We bought a motorola phone from Noel Leeming at Christmas. Two weeks ago it stopped charging. Noel Leeming charged $55 to send it away to MFR. MFR claimed liquid damage and wanted another $41 on top to replace the USB connector on the phone. The phone has not been near liquid. I pointed out that even if it had, two months is not enough time for corrosion to destroy the USB connector. They were unmoved and arrogant so I won't be buying any products from Noel Leeming again. Might as well buy them second hand without warranty becuase the warranty means nothing. They can say what they like and you can't argue. I intend to get the phone checked out and get an idea when the corrosion started.
Have you spoken to MFR directly? Noel L will just be repeating what they have said, if you argue with the NL staff member they probably wont have a clue what has actually happened or could happen.
Ahh. MFR and liquid damage. I'd almost put money on the fact that 99% of people on here who have ever send a phone to MFR in a "not working" state with no physical damage have had a phone sent back with a claim of liquid damage.
I've heard a story of a phone in that needed a firmware upgrade (had sat in the box from new never been used) sent to MFR and returned because the phone was unserviceable due to liquid damage!
Be aware a phone can surfer liquid damage just by sitting on you windowsill overnight.
It's an unfortunate reality but even having your phone in a bag that gets wet or pocket on a wet day can cause moisture buildup. The problem however is that MFR seem to reject any claim at all where there are any signs of liquid damage, even if it's not directly linked to the problem. Asian countries with high humidity have huge problems with moisture buildup in devices (and issues with such things as VCR tape hot hence the reason VCD's were popular in Asia) yet aren't as paranoid as MFR. MFR simply use liquid damage as a way out of covering phones under warranty and unfortunately there is very little the average consumer can do to fight this even though it's extremely unfair if the phone has not been exposed to any moisture.
I fully agree with your position, MFR are too strict on the liquid damage issue. It would be interesting to see the polices manufactures have with MFR on the issue.
It was my 6210 that was "out of the box" Asia-pac NZ new edition, Made in Korea. as well as a 5120 that was brand new but old FW (v4.XX)
I took it to Queen street for the upgrade as per Nokia (since closed down)MFR reflashed it, with UK firmware which crashed terribly.
I took it to Mt Wellington, It returned "liquid damaged" and was in pieces and had the asian software again (apac)
After I checked it out (no liquid damage) I screwed it back together.. This phone is still in continuous use today, a line has gone from the LCD but it's been a total gem of a phone with flawless reception.
In saying that, it's quite possible that the USB plug is corroded but.... if you get no photo, there is no proof. You can jump up and down but leave Noel leeming alone, They are only messengers, Go direct to MFR 0508 REPAIR
They're probably (certainly) going by the little moisture sensitive sticker. There's normally one on the battery and one inside the phone (sometimes visible under the battery). These turn red if you immerse the phone OR after a few weeks or months of being outside of it's original packaging. All of my phones stickers are red and none of them have been liquidamaged.
Phones fall into toilets a lot and the original intent of these things was to detect those and similar cases. It's now become a scam to avoid repairing phones.
I guess a possible reality of the situation is that handsets just aren't as durable as they were once upon a time... I know of MANY examples of people still using Nokia 5110/6110s (5120, 6120 on TC), Alcatel One-Touch Easys (Even the originals! I have one as-new on my desk for a laugh!) There are even acquaintances of mine STILL using (albeit not for much longer) Motorola 2900N 025 bag-phones!
Almost every single one of those handsets would have been exposed to "liquid" above and beyond what the average modern handset would tolerate. I personally have WASHED paint off my old Ericsson R310 rugged phone in a sink of hot soapy water (guess what... it still goes!)
Being in the industry, I see examples of L.D. handsets on a daily basis, and i deal with both MFR and Mobile Fone Rescue (in ChCh) also on a daily basis. Both are prepared to email detailed magnified images of any corrosion or damage they have assessed. They are only acting on the manufacturers instructions... If they repair a phone under warranty when it has been liquid damaged, they don't get paid by the manufactuer! Not the best way to run a business...
My only advice is to BE CAREFUL! PLEASE! Don't keep your phone in the pocket of your shorts when you are sweating it out in the gym... Don't talk or txt in the rain (you'd be surprised how often i see people doing just that!) Don't put it on the windowsill above the sink when you are doing the dishes... Don't put it near baby's reach - handsets make fantastic pacifiers! I don't want to sound patronising, I really am just trying to help. Everything i have said above is really just common sense.
This is my own personal opinion and do not reflect on my employer and fellow employees.
I have had a phone "liquid damaged" when sent in for a software update within 2 weeks of purchase in the past.
This was the middle of summer and there had being no rain. After I challenged them about it they turned around and said they had made a mistake.
I had another phone declared liquid damaged a few years back (nokia 2120i) - the only thing I can think of is that I was working in a coolstore and often there would be condensation over the inside of it after coming out of the place. Still think I was within the parameters of the phones operation however.
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