Ask Apple to compensate for a screen protector used on a new but faulty iPhone?

2 points by hank_z 4 years ago | 8 comments

It has become very common for iPhone users to apply a screen protector right after unboxing. However, it is not unusual to receive a faulty iPhone even if it is brand new nowadays. If customers apply a screen protector to the new iPhone that happens to be faulty, is Apple responsible to compensate customers for the screen protector?

My local (UK) apple store dismissed my request because the screen protector was not purchased from apple store. But I believe this is not justified because the phone is faulty and Apple should compensate for customer’s loss, i.e, the screen protector. Can any readers here tell me if I am right or not? Any help would be appreciated.

wikibob 4 years ago |

This is absurd. They are $9 for a pack of 3 on Amazon, buy a 3 pack and be done with it.

hank_z 4 years ago | |

Some screen protectors cost more than that. They can cost £3 up to £80 depends on the brand.

daviddever23box 4 years ago |

Remove the screen protector from the old phone, done. If you can’t, then it would be considered a consumable.

hank_z 4 years ago | |

But the screen protector is wasted because of the faulty phone. Shouldn’t Apple compensate for it?

mttjj 4 years ago | | |

No. Apple didn’t force you to put a screen protector on your phone. That was voluntary on your part.

If Apple’s responsible for this then how far does it go? Should Apple then also give you some sort of compensation for the fuel you expended driving back to the Apple Store that you otherwise wouldn’t have had to if your phone was not defective? What about the general wear and tear on your vehicle for the extra trip? (Or if you don’t drive then the cost of the bus/subway pass for the trip.) Or perhaps they should compensate you for your time. Maybe you had to take off work a bit early. Or you gave up something else to go to the Apple Store to return the device.

You claim it’s ‘not uncommon’ to receive a defective phone these days (I’d like to see some proof to back that up but that’s not the point here) so why not wait to put a screen protector on until you know you have a non-defective phone?

You’d probably have better luck just sending a polite email to the screen protector manufacturer and explain the situation. As the other commenter said, these things are cheap. I’d be willing to bet that the manufacturer would be willing to send you a discount or even just a whole new protector for the sake of brand goodwill.

yuppie_scum 4 years ago |

You’re not right.

hank_z 4 years ago | |

Can you elaborate?