UPDATE: THERE IS AN UPDATE AND SUMMARY TO THIS POST POSTED ON EXAMINER.COM. Please check there for all the follow-ups in one place.
Where do I start? First I want to thank Lisa France of CNN.com for being an advocate on this. Just to be clear, the reporter from CNN contacted me after seeing my blog, I did not contact her. She was already doing a story on this and was researching on the web. Someone apparently thinks that something could possibly be wrong here to think it worthy of a story.
Now, to all the people that have commented here and on CNN.com i have a few things to say.
1. Didn’t your mother ever teach you to be nice? If you cannot post comments in a dignified manner then why bother? You are only making yourself look bad for not being able to express yourself without acting like a 12 year old. Oh that’s right… it’s the web so we can’t see you. And some even use bogus email addresses. I’ve been called a moron, a bozo, and an idiot so far. Nice!
1a. To those that posted comments here and on CNN.com in a NICE manner, even if you did not agree, thank you!
2. I think that some did not even bother to read the full article and blog post before firing one off to me. I have had several emails and comments regarding the “earphone jack” sensor being tripped and commenting on my causing this myself by putting alcohol on it. The earphone jack sensor is NOT tripped, it never was. It is still white meaning “no water damage”. It is the sensor under the USB port that is red which I have never touched with alcohol or anything else and it has never been wet.
3. Some (including Apple) are saying that the sensor cannot be set off by ‘just a drop’ of water or condensation, that it has been to be submersion. That is BS because my phone has never been submerged as I stated clearly in my post. And also as evidenced by the several other people complaining about this very issue all over the web. Some have clearly stated that their sensors have been tripped just because they live in a humid climate. One person commented that she dunked her phone in liquid and got it out within 5 seconds and the sensor did not change. You got lucky.
4. To those stating that I am trying to “get over” on Apple. Why?? What would my point be? I also clearly stated in my article that my iPhone was paid for by my company, not my own $$. People at work accidentally break phones all the time and get them replaced because things happen. So, what would be my point in getting over? I would have gotten my phone replaced through work anyway, again… not with my own $$. As I said in my post I was willing to just deal with the issue in hopes that the new models coming out this summer or whenever would catch my eye and I would get one. I was encouraged by people higher up than me to pursue getting the phone replaced.
5. The whole point of this ‘investigation’ and me pursuing Apple to get a resolution was that maybe, just maybe the sensors on some of these iPhones are defective. It could happen. No technology is fool-proof.
And to elaborate on #5… Apple now thinks this is possible too. I got my iPhone replaced last night at the Apple Store near me after a corporate rep made a call. My old phone is going to corporate to be examined, picked apart, etc. and they promise to call me and let me know what they find.
Do I think that I won? No, I don’t. My point was not to set out to get a new phone. My point was to set out to show that there could be a problem here with either defective sensors or the fact that they are just in a bad place. I will feel that I won if the Apple rep calls me back in a week or so and says that they did indeed find a defect.
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Experienced the same Liquid Larceny by Apple in regards to my 5 month old Ipod 16 GB Nano they denied warranty coverage aos. Never again Apple do not buy from them.
experienced the same Apple Liquid Larceny on my 5 month old Ipod 16gb nano they denied warranty coverage due to LCI changed color.
Hello there!
I’m having the same issue with my 5 month old 32 GB 3GS iPhone. The unit mysteriously failed. Upon inspection it was stated that my docking port Moisture Sensor had been activated. I’ve never “submerged” my phone. I’ve had 2 “genius” appointments at the same store with employees and management who all point the finger of blame on me and implicate that I’m either lying or can’t remember submerging my phone in liquid. I spoke with Apple Care and Apple Customer Relations with no success. I’ve urged them to take the phone apart so that they may see for themselves that the unit has never been “submerged” or spilled on. I have been dealing with this problem for about a week now with no resolution offered by apple other than a $199.99 replacement fee for a new phone that a Customer Relations rep has now reduced to $99.99. It upsets me that I’m being blamed for something I did not do. I felt I purchased a quality piece of equipment from a reputable company. To my surprise, it seems the Apple Employee’s I’ve had to deal with have been short, condescending, unhelpful and also claim to be omniscient. I’ve spoke with a Tech at Apple Care who claims to have accidentally submerged her phone by placing the iPhone in her cup holder in her car where there was condensation. The customer relations rep also stated he accidentally voided the warranty on his phone as well, along with a genius at the genius bar, and the manager at the apple store. It seems a little strange to me that 4 out of 4 contacts at apple have damaged their phones via liquid. I don’t believe them and I feel it is a ploy to try to make me feel better about having to fork out cash for a defective unit that should be covered under the 1 year limited warranty.
I was so stunned when the Apple Genius stated that my moisture sensor had been activated and that the sensors are 100% accurate and NEVER give off a false positive. I asked if the fact that the Apple Genius used a can of canned air to spray my docking port and headphone jack prior to inspection could have tripped the docking port sensor if moisture was shot out of the can accidentally. The Apple employee’s assured me this was out of the realm of possibility. I advised them of the condensation that forms on cans and straws and the possibility of inverting the cans and the liquid contents from within the can mixing with the liquid formed outside because of the pressurized contents and quick temperature and pressure changes. However, they claim that this would not set off the moisture sensor BUT leaving the phone in the restroom during a shower, or walking around in orlando florida on a humid day WOULD be enough to set off the Liquid Submersion Indicator.
I’m at a loss…without a phone…and very frustrated. I asked the store employees if my complaint was a common complaint. They said “no.” 5 minutes later while I was on hold with Apple Customer Relations, another customer walked in complaining of the same problem. His phone failed due to a manufacturing defect with no visible signs of water damage, however, the moisture sensor was pink and thus voided his warranty.
I live in Southern California. I pamper my phone. I use double walled sealed starbucks containers in my car that don’t “sweat” or form condensation because of the double wall. I never take my phone into the restroom because my home phone and my cell phone are linked, so I use my cordless phone in the restroom when I shower. It doesn’t rain here in Southern Cal very often and I don’t make a habit of driving with the windows down on rainy days as implied by and Apple Tech. I also do not wash dishes (I’m a guy…I use a dishwasher). My phone is always in my pocket. I’m always on my headset.
This post is LONG…and my patience is wearing thin. What to do? What to do? I plan on sending a letter to the Steve Jobs address.
Apple iPhones…great pieces of modern technology. Apple Customer Service and product design however have much to improve on. If Apple would only admit to the possibility of setting off the moisture sensor themselves by spilling a drop of condensed water from the external of a can of pressurized liquid gas then I’d be more inclined to defend their position of weeding out potential abusers however, at this point I’m reluctant to recommend their products to anyone because of Apple’s position that their design and use of external moisture indicators are flawed and succeptible to activation by both the end user and Apple Employee’s themselves.
Hello there!
I’m having the same issue with my 5 month old 32 GB 3GS iPhone. The unit mysteriously failed. Upon inspection it was stated that my docking port Moisture Sensor had been activated. I’ve never “submerged” my phone. I’ve had 2 “genius” appointments at the same store with employees and management who all point the finger of blame on me and implicate that I’m either lying or can’t remember submerging my phone in liquid. I spoke with Apple Care and Apple Customer Relations with no success. I’ve urged them to take the phone apart so that they may see for themselves that the unit has never been “submerged” or spilled on. I have been dealing with this problem for about a week now with no resolution offered by apple other than a $199.99 replacement fee for a new phone that a Customer Relations rep has now reduced to $99.99. It upsets me that I’m being blamed for something I did not do. I felt I purchased a quality piece of equipment from a reputable company. To my surprise, it seems the Apple Employee’s I’ve had to deal with have been short, condescending, unhelpful and also claim to be omniscient. I’ve spoke with a Tech at Apple Care who claims to have accidentally submerged her phone by placing the iPhone in her cup holder in her car where there was condensation. The customer relations rep also stated he accidentally voided the warranty on his phone as well, along with a genius at the genius bar, and the manager at the apple store. It seems a little strange to me that 4 out of 4 contacts at apple have damaged their phones via liquid. I don’t believe them and I feel it is a ploy to try to make me feel better about having to fork out cash for a defective unit that should be covered under the 1 year limited warranty.
I was so stunned when the Apple Genius stated that my moisture sensor had been activated and that the sensors are 100% accurate and NEVER give off a false positive. I asked if the fact that the Apple Genius used a can of canned air to spray my docking port and headphone jack prior to inspection could have tripped the docking port sensor if moisture was shot out of the can accidentally. The Apple employee’s assured me this was out of the realm of possibility. I advised them of the condensation that forms on cans and straws and the possibility of inverting the cans and the liquid contents from within the can mixing with the liquid formed outside because of the pressurized contents and quick temperature and pressure changes. However, they claim that this would not set off the moisture sensor BUT leaving the phone in the restroom during a shower, or walking around in orlando florida on a humid day WOULD be enough to set off the Liquid Submersion Indicator.
I’m at a loss…without a phone…and very frustrated. I asked the store employees if my complaint was a common complaint. They said “no.” 5 minutes later while I was on hold with Apple Customer Relations, another customer walked in complaining of the same problem. His phone failed due to a manufacturing defect with no visible signs of water damage, however, the moisture sensor was pink and thus voided his warranty.
I live in Southern California. I pamper my phone. I use double walled sealed starbucks containers in my car that don’t “sweat” or form condensation because of the double wall. I never take my phone into the restroom because my home phone and my cell phone are linked, so I use my cordless phone in the restroom when I shower. It doesn’t rain here in Southern Cal very often and I don’t make a habit of driving with the windows down on rainy days as implied by and Apple Tech. I also do not wash dishes (I’m a guy…I use a dishwasher). My phone is always in my pocket. I’m always on my headset.
This post is LONG…and my patience is wearing thin. What to do? What to do? I plan on sending a letter to the Steve Jobs address.
Apple iPhones…great pieces of modern technology. Apple Customer Service and product design however have much to improve on. If Apple would only admit to the possibility of setting off the moisture sensor themselves by spilling a drop of condensed water from the external of a can of pressurized liquid gas then I’d be more inclined to defend their position of weeding out potential abusers however, at this point I’m reluctant to recommend their products to anyone because of Apple’s position that their design and use of external moisture indicators are flawed and succeptible to activation by both the end user and Apple Employee’s themselves.
Today Apple has pretty much lost a customer for life. This moisture sensor policy on an entry level product is going to cost them in ways they clearly have not considered. I may have purchased my next laptop from them. But not now.
The moisture sensor on my phone has a pin hole size red spot on it. It’s barely the width of one of the pins on the USB connector. Wouldn’t the whole strip be red if it was exposed to a significant amount of water? My wi-fi won’t connect to a network. It sees all networks in range just fine. But it will not connect to them “unable to join network (SSID)” is what I get.
The Little Einsteins (as I heretofore refer to them) told me my warranty is void and I’m out of luck unless I cough up $200. My level of anger and dissatisfaction is off the charts! I’m on a personal crusade to discredit Apple everywhere I go. Everyone I come in contact with will certainly understand my personal view on Apple products.
That said, if anyone out there has a suggestion for recourse I am all ears. I’ve talked to two Geniuses and 4 phone reps and filed a formal complaint. Here I sit with no wi-fi and being a tech geek it drives me nuts. Having to download app updates greater than 10mb with my PC in order to update the phone? Crapple is way lame!
Today Apple has pretty much lost a customer for life. This moisture sensor policy on an entry level product is going to cost them in ways they clearly have not considered. I may have purchased my next laptop from them. But not now.
The moisture sensor on my phone has a pin hole size red spot on it. It’s barely the width of one of the pins on the USB connector. Wouldn’t the whole strip be red if it was exposed to a significant amount of water? My wi-fi won’t connect to a network. It sees all networks in range just fine. But it will not connect to them “unable to join network (SSID)” is what I get.
The Little Einsteins (as I heretofore refer to them) told me my warranty is void and I’m out of luck unless I cough up $200. My level of anger and dissatisfaction is off the charts! I’m on a personal crusade to discredit Apple everywhere I go. Everyone I come in contact with will certainly understand my personal view on Apple products.
That said, if anyone out there has a suggestion for recourse I am all ears. I’ve talked to two Geniuses and 4 phone reps and filed a formal complaint. Here I sit with no wi-fi and being a tech geek it drives me nuts. Having to download app updates greater than 10mb with my PC in order to update the phone? Crapple is way lame!
on my 4th iphone in 4 months.All have suffered from constant crashing and rebooting problems.I was advised to take it to my local apple store tech guy said phone had been submerged and warranty was void.I can say with all honesty my phone has never been submerged,if it had surely it would stop working like any normal phone or show signs ie condensation behind screen