HTC Flyer problem

Leviathon

I bought my HTC Flyer from Dixons on 23-12-11 and its had minimal use since. The 32Gb version I bought comes with a stylus which enables various functions and features.
I have been very careful to keep it scratch free however I was alarmed to discover that the screen is covered in very fine scratches that must have been caused by the stylus.
I did a quick search and realise that I'm not alone with this problem.
I contacted HTC who, via some poor photos I emailed them, decided that this was normal wear and tear and suggested that I do not use the stylus upside down!!
I contacted Dixons who told me to contact HTC.
Where can I go from here? This tablet was v.expensive and I feel its not fit for purpose.

agrinnall

Take it back to Dixons and insist that they listen to your complaint. As it's less than 6 months old the onus is on them to prove that it's not an inherent fault. If they accept that there is an issue they are able to choose whether to repair, replace or refund,

Forwandert

I was just Googling to see the other people with the same problem and there was a link for a £8.99 Argos screen protector and that was advertised as protecting against stylus wear and tear. Apart from that everyone appears to have had the same response as you.

neilmcl

Getting scratches on a smartphone/tablet screen is a fact of life if you don't bother to protect it, particularly if using a stylus.

I'd agree with HTC with this one, however your contract is with Dixons so you should be looking to them to provide a remedy. I think you'll have a tough time demonstrating that it's anything other than wear & tear though I'm afraid.

Also, I fail to see how a few "fine" scratches makes this not fit for purpose? It still operates perfectly OK as a tablet does it not.

Jakg

neilmcl wrote: »

Also, I fail to see how a few scratches "fine" scratches makes this not fit for purpose? It still operates perfectly OK as a tablet does it not.

I have to agree with this - what purpose is it no longer fit for?

Leviathon

Jakg wrote: »

I have to agree with this - what purpose is it no longer fit for?

Err well yes I get your point but would you be happy if the letters on your 3 month old laptop were wearing off.
You could still see them so is that fit for purpose?

CoolHotCold

Leviathon wrote: »

Err well yes I get your point but would you be happy if the letters on your 3 month old laptop were wearing off.
You could still see them so is that fit for purpose?

You are comparing apples to iron crowbars.

If you rephrase that to "If you had miniature scratches on your keyboard would you be annoyed?"


The point is I don't believe the HTC flyer was marketed as "Scratch Resistant", using a Stylus will over time wear down and create imprints.


Unfortunately, you don't have much recourse.

Leviathon

agrinnall wrote: »

Take it back to Dixons and insist that they listen to your complaint. As it's less than 6 months old the onus is on them to prove that it's not an inherent fault. If they accept that there is an issue they are able to choose whether to repair, replace or refund,

I cant take it back to Dixons because they are no longer on the high street.

Do you think an easily scratched screen is an inherent fault though? Its certainly an example of poor quality.

Leviathon

CoolHotCold wrote: »

You are comparing apples to iron crowbars.

If you rephrase that to "If you had miniature scratches on your keyboard would you be annoyed?"


The point is I don't believe the HTC flyer was marketed as "Scratch Resistant", using a Stylus will over time wear down and create imprints.


Unfortunately, you don't have much recourse.

The scratches are certainly not miniture and in my opinion will in a very short time reduce the screen to matt.

Another owner described how he was teaching his child letters using the flyer from brand new. He found scratches from the stylus in the shape of the letters from the off. Is that acceptable?

Forwandert

I can't think of many that actually advertise as scratch resistant as most screens are made from materials that will scratch.

It won't reduce to matt if you buy a screen protector that is one of the main functions they are designed for and very cheap in comparison to the product. There are some available on eBay for £1.79 with free delivery maybe even cheaper I just had a quick glance.

Jakg

Leviathon wrote: »

Err well yes I get your point but would you be happy if the letters on your 3 month old laptop were wearing off.
You could still see them so is that fit for purpose?

Annoyed, definitely - but your rejecting as faulty, specifically not fit for purpose. I.E. if you bought a spade, but it bent when you put it in the ground, it's not suitable for the purpose (digging) - but if it was something cosmetic, it doesn't actually effect the way the product works, your argument doesn't quite work.

Forwandert wrote: »

I can't think of many that actually advertise as scratch resistant as most screens are made from materials that will scratch.

Some products use "Gorilla Glass" as a marketing feature (i.e. glass specifically designed to be especially resistant) - the Flyer does not use this.