr 17, 2010

the8thark said:
Yes I agree with you. But if atmospheric conditions or hand sweat or other similar things set off the indicators then well Apple should pay the repairs. I know now that an Act of God is no longer covered by Apple's warranty but cause I live in a humid climate and that set off the indicators. That's a little too much I think.

I agree, I know a guy who set his off from the steam in the shower, Luckily Apple handled the situation on a case by case basis and replaced the iPhone free.

ZorroAMG said:
You guys really think it's only apple? My BB from 2005 had the moisture indicators.

Sucks but too many BS'ers out there get their stuff wet and try to pretend it didn't and THAT is why the indicators were invented, to protect the company from 4$$holes, not to rip some chick off.

Agreed, Every phone maker uses them, Apple just happens to make the most popular,expensive and in demand phone in the world.

MYmacROX said:
I agree.
Maybe they can handle it on a case-by-case basis? But even then you have the burden of proof....

I agree, Besides you don't need a water indicator to tell if a iPhone has been wet, Just open one up and you will see.

dtravis7 said:
Will just say this, if Apple is sued for the indicators, Nokia should be also. My friends mom took her Nokia phone to an AT&T store. They refused to help her as the Moisture indicators showed them she got her phone wet. I know her quite well and she never spilled liquid on the phone.

So it's not just Apple.

Technically wouldn't she sue At&t for refusing to help her??

dtravis7 · Apr 17, 2010

bargsbeer said:
Technically wouldn't she sue At&t for refusing to help her??

She really is not the suing type. I would have made more of an issue if it were my phone and I for sure did not get it wet at all.

bargsbeer · Apr 17, 2010

dtravis7 said:
She really is not the suing type. I would have made more of an issue if it were my phone and I for sure did not get it wet at all.

I agree, I think 90% of lawsuits in this country are B.S. anyway. It's been my experience with Apple If your polite and friendly they will generally go the extra mile there are many positive stories myself included where Apple has honored out of warranty repairs.

XJ-linux · Apr 17, 2010

Wow. I'd hope they handle it on a case-by-case. I'd build phones the same way were I in the phone business. However, I would hope that judicious decisions would prevail.