Hi guys,

I'm just after some help to see if anyone else has managed to find a resolution in a similar case to mine.

I purchased my iPhone 3G one week after they came out, so I'm about 2 months out of warranty.

About three days ago, the battery life just went.  I mean, from surviving around 2 to 3 days between charges, down to 2-3 hours.  Not only that, but the phone has started heating up quite alot, and I'm fairly concerned about it exploding (Google search for iPhones exploding).  The phone has not been dropped, or immersed in any liquid.

I found this page on the apple site:

http://www.apple.com/nz/support/iphone/service/battery/

and this page:

http://www.apple.com/nz/support/iphone/service/faq/#warranty7

It states that there is an out of warranty battery replacement available.

"My iPhone is not eligible for warranty service. What are my service options?

1. 
   iPhone Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement
   
   If your iPhone requires service only because the battery's ability to
   hold an electrical charge has diminished, please contact your carrier."

I called Vodafone up, and they referred me to an 0800 number for the Vodafone Online Store.

I called the Vodafone Online Store, and they said to take it to their Glenfield store.

I called the Glenfield store, and the guy was very helpful on the phone.  He rang Apple for me, but confirmed that his repairer is not actually a repair company, they just do replacements, and that Apple have said that an Out of Warranty Battery Replacement is not available in NZ.

I also went to the First Mobile Vodafone store in the Albany Westfield today, and the guy there said "you can't get a replacement battery for an iPhone, you just have to buy a new one". 

So, what am i meant to do here and has anyone had any luck getting this sort of issue sorted?

If I take it to a third party repairer, they all make you sign agreements that you might not get a working phone back.  Not acceptable.

Also, if I do it myself or a third party repairer does it, and it turns out to be another fault with the phone, Vodafone will say that it's been opened and I can't invoke the CGA.

Basically, as far as I can see, my only option is to invoke the following clauses in the CGA:

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/cga/faultygoods.html


Spare parts and repair facilities


This is a guarantee that a manufacturer must give. Unless the
manufacturer has let you know that it is not possible, you have a
right to repair facilities -some place that can fix your goods - and
spare parts for goods you buy.



This right applies to all new goods. It also applies to second
hand goods that have been imported into New Zealand and you are the
first person to buy them.



This right only applies for a reasonable time after the goods
have been bought.



If you buy imported goods, the importer must take reasonable
steps to provide repair facilities and spare parts. You can not
expect a New Zealand company that makes the same brand to provide
these things for imported models.

 

Guarantee of acceptable quality


Goods must be:

• fit for the purpose they are made for


• safe


• durable - last for a reasonable time


• have no minor defects


• acceptable in look and finish.

So as far as I'm concerned there is a known issue with the batter - that it does not last a long time.  Fair enough, and I would have been happy to pay $100 or so to get it replaced by a licensed repairer.

They've broken the spare parts and repair facilities part of the act, as well as the durability part of acceptable quality.

There was nothing on the Vodafone site when I bought the phone that said "Warning - this phone has a battery that is non-replacable and only lasts between 300 and 400 re-charges rendering your phone useless after around 14 months, and also causes dangerous operating circumstances when the battery starts to run out".  I was expecting the iPhone to last between 2 and 3 years, as I still have a 7 year old Nokia that still works.

Any recommendations?  Has anyone had any luck getting a refund or partial refund (for depreciation of electronics at around 50% I would expect a $500 refund), or replacement with a second hand phone, or a new phone from the Vodafone Online Store, or any other store selling iPhones for that matter?

If you have a magical answer that feels like Christmas, thanks very much :-D

 - Kit