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These videos -specifically the ones calling Apple out for water damage- are some sort of weird internet phenomenon. Apple's stated and written policy is "we re

These videos -specifically the ones calling Apple out for water damage- are some sort of weird internet phenomenon. Apple's stated and written policy is "we replace everything if we detect water damage, no negotiation". Thats the real story, and thats what we should debate. There is nothing mysterious about this, it's just a business decision that sometimes makes getting your computer repaired at the genius bar impractical. And that is an important point to debate, especially with the upcoming software check of all replacement parts. Will Apple allow Grossman to access that tool? Or will they be shutting him down? Instead of having that debate, it seems like we're trying to foment some sort of outrage cycle about fraudulent repairs, when every example of these "fraudulent" repairs is just a genius bar employee repeating some variation of their policy. "If your liquid contact indicators have changed, we must replace every part that got wet" Is Grossman himself behind this? Because I believe misrepresenting that policy, misguided as it may be, as 'fraudulent' is probably going to hurt the battle more than it helps. And even if it is helpful in the end, it is dishonest.

mg4so7 8y ago
Rossmann.
noncoml 8y ago
The debate is whether it’s OK to translate a “tripped LCI” to “water damage”. If an accelerometer says that a car has been in a violent crash, but there is no observable external damage, is it ok to refuse to repair a broken engine that is under warranty?
addicted 8y ago
The problem is that Apple simultaneously is using every means possible to prevent 3rd party repair. Sure, if Apple wanted to declare everything that has the water sensors triggered as water damage and require a full replacement, even though their sensors get triggered by humidity, fine. As long as there are opportunities for customers to take it to an authorized Apple repairer or a 3rd party repairer to consider alternatives. However, authorized apple repairers have to follow the same policy, and Apple is doing everything within its power to prevent unauthorized reparers from accessing schematics and parts, including using customs and copyright laws to prosecute them.
bjoli 8y ago
The liquid contact indicators change in high humidity as well, which I suspect is pretty often the case when they claim liquid damage. Their repair policy is more or less "let's just rip everything out and let the customer pay" which is not only not very environmental, it is also a shot policy for such an expensive product. If they told her "the reason it won't boot is liquid damage" it is pretty much fradulent. If they told her "your CPU is popped, which could be caused by water damage" it is OK. However, since those indicators are the only thing they check and the people at the stores are on average about as technical as my mom, you will probably never get anything else then apple textbook information.
Buge 8y ago
I thought the issue would have something to do with the warranty. Like apple might have a policy that says we cover manufacturing problems within some time period, but we don't cover water damage. In that case a correct determination of whether something is water damage or not is critical.
iforgotpassword 8y ago
Where exactly is the water damage? Iirc, thoes detectors turn red when they get wet, but in that video every single one I can spot on the main board is not red. Do they use different ones nowadays?

mg4so7 8y ago

Rossmann.

noncoml 8y ago

The debate is whether it’s OK to translate a “tripped LCI” to “water damage”. If an accelerometer says that a car has been in a violent crash, but there is no observable external damage, is it ok to refuse to repair a broken engine that is under warranty?

addicted 8y ago

The problem is that Apple simultaneously is using every means possible to prevent 3rd party repair. Sure, if Apple wanted to declare everything that has the water sensors triggered as water damage and require a full replacement, even though their sensors get triggered by humidity, fine. As long as there are opportunities for customers to take it to an authorized Apple repairer or a 3rd party repairer to consider alternatives. However, authorized apple repairers have to follow the same policy, and Apple is doing everything within its power to prevent unauthorized reparers from accessing schematics and parts, including using customs and copyright laws to prosecute them.

bjoli 8y ago

The liquid contact indicators change in high humidity as well, which I suspect is pretty often the case when they claim liquid damage. Their repair policy is more or less "let's just rip everything out and let the customer pay" which is not only not very environmental, it is also a shot policy for such an expensive product. If they told her "the reason it won't boot is liquid damage" it is pretty much fradulent. If they told her "your CPU is popped, which could be caused by water damage" it is OK. However, since those indicators are the only thing they check and the people at the stores are on average about as technical as my mom, you will probably never get anything else then apple textbook information.

Buge 8y ago

I thought the issue would have something to do with the warranty. Like apple might have a policy that says we cover manufacturing problems within some time period, but we don't cover water damage. In that case a correct determination of whether something is water damage or not is critical.

iforgotpassword 8y ago

Where exactly is the water damage? Iirc, thoes detectors turn red when they get wet, but in that video every single one I can spot on the main board is not red. Do they use different ones nowadays?