Apple, Reviews, Technology

Bringing iPhone to Apple Store Orchard for repair

Update to the original post iPhone X Screen Problem

Well, since the malfunction of my wife’s iPhone X’s screen, she has gotten a new iPhone Xs Max. The iPhone X was put into storage for a good 10 months as we do not think it is economical to get it repaired, and we were also hoping the cost of repair would fall eventually (but it didn’t!).

Today, after some discussion, we decided to get it repaired at Apple Store Orchard so our daughter can use it. It is an Apple iPhone X anyway and still has years ahead with a whopping 256 GB!

You can count on me like 1.2.3.

First thing was to look up Apple’s website. The instruction was very clear and I could book an appointment with the various authorised service centers.

Apple support website
book an appointment for repair on Apple website
A list of authorised repair centers

Avoid QCD

A word of caution – avoid A.lab, at all cost.

I had really really bad experience at A.lab in the past. The waiting time is horrendous even if you have made prior appointment. The technicians there received ZERO customer service training and will treat you like trash.

I once sent my iPhone 7 in for repair because the lens on my camera cracked and broke for no apparent reason and was also suffering from bending. The technician without even listening or inspecting the phone wanted to charge $400+ for a replacement unit. Apple got QCD to replaced the phone for me free of charge after I contacted Apple Support!

Apple Store Orchard

Well, it was a no brainer if given the choice – Apple Orchard! Of course!

I entered Apple’s website at about 11.30am and the next available time slot was 12.50pm! 🤨 Mai tu liao! What is more amazing was that it stated Apple “offers same-day repair (iPhone 5 and later)!

I drove down to Orchard and parked my car at Orchard Cineleisure’s carpark. Pretty easy to find parking on weekday’s lunch time. Took a quick bite at Burger King and crossed the road to Apple Orchard.

The Apple Experience

I was right on time. 12:50pm arriving at the door steps of Apple Orchard. The store was busy with lunch time crowd. Usually there will be a Genius at the door to greet customers but today I don’t get to see one.

Just when I was looking blur a Genius came out of nowhere and approached me. I told him I had an appointment to repair my iPhone and he directed me upstairs, where the Genius Bar was supposed to be. I usually just hanged around downstairs since I only bought items and had never had the need to go to the Genius Bar for advice or repair.

And up the winding stairs to the second floor and gosh, it was even more busy than downstairs. No free Genius available.

So I just stood there looking blur again.

After about a minute, a Genius again came out of nowhere and attended to me. I just told him I had an appointment and he fired up his iPad and there my name was second on the list.

He usher to sit down under a tree and told me to wait for a while. He vanished into the crowd just as quick as he had appeared. Teleportation.

A good 10 minutes later, a lady Genius greeted me with a handshake and introduced herself. How many times have a staff from any kind of support center shake your hand before in your lifetime? Must be in their training manual that a handshake is the first thing you should do upon first contact. “We come in peace”

The Apple Experience at Genius Bar @ Apple Orchard

After describing the problem and some diagnosis, the Genius explained to me the cost of repair and the standard terms and conditions. bla bla. bla. and she took the phone for further assessment inside the lab.

A few minutes later she returned with and told me that:

The Repair will be free of charge.

😭

🕺🏻🕺🕺🕺💃🏻💃💃💃👯‍♀️👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

There was an existing iPhone X screen replacement program that sees iPhone X screen repaired for free.

After some formalities, she told me to return at a stipulated hour. Looking at my watch it is a 1 hour wait. No bad at all.

So I went for a toilet break and played some games on the ground floor of Apple Orchard.

At exactly the stipulated time, I showed up at the Genius Bar. And immediately a Genius took me in and showed a spot to sit ( the exact same spot where I sat earlier). And in a couple of minutes another genius arrived with the iPhone. The screen has been replaced with a new one. 🕺

After some formalities I was out of the Apple Store at Orchard in under 10 minutes, working phone in my hand. All free of charge!

So if your iPhone X screen is not working, there is no harm making an appointment with Apple Store and let them access whether the replacement will be free or not. No harm trying! And save yourself $419!

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