Paying a bond to get your phone serviced?

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dickytim

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# 253064 4-Sep-2009 06:47

if you don't have $50 to pay a bond, as likely or unlikely as this is then Noel Leeming are placing a barrier in the way of your consumer rights. I wouldn't pay, you can always elect to deal with the manufacturer as is your right.

Balchy

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# 253073 4-Sep-2009 08:16

Heh, when I worked for a vodafone dealership, I had a big bucket of phones that werent picked up due to people not wanting to pay the assessment fee to get it back.

I simply recovered the cost of those by using the parts to do my own servicing of other out of warranty phones.

This was back in the day of the nokia 6110's and the like - particularly the ones with the fading screens. Very very easy to replace the screens, faceplates, circuit boards etc.

The problem with most mobile phone retailers these days is the staff are just plebs who dont really know a thing about the hardware they are selling (Sorry for the generalisation)

For billions of years since the outset of time, every single one of your ancestors survived, every single person on your Mum and Dads side, successfully looked after and passed onto you life. What are the chances of that like?

n00dy

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# 253103 4-Sep-2009 10:34

The CGA covers maunfaturers faults or defects, accidental or deliberate damage would not be covered however this is where contention comes in to place and opinions. Liquid damage and battery life would be the most contentious issue where opinions can vary. In the case of liquid damage has occurred and a photo is taken of the end result ie you can see corrision and water marks it is a bit hard to contest, you could say that that photo is not your phone or it was there from new ( different can of worms ) however back on topic, in my experiance most stores require the bond as the warranty claim is NOT accepted until the manufacter or its agent agrees that it is a warranty claim, the agent in this case Telegistics or MFR do not do work for free, if it is warranty the manufacter will pay them the cost of repair, if it not warranty the repairer will bill the customer for the time taken in this case you via your agent the retailer. I think you will find that if you are on prepaid nearly ALL stores will ask for the bond but if you are on a contract they sometimes wave it as you are locked in. And I havenot heard of ANY store retaining the bond once warranty claim has been accepted.

Kyanar

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# 253108 4-Sep-2009 10:47

Aaroona:
I understand what you're saying here, however, how do you distinguish between accidental water damage, and that of being left in a car overnight? - If the water label is changed colour, they wont service it.

I could easily "accidentally" spill a little bit of water on my phone, kill it, and say well, i left it in the car..

Does that entitle me to a "free" repair? or new phone?

It is contentious. No, pouring water on it (unless it says it is waterproof) certainly isn't covered under warranty. However, you can usually tell the difference between the effects of a cup of water and the effects of sweaty paws. They can't just point to the moisture sticker and say "no", they've got to be open to evidence from you that the damage was due to the device not living up to expectations (the sweaty paw scenario).

Aaroona:
This maybe me just being nit picking, but is it actually law, or is it just simply opinion? Because there is a large difference (I havent personally looked into it, but would be interesting to know)

The Consumer's Institute is composed of lawyers, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs are the framers of this particular law (and you can bet they also employ lawyers). An opinion from the MCA on their own law is law.

So basically, the way it works is if they ask for a bond, you have two options. Option one, is to pay it. Option two, is to say no - and be prepared to make a fight out of it and go to court to defend your right not to pay it.

I finally have fibre! Had to leave the country to get it though.

kiwiboi

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# 253156 4-Sep-2009 12:28

I agree with Paul and billgates here. I've been repairing mobile phones for years and years now. Before we implemented the bond, we had buckets of unclaimed phones, most of which were liquid damaged, opened by the owners and damaged parts, heavily impacted, and worst they don't even return the loan phones. But when we started to ask for bond, the number of unclaimed phones decreased significantly. They now claim back their phone, either to claim insurance or sold on TM or other places. You won't believe how many liars are out there. Now I'm not saying the thread starter is one of them.

Kyanar

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# 253428 5-Sep-2009 18:53

kiwiboi: I agree with Paul and billgates here. I've been repairing mobile phones for years and years now. Before we implemented the bond, we had buckets of unclaimed phones, most of which were liquid damaged, opened by the owners and damaged parts, heavily impacted, and worst they don't even return the loan phones. But when we started to ask for bond, the number of unclaimed phones decreased significantly. They now claim back their phone, either to claim insurance or sold on TM or other places. You won't believe how many liars are out there. Now I'm not saying the thread starter is one of them.

I suppose the ultimate question is, what do you do if the customer refuses to pay your "bond"? Or can't pay it for some reason?

I finally have fibre! Had to leave the country to get it though.

Aaroona

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# 253430 5-Sep-2009 18:59

Just thought I would add; if you do take it in, make sure you SHOW (while you shouldnt have to) that the litmus thing is fine, and make sure you get that noted at the store when you take it in. That way you limit the amount of mistakes that can be caused by some incapable person.

EDIT: Excuse my terrible spelling. It seems that im too tired to try and multitask my brain tonight.

Paulthagerous

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# 253438 5-Sep-2009 20:13

jaymz: I know most new phones these days have white litmus paper stuck to various parts of the phone, it will turn red if it comes in contact with water and i mean a fully submergement in water. They put this measure in place so that retailers can quickly see if it is water damage before putting the phone in for warranty repairs (note the paper is normally under the battery)

The litmus test is a good indicator so a sales rep can have a look, but it is not in itself proof of the exixtence of liquid damage. Consider:

Replace stickers. No longer looks liquid damage

Put a liquid damaged battery into a perfectly fine phone. Looks like liquid damage

One part of the phone got wet, but not the stickered part. Doesn't look like water damage when it is.

And I am sure there are other situations. Some people think sticker=proof, which it is not (either way).

Aaroona

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# 253439 5-Sep-2009 20:14

Paulthagerous:
jaymz: I know most new phones these days have white litmus paper stuck to various parts of the phone, it will turn red if it comes in contact with water and i mean a fully submergement in water. They put this measure in place so that retailers can quickly see if it is water damage before putting the phone in for warranty repairs (note the paper is normally under the battery)

The litmus test is a good indicator so a sales rep can have a look, but it is not in itself proof of the exixtence of liquid damage. Consider:

Replace stickers. No longer looks liquid damage

Put a liquid damaged battery into a perfectly fine phone. Looks like liquid damage

One part of the phone got wet, but not the stickered part. Doesn't look like water damage when it is.

And I am sure there are other situations. Some people think sticker=proof, which it is not (either way).

that is a good point.

richms

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# 253908 7-Sep-2009 23:09

A friend was taking one back and was asked for a bond, I told them to change to ask for a refund in that case and they took it with no bond.

Cant charge ahead for it, they can take your details and invoice and send to collections if you dont pay a damaged phone, but not up front, and that is from someone who works in the mobile electronics industry who did get legal advice since they get a lot of headdecks back that are toasted from wrong installs.

Richard rich.ms

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