Can I use an unactivated Epic 4g? - Epic 4G General

Search wasn't working for me so I am going to try my luck with a new topic
My Epic broke a few weeks ago and was denied warranty service, so I suspended my phone service and I will replace my broken screen myself with one from another unit. Assuming Samsung wiped my device during their diagnostics test and my phone would require activation upon boot, will I be able to use my phone without cellular data/voice until I decide to resume my service?
I've read up that the G1s and Droids can be used unactivated by touching the screen corners and I have a link that says the Fascinate can be used with a dialer code (http://androidforums.com/fascinate-tips-tricks/171348-bypass-fascinate-activation-screen.html)
Would any of those work?
Pic of the broken sAMOLED:
http://tibwolf.smugmug.com/photos/1090857987_wGDm8-XL.jpg

Assuming I'm understanding your question right, the answer should be yes. Sprint sent me a replacement phone when mine was just SUCKING BATTERY. I "switched" the activation from one phone to the other a call to Sprint. When the service was switched, I turned the old phone back on, and it worked on wifi only (no cell or data connection). I'm assuming that signing back in to the market via my Gmail account would have worked fine, but I can't tell for absolutely certain as I didn't actually try it. SHOULD work though. If someone has a more concrete answer, that'd be great.

Why not pay the $35 at a sprint store for repair? We have to do these and evo's often.
And on topic yes market and email etc work on wifi without being activated.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

You should be able to. I was using my hero as an mp3 player for a little while after I got my epic. The only problem I ran into was I couldn't sign into the android market on my hero if I was using the same gmail address on my epic
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Sprint fixed my strewn for free. They actually gabe me a new phone at the store since they didn't have the parts. I called and made an appointment but they don't know what happened to my part
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I don't have TEP so the Sprint store wanted nothing to do with me.
I bought a replacement shell with screen on ebay for $35 so I will repair it myself. Samsung wanted $150 to repair it and every single Samsung rep I've talked to on the phone said that their warranty never covers a broken screen under any circumstances.
Hopefully I can make sure I have a working phone before I go off to bootcamp
Thanks for the input guys

tibwolf said:
I don't have TEP so the Sprint store wanted nothing to do with me.
I bought a replacement shell with screen on ebay for $35 so I will repair it myself. Samsung wanted $150 to repair it and every single Samsung rep I've talked to on the phone said that their warranty never covers a broken screen under any circumstances.
Hopefully I can make sure I have a working phone before I go off to bootcamp
Thanks for the input guys
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Since you already bought the screen, this isn't really necessary, but I work at Sprint and with TEP it is a free repair. Without it is $35. I promise! In another thread someone argued that this was not true, but it surely is. I'd be happy to take a pic of an eticket for someone without tep and it clearly shows the $35 charge populated for cracked/damaged screen.

I should mention I didn't purchase any insurance on the phone at all ($71.76 a month after all fees and taxes)
The manager at the Sprint store I went to, which also happens to be the only store in the area authorized for repairs, said that TEP would have been $35 out of pocket, and regular insurance would be $100. Once I said I had no insurance he pointed to a phone and said it was Samsung's problem

tibwolf said:
I should mention I didn't purchase any insurance on the phone at all ($71.76 a month after all fees and taxes)
The manager at the Sprint store I went to, which also happens to be the only store in the area authorized for repairs, said that TEP would have been $35 out of pocket, and regular insurance would be $100. Once I said I had no insurance he pointed to a phone and said it was Samsung's problem
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If they are corporate or preferred then they are seriously misinformed. The insurance is only for lost/stolen, liquid, or device is in 3 or more pieces. All housing/screen other than that is covered for free if you have TEP or ESRP, but if you only have ERP or NOTHING, then its $35 charge with the option to add tep after the repair or replacement.
I'd complain if they are a corporate or preferred store. If that's the case they are basically saying that they didn't feel like dealing with you, or they have not been properly trained on the new policies.

tibwolf I'm in the same situation as you ... can you tell me how it went? How difficult was it to actually replace it? I couldn't find instructions on the web.

I had my Epic for over two weeks before I activated it and it worked fine as everything but a phone. There were no tricks involved at all - I even did the Google setup so I could access the market, Gmail, etc.

I got mine @ the Bestbuy mobile store. The rep there said that Android based phones have to be actived to be used and that was the reason I couldn't play with a real one before purchasing. He would let me play with a Blackberry though.

Overstew said:
I got mine @ the Bestbuy mobile store. The rep there said that Android based phones have to be actived to be used and that was the reason I couldn't play with a real one before purchasing. He would let me play with a Blackberry though.
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For him to say "android" based phones have to be activated is false. i had my htc hero without being activated and performed a factory reset and i just walked through the setup with wifi and I could do everything on the phone except the phone. When i bought my epic 4g, It was not activated yet I turned it on and messed around with it.
I hope this helps you out!
p.s - i dunno if this matters but both phones had been previously activated but were unactivated through sprint.
Sincerely,
D3luSi0n4L

I can confirm that you can sprint does repair cracked screens for $35 ( I also smashed mine with no (none of any kind) insurance. You can also use your phone through wifi by skipping activation.

You can bring it to sprint even if you have no account with them?
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ramsestut said:
If they are corporate or preferred then they are seriously misinformed. The insurance is only for lost/stolen, liquid, or device is in 3 or more pieces. All housing/screen other than that is covered for free if you have TEP or ESRP, but if you only have ERP or NOTHING, then its $35 charge with the option to add tep after the repair or replacement.
I'd complain if they are a corporate or preferred store. If that's the case they are basically saying that they didn't feel like dealing with you, or they have not been properly trained on the new policies.
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^This. There was a recent policy change and this is now the policy. If it is repairable, the repair is free with insurance or $35 without. If it is non-repairable, water damaged, or stolen, then you can get a replacement under insurance and nothing without insurance.

Overstew said:
I got mine @ the Bestbuy mobile store. The rep there said that Android based phones have to be actived to be used and that was the reason I couldn't play with a real one before purchasing. He would let me play with a Blackberry though.
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I had a Best Buy guy tell me the same thing and I had to correct him. Best Buy in my area doesnt know much about the phones they sell. I had my Epic for awhile and never had it activated, but I could use it on wifi for everything other than calls. I finally decided to acitvate it and switched back and forth for some time, flipping between my Evo and Epic. Both worked over Wifi, and still functioned without wifi, when not activated on Sprint. Same with my old Hero.

DiGi760 said:
^This. There was a recent policy change and this is now the policy. If it is repairable, the repair is free with insurance or $35 without. If it is non-repairable, water damaged, or stolen, then you can get a replacement under insurance and nothing without insurance.
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Does this include parts? Also what kind of things can they replace? The bezel around my screen on the sides has hairline scratches that kinda bug me, I wouldn't mind paying $35 it they'd completely replace it. Please let me know asap!
Thanks!
D3luSi0n4L

Related

The truth on sprints new TEP program

ok, I know we already have a topic about sprints tep changes, but as I read through it I was so tired of reading all these assumptions and people stating incorrect things, so to clear it up. Also remember this may not be regional, I don't know how sprint is rolling it out, at least in the south east (im in NC) its all rolled out as of oct 23rd.
First off im a service and repair technician at a corporate store. We rolled this out on the 23rd (at least in the southeast, idk of other areas around the US)
pricing is still the same, 7$ a month. But now it covers almost everything except liquid damage, board damage, lost and stolen.
So if someone comes in with a completely shattered evo screen (as I saw 3 today), if they have TEP we replace it with a brand new screen, if we don't have one we exchange in store, if we don't have one, we order a replacement. Basically we now cover physical damage in store. The only time we don't is if its board damage, say the phone got ran over, obviously the board is destroyed. But as far as cracked screens, broken hinges etc... its all covered.
ALSO now for people that do not have TEP, before if they had physical damage we would charge them 120$ in store for repair, now its only 35$ to repair say a broken screen (good news!), except thats for every visit, sprint is now not authorizing the 1 year manufacturers warranty in store, so say your blackberry trackball pops out and you don't have TEP you can either pay sprint 35$ or go to blackberry. But the nice thing is its 35$ for ALL repairs, except the liquid, board damage etc..
I just felt the need to post this because I was tired of reading incorrect posts. Hopefully this makes sense, because I typed this in minor frustration lol. But I think this is great (for the customer, I see alot of phones now lol) But its REALLLLY putting value in sprints TEP now
So if any questions please ask away.
Thanks for clearing that up. I am switching to Sprint next week so this news has been welcomed.
good post ! tyvm
no problem. I hope this makes sense, I just went on a quick typing rant and haven't really read over it. But I think this REALLY adds value to TEP and makes it worth it. And to the people who said sprints technicians don't know anything they are worthless. Honestly.. Just because your local store may be bad, or not up to par doesn't mean they all are. At my store we try to be as fair as possible, but when someone comes in every 2 weeks for the same problem for the past 5 months, yeah we may refuse to repair, or notate the account for repeat offenders. But at the store and District I work in, we all do the best (also were the number 1 store for customer service in the District so that may help)
If you don't have insruance, does the phone need to be on your phone line? Lets say i have a phone in my cabinet with a broken screen, could i go and get it fixed for 35$?
For $35 I might just take the case off my EVO and let her run around naked!
Thanks for clearing that up! I live in the South east as well. +1
yes we can repair the phone but it has to be on the account, and active for atleast 30 days.
So I know this is off topic but how do technicians treat Evos with hosed 4g keys cause I want to root and pay $7 for insurance but fear hosing my 4g which I use.
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Great information, thanks. One question though: what if you do have liquid damage and you pay for TEP? What is the repair cost then? What about lost phones? Also, like already mentioned, what about rooted phones? This is insurance after all and not warranty.
I ask because I have Best Buy Black Tie Protection now' but with these changes to TEP I'm thinking about canceling the Best Buy plan and switching to TEP. Thanks for your info.
what about everyday wear and tear i have scratches from dropping my phone a lot on the bottom of the phone can that be fixed for free?
Is their insurance still through Asurion? I went ten years with never losing or damaging a phone and the one time I lost my HTC touch I was charged $100 for a piece of crap that had a busted speaker and a glitchy looking screen. And to top it off the girl at sprint who looked at my phone said the busted speaker wasn't too bad and that the speaker phone still worked fine...
I am not impressed with Sprint's insurance at all.
ok, well if liquid you go through asurion, 100$. Same for lost or stolen. As far as the 4g queston, not sure what you mean by hosed 4g?
and for the question about cosmetic damage, thats the one thing im not 100% sure about, I will have to get more info on that.
And yeah still through asurion. But now the only time you go through them is if;
liquid damage, lost, stolen, board damage.
samrozzi said:
ok, well if liquid you go through asurion, 100$. Same for lost or stolen. As far as the 4g queston, not sure what you mean by hosed 4g?
and for the question about cosmetic damage, thats the one thing im not 100% sure about, I will have to get more info on that.
And yeah still through asurion. But now the only time you go through them is if;
liquid damage, lost, stolen, board damage.
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Hosed 4G means the RSA keys are damaged and it won't authenticate. Each phone has it's own key, so it's not something that could likely be fixed in store.
Would a phone get replaced under that circumstance?
hmm maybe since im not familiar with the term, But we have seen phones with 4g not connecting or not able to establish a connection and sometimes we have to exchange it (which thats covered), but lately we've been pretty good at restoring data to the devices but a pain in the ass, so exchanging is usually easier
i had a small crack on the top right of my phone (next to front camera) for a month now (a drunk drop getting out of the car)
it wasnt a big deal.
well yesterday i was holding my daughter and was taking my evo out of my pocket......it fell on the tile face down.
i picked it up and my screen was shattered but the phone still works.
anyway i went to sprint today and got a new screen put on my phone for free within 40 minutes. i also have the $7/mo insurance plan
best part is i have a CM6 root/rom on my phone and they didnt say a thing.
i have an 003 version and since the new screen was put on, no more light leakage either
I still don't understand why a customer needs to be charged $35 for warranty work though.
Shattered screen? yes
Defect in phone? no...should be a free repair if it's under the 1 year warranty
Well I know now after reading this Im happy I told Bestbuy to shove their insurance and switched back to Sprints !
m4rk0358 said:
I still don't understand why a customer needs to be charged $35 for warranty work though.
Shattered screen? yes
Defect in phone? no...should be a free repair if it's under the 1 year warranty
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Your not. Call the manufacturers, use their warranty and take a month off without a phone.
exactly dirtyshroomz. Because yous till have the 1 year through company. But we will do things like software defects, and basic s/w based things at no charge

I need some guidance with best buy woes...

Ok, so I was told that if I bought the best buy insurance that they would replace my phone on the spot no questions asked.
Well... my phone broke (usb is not recognized by any computer, so I think the processor is f*ed).
I took the phone to best buy and they they told me they had to send it in for repair. I was pissed. I then had to pay $150 for a loaner phone, not even an evo phone.
25 days later the phone comes back. They phone is still not fixed.
Now I am livid at this point. The manager is gone from the store so I am dealing with the peons. They said they called the manager and they want to send it in again for repair.
I told them that I followed the process / procedure and it did not work. I asked for them to replace it and they will not.
I told them I know they have power to overide things and replace the phone.
They still will not do so.
I NEED HELP. What do I do? Does anyone have anyone I can contact?
God, this pisses me off. Thank in advance for the help.
Ill tell you this....i had the same deal. Best buy told me the same ****, so I went to the sprint store and after looking at it they told me I would receive a refurbished one in the mail. Cool....its better than paying a deposit especially since I don't have TEP. Now....
3 days ago my usb port went all shaky on me. Took it to the sprint store again still without TEP. This time they replaced it with a brand new one even though it had that new camera (another story). Forget best buy. Manufacture warrantys can protect you.
Two things to take from this....best buys insurance sucks and the sprint store is a good option even without tep. Im waiting on open enrollment for TEP now because I done believe the third time will be a charm. Hopes this helps.
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Welcome to Best Buy's crap warranties. Same thing happened with my Droid. The Mic went dead, they sent it out for 2 weeks, came back with the "Speaker" replaced. The Mic still didn't work. Sent out again, took 4 weeks to finally fix the Mic. I got tired of waiting and got my Evo. The Mobile manager would do nothing. Said you have to wait for 4 failed repairs to get a replacement. I reported them to the state attorney generals office. Get the word out to everyone not to buy these **** plans. I wouldn't take one of these plans for free at this point.
david279 said:
Ill tell you this....i had the same deal. Best buy told me the same ****, so I went to the sprint store and after looking at it they told me I would receive a refurbished one in the mail. Cool....its better than paying a deposit especially since I don't have TEP. Now....
3 days ago my usb port went all shaky on me. Took it to the sprint store again still without TEP. This time they replaced it with a brand new one even though it had that new camera (another story). Forget best buy. Manufacture warrantys can protect you.
Two things to take from this....best buys insurance sucks and the sprint store is a good option even without tep. Im waiting on open enrollment for TEP now because I done believe the third time will be a charm. Hopes this helps.
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Click to expand...
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Do you happen to know if this was a corporate sprint store, or a franchise sprint store like 'mobile lifestyle' that just deals sprint? I've not heard of a franchise store doing anything like that, but if one did I'd like to know. Maybe it just depends on the franchise, too.
In any case, yes - it's usually better to take problems like that to the corporate stores. Extended warranties from the likes of Best Buy and Radioshack are seldom worth it on phones (tvs and other electronics are another story, though).
It was a regular sprint store with in house techs to work on phones.
I have my brother's Evo on my account with mine and it's at BB for it's second try at fixing the boot loop. I told him he should have just paid the $35 at the Sprint store for a new one. I'll be cancelling that coverage at Best Buy and seeing if I can switch to the TEP at Sprint.
Awsome, I took your advice and went to the sprint store.
I paid $35 and got a new phone, no questions asked.
A small price for me to pay for making a bad decision at best buy.
Never will shop there again.
Good job man!!!!
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Last time I shopped at Best Buy they pulled that magazine scam on me. I started realizing that every month I would have a charge on my bank account about some magazine but never had the time to check on it. A year later I took the time and realized it was Best Buy who signed me up for it when I had paid for my purchase with my card.
If you google Best Buy scams you'll find a lot of horror stories with warranties and magazine scams.
I worked at Best buy for a long time part time. They (Sales Reps) mis-represent the warranty ALL THE TIME. It works the way its supposed to (according to the pamphlet no one reads), but not the way they present it.......("If it breaks we replace"). I've been screamed on too many times to count.
Nothing you can do until the General Manager comes back or if you deal with a Assistant store manager with some balls. Good luck
Go back to Best Buy with a friend and pretend to buy a phone, when they try to sell you on the best buy insurance video tape it and then you have proof that they lied about their insurance plan and force them to replace your phone.
Apex i ITR said:
I worked at Best buy for a long time part time. They (Sales Reps) mis-represent the warranty ALL THE TIME. It works the way its supposed to (according to the pamphlet no one reads), but not the way they present it.......("If it breaks we replace"). I've been screamed on too many times to count.
Nothing you can do until the General Manager comes back or if you deal with a Assistant store manager with some balls. Good luck
Click to expand...
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Yep... even though they do not work in commission they still have a hard time explaining to leadership why the service plan does not sell, and then when it sells its all based on lies.
to OP: the reason why they won't just exchange the phone on the spot its because it hits its revenue: you see, when the phone is authorized for exchange by the service center, the insurance company that backs up the plan refunds the retail price of the phone to the department but when they do it 'on the spot' basically the department has to eat 100% of the retail cost because they cannot send the phone for repairs (even if under warranty) and for the new phone that you are getting. The store might sent the phone back to the manufacturer but the store wont get full credit for the retail price on the device.
The best thing you can do is either locate the original associate that helped you and request the manager from the department or even the store manager and confront the associate in front of the manager OR call customer relations and see if they can help you as they can force the hand of the store manager and allow you to get a new device.
cruise350 said:
Go back to Best Buy with a friend and pretend to buy a phone, when they try to sell you on the best buy insurance video tape it and then you have proof that they lied about their insurance plan and force them to replace your phone.
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Hell, I would do that but instead of videotaping it I would just wait for the associate to say that they replace it on the spot and then whip out my busted EVO and say "OK then buddy, replace my busted EVO".
My phone stopped reading the SD card and charging. I have a wall charger for batteries thank god. Took 19 days for them to say yes your phone is broke and you can have a new one. This completed my warranty so I have opt back into the BB warrant again. I said not now. They asked me a total of three times.
The first phone call I made was to Sprint to get their insurance.
....scam me once.
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Now that you got a repair from Sprint, cancel your black tie "protection" and get the TEP. Costs $2 less per month and it's a much better plan. That's what I just had to do with my Evo to get a replacement screen because the touch sensor was all screwed up and it had a white spot in the middle of it.
Best Buy manager wouldn't do anything, so I had him call and cancel for me and told him I'd be getting Sprint's plan. Maybe I'll even blog about it.
Sent from my phone with the geebees
afazel said:
Now that you got a repair from Sprint, cancel your black tie "protection" and get the TEP. Costs $2 less per month and it's a much better plan. That's what I just had to do with my Evo to get a replacement screen because the touch sensor was all screwed up and it had a white spot in the middle of it.
Best Buy manager wouldn't do anything, so I had him call and cancel for me and told him I'd be getting Sprint's plan. Maybe I'll even blog about it.
Sent from my phone with the geebees
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Please blog about it, Best Buy is pretty evil and I see way too many people get f'ed over by their scams.
You'd be surprised how many times the customer service number will over ride the store.
Best buy isn't evil. Actually on the outside looking in and on the inside looking out I can honestly say for such a large chain they are pretty decent. Its hard to satisfy everyone. What gets everyone riled up is the way the service plan is sold and the unwillingness to help (in some cases) after its put to the test.
I've also seen customers try to scam the system as well so it goes both ways.
If you know what you are getting into and don't listen to the sales people that are put under TREMENDOUS pressure to sell the service plans (More important then the prduct itself). Then there are no surprises.
Ok well I have best buy insurance. Havent had a problem yet. But wouldnt it be better to copy all your sd card on to the computer. Erase your sd card. Then drop it in the toilet. They cover water damage right? Then the'll be no way they can fix it and they have to give you a new one the same day right? Good idea??
Evo - Myn 2.2 RLS 3 - Clockwork - HBoot .76
r.storm85 said:
Ok well I have best buy insurance. Havent had a problem yet. But wouldnt it be better to copy all your sd card on to the computer. Erase your sd card. Then drop it in the toilet. They cover water damage right? Then the'll be no way they can fix it and they have to give you a new one the same day right? Good idea??
Evo - Myn 2.2 RLS 3 - Clockwork - HBoot .76
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Click to collapse
Ummmm....last i checked they don't cover water damage only tep from sprint does
cruise350 said:
Go back to Best Buy with a friend and pretend to buy a phone, when they try to sell you on the best buy insurance video tape it and then you have proof that they lied about their insurance plan and force them to replace your phone.
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As much as they deserve this and i would love to do this too i think its considered black mail or coersion isn't it?

new front bezel?

i noticed the other day my bezel is cracked near the power,volume, and hdmi areas. Sprint said 100 to fix because they would only offer me a refurb. is there anywhere i can get the bezel and replace it myself?
Somehow I don't think you brought it to a corporate repair store, or you did so before October 23rd.
Sent from my HTC EVO
I just did last friday, has sprint officially addressed this? If so I will call tomorrow to complain.
It's been my experience with Sprint that it's touch and go depending on who you're working with. I've had one rep tell me one thing only to call back in a week later and be told the total opposite. I would continue to pursue the issue until forced to pay the $100.
Any suggestions on how to get this fixed? I would even be willing to buy the part since it should be less than 100
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I had dropped my phone and cracked the screen a couple of weeks ago.i took my phone to sprint and they replaced the entire half of the phone(which includes the screen,bezel,volume and power buttons and the speaker grill)in under 30 min for $35.I didn't have insurance.
phone looks brand new,and my new screen is even better than my old one,colors are alot sharper!
i would be ok with paying 35 for it to be fixed. suggestions? there is only 1 corporate repair store in my area i believe.
Official sprint policy is to repair any damage outside of fire, liquid or "total destruction" (the board is in more than 2 pieces) for free under TEP or $35 if you don't have TEP. Loss, theft, fire, liquid and destroyed phones go through assurion for $100/$50. This took effect on October 23rd.
Sent from my HTC EVO
Thanks, I have tep so I will go back
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If I understand the newTEP stuff, this should actually cost me nothing?
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yup i had the same issue with the phone showing a crack right by the power button. i also had bright white spots on my screen. took it to a sprint corporate store and they replaced the screen and bezel at no charge. took them about an hr they were busy
Burksdb said:
yup i had the same issue with the phone showing a crack right by the power button. i also had bright white spots on my screen. took it to a sprint corporate store and they replaced the screen and bezel at no charge. took them about an hr they were busy
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Click to collapse
i live in south florida but dont know where to go. my mic stopped working all of a sudden. i try to buy it off ebay and the guy told me dont waste your money on buying the back bezel because the mic is in the motherboard meaning i would have to replace the whole phone. what are my options here?
just take it to a sprint corporate store and let them take a look at it.
i called sprint, and then took it back to the same store. the store told me if i wanted it fixed to smash my phone and then call insurance.
so, i guess back to the original question. where can i buy the bezel to replace it myself since the store doesn't want to help and the next closest corp. store w/ repair is 250miles away.
Wait wait wait.....the store rep told you to 'smash the phone'?! Get that in writing! Lol
Sent from my Evo
Call Customer Service and tell them what's going on and what the rep at the store advised you to do. According to the new TEP policy physical damage is covered in store with no deductible as long as its not damaged beyond repair. That means you don't pay anything to get it fixed. Call customer service and they *should* be able to help you out with this. I would not pay $100 for new screen/bezel when you have TEP. That's a rip.
tangstang said:
Call Customer Service and tell them what's going on and what the rep at the store advised you to do. According to the new TEP policy physical damage is covered in store with no deductible as long as its not damaged beyond repair. That means you don't pay anything to get it fixed. Call customer service and they *should* be able to help you out with this. I would not pay $100 for new screen/bezel when you have TEP. That's a rip.
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what he said.i had the screen/bezel replaced for $35 and i didn't even have insurance.paying a $100 for new screen/bezel when you have TEP is a rip.
Do they have to replace the screen too? Maybe that its why they are giving me such a hard time; it is not broke, although I found out last night my multi touch is not working other then basic 2, not sure if 5 is supposed to work or not
flyboy1100 said:
Do they have to replace the screen too? Maybe that its why they are giving me such a hard time; it is not broke, although I found out last night my multi touch is not working other then basic 2, not sure if 5 is supposed to work or not
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Click to collapse
well the screen they have comes attached to the bezel,so yeah they will replace the entire half of the phone(screen/bezel).
since they're giving you the run-around,maybe you are better off with a crack on your screen so there is a strong enough reason for them to replace it....(if you catch my drift).
FYI from all I know, if the repair cannot be made in the store they can order you a refurb. You have to pay $35 for an advanced exchange though. Or wait for the repair parts I guess. This is with insurance and depends if they deem it damaged beyond repair.

Phone can't go into download mode bad keyboard, Sprint Service center giving me BS

Hey guys, please help, my keyboard 2 W S Z, that whole roll of keys stopped working and down volume key just suddenly stopped working. I can't go into download mode anymore, don't have TEP, I wanted to get it fixed at the service center, that guy said when they open the phone they said there is liquid inside, what a bunch of lying bastards, when I told him I am very careful with this phone, never in contact with any water, he said maybe you used the phone when it's raining and got water inside, I don't know, can't help you. these F**king guys really pissed me off, he gave me the phone and went to help some guy who wanted to buy a cell phone lol, spent less than 30 sec with me, didn't offer any help, just wanted me to buy a new phone for 600 bucks.
What can I do now?
If they put the message on your account that your phone has water damage you're SOL. however it sounds like they didn't give you much time which is in your favor in this case, call Sprint customer service and say that you went into the store and were ignored when you told them you weren't interested in buying anything but only wanted a repair, ask to be escalated then request that they send you a replacement so you don't have to take more time out of your busy schedule to deal with incompetent Reps whose only interest is making a sale.
Careful...it only takes 30 seconds to check to see if the water damage label is triggered and if there is water damage Sprint won't touch the phone. If you get somebody over the phone to send you a replacement they'll see it on the phone you send back and charge your account for the replacement phone. Water damage seems like an awfully good explaination for the type of problem you're having on the phone...it's just like if you dump some coffee into your keyboard on a computer certain keys short out and stop working. I know it sucks but it makes a lot of sense to a 3rd party looking at your phone.
Why buy a $500 and no insurance (tep) then expect sprint to give you help?
Sent from my SPH-D700
Perfect time to download the new gingerbread keyboard...lmao
man that sucks. id brick the damn phone and then take it to another sprint store and tell them that you got a pop up for an upgrade and this is what happened after you installed it.
ghostrid3r said:
Why buy a $500 and no insurance (tep) then expect sprint to give you help?
Sent from my SPH-D700
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This...
Passing on the insurance was a very idiotic move.
Ask to see the liquid...if its there you cant be mad at them since YOU chose against the insurance.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Try going in a terminal or adb and type in
Su
Adb rebootdownload... i don't remember where there are spaces so try it with no spaces and with fifteenth ones... hope it helps.
Sent from my Samsung-SPH-D700 using XDA App
Same exact thing happened to me. They swapped mine though because I had insurance.
i dont really reply much but u feel your pain. you could make a download jig from an old usb cable that will force it into download mode you need to get 3 100k ohm resisters then put them on the old cable pins 4 and 5 or get one on ebay just type in samsung usb jig or something. google the instructions or you tube
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This post has been removed!
xReMiNGToN said:
lol Sorry I just noticed u didn't have TEP...how much $ is it worth to you to have TEP? I might be able to add it onto ur account
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Are you seriously soliciting a bribe?
xReMiNGToN said:
lol Sorry I just noticed u didn't have TEP...how much $ is it worth to you to have TEP? I might be able to add it onto ur account
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soliciting a bribe isn't cool at all.
FYI (to the OP) most CSR reps can add this to your account for you for no extra cost (beyond the monthly premium). I had a rep add it to my wife's line (temporarily) so that she could to the "4 bad phone swaps to get another device" thing.. she had to do that dance to get rid of her intercept and she now has a transform. The guy on the phone w/ me (at the time) said that any CSR would be able to do that for me.
Don't pay a guy from XDA w/ 3 posts to add anything to your account that you can add w/ just a phone call.
Just sayin'
Not true. You can not just add TEP at any time. It will get added but quickly removed when Asurion checks the account and see it is not within 30 days of purchase or S&R fee.
And more than likely (being a Sprint Tech myself) you did somehow get your phone wet because keys going out is a usual sign. I'm sorry if you felt disrespected at that store but they followed the policy which is what we have to do. As soon as LD is found on board, we flag it and the rest is handled through Asurion (every carrier uses them).
But since you do not have TEP, you are kind of SOL. At that point you can either buy a new phone for full retail or use upgrade if available. Or try and find an old phone at home or from a friend. Or check ebay or craigslist places for people selling Sprint phones with a clean ESN.
ghostrid3r said:
Why buy a $500 and no insurance (tep) then expect sprint to give you help?
Sent from my SPH-D700
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Because the phone has a warranty? LOL
xReMiNGToN said:
The liquid damage indicator on your battery is easy to trip
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So uh, just get a new stock battery and you're good to go as long as he didn't notate your account.
akijikan said:
Because the phone has a warranty? LOL
Warranty is through Samsung and doesn't cover LD, physical, lost/stolen. TEP is well worth it. And if you want to use your warranty, your right you can. Ship your phone to Samsung and wait for them to determine what was wrong with it. It should only take 4 weeks or so.
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jkrough0728 said:
akijikan said:
Because the phone has a warranty? LOL
Warranty is through Samsung and doesn't cover LD, physical, lost/stolen. TEP is well worth it. And if you want to use your warranty, your right you can. Ship your phone to Samsung and wait for them to determine what was wrong with it. It should only take 4 weeks or so.
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Really have to go through samsung? I've done 3 warranty replacements and always done them in store. I mean if he didn't have water damage (supposedly).
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Sprint rep could back date the tep it prolly would work. Even if he added tep today and made a claim it might work lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
jkrough0728 said:
Not true. You can not just add TEP at any time. It will get added but quickly removed when Asurion checks the account and see it is not within 30 days of purchase or S&R fee.
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For $1k bet, I'll post a screenshot. I'm telling you that they did it w/ my wife's phone 2 months ago. We opened our accounts In Sept.. You're calling me a liar ??
I was up 4 levels from the dorks that answer the phone when u first call. I escalated to that person's supervisor, then tech support level 2, then that person's manager. THAT person added the equipment protection plan for the remainder of the month, then credited my account the price so it was free.
I swear I'll post screenshots. That person even told me that any CSR can add it at any time.
Please get your facts straight.

Charging port broken off from motherboard - Sprint won't replace

I've been having issues with my charging port for some time now. I've had intermittent issues where the port would not charge and then today, it finally broke off apparently. The Sprint corporate store said they could not fix it and to call Asurion. I'm sure I have the same issue a lot of Evo users have had in that I'm sure they are going to want to charge me the $100 deductible.
How can they call this physical damage to the phone? Plugging it in is a normal activity and there are plenty of documented cases of the charge port coming loose or breaking.
All I want is for Sprint to replace my Evo so I can be on my way. I'm having nothing but bad luck in my endeavor. Has anybody successfully gotten Sprint to replace their phone without going through Asurion? What did you do or say?
I have the same issue. Your phone is probably covered under manufacturer warranty still. Contact HTC. Takes two weeks.
I haven't sent mine in yet. I purchased a battery charger and spare batteries until I figure out how to live with my phone.
Good luck!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
hgelpke said:
I've been having issues with my charging port for some time now. I've had intermittent issues where the port would not charge and then today, it finally broke off apparently. The Sprint corporate store said they could not fix it and to call Asurion. I'm sure I have the same issue a lot of Evo users have had in that I'm sure they are going to want to charge me the $100 deductible.
How can they call this physical damage to the phone? Plugging it in is a normal activity and there are plenty of documented cases of the charge port coming loose or breaking.
All I want is for Sprint to replace my Evo so I can be on my way. I'm having nothing but bad luck in my endeavor. Has anybody successfully gotten Sprint to replace their phone without going through Asurion? What did you do or say?
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I've heard of Sprint doing that, claiming it's 'physical damage' and and that they refuse to fix it. Asurion, if you have it, is actually quick, you'll have your phone in a day or two. However, you get dinged with the $100 deductible. If you are unsuccessful at getting Sprint to replace it, I gaurantee you that you could find an electronics repair place and have them re-solder the charging port. Supposedly, for someone who knows how to do that type of thing, it's a simple and quick task to do. I'm sure it would be far less than 100 bucks to have it re-soldered. Also, I was reading a thread about this very topic, where someone who did have a lot of electronics experience, said that the solder joints on the charging port are terrible, and a poor overall design to boot.
I wonder... being that any sort of plugging in of a cable puts stress on that charging port, do you suppose that a charging cradle is better or worse for the phone? I'd guess better.....?
FYI- I had the same exact issue and the Sprint Corporate store replaced it for me no questions asked. I wasn't even able to unroot because the battery died.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Mine broke also and they gave me a new one. But it couldve been that it was during my first month.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
If you don't have tep sprint doesn't care what happens to your phone...they won't replace it.
cbradberry said:
FYI- I had the same exact issue and the Sprint Corporate store replaced it for me no questions asked. I wasn't even able to unroot because the battery died.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Same deal for me.my charger port broke while rooted.I just took it to a repair store not the corporate one, they looked at it then pulled up my account information then activated an evo they had behind the counter and I walked out, that easy! Sorry your having problems, if I was you I'd try a different store. I used the store in Tavares, Florida so you can look them up to see exactly what type of store they are. Good luck to ya!
easy answer: its physical damage, if something is broken then it is not covered by warranty. doesnt matter how it happened, if its broke you did it. use asurion.
real answer: its a grey area. sometimes these ports do break off, and while yes technically it is not covered by warranty or esrp, generally if the phone shows no other signs of physical damage a tech will replace the phone for you. keep in mind that the letter of the law states it is not covered though, so if that store choses not to replace it they are properly doing their job. the techs and stores have repair quotas, and exchanging those phones does cost sprint a lot of money.
if the port is just lose it would have been fine, but its its completely off the board its considered physical damage because it could have been from normal wear and tear or you could have used a pair of pliers and pulled it out. you can try htc but its gonna take for ever and you still have to pay for the parts.
sprint fixed mine in jan...no 35.00 charge (i dont have insurance) it broke again this past week. The ordered a replacement phone. Will be here monday...no 35.00 charge.
Guess it just depends
I took mine in the day after it started acting up - not rooted. I just took it to the Sprint store closest to me. I have insurance & was past my 30 days. I told the guy, he didn't even ask questions about it. He filed it through Asurion and told me to come back the next day after 2:00. It didn't cost anything. But then again... he was flirting with me, so that could have something to do with it.
I'd just try another store, I think it depends on who you get behind the counter with stuff like this. And if you know any pretty girls that will go for you - try that. I've had 3 EVOs and didn't pay for any of my replacements.
kellybrf said:
easy answer: its physical damage, if something is broken then it is not covered by warranty. doesnt matter how it happened, if its broke you did it. use asurion.
real answer: its a grey area. sometimes these ports do break off, and while yes technically it is not covered by warranty or esrp, generally if the phone shows no other signs of physical damage a tech will replace the phone for you. keep in mind that the letter of the law states it is not covered though, so if that store choses not to replace it they are properly doing their job. the techs and stores have repair quotas, and exchanging those phones does cost sprint a lot of money.
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Sorry, but I have to call BS on most of this (not what you are saying, but rather Sprint's policy)
These devices have a 1yr manufacturers warranty. Sprint should take the hardware for the customer and swap it with HTC....so it shouldn't be costing Sprint a dime (except for labor, which is payed for already).
And frankly if Sprint doesn't want to be the middleman for manufacturer swaps then they need to stop putting their name on the hardware.
Its the same issue I have with the different Corporate vs Franchise Sprint stores...seriously, if you put a sign saying "Sprint" on your store, then you should be prepared to represent them 100% by offering the same services. Sometimes its like showing up to a McDonalds and being told that only the real locations have fries.
[/rant]
Sent from my device.
I've had my Evo since launch day and my charge port was having the same issues.
Called HTC about the warranty and they said it would not be covered.
Took it to Sprint and they swapped it out for the $35 fee since the device was still under the manufacturer's warranty period. I think some stores know this is a recurring issue with this phone and are not putting up much of a fuss over replacing them.
My advice, keep trying different stores until you find one that does it.
ramiss said:
Sorry, but I have to call BS on most of this (not what you are saying, but rather Sprint's policy)
These devices have a 1yr manufacturers warranty. Sprint should take the hardware for the customer and swap it with HTC....so it shouldn't be costing Sprint a dime (except for labor, which is payed for already).
And frankly if Sprint doesn't want to be the middleman for manufacturer swaps then they need to stop putting their name on the hardware.
Its the same issue I have with the different Corporate vs Franchise Sprint stores...seriously, if you put a sign saying "Sprint" on your store, then you should be prepared to represent them 100% by offering the same services. Sometimes its like showing up to a McDonalds and being told that only the real locations have fries.
[/rant]
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Exactly!
DEMAND a repair or exchange.
Sent from my device.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Call customer service and ask for Account Services. Tell them your situation, and how this IS a manufacturer defect. Tell them you will cancel your account if they dont do anything about it. They will either send you one, or put a note on your account for the store to replace it.
IF by chance that doesnt work, email [email protected]. That's the Executive Offices, the same people you would talk to if you were to file a complaint with the BBB, only this takes a day to respond, not weeks like the BBB.
fix it yourself
i had this same problem. i took it in a week earlier when the port was just wiggly and the store said they couldnt do anything.
a week later the phone wouldnt charge at all. i take the phone and and the tech takes it
he took the port out of the phone and taped it to the reciept and said that the phone was damaged beyond repair.
i ended up calling sprint form the parking lot and found a sprint person who would setup an invoice to send me a new phone and id mail back the broken one. however the tech at the store refused to take the "damaged beyond repiar" tag off my phone.
after 2 hours on the phone and at the store it ended up getting replaced.
i was massively pissed.
tl;dr: try a different store.
sitlet said:
Call customer service and ask for Account Services. Tell them your situation, and how this IS a manufacturer defect. Tell them you will cancel your account if they dont do anything about it. They will either send you one, or put a note on your account for the store to replace it.
IF by chance that doesnt work, email [email protected]. That's the Executive Offices, the same people you would talk to if you were to file a complaint with the BBB, only this takes a day to respond, not weeks like the BBB.
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Click to collapse
What a bad mentality to have... Account services will do everything in their power to help resolve your issue, however they have no ability whatsoever to send a replacement device, they will need to contact a store or tech support to have your device fixed/exchanged. If they deem the device unrepairable, you will have to use insurance or go through the manu warranty.
DirtyShroomz said:
What a bad mentality to have...
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Yes I agree, but sometimes it is unfortunately a last resort that works. :/ But to put this all to rest just try another store and keep trying. Its worked for me and countless others. Some people just dont give two $h!ts about anyone or there problems and wont go above and beyond to help.

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