I dropped my iPhone 4 & cracked its screen. Apple wants me to pay for replacement unit (I agree), turn in my old phone (??) & wait for 6 days (no problem). What do I do to access emails, Internet & make/receive calls during these 6 days?

Question

I dropped my iPhone 4 & cracked its screen. I went to the service center to get it repaired. SInce it is not under warranty, i was willing to pay for repair charges.
They told me that the screen can not be repaired or changed, but they can replace my damaged set with an equivalent set, on payment of RM 760, roughly, 25-30% cost of a new one. I agreed.
They told me to:
1/ pay upfront
2/ leave my old set with them
3/ and the replacement unit will be delivered in 4-6 days.
I agreed on 1& 3 but not to leave my damaged set with them because it is still working and I don't have another spare phone with me, to serve me the 4-6 day waiting period.
THe service center guy told me that if I want a replacement, I have to agree to all 3 conditions and that I should buy another phone for 6 days. I told him that I constantly need email & Internet access, as part of my work responsibilities, so I can not do with a simple phone. It obviously, doesn't make sense to buy an expensive smart phone, go thru the trouble of transferring my data & mails & contacts - just for a week.
Unfortunately, all these logics fell on deaf ears & the service centre guy kept insisting on ALL of the above conditions.
I came back so flustered & upset.
I thought customer service was about solving problems & not creating hurdles for customers.
what should I do?
ANy advice?

Answer 1

What would you do for transportation if you drove your car into a tree and had to wait while it was fixed? You'd need to rent, borrow or buy another car, no? The same applies to your phone. This is not Apple's problem; if the service center does not have replacements in stock for immediate swap-out, then it's up to you to provide a backup device or do without.
If you're in a country where Apple provides direct service for iPhones, you may be able to call Apple support and arrange for advance replacement, where they send you the replacement phone and then you send back the old one. Apple offers such service in several countries, though you have to pay an extra fee for the service. If not, then you'll just have to wait for the service center to get in the replacement, and will have to arrange an alternative to use during that time.
Regars.