O2 / Sony Repair - Scam?

Northtim

Wifes Sony Erricson s500i stopped working after about 14 months. On a contract with O2 which have just extended at very cheap rate, keeping the handset as she liked it a lot.

Couple of weeks ago phones started playing up and then died. Called O2 and they said 2 year warranty, send it for repair. Having done this the repairer have claimed water damage and refuses to repair or replace.

That phone has 100% definately been nowhere out of the ordinary that could cause water damage. I suspect there could have been condensation from going in/out of cold buildings/cars in the recent very cold weather, but that is all and phones should be able to withstand that.

It strikes me "water damage" is a very easy get out from repairing the phone under warranty, and how can I prove them wrong :mad:

Anyone else had same experience and found a result without having to go & buy a sim free?

Quentin

You cannot "prove" them wrong unless you have the technical expertise.

But ask them to substantiate their claim, as you deny it.

gaz_jones

I have had my phone repaired twice by O2 and have found the service brilliant both times.

Was she maybe using the phone in the rain? I have heard of that damaging the interior circuits before.

GaryS

Funny that ......

Both of my daughters have had SE phones reported back as water damaged after being sent to the repair centre.

Both phones were PAYG so were sold on Ebay as spares or repair.
IIRC Carphone Warehouse also try the same.

Northtim

I'm sure it has been used in the rain on occassions. I know my phone has. No point having a phone that isn't reasonably robust, its not been undercover in a downpour.

If it had been dropped in the bath then fair enough, our loss. But water damage from normal daily use is a design fault of the phone. If it is minor I gues neither I or the repairers can determine how it happened so it seems wrong that we lose out.

Have cured electricals with water damage in past by leaving them in the airing cupboard a few days. Mobile phone is prob too complex for that but as last resort I'll ask for it back and give it a try.

gaz_jones

I dropped my phone down the toilet once, left it in airing cupboard to dry and it was fine and dandy. Definitely worth a shot. DONT turn it on whilst wet though. Thats when the problems begin.

barjam_2

GaryS wrote: »

Funny that .....

Both of my daughters have had SE phones reported back as water damaged after being sent to the repair centre.

Both phones were PAYG so were sold on Ebay as spares or repair.
IIRC Carphone Warehouse also try the same.

this also happened to my sons se w880i on o2 was told to take it to cpw and they said water damage and when i said it's been nowhere near water they wouldnt have it...they just look at you as if you're trying to con them.... phone also was sold on ebay for spares or repair:mad:

Northtim

Checked letter they sent now. They want £10 + vat to return the phone to us :mad:

Going to have a go at complaining to O2 & Sony and see if I get anywhere. Think I have been stitched up. Warranty isn't worth anything if they use the "water damage" get out. Looking around other sites on internet it seems a very common reason they give.

matty538

Its not really going to help but on nokias anyway, there is a small sticker inside which changes colour if its come in contact with moisture, no idea how much moisture though.
Thing is hot an cold will create moisture an if they really wanted to they could just wet the sticker.

gaming_guy

matty538 wrote: »

Its not really going to help but on nokias anyway, there is a small sticker inside which changes colour if its come in contact with moisture, no idea how much moisture though.
Thing is hot an cold will create moisture an if they really wanted to they could just wet the sticker.

there is a few on sony ericsson phones, and probably most other makes of phones

jamespir

Northtim wrote: »

Wifes Sony Erricson s500i stopped working after about 14 months. On a contract with O2 which have just extended at very cheap rate, keeping the handset as she liked it a lot.

Couple of weeks ago phones started playing up and then died. Called O2 and they said 2 year warranty, send it for repair. Having done this the repairer have claimed water damage and refuses to repair or replace.

That phone has 100% definately been nowhere out of the ordinary that could cause water damage. I suspect there could have been condensation from going in/out of cold buildings/cars in the recent very cold weather, but that is all and phones should be able to withstand that.

It strikes me "water damage" is a very easy get out from repairing the phone under warranty, and how can I prove them wrong :mad:

Anyone else had same experience and found a result without having to go & buy a sim free?

unfortunatley one of the biggest causes of water damage is rain and these can cause damage to your phone althought i did work within the techinical department of a well know phone company and they used excuses like that when they reached theyre quota of phones they could fix for thta week