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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to replace babysitter's ipad screen that DD2 cracked

296 replies

Somerville · 22/08/2017 13:58

DD2 managed to slip over holding teenage babysitter's iPad last night. Complete accident.

It was babysitters decision to bring it - there was no need for her to. And really she should have it in a case. But I digress, because of course I would be unreasonable not to have it repaired.

It's a major PITA because I can't drive right now so I've done long bus journey to nearest town with a repair place (who quoted £60 over the phone) to be told once there that her iPad glass (the latest, 2017 model, which is just called IPad, or colloquially IPad 5) isn't replaceable on its own - they tried to charge me £200 to order in a whole new screen, plus as yet undefined fitting cost. Shock

I'm suspecting/hoping that they were uninformed or trying to con me, but I don't have much signal (on bus home now with tearful DD2) so google research is slow.

6 missed calls from babysitter on when she can expect her iPad back, which I'm dodging until I have more idea. Help me to not be unreasonable and point me in the direction of cost effective and fast way of repairing it please, please, please...

OP posts:
Ilovefraybentos · 22/08/2017 15:11

I'm horrible because I wouldn't be paying anything. If it's someone who is old enough to babysit a child, they are old enough to look after their own iPad.

Original poster
Somerville · 22/08/2017 15:12

OP, I was wondering why you were getting such a flaming too, since you seemed to be taking full responsibility to get the iPad fixed in your OP...then I realised that it's your title people are responding to.

Ah yes - I see I phrased my title very poorly. I should have previewed.
People flaming me for not repairing it doesn't bother me though, because I fully intend to repair it. (Or replace - I'd rather the fixed cost of £350 or whatever than paying £200 as the first instalment of potentially many).
I won't be hiring this babysitter again though

OP posts:
HandsOffTheJaffaCake · 22/08/2017 15:12

My child did this with my nannys ipad - I paid for it - I warn you Apple really charge a lot!

Mrscropley · 22/08/2017 15:13

I dropped my phone as I was opening the front door of the dc I was nannying whilst carrying a sleeping dc. .
Wouldn't have entered my head to ask the dm for a new one!!
I opted to have my phone in my hand and be multi tasking. .
Babysitter opted to let a dc play with a non toy. .

Gottagetmoving · 22/08/2017 15:13

Where we live there's a few people who fix phone and iPad screens who advertise locally. Try looking up local advertisers.
The babysitter should look after her iPad so I think she is responsible but if you feel bad offer to pay half.

peachgreen · 22/08/2017 15:14

@Rafflesway That's not a legitimate site.

OP, the cost of a replacement screen will depend on whether it's just the glass that's cracked or whether it's also the LED screen.

If you choose to have it fixed somewhere other than Apple, the warranty is voided, meaning if anything goes wrong (or anything else goes wrong at a later date while the iPad should still be in warranty) you'll end up having to buy a new one. Personally I wouldn't risk it - and I say that as someone who has done home repairs of previous generations of iPads and iPhones. The new models are just too tricky.

MaisyPops · 22/08/2017 15:16

OnionKnight
Not as in waiting for someone to drop it but more like if it had already been dropped etc before then it going this time fits quite nicely.

This is someone who doesnt bother with protective cases and hands expensive gadgets to kids with greasy fingers. Hardly the sensible, careful type.

I have an ipad in a case. I dont give it to kids unless they are sat sensibly with clean hands. Common sense.

Mummylin · 22/08/2017 15:18

Maybe this could help, worth a phone call.

Here

MongerTruffle · 22/08/2017 15:18

Any idea on where the screens are listed online?

Look on eBay.
However, you should really take it to an Apple Store. Doing anything else will invalidate the warranty.

CarolinePenvenen · 22/08/2017 15:18

Screen and digitiser are separate so shouldn’t be difficult to repair here

CarolinePenvenen · 22/08/2017 15:19

Forgot screenshot!

Not to replace babysitter's ipad screen that DD2 cracked
Hillingdon · 22/08/2017 15:19

Did the BS give the Ipad to the child on request? I know my DS 16 wouldn't be giving his precious Ipad to anyone younger than him!

Beebee7 · 22/08/2017 15:21

I think she should claim on her home insurance. It's her item, she was away from home, she chose to bring it.

3 or 4 years ago, DD took her laptop that cost about £450, to a mate's house, and someone stood on it. (Served her right for bloody leaving it on the floor.) And the screen was badly broken.

The guy offered her money to fix it, but we said we would try the insurance.

Upshot is, the insurance said they would pay under the 'accidental damage' clause, which had £50 excess. When one of her mates asked their uncle how much his little PC business would charge to fix it, he said £60. (PC world charged £100 I think, so this was quite good.)

So we didn't claim on the insurance as it didn't seem worth it. We just paid. The lad offered us half the money which was lovely of him, but as it was out daughter's fault for leaving her laptop on the floor, we said no and paid the £60.

I hope you get it sorted @Somerville

Do ask the babysitter to try her home insurance though. Ask her nicely if she can, as it probably will be covered. And then if the excess is £50-ish, offer to pay that for her as a goodwill gesture.

It's not your responsibility though. If she had taken her ipad on the train and someone knocked it onto the floor (accidentally,) and it broke, the person who knocked it off/broke it would not be responsible for the repair. The person who owned the ipad would. And many insurances do cover items away from home.

Neither your daughter or you are responsible for this ipad.

Don't pay for it. But, as I said, you could offer the excess if you want. (But you don't have to.)

Rafflesway · 22/08/2017 15:28

Ah yes, can see it would probably be a bit of a risk as they are based in Hong Kong 🙄 sorry.

However, most reliable stores - e.g. JohnLewis - charge £339 so 50% of that is still considerably less than the repair. Must admit I am even more suspicious now as initially babysitter claimed DD tripped whilst holding the iPad but it now appears they were watching YouTube whilst eating pizza so is she now saying that she allowed a 10 yr old to walk around the room with a brand new iPad whilst eating a slice of pizza? (Which means dd would have been holding iPad with one hand with the pizza in the other.) Hmm

Sorry but if so that is completely irresponsible of babysitter and she should therefore have to accept at least 50% of the blame. I think deep down she knows she is partly responsible too hence all the calls.

Original poster
Somerville · 22/08/2017 15:29

OP, the cost of a replacement screen will depend on whether it's just the glass that's cracked or whether it's also the LED screen.

Just a small crack across the glass. (Across one corner) Not the LEDs. But online (and on this thread) some sources say it's all in one, others that glass is available separately.

I've left a message for her mum, to double check that they don't have coverage. Feel a bit cheeky but it's worth a try - and I offered to pay excess if they do.

OP posts:
WhooooAmI24601 · 22/08/2017 15:33

Our DCs have broken an iPad before and it's so much cheaper to find a local fixer than taking it to the apple store. The iPad is about 3 years post-repair now and still works perfectly.

I don't think it's cheeky to have asked, OP. YANBU at all.

Skarossinkplunger · 22/08/2017 15:33

After a gazillion furious conversations with Apple when I broke my screen on my iPhone this is what I know.

It won't be covered by her warranty.

If it is fixed by anyone else but Apple it invalidates her warranty.

Apple are fucking expensive.

If I were you I'd be dealing with her parents directly and I'd be paying to get it fixed by Apple. I'm also pretty sure the law says it's your responsibility.

I feel your pain though.

Tippexy · 22/08/2017 15:34

I can't actually believe you have left a message for her mum!!

The brazenness of some people!

What about their NCB? It's not just about the excess.

Bombardier25966 · 22/08/2017 15:35

OP has said they are paying for it. Do people even bother to read before posting?

support.apple.com/en-gb/ipad/repair/screen-damage

In case you missed it earlier @Somerville, the Apple link. I honestly wouldn't attempt a home repair, it is highly likely you'll end up in even more of a mess than now. Also you'd invalidate the warranty, so if something goes wrong as a result of the repair, you'll be liable again.

Hont1986 · 22/08/2017 15:35

Maybe this is dumb but.... if it's a small crack, can is there an ipad version of that car windscreen crack-filler stuff?

Bombardier25966 · 22/08/2017 15:37

Babysitting is a job.

I doubt very much that Somerville intended to form an employment agreement with a babysitter!

SoupDragon · 22/08/2017 15:38

God Soupy that means I would have had to read the thread properly You have such unobtainable expectations...

Just the opening sentence of the OP would do.

ByGum · 22/08/2017 15:40

one of the reasons iPads and tablets are so popular is that they are portable and can be taken out and about. It's really not unreasonable for a teenager to take it out with her, my dd is 12 and all of her friends bring a tablet when they come over to sleep etc.

Im an adult and have been given lectures for not letting children play on my phone or iPad when they ask. I don't sit and play while little ones are there but will take photos or answer calls etc and they know they run games from playing with their parents devices. Apparently Im mean to not hand mine over when asked and I need to learn to "share"

If your child asked to play on it, she may have felt mean saying no, or if she offered your child a go, she may have thought she was doing the right thing and being friendly and kind in letting her have a go. If babysitter is young teen she may not feel confident saying no too.

A case isn't a guarantee it wouldn't have broken either. I dropped my friends cased iphone on the floor a few weeks ago and the screen cracked in several places, was a total accident and friend was fine about but if I started an AIBU saying friend choose to let me carry it in house for her so it's her fault I dropped it and I don't have to offer to repair, I'd be told otherwise.

Ive offer per to pay for repairs for accidental damage caused by myself, so I would for accidental damage caused by my child.

RiversrunWoodville · 22/08/2017 15:45

Oh no I feel your pain I cracked my iPhone screen (6plus) and the repair quotes were horrendous. Fingers crossed for you

SpaghettiAndMeatballs · 22/08/2017 15:46

My nanny's phone screen got broken once (again a total accident) - I paid half to have it repaired, and asked her to keep it out of reach in future, since the children already had access to tablets in rugged cases (both me and DS1 are very clumsy!) so there was no need for her to be giving her phone to a two year old to watch cartoons anyway (plus, you know the TV) - and it was in the house, which has tiled floors throughout, so frankly was a silly thing to do, but as it was my child, I did feel somewhat responsible.

This is also why I just take the extra hit and buy the applecare - the newer ones with fingerprint readers can only be properly replaced by apple, and being able to wander into the store and have them fix (or generally in my experience, just replace) my devices is worth every penny.