In the wireless industry when a consumer selects a new handset, often they receive a discount off of the suggested retail price because of the length of the contract term that they have signed. In some cases because the consumer is getting their handset for free or for a low entry level cost, the perceived value is also low.
Every new wireless handset comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty. This means that the manufacturer, not the wireless carrier, is giving you a warranty on your new handset. It is similar to when you buy a new car. If you bought a car from Car Canada and the car is a Honda, it is Honda, not Car Canada that is providing you with the warranty.
And much the same as the car industry, you are still responsible for your monthly car payment when you damage your car. And if you damage your car, the warranty does not cover the damage you have caused, and in most cases neither does your insurance company without you paying a deductible and you also receiving increased premiums.
The easiest way to differentiate between a warranty defect and damage is this:
- If the item caused the problem on its own, it is a defect and is usually covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
- If you caused the problem, it is considered damage and you are responsible for the repair.
Some common examples of damage that appear in the wireless industry are as follows:
Some common examples of damage that appear in the wireless industry are as follows:
Physical damage
i. Dropped handset and broke screen
ii. Dropped handset and broke antenna
iii. Sat on handset and damaged lcd
iv. Dropped or stepped on handset and broke flip
Liquid damage
i. Dropped handset and broke screen
ii. Dropped handset in toilet, pool or other body of water
iii. Threw water bottle into purse or bag and it leaked on handset
iv. Left handset outside in very cold temperatures and caused condensation when brought into warm environment
v. Used handset outside when it was raining
vi. Droped handset in snow
vii. Left car charger on floor of car in winter, got it covered in melted snow and then plugged it into handset
When you bring a handset into your wireless provider because it is not working properly the team members are taught to look for these things prior to sending the handset out for warranty repair.
Team members are taught to look for signs of physical damage as well as liquid damage. Physical damage is easy to see, and for those who are trained so is liquid damage. Every handset comes with a litmus strip on the inside where the battery connects. If this litmus strip has changed colour or is missing, the handset is automatically deemed liquid damaged and the manufacturer voids your warranty. If there are any signs of corrosion on the charging ports, it is also considered liquid damage and the warranty is voided.
The manufacturer will charge the consumer for improper diagnosis. If for example a customer insists the phone did not come in contact with liquid but the signs are there, and the team member sends it out for repair, the minimum cost to the consumer is about $60 just for the manufacturer to confirm what the team member has already told you in the store. This does not include the repair cost!
So protect your phone much the way you would protect your home computer or your car. The better care you provide this piece of electronics, the better it will work for you.
And in the event your handset is damaged beyond economical repair, look for a used or refurbished phone which can usually be purchased at a fraction of the cost of a new phone for the duration of your contract.
Visit PARLEZ WIRELESS and benefit from our outstanding service and competitive prices.
PARLEZ WIRELESS
4312 Innes Road
Orleans, Ontario K4A 5E6
t. (613) 824-0388
f. (613) 824-2184
hello@parlezwireless.com
