I would rather NOT

One would think taking your iPhone (7) to iStore to replace the screen, because the are affiliated and associated to Apple, would be wise - BUT I have never been so wrong.

It has been almost 4 months since I last used my phone; Firstly, they (not double-booked) triple-booked my appointment to check the phone in, thus requiring me to wait almost 2 hours for a mere check-in.

If that wasn't enough, upon receiving my phone with a "brand new" screen, I purchased a glass screen protector, and this is where it went south... slowly. Upon applying the screen protector it was evident that it did not adhere (all around the edge) as required. Three (YES, THREE) various glass screen protectors and 2h30mins later after purchasing the first protector (largely due to poor service and being understaffed), the manager could not comment on the issue and stated the issue is most likely due to the screen protector and NOT the new screen and stated they cannot assist me further with the current stock.

I took the phone, having no other option, and proceeded to purchase and attempt to adhere, a glass screen protector from Vodacom (whom, I must add, was much faster and willing to assist). Two more (in total, FIVE) screen protectors later and no screen protector would adhere around the edges of my “new” screen.

I went back to iPhone the following day and they had to, inevitably, send the phone back to the service centre for inspection.

If it ended there, all would have been well that ended well, BUT that has been TWO weeks ago, I have had to, in no less than FIFTEEN e-mails, attempt to explain to the service provider that I cannot remove an iPhone from “Find My iPhone” if it is not active on my iCloud. I have sent multiple images of the phone not being active, but I repeatedly receive the same generic, useless response from the same assistant.

As I understand it, my phone is being sent back to iStore, without even being inspected due to a “Find My iPhone” activation that I cannot deactivate because it is not on my account – not to mention the phone was returned to iStore as I received it after the “new” screen installation.

My disappointment in the service knows no bounds, and I deeply regret NOT going to another service centre, even though they might not be affiliated.