Paid $550 for Laptop Logic Board Repair. Now Wi-Fi Stopped Working. Have to Pay for a Second Repair?

stephendt on 22/03/2021 - 11:03
Last edited 22/03/2021 - 11:40 by 1 other user

Hey guys. I have a 2018 Macbook Pro that stopped turning on one day. I got it checked in with a logic board repair shop and they managed to repair the logic board.

All good and well, except Wi-Fi wasn't working after I got it back. Wi-Fi was working fine before it had it checked in. I took it back and they found that the antenna cable was cracked and it must have happened when they were repairing the logic board. They said they will waive the labour cost, but they want me to pay for the part, which is $75.

Obviously I'm not happy about the fact they they admitted damaging something during the repair and now they want me to pay for their mistake? I wasn't warned that this could happen before I checked it in originally. Just wondering if I am overreacting or should I put my foot down and ask them to waive the bill (a quick Google says that the part is much cheaper than $75 anyway).

Thanks!

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  Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/03/2021 - 11:12

  +3

  In the past when I've had phones repaired (arguably even easier to damage something when poking around) the shops I've been to ALWAYS get me to sign a waiver. If you didn't get forced to do similar id say they should cough up.

  • 

    stephendt on 23/03/2021 - 08:43

    Didn't sign a waiver.

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  holdenmg on 22/03/2021 - 11:14

  So, was your MBP Logic Board covered by Apple under any Extended Care fix?

  Also, was your MBP a Touch Bar model?
  If so, https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-13-Inch-Retina-… in $USD for part alone.

  https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Touch+Bar+2…
  not a simple job.

  • 

    stephendt on 23/03/2021 - 08:42

    Not under any warranty. It is a touch bar 15", and just by looking at the above link, that looks pretty easy to me.

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  Randxyz123 on 22/03/2021 - 11:33

  +6

  Where did you take it? The Apple Store or a 3rd party? If they were 3rd party were they apple authorised? It is only 3 years old so Apple probably would have covered it under consumer laws. Don’t really understand why you wouldn’t take a MBP directly to Appe (unless it is a old model that you purchased in 2018??)

  • 

    stephendt on 23/03/2021 - 08:45

    Third party, unauthorised, got it second hand. Otherwise I would go back to Apple. Early 2018 so just outside of three years old.

    • 

      Randxyz123 on 23/03/2021 - 17:17

      That was a silly decision. Apple has pretty good customer service and I have always got out of warranty things fixed for free. Especially if it is only just out of warranty. Also if the store doesn’t want to do it, the apple care phone support are helpful for authorising the repair.

      Something to consider for next time!.

      For your situation now, I’d be firmly insisting that the repairer fix the wifi card for free. They broke it so I don’t see any way out of it for them.

      • 

        stephendt on 24/03/2021 - 01:13

        I suppose it's worth trying next time. Thanks.

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  Drakesy on 22/03/2021 - 12:07

  +2

  Was this a case of the liquid markers turning red so Apple automatically voided the warranty? - Which is a dodgy af excuse as they can be set off by humidity or steam.
  Because you'd think that the warranty would stretch to a 3 year old laptop (i'd expect them to last at least 6+ years).

  As for the wifi card, i'm thinking if they gave it back and the wifi never worked from when you received it they cooked the repair.

  I've replaced a couple of laptop logic boards in my time and this happens if you're a bit impatient with the repair. Wifi card cables don't crack by themselves.

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  Namesareapain on 22/03/2021 - 14:16

  +1

  They broke it, they should repair it (for no cost).