Need advice re ZTE mobile phone.

Moggymad

Hi, Can any one help me please?
I have a ZTE blage V on contract with Virgin Mobile that I have owned for 9 months from new. Recently the USB data connection stopped working. I sent it off to be repaired as advised by Virgin but I got a call telling me the phone was unrepairable due to liquid damage.
I don't know how this could be as I have never let my phone get even slightly damp. The only source of moisture I could think it could have ever been exposed to is from my breath when making calls. Virgin are sticking to the engineers report, but they won't send me a copy of the report. The only evidence I got back with my phone was an undecipherable 3x2 black & white low res picture apparently showing the damage.
If they are not accepting it for replacement could I make a claim under the sales of goods act? Surely a well cared for phone should last more than 9 months in normal use without a fault like this developing?
I don't know what would be the best way to deal with this to get my phone working again, any advice would help loads.

bod1467

It's a common "scam" that people like this pull. In some cases it is the fact that the moisture strips are simply too sensitive (perhaps deliberately so). It's been going on for years.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4108601

unholyangel

bod1467 wrote: »

It's a common "scam" that people like this pull. In some cases it is the fact that the moisture strips are simply too sensitive (perhaps deliberately so). It's been going on for years.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4108601

Indeed. Even featured on watchdog (although was iphones). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFN6nIxAQe8

OP, do you have insurance with virgin? If you're a virgin media customer, I believe they give you insurance for free on your mobile and it is a brand new handset as opposed to refurbs/repaired. If you wish to go down the soga route, you would likely need to obtain an independent report as its more than 6 months from purchase (so burden of proof is yours unfortunately) stating that the fault is inherent and not user damage. If the report finds in your favour, virgin should reimburse it and will then likely offer you a repair (or a replacement).


ETA: I think the iphone ones just werent designed for the UK market. I mean sensors that can change with condensation or rain? We're a wet country! Especially up here.