Starting from the start: 

The Issue:

iPhone XS Max - relatively new (couple of months old), from 2DM, connected to 2DM. 

I have been having some interesting issues - text messages either not being received or received out of order or received at strange times (sometimes hours after they are sent to me) - all of which are from other networks. 

In addition to this - when others call me from another network, I most often can't hear them...they can hear me just fine but I have nothing and just stand there shouting "Hello, Hello, Hello"...I then have to call them back as a repeat often ends with the same outcome (i.e silence and shouting).

The Resolution/Experience:

Went into the Queen St Auckland 2DM store to see what can be done about this. 

We spoke about the issue and first prescribed option was for them to call me and see if we could replicate the issue - I had already explained that it was always from a non-2DM connection that I was having these issues. But they called me from there anyway. Weirdly, we couldn't replicate the issue. 😲

Next was to download an app called My Device Health. Ran a diagnostic - as expected, there was no phone hardware issue detected. 

Was told I might have to send my iPhone away and this could take up to a couple of weeks to look at - I asked what I would do for a phone in the meantime. I was told I could pay a $200 refundable bond and get a loan phone that would likely be an old iPhone 6 or similar (so I pay $200 for the privilege of using a phone worth less than that and they have my $2500 iPhone for as long as they need it, but don't pay me a bond?). I declined.

In the end, I suggested we try a SIM swap...maybe it's a network/SIM issue? Couldn't hurt, could it? 

That'll be $5 sir. EXCUSE ME? I am having issues, which appear (on the surface) to be network related and I am now being charged $5 for a new SIM so that potentially, I can also come in and hand over $200 to borrow an old phone while mine gets looked at? 

To say I am a little underwhelmed would be an understatement 

/rant