DD broke her iphone. Need some advice. What would you do?

[traces7]

My 16 year old DD has an iphone 5c. She's had it 2 years and done well with it. Yesterday she dropped it and the screen is shattered. She has Virgin Mobile and pays $35 a month for her plan. She got a good deal on this phone and paid for it with her own money.

We have an appointment at the Apple Store on Saturday. I've heard they can fix it for $129+tax. (if that's all that's wrong, we think there may be more wrong). DD wants to just get a new phone. She has a job now and can pay for it herself, but other companies are so much more expensive. And if she buys the phone outright, they are so much more expensive now and I'm not sure I want her to use all her money for a phone.

What would you do repair the old 5c or get a new phone - she wants the 6. Where is the best place to go for a new iphone and/or new plan? We've looked at a couple online and they are all so expensive compared to Virgin Mobile. If she buys the new phone we could just stick with the Virgin Mobile plan. This is all so confusing...I just have a Tracfone, that's all I want or need!

Thanks for any help!

 

[verleniahall]

Most companies will give you some kind of deal if you do a 2 year contract - if she is as responsible as you say she is, this next phone/contract will at least get her through her SR Year/beginning of freshman year of college. I would check and go that route

 

[themommy]

My 16 year old DD has an iphone 5c. She's had it 2 years and done well with it. Yesterday she dropped it and the screen is shattered. She has Virgin Mobile and pays $35 a month for her plan. She got a good deal on this phone and paid for it with her own money.

We have an appointment at the Apple Store on Saturday. I've heard they can fix it for $129+tax. (if that's all that's wrong, we think there may be more wrong). DD wants to just get a new phone. She has a job now and can pay for it herself, but other companies are so much more expensive. And if she buys the phone outright, they are so much more expensive now and I'm not sure I want her to use all her money for a phone.

What would you do repair the old 5c or get a new phone - she wants the 6. Where is the best place to go for a new iphone and/or new plan? We've looked at a couple online and they are all so expensive compared to Virgin Mobile. If she buys the new phone we could just stick with the Virgin Mobile plan. This is all so confusing...I just have a Tracfone, that's all I want or need!

Thanks for any help!

A friend of mine shattered her phone screen as well. She went to the mall and they fixed the screen for $25. Apple wants $129??? There are tons of places that replace screens out there that won't cost you anywhere near what Apple wants. Heck, they even opened a place a couple of months ago inside our WalMart that does it.

 

[traces7]

Was it just a kiosk in the mall? I haven't found anywhere around here except a battery store, just found them. They charge $119. I'm in Wisconsin. I'll have to keep checking. Thanks!

 

[traces7]

Most companies will give you some kind of deal if you do a 2 year contract - if she is as responsible as you say she is, this next phone/contract will at least get her through her SR Year/beginning of freshman year of college. I would check and go that route

How do these plans/contracts work? Can it be in her name or does it have to be in mine since she's under 18? This is all new to me!!!

 

[Kenny1113]

How long can she go without a phone?

Something else to consider the price of the 6 will most likely drop considerably when the new phone is released.

 

[alliecat523]

Non-Apple stores around here want about $90 to replace the screen. I would be leery of someone only charging $25.

I agree that if you can get a 2 year contract, the phone ends up being equal to the cost of repairing the screen. The 6 should be "cheaper" now that the 6c is being released.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

My 16 year old DD has an iphone 5c. She's had it 2 years and done well with it. Yesterday she dropped it and the screen is shattered. She has Virgin Mobile and pays $35 a month for her plan. She got a good deal on this phone and paid for it with her own money.

We have an appointment at the Apple Store on Saturday. I've heard they can fix it for $129+tax. (if that's all that's wrong, we think there may be more wrong). DD wants to just get a new phone. She has a job now and can pay for it herself, but other companies are so much more expensive. And if she buys the phone outright, they are so much more expensive now and I'm not sure I want her to use all her money for a phone.

What would you do repair the old 5c or get a new phone - she wants the 6. Where is the best place to go for a new iphone and/or new plan? We've looked at a couple online and they are all so expensive compared to Virgin Mobile. If she buys the new phone we could just stick with the Virgin Mobile plan. This is all so confusing...I just have a Tracfone, that's all I want or need!

Thanks for any help!

Christmas is coming up. Why not have her temporarily fix the screen and then get her a 6 for an Xmas present?

 

[verleniahall]

How do these plans/contracts work? Can it be in her name or does it have to be in mine since she's under 18? This is all new to me!!!

It would have to be under your name since it is a credit thing - but it would be her bill to pay not yours. Or you can do a family plan and you each get a phone and are responsible for your own lines- I think for our three lines that we have we pay $180 through Verizion - so $60 per line (2 are for DH, 1 is me) but we split the billl 50/50

 

[Alexle2007]

DH and I have the iPhone 6 through BoostMobile and only pay $30 each a month for our service. We did have to purchase our phones upfront but it ends up being a lot cheaper in the long run than getting one subsided through Verizon and AT&T. I personally would just get the upgrade. I had an older iPad that was having problems and decided just to replace it with the same version at the Apple Store. I still regret that decision of not just putting than money towards the newer version.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD dropped her 5c and shattered the screen. I had it fixed for around $100. There wasn't anything else wrong with the phone and was cheaper than buying a new one.

 

[ELSA711]

Order new screen and kit from iCracked! We've used them often and DIY

 

[havaneselover]

Check out swappa if you don't want to repair it. But I wouldn't recommend getting a 2 year contract. The initial price of the phone may be cheaper but you will more than pay for it over two years.

 

[wenrob]

The the 6S was announced yesterday so the price if the 6 will be going down by $100. Also, people are going to be selling their iPhone 6 to get the 6S. I'd make a FB post asking if any of your/her friends are selling theirs. I bet you anything you'll get a couple of offers. Just make sure it's carrier unlocked and signed out of iCloud. I personally wouldn't do Craig's List or EBay but sites like Swappa are good.

I would not pay $129 to repair a 5C. It's technically three generations old. That's pretty long in the tooth for a smart phone. Most carriers are phasing out two year contracts and honestly I wouldn't recommend them anyway. There are various lease programs, including one with Apple. Those would double her bill though. (as would a 2yr contract) In any case whether contract, lease or paying outright she'll be paying the same for the phone it's just on how she chooses to do it.

At 16 my DD was tired of getting our hand me downs and bought her own phone. Like you I didn't want to see her drop all her hard earned money but it was a good experience for her. It's amazing how responsible they become when the cash is coming out of their pocket. If she can afford it, you might consider letting her do it.

 

[elaine amj]

Yeah $129 is too much to repair a 5c. Not worth it.

My iphone 5 died after 2 years. We are looking for an iPhone and I think we have decided on a used iPhone 5s. We don't want to spend more than $200-300 so the iPhone 6 is well out of reach. I figured the 5S is the next best thing. Waiting for people to upgrade their phones for Christmas so prices for used phones will drop.

For now, my kids have an iPod 4 and and iPhone 4 (we got both used for about $25 since they both have problems) so they can manage. The annoying thing is my DD stays in touch with her friends through instagram Direct Message - which doesn't work on my DH's old Galaxy 2, the iPod 4 OR my Blackberry 10. So we were very glad to find the iPhone 4 for $25 as a stopgap solution. I don't feel it is enough for longterm as the apps my kids want are not always available on such an old phone. With ios 9 coming, the 4 is going to be impossibly out of date.

 

[MillauFr]

Stay away from the two year contracts. I have never found them to be a good deal and you will not pay anywhere near $35 per month like you do with Virgin Mobile.

 

[angierae]

Lots of mobile companies are phasing out 2 year contracts anyway. Now you pay monthly for your phone, and pay full price.

 

[texasroni75]

My provider (T-Mobile) has tons of certified pre-owned phones. Not sure if your provider does the same. And, does it have to be another iPhone? Lots of great-looking and well-performing smartphones from LG and Nokia out there and a LOT less expensive.

 

[4shinystars]

You can buy a brand-new Motorola Moto G (new generation just released) unlocked for only $179 through the Motorola website. It's a great phone, my husband has the previous generation, and I am ordering myself one tomorrow. You can even choose the color, which may appeal to teens. My DD who is a diehard Apple fan even said she'd get one when/if her iphone dies.

 

[wilkeliza]

If she is working and paying for it her own then let her do it. I would sit down and have a serious conversation with her though. Tell her you won't be giving her any extra money to make up for the fact she spent 600+ if she wants the newest model and that she seriously will need to consider that in her choice. It will be a good lesson for her to learn now and in the comfort of your home rather than when she is in college or in her early 20s. You can't imagine how many friends of mine have blown their entire budget on the newest gadgets just to have to then work triple over time or call home and beg for help. I got to do what I wanted with my savings from a very early age and I believe that really helped me understand how to budget as an adult. Did I still make mistakes? Yes? Did I call home and beg for help when I made those mistakes? Nope, I ate ramen noodles until the next pay check.