damaged iPhone 5 replacement options

loofer

My iPhone 5 has liquid damage (confirmed by Apple) and is pretty useless right now.
The iPhone turns on, the digitizer responds to touch by making the right noises and vibrating. it's just the display that doesn't work. I've opened it up myself and can see where the water has caused some damage to the LCD connectors.

Now Apple will replace with a brand new iPhone for £185 and I was considering this option.
There was the option to get the screen repaired for £150 from 3rd party but it's a no-brainer to just pay a bit more and get new replacement from Apple themselves.

I've since found an eBayer with decent feedback that can effectively do what Apple does. They basically replace the phone with a new one. I've asked a few questions and they seem legit (they also have feedback from various users for this service). It costs £130 delivered. They used to do it for £85 as I've seen from feedback on their previous listings but apparently their supplier/network partner has increased the prices and they've had to pass on the cost.

Does anybody know any company that offers the same service?
Surely if there's somebody out there that can offer this service on eBay cheaper than Apple then there must be others. I can only find this one.

gjchester

Liquid damage can also lead to circuit board corrosion. Pay apples money and know you have a working phone. You may replace the digitiser and in a few months something else goes

Apple replace the lot. Not just the currently non working parts.

loofer

gjchester wrote: »

Liquid damage can also lead to circuit board corrosion. Pay apples money and know you have a working phone. You may replace the digitiser and in a few months something else goes

Apple replace the lot. Not just the currently non working parts.

I wouldn't bother changing the screen. It would have to be a replacement phone. But there appears to be third parties who can replace it with a new iPhone for considerably less... all above board too

gjchester

loofer wrote: »

all above board too

Pays your moiney takes your choice.

Personally I'd bit the bullet and pay Apple, you know you will not have future issues.

d123

loofer wrote: »

for considerably less... all above board too

How do you know it's above board? I haven't seen anything in the thread that doesn't make me think "scam". Where would they get Apple stock from cheaper than Apple supply it?

Cycrow

most likly the replacement phone they will give you will be one that got from someone else that was damaged and they repaired.

they might do a good job on it, but i think i would still prefer to go via apple and get it done properly, and u'll most likly get a warrenty with it as well.

if you dont want to pay then extra, then i guess its upto you

loofer

Agree for the potential for it to be a scam or not really a new phone, here's the questions I asked to reassure myself

Hi, just had a few questions as it sounds too good to be true
1) do you repair the phone or send out another one?
2) if the latter, is it refurb or new?
3) when does the warranty begin on new handset?
4) what network would it be locked to?
5) what's the difference between this listing and the listings you have had on for £85?
6) can I come in personally and drop the phone off?
Just being a bit cautious hence the questions. My iPhone 5 display has stopped working due to liquid damage. The digitiser still, works, phone vibrates and makes sound. Just can't see anything.
Thanks, would appreciate response to each question.

Here's the reply I got

Hello

1) We send out a brand new replacement. We do not perform any repairs or remove any parts on either handset
2) It is a brand new unit. The units come directly from our network supplier
3) The warranty carries on from the original handset
4) The network details carry over from the previous handset
5) Our supplier recently increased the price and this is now what we are trading at
6) You can drop the phone off but as we dont perform any repairs onsite we will still need to post the new phone back to you

Thanks!

Now obviously the concept of eBay works on the idea that you take what somebody says at face value. The feedback is good including a lot of recent feedback from other eBayers who have also used this service. Those buyers also have a lot of high feedback.

diamonds

Whos the ebay seller ? Might be useful for other MSE'ers

loofer

diamonds wrote: »

Whos the ebay seller ? Might be useful for other MSE'ers

Oh thought I wasn't allowed to give that info in case I was seen as slyly promoting it
Item number for the service in question is: 141008449428
User namer is: mr_balotelli23

Buzby

Apple supply white box replacement refurbs NOT a 'new phone' - neither do they claim to do so (unless you purchase it at full price).

loofer

Buzby wrote: »

Apple supply white box replacement refurbs NOT a 'new phone' - neither do they claim to do so (unless you purchase it at full price).

Ok, as good as new or effectively new.
I've had one of these before for my iPhone 4S in the white box and it is effectively new. You can't tell it's been refurbished. That's assuming it has been refurbished. I genuinely thought it was new, but I'll take your word on it.

To be honest even a refurbished one is better than the useless brick I have at the moment.