Stores Post iPhone Hack Warning

September 30th, 2007

A large placard has appeared at the Genius Bars of Apple stores reiterating the company’s previous “statement”–or warning–on hacking iPhones. “Many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone software,” the placard states. The statement goes on to say that unauthorized modifications violates the license agreement and voids the iPhones warranty. Most importantly, “An unlocked iPhone is not eligible for Genius Bar service or technical support,” the placard states. Also read this account about an irate customer at the Crabtree Valley Mall (Raleigh, NC) store. [placard at Santa Rosa Plaza (N. Calif.) / TUAW story]


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    That noob at the mall Apple Store can’t be serious. LOL! He actually thinks staring and foot stomping will make people do something. NOT! I guess he was the real genius. PWNAGE!

    Brian Craig September 30, 2007 at 9:36 pm

    Aw, this guy is nothing! I’ve experienced and seen fits of stupidity and rage that would have to be seen to be believed!

    One fellow called the police to the store to tell them that we violated state consumer laws because we would not replace his out of warranty iPod!

    I wish that during my tenure at the Apple Store there would have been placards that read something like: “If your product (iPod or Computer) has suffered accidental or physical damage or is no longer in warranty, the customer is responsible for repair or replacement. Check your warranty for details.”

    Working the GB is not for the faint of heart.

    Former MG October 1, 2007 at 4:48 am

    I really don’t understand why Apple doesn’t just equip the Geniuses with a flash utility that just flashes the damn thing back to basic firmware. It can’t be that hard. They format and re-install OSX in

    Ed October 1, 2007 at 5:22 am

    I think that supplying the MG with a flash utility would be to much effort for someone that was warned about trying to update…

    Googles October 1, 2007 at 2:04 pm

    i’m soo glad i don’t work at the store anymore. I feel sorry for the genii / specialists who have to tell that to everyone who thought installing nes or ringtones would be cool.

    Former Genii October 1, 2007 at 2:33 pm

    ^Me too. In all honesty, I couldnt just stand there & not help these people out just because corporate tells me not to. Screw that. Every case is different & not all these people should be given the cold shoulder & be treated like criminals. Especially when the 3rd party apps didnt break their phones, Apple themselves did. Its just wrong, anyway you try to spin it.

    Macinjosh October 1, 2007 at 4:14 pm

    I just don’t think that Apple should be treating customers like this. They have spent their money. Reset the software and keep a customer happy.

    How about a full blog on idiot customer stories? What, not enough space on the web for that!

    Mark Wilson October 1, 2007 at 6:48 pm

    Well guys, you have to understand when you go to work at the Apple Store or any other place you have to do as you are told.

    That’s just the way it is.

    You have guidelines and rules that corporate lays out that says how procedures are to be handled in situations and you have to abide by them to keep your job.

    It’s not treating anyone like a criminal. When a customer buys a product it comes with a warranty and terms of use.

    The customer has to take it upon themselves to read and understand the warranty and terms of use.

    And this includes taking reasonably good care of their product(s).

    If they fail to do so it is the customer’s own fault.

    Not Apple’s, not K-Mart’s, not Best Buys, not Sears.

    I would have loved to given everyone a new iPod, given every out of warranty repair free, but Apple has a business to run.

    I’ve seen people pull stuff at the Apple Store that they would have never have even dreamed to try at any other retailer.

    Former MG October 2, 2007 at 4:27 am

    I’m sorry I don’t have any compassion for folks that knowingly went ahead and voided the warrantee by hacking the phone to unlock it. Every bit of third party software told them that it was at their own risk. Apple warned folks prior to the upgrade. If the customers had used the product as it was meant to be used .. they would be happy. I don’t think it’s a company’s responsibility to support a product that the end user has knowingly damaged.

    RonnieJ October 2, 2007 at 6:46 am

    LOL “If the customers had used the product as it was meant to be used .. they would be happy”
    Thanks for that it was very funny and made my day!!! if the customers used the product the way apple wanted them to they would be stuck on a 2year contract with very expensive bills and that’s NOT what makes people happy!!! DAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

    Nokia has no problem with 3rd party apps or unlocking and guess what everyone of those unlocked/apps phones work 100% with no damage whatsoever and nokia even still offered them there warranty.

    So please think before you bend over and receive it in the ass by apple

    theMART October 3, 2007 at 7:47 am
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