How I Got My Lost iPhone Back From a Good Samaritan
August 11, 2009 by Mike
Filed under Internet Marketing
OK – Yes. I know MobileMe offers a “Find My Phone” – But I did not have that. (Now I do.) But that means that you have to find the “location” and go knocking on doors and all that chasing stuff. Still better than never getting it back.
And yes, I know I have a $500 reward. But heck, a new iphone is $699.00 when you are not starting a plan. So that is CHEAPER for me. And for the finder, he can take my reward money and buy a new one for $299 and profit $200. So it is better for him to return it than keep it.
And yes, I know there are “apps” that do I what I am about to show you. But they suck and this is EASIER and it looks better and it is FREE.
So here is what I did to get my phone back.
Step #1 – I open the “Notes” app that comes with every iPhone.
Step #2 – I went down 3 lines before typing (This makes sure the text is not hidden by some of the iphone messages that are on when you turn on the phone.)
Step #3 – I typed THIS MESSAGE below.
Lost iPhone Message
Step #5 – I took a screen shot of the note by hitting the POWER BUTTON on the top of my iPhone and the HOME button on the front of the iPhone at the SAME TIME. (It then saves the PIC to your “Camera Roll”
Step #6 – I then went to “Settings” >> “Wallpaper” >> and chose the photo from my Camera Roll.
I hit save and I was DONE!
So now, even with the phone lock feature, this is the first thing that shows when my phone is turned on. So I do not have to worry about someone trying to figure out my password. (That wipes your phone out 100% after several wrong attempts.)
So a person will find your phone… see that message… and will realize it is their lucky day and call you. It is your lucky day too. Ask anyone that ever lost a phone.
Even if the power goes dead. Anyone that finds an iPhone charge it, with the help of a friend if needed, and see the message on Power-up.
So, I was in a cab on Firday at StomperNetLive8 In Atlanta. I left my phone in the back of a cab.
I came home on Tuesday and found a phone sent FED-X and a note saying the money was not needed but he gave the address anyways if I felt I still wanted to send it.
I called him (number was in note) to thank him and I sent him the $500 reward.
I am a happy boy!
Thanks,
Mike Filsaime
August 11th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
ok – this has to be THE Best iPhone Tip EVER Mike – THANK YOU!
My trip to StomperNet was complete when I saw this on Mike’s iPhone (before he lost it in cab)
But here’s what Mike leaves out of the above post as to the REAL Secret to how he got a cabby to mail back his precious iPhone….
It begins… with the mere secret of…
Treating people well.
Ya see, the moment Mike got into the cab, he immediately got to know the cab driver, “Kaye”. He not only found out his name, but he learned how exactly to pronounce his real, full name, where he was from, his life story, and about a billion other things.
Mike had this cab driver laughing, to the point that when he got out, he told Mike point blank, “You’re the BEST customer I’ve ever had in my Life!”
Of course, the huge Tip Mike gave him didn’t hurt that opinion of him as well.
I share this because the other reason Mike got his phone back, and why people love him so much (you should have seen all his fans at STomper Net – they practically GLOW when u mention Mike’s name and when they saw him in the hallway of the event) … is because… he practices the art of treating people REALLY well.
@CoachDeb
Looking forward to seeing Affiliate Jump in less than 2 days Mike!
http://sn.im/affiliatejump
August 11th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Hmmm… never thought of that, but will follow those tips as soon as I post this comment. When I first got my phone, I also created a small label with my name, address and a friend’s cell # and taped it to the BACK of my iphone with instructions for getting the reward. I have a cover protecting the phone so it is not seen until the cover is removed. If for some reason my phone doesn’t work, but the finder takes the protective cover off, my info will be there.
Happy for the kindness of a stranger and glad you paid the reward.
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig
August 12th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Thanks for the brilliant idea, Mike, and I’m glad you got the phone (and all o’ them Bump’d numbers) back!
September 27th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Great tale of positive karma, Mike.
And @CoachDeb – you’re absolutely right. Mike’s generosity is seen in so many ways among people he’s had direct connections with. I know my own business would not be where it is without Mike’s mentoring and the BFM software. And of course getting to work more closely as the BFM Workshop trainer this past spring has been a highlight of being in our industry.
Can’t wait to see both of you (and the other 400+) on the marketers cruise again!
Bob Jenkins
September 27th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
So that explains those obscene phone calls I’ve been getting from Mike’s # I guess! LoL
Actually – I think that is an awesome tip mike and I’m going to use it on my phone as well! Thanks for sharing!
Omar
November 20th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Thanks for the great idea Mike, I just did the same to my and my wife’s phone. (except with my information, of course.)
Hopefully it will never have to be used, but still good to have.
January 25th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Pretty awesome idea Mike! If I could tell you the amount of people I know who have lost their cell phones it would BLOW your mind! I made this fatal mistake one night and never found the phone. Maybe if I had some kind of reward message the person who found it might have returned it. Thanks for sharing.
January 30th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Hmmm… never thought of that, but will follow those tips as soon as I post this comment. When I first have no phone I also created a small label with my name, address and a friend’s cell # and taped it to the BACK. so please how do i get all the information from you this time.
and i also want you to ship some information to my home address at NIGERIA.
162 UMUSADFEGE ROAD UTAGBA OGBE
OPPOSITE UNTY BANK PLC, KWALE, DELTA STATE.
NIGERIA.
PHNOE +2347031383680/ +2348084853382.
SAY ANDREW YOUR FRIENDS.
HOPE TO ERAING FROM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.