“Saran wrap,” is what I was told to wrap around my iPhone to avoid being that guy with bloody fingers from the phone commercial after breaking my screen and trying to text.
I was him…THRICE.
As you have probably gathered, I am perpetually smashing my phone screen {by accident}. I am usually walking my dog, and I am usually whipping out my phone for one reason or another {probably to tweet, let’s be honest}. Once that happens, there’s no telling where my phone will fly. Usually I have a screen protector, but it conveniently started to peel off and so instead of buying a new one, I intelligently ripped it off and postponed a trip to the phone store…until disaster struck in the form of a smashed screen.
RIP phone…maybe?
Today I’m here to tell you that in the last four months, I have actually broken the screen of my phone THREE times {including the photo you see above}. And I have a wonderful solution that doesn’t include Verizon or AT&T. The last time this happened, it was bad. Really baaad {see above}. I mean, try dropping your phone off a 4th floor balcony bad.
Lucky for me, I was given a little tidbit about a local place that fixes iPhone screens (and iPads + iPods — basically anything touch screen) by the PATH station in Hoboken {to the right of Teak}— and decided to share the wealth. It’s called iPulse, and it pretty much is a lifesaver for anyone with klutzy tendencies like myself.
What I really like about iPulse is that you don’t feel like you’re walking into a seedy phone store where you’re about to get ripped off and potentially get your identity stolen by giving the “tech” your password {trust me — I’ve heard of this happening}. No, just the contrary. This place is warm, inviting, clean, and TBH—I’d say nicer than the actual Verizon store. In fact, a LOT nicer than the Verizon store.
By the way, the Verizon store is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S to deal with when you want to get your phone fixed {i.e. — you go into Verizon and say, “Hi, I have insurance and my phone screen is cracked. Can I get a replacement?” And then they say, “Oh, sorry, we don’t do that here. You’ll have to go online and it will take 3-5 days to get a replacement phone sent to you [for $170] and then you’ll have to set it up yourself}. Yes, that’s actually been said to me in the Verizon store in Hoboken. So why are you even a storefront then? Useless.
Anyway, I digress.
Like I said, the waiting area is very nice & clean. There are actually iPhone chargers strewn all around so you can plug in if you are waiting {but, since you’re probably getting your phone fixed, that maaaay be difficult}. You can also go for a walk since you’re right in the middle of downtown Hoboken. Hey – you could even take a Local Barre class or get a blowout at Rebellations {since they are about a block away}.
Chargers, ready for your cords. Even though you’re most likely phoneless.
A nice touch, nonetheless. I also really like that they have phone cases and covers for sale {normal prices, too — nothing too $$}. I wouldn’t say they have every single phone cover design known to man…but in a pinch, totally workable. Even some cute jewels for your home screen button which I was tempted to buy!
So, how did my phone {and wallet} fare at iPulse overall, you might ask?
Time #1: we fixed my cracked screen for $100. Way better than that 170+ self-installation + 5 day wait time. My phone was ready in an hour.
Time #2: since I already had an account at iPulse, they only charged me $50 for the second screen crack fixing. You’d think I would have learned by now. Nope…
Time #3: This one was a doozy. After the balcony free-fall, I thought my phone was completely caput {see photo above}. My selfie camera was broken {CURSES!}, my home screen button was donzo, and the phone basically was smashed to smithereens.
It seemed like a lost cause. Buutttt — iPulse came to the rescue, again. They charged me $180 to fix the whole phone {yes, just about the same as the Verizon amount, but only took a few hours to fix the whole thing versus a whole week of being phoneless}. I’d rather shop small and pay a similar amount for great service than support a big company that routinely screws me over and charges an arm and a leg for poor service. MY PHONE LOOKS AND ACTS LIKE NEW AND STILL TAKES SELFIES. Thank you Jesus, as Melissa Gorga would say.
…Since the first step is admitting you have a problem, I have now invested in a purple + turquoise Otterbox, and with great pride I can say I have been 3 weeks “clean” of phone breaks {really though – Otterboxes are the way to go}. Thank you, iPulse, for saving me money, time, and energy spent yelling at the poor/unknowing Verizon Wireless employee in my path.
Have you been to iPulse? What did you think?
