Iphone stopped working after update

Question

I have an old 3GS which I was using as a back up phone to my 4S.
I recently went through an update via i-tunes and now it doesn't work (it takes you through the language selection part but stalls right after selecting a wifi network stage) - the message reads 'Please try again later or contact customer care'.
Took it to the Apple shop and was told the phone was 'dead' - which I felt was a harsh evaluation given the phone was working fine before the software update - I would suspect it would still be working today had I not done the update.
I was then told the only option was to send back for recycling.....which at the time I was happy to look into until I found how much they were willing to offer.
Anyone else been in this situation and if so what was the outcome?

Answer 1

I'm kinda with you on this but I am left with an overall, rhetorical question of sorts about this "waiting" thing.
When did humans, particularly us Americans more than most others, receive this entitlement that rendered "waiting" non-existent?
My point is, at some point you're going to have to wait for something or someone. Perfect universe this ain't. Might as well save your energy for other, more worthy battles. You could be bleeding to death. You could be pregnant and about to give birth. In traffic. And your husband has just shat his pants. For real. Because you're driving.
See? Waiting in line for a well deserved and guaranteed cell phone resolution isn't that bad at all.
But I still see your point.