Water Damaged Phone

Cuncha

Hi,

I have had my Galaxy S3 since it came out. Last week, while it was on my desk at work I noticed it was stuck on the Samsung startup screen. I picked it up, and it was hot. I'm used to them getting a bit warm, but this seemed hotter than normal.

So I took it to a Three shop who sent it off to repairs. 8 days later and I havent heard anything, so I called them. They told me that there is liquid damage to the USB and it'll costs £30-£40 to get repaired.

I protested that it wasn't liquid damage, and they said they cannot prove it is.

So my question is, now what? Do i get it fixed and then complain? Or get it sent back, then complain? Either way, i'm without my phone for another 4-5 days (13 in total if i'm lucky, based on there initial 5 day estimate).

Are they just lying to make money off of me? And why would a water damaged USB be there reason for it freezing on a particular screen?

Help.

MrSilk

Does it not have any water stickers that turn red when contacted with water?

Cuncha

Didn't see anything turn red, and the guy in the shop would have checked that also wouldn't he, if it's such a simple thing to check?

I'm just fuming that they can say it's water damaged, when i'm sure it isn't. Just seems like an easy way to get £40 off of me?

Buzby

It is a common fault (if it exists) and water damage covers many intermediate stages that the owner may have inflicted on it - ranging from extremes of temperature, condensation, rain shower to full immersion.

The indicators will certainly prove this, but it is common for the user not to be aware of the problem!

grumbler

Cuncha wrote: »

...they said they cannot prove it is. ...

During the first 6 months they have to prove it. That's what the Sale of the Goods Act says.

iamsporticus

Look at this link and find your water sensors:
http://www.tested.com/news/how-to/720-stay-dry-where-to-find-your-phones-water-sensors/

My HTC phone died after taking a call whilst having a bath
I didnt drop it, it wasn that steamy (bathroom AND call LOL) and the call lasted only a couple of minutes. My hands were dry, the phone saw no water and the only possible way for it to be damaged was condensation which as mentioned was minimal, from memory the reptile house at our local zoo is more humid and I wonder how many smartphones have been trashed in there!

After suspecting water damage I immediately switched it off and put it on a radiator for a couple of days

Its now mostly fine but the botom of the screen is a bit ropey and all the water sensors triggered

Now I know using a phone in the bath isnt sensible if you drop it, however I never realised just how sensitive modern phones can be, let alone the fact that the manufacturers fit them with water sensors to check you havent been stupid, although perhaps naive is a better word

justpaper

all sounds a bit out of the blue, use to work in cpw repair centre, and there was alot of water damaged phones coming in but they would just say its water damaged if the water ind/ stick change colour, which is false pos/ as humidity can trigger it, and its a easy problem to blame, AS water damage cant be proven!

read this, http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/20/liquid_contact_indicator_lawsuit/

viddy

similar problem here samsung falsely claiming water damage
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4620641
reply to my post, i am suing samsung

mdt1988

It sounds strange that they're claiming this is water damage, but if it does turn out to be that you could always try using a water absorption pack.. these are designed to suck all moisture out of electronics.. there's a UK supplier called Rescuetec who I've used before with success. Hope you get it sorted!

viddy

mdt1988 wrote: »

It sounds strange that they're claiming this is water damage, but if it does turn out to be that you could always try using a water absorption pack.. these are designed to suck all moisture out of electronics.. there's a UK supplier called Rescuetec who I've used before with success. Hope you get it sorted!

thanks for the advice, there is no water in the phone, just swamsung playing cowboys

Buzby

If you sue, who has the faulty item? The onus of proof relies with you, and you would need an independent report to testify there is no water damage. It is true WD is a common rejection, but there is a reason for this.

Mistakes do happen, but it is the repairer you sue for the misdiagnosis, not the manufacturer.