Sony mobile beyond repair

lindaj_2

Hi
I purchased a 24 month contract with O2 on 24/12/12 for a Sony ST 27i for 16 yr old and now, 9 months later it wouldn't charge, so O2 sent it for repair and has been returned to be told O2 cannot fix the phone as it has a problem the warranty doesn't cover! I didn't take out insurance. It hasn't been dropped or knowingly damaged so at a loss with it all. I feel this is a bit of a cop out. Can I buy a second hand phone and insert the sim card or is the sim card locked to the phone? Obviously I am liable for the rest of the contract and want my son to be able to contact me if in trouble and not be railroaded by O2

Many thanks for your expertise

DUTR

Short answer yes you can.

NFH

lindaj wrote: »

O2 sent it for repair and has been returned to be told O2 cannot fix the phone as it has a problem the warranty doesn't cover!

What is this problem that the warranty doesn't cover? Was it some kind of misuse?

grumbler

lindaj wrote: »

... I didn't take out insurance...

Normally insurances cover accidental damage, not faults.

lindaj_2

I have no idea what the problem is - O2 just said its beyond economic repair. The handset was charging the night before and the following day it wouldn't switch on and wouldn't charge. There wasn't any accident or damage - my son had been unwell and not gone out for several days prior to this. Its very odd. It seems these phone companies have absolute control over us and I have no redress over this.

gjchester

lindaj wrote: »

I have no idea what the problem is - O2 just said its beyond economic repair. The handset was charging the night before and the following day it wouldn't switch on and wouldn't charge. There wasn't any accident or damage - my son had been unwell and not gone out for several days prior to this. Its very odd. It seems these phone companies have absolute control over us and I have no redress over this.

Two options sprint to mind.

Battery is shot and need replacing, Batteries age and die but usually show it by decreasing capacity, however lipo batterie's can fail if they are left in a discharged state and not charged, but we are talking months not days.

It's also possible to wreck them by repeatedly trying to use the last bits of charge after the low voltage cut off has kicked in and shut the phone down, but most phones won't allow it and turn off.

Batteries are consumables and not covered by warranty but should e cheap to replace.


The other option is user damage to the charging port has meant the socket has become damaged or loose, most of the time this is down to pushing the connector in hard or yanking it out, and user damage will not be covered by warranty.


o2 should be able to give you a report on the fault and if you disagree you can take the phone to a independent repairer for an assessment, if they think it's manufacturing related you may be able to sue for the cost of the repair.

lindaj_2

We bought a new phone and inserted sim card. What a nonsense