Yesterday, my iPhone 3G’s home button ceased to function. Apparently this is not unheard of after doing a little research. Admittedly it’s getting a little long in the tooth, and has had a lot of use – so I wasn’t really that surprised, or concerned. I originally purchased this (outright) through my local Apple retailer – Magnum Mac, here in Christchurch. Sure, it’s well outside it’s warranty period, (July 2008) so I don’t mind paying to get it fixed.
That’s not quite as easy as you’d imagine.
Magnum Mac, Vodafone – the run-around
First up I contacted Magnum Mac’s service department – no, sorry – you’ll have to contact Vodafone. Ok, that’s fair enough I thought. Except Vodafone’s response was – no, it has to go back to the point of purchase – Magnum Mac obviously.
Come on – give me a break.
But fair is fair, at least I’m talking to someone actually in New Zealand, and not India.
It’s not just a toy – so support it – professionally
I use my iPhone pretty much continuously, I don’t go anywhere without, I do use it for personal stuff (obviously) but I also use it for my freelance business – so it’s actually pretty essential.
Needless to say, if you’re home button doesn’t work, then you have to switch the phone off and on again to use different apps.
Simple is great, except when one of those simplified functions (hardware no less) breaks – then you have a completely useless device.
Confidence Inspiring?
Anyway, back to Magnum Mac. Whilst I understand and sympathise with the shop assistants extent (or lack of) product knowledge, they tried to tell me that actually – they generally don’t fix iPhone’s.
You have got to be kidding me.
I actually know for a fact that they can be serviced – and here’s the proof: http://www.ifixit.com
Progress and a possible solution?
After reassuring the shop assistant that I knew I was outside the warranty period, and no – I didn’t have Apple Care and was happy to pay – he changed his tune a little. So, apparently there’s a company in Auckland who are the only authorised (Vodafone/Apple?) iPhone repair centre in all of New Zealand, a company called Bright Point. Why couldn’t the first guy I talked to from Magnum Mac’s service department (Rennaissance) earlier in the day, have simply told me that? Did he even know? Apparently (according to the Magnum Mac shop assistant I spoke to later – he wouldn’t have).
Great, that’s reassusring.
And what about Vodafone? Do you not think they might have mentioned there is only one authorised service and repair centre in all of New Zealand for iPhone’s?
Come on guys – it shouldn’t be this hard. How many people have these devices now? How much do they cost? That’s a rhetorical question obviously – a lot.
Are you really going to tell us that if something goes wrong with them, throw them away and buy a new one? Some of us actually have to pay for these devices out of our own pocket, and how green are you really Apple?
Is there really only one place in this whole country you can send these things to to be repaired?
Fantastic. It’ll probably cost me half the price of a new one and take a month before I see it.
I’m unimpressed to say the least, (and I’m a self confessed fan-boy).
I’ll keep you posted.