Database Users

Replace or repair?

Hey guys! I just need a little help here.... I had issues with my camera with pictures being bad quality in the dark .... called Google and HTC .... finally HTC decided to replace or repair the device! Though Google agent stated I would be entitled for a new device, HTC at the end of the conversation mentioned it would be "like new" but not new phone. My phone is only a week old! I have no experience with repair/replacement with HTC and I would appreciate if you can share your experience with similar situation in the past!
Also, please vote your opinion at the top in next 3 days so I can decide quick!
TIA!

Their replacement units are basically the same as a new phone, no signs of wear or anything

How bad do your pictures look? You can't expect much from any phones with an LED flash in regards to night pictures. The only phones that take somewhat respectable pictures in the dark are the ones with xenon flash.

ctbear said:
Their replacement units are basically the same as a new phone, no signs of wear or anything
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I've had the opposite experience. The replacements that I received had new problems and one unit even had some light scratches on the screen. The most common aesthetic problem that I saw on the replacements was that the black piece sitting underneath the screen was not flush with the screen. Another one came with a weak vibrate and one of the other ones I remember had a problem with the camera, where the photos would turn up saturated (looking at the back of the camera, it looks like the camera had been tampered with or underwent repair).
I haven't had any experience with repairing the phone, however, if you're thinking about getting a replacement, I would only choose that as the last resort.

I had a discussion with a htc rep about the "like new" phones. I was told that they are actually better than new ones since they replace the motherboard, casing, and screen. Then they each go through the testing process. She said that the brand new phones don't all get tested, only around 1 in 5 or so.
I am not sure if this is true or not, just what was told to me on the phone.

r0adki111 said:
I had a discussion with a htc rep about the "like new" phones. I was told that they are actually better than new ones since they replace the motherboard, casing, and screen. Then they each go through the testing process. She said that the brand new phones don't all get tested, only around 1 in 5 or so.
I am not sure if this is true or not, just what was told to me on the phone.
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Get a new replacement phone. If you send it back to repair, you might end up 2 or 3 weeks without the phone according to HTC's track record.

hbkmog said:
Get a new replacement phone. If you send it back to repair, you might end up 2 or 3 weeks without the phone according to HTC's track record.
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Yep it took me around 4 weeks for my last repair job. (had to get dust under screen fixed twice).
Next time I'm getting a replacement.

r0adki111 said:
Yep it took me around 4 weeks for my last repair job. (had to get dust under screen fixed twice).
Next time I'm getting a replacement.
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I've actually had very good experiences with HTC.
It takes about 3 days to ship to the HTC factory, they fixed my screen in under a day and had it back out with 2day shipping. So about 7 days, BUT the first time they fixed my phone, they didnt connect the camera or motherboard so my earpiece, camera, and flash would NOT work.
They fixed it again for free, and I did indeed get MY phone back. Not a refurb. I dropped my phone the first week and it had a scuff near the top which is indeed still there.
I think you should use a cheap replacement phone for a 1-2 weeks it will take for HTC to fix it rather then getting a refurb where you have no idea if it has DIFFERENT problems.

Thank you do much for all your response guys! They also gave me another option to authorize my credit card for full value of the phone, they send you a replacement phone then you play with it and then send the defective back in 10 days if not you pretty much buy both the phones. This option seems to be more attractive since I get to compare and decide, so I'm leaning more towards this but still waiting for some more experience / opinions
Thanks again
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

[Q] Warranty Exchange w/ T-Mobile

So I had to go through warranty exchange with Customer Care since my volume rocker and bezel are loosening. I am past the 14-day exchange window so the stores will not do anything for me. One thing I was insistent on is that I did not want a refurbished unit (the device is less than 30-days old, why should I accept a refurbished unit?). The customer care associate was pretty insistent himself in telling me that he cannot request a new unit for me, however it is a "great possibility" that I would receive a new unit due to the phone being pretty new. I reluctantly agreed to have the replacement shipped to me, since they refused to let me do an in-store exchange.
Has anyone gone through this with their Vibrant? I'm looking to find people who have received warranty replacements from Customer Care, if anyone has gotten a new or a refurbed unit. Bottom line, I will not accept a refurbished unit. I figured worse comes to worse, I will send the refurbed one back and continue to ***** with them over the phone.
I'm flipping pissed too, because it was just so unnoticeable during the first 14-days, and then it inherently got worse with normal use. So now I'm feeling stuck. I do not know if the rep was telling me it will "likely" be a new unit just to get me to stop complaining, or if it's really true.

I'm with you - I wouldn't accept a refurbished unit either. However, since you are out of your 14-days (I assume you don't live in California) I don't think there is much you can do.
How long have you been a T-Mobile customer? The best bet to have issues resolved is always contact retention department. Not only are the employees there more knowledgeable, but based on your tenure with T-Mo, they often will do things for you other reps won't.

How far out of 14 days are you? I would take your box and everything back to the store you got it at and talk to the manager. Just be super nice about it and ask them to see if they can exchange it for you. Sometimes they can make exceptions, I know at my store we do.

I have exchanged phones in the past that were referbs and they come in pristine condition. They are practically brand new and have zero blemishes.
Don't worry about it.
Question though...
What do you mean the bezel is coming loose. I noticed that on the left side of the phone the bezel does not seem to be on correctly like the right side it might just be my eyes though. I hear a lot of squeaking from it though kinda annoying.
My volume button was loose out of the box feels cheap as hell when pressing it but it does not really bother me too much.
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.

PathogenX said:
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.
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Mine is perfect. I am quite impressed with the build quality and iPhone4 fanatics who have looked at it have been impressed with it. Their quality control may be poor, but when you get a good one, its terrific.

speoples20 said:
How far out of 14 days are you? I would take your box and everything back to the store you got it at and talk to the manager. Just be super nice about it and ask them to see if they can exchange it for you. Sometimes they can make exceptions, I know at my store we do.
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The phone was purchased on launch day, so tomorrow will mark 30-days.
Unfortunately, I already tried returning my phone to the store. They wouldn't take it. They offered to call customer care to send me a refurb, which I declined. Worst part is, I can't try again because I am out of the area where it was purchased (we are on a family plan, the account holder is in Georgia, I'm in New Jersey, and I was on vacation there when we attempted the exchange this past week.) I do have the receipt though and can try at a different store, but I doubt a different store will want to inherit my problem.

DarkAgent said:
I'm with you - I wouldn't accept a refurbished unit either. However, since you are out of your 14-days (I assume you don't live in California) I don't think there is much you can do.
How long have you been a T-Mobile customer? The best bet to have issues resolved is always contact retention department. Not only are the employees there more knowledgeable, but based on your tenure with T-Mo, they often will do things for you other reps won't.
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We've had T-Mobile since 2002 or 2003, whatever year they first took over Voicestream. If this replacement is a refurb, I will be contacting the retention department.

PathogenX said:
Question though...
What do you mean the bezel is coming loose. I noticed that on the left side of the phone the bezel does not seem to be on correctly like the right side it might just be my eyes though. I hear a lot of squeaking from it though kinda annoying.
My volume button was loose out of the box feels cheap as hell when pressing it but it does not really bother me too much.
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.
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Yes, that is what is happening to mine, and it's a defect. The bezel is loose and creaks when held. Also, the volume rocker rattles around in the phone.
I've played with the store display units, as well as another Vibrant we had purchased on our family account, and it has none of these issues. They are solidly built. So it's obvious that some of batches weren't properly assembled.

At my T-Mobile location my rep was having problems with her Vibrant and decided to try to tough it out. She did some master resets and didn't exchange within 14 days. She received a refurb from T-Mo.
As a manager I've gotten to the point where refurbs no longer bother me. Most of the time the refurbs come back in excellent condition, especially now that we're doing the certified open box program where people can buy COB phones.

Honestly if you put a refurb and a new vibrant side by side you couldn't tell the difference. If they hadn't said anything you wouldn't have known. Besides it comes with the same 1 year manufactures warranty so its still covered.

Did you purchase the phone at full price or as a subsidy? If at full price you have 30 days to exchange at store.

mesajoejoe said:
Did you purchase the phone at full price or as a subsidy? If at full price you have 30 days to exchange at store.
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As a subsidy.
I know refurbs are supposed to be just as good or even better, but I've never had any luck with anything refurbished. Anything with a screen has always had hairline scratches. Either that or it's very obviously been used with lots of normal wear and tear and marks/scuffs.

MMcCraryNJ said:
Yes, that is what is happening to mine, and it's a defect. The bezel is loose and creaks when held. Also, the volume rocker rattles around in the phone.
I've played with the store display units, as well as another Vibrant we had purchased on our family account, and it has none of these issues. They are solidly built. So it's obvious that some of batches weren't properly assembled.
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That's disappointing to hear... =/
It doesn't bother me too much I would have just perfected a more solid feeling phone.
Besides they charge you $10 to ship it out to you.
I would much rather save those 10 bucks and if the phone has some real issues I will return it. I also don't want to go through the headache of finding all my apps and redownloading them and getting my phone back to the way it previously was. Meh. I will stick with a few creaks here and there.
If you do however decide on doing this please tell us your experience with the referb phone. I am interested.

You whine too much. Who cares what it is. As long as you get a device that is new or refurbed, you won't even be able to tell the difference. Just enjoy your phone. And also, customer retention won't do anything as far as your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

i just recently got a refurb from tmobile and it looks brand new have not had any problems it looks brand new like if it was never used

deviusdragger said:
You whine too much. Who cares what it is. As long as you get a device that is new or refurbed, you won't even be able to tell the difference. Just enjoy your phone. And also, customer retention won't do anything as far as your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.

I have one getting delivered to me today. I've been with T-mobile for close to ten years and they overnight shipped it for free to me. Mine is having an issue when charging where the usb cord is very loose. They rep said I would get a new or like new item but I will also be returning it if it not new. My phone is only 20 days old and I don't trust refurbished units enough when mine is only 20 days old. The loose card is making it so if the phone is not in the right position it won't charge

MMcCraryNJ said:
Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.
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LOL
i thought you bought your phone subsidized?

MMcCraryNJ said:
Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.
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Your window for a new replacement is 14 days.

I just got a replacement unit from T-Mobile and frankly I have no idea how to tell whether it is new or refurbished. Is there a way to tell? I really don't care if it is refurbished as long as it looks like new and works properly (aside from GPS and compass of course), but I am really curious how you guys are able to tell whether the replacement unit you got is new or not.

[Q] Are the replacements refurbished phones?

I received my nexus 4 yesterday, and am definitely pleased with the phone. The problem is that the bezel (chrome-coated plastic) surrounding the phone was scratched in two places, with one nearly carrying onto the screen.
What I'm wondering is (I've already asked for a replacement, etc.) is whether they will give me a new one, or refurbished (which seems slightly unfair, considering it was a defect in manufacture).
Cheers in advance.

Android Enthusiast said:
I received my nexus 4 yesterday, and am definitely pleased with the phone. The problem is that the bezel (chrome-coated plastic) surrounding the phone was scratched in two places, with one nearly carrying onto the screen.
What I'm wondering is (I've already asked for a replacement, etc.) is whether they will give me a new one, or refurbished (which seems slightly unfair, considering it was a defect in manufacture).
Cheers in advance.
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You should only accept a new device. You pay good money and they owe you a new device. Period

gee2012 said:
You should only accept a new device. You pay good money and they owe you a new device. Period
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Haha, I agree! I've managed to find that, apparently, a defect return within the first 15 days guarantees a new device, and the refurbished phones are for an RMA return within the next year, so seems good.

I have an RMA on the way and asked 2 different reps this exact question. Both of them told me that Google does not send a refurbished phone for issues covered under warranty. So if you have an issue and get an RMA, it will be a new phone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Nexus 6P Refurb?

I recently had to send out my 27 day old Nexus 6P 128GB Graphite. Something happened with the mobile radio and it no longer was able to pickup any sort of cellular signal. Huawei approved the device to be replaced and I just recently got it. It came in a basic brown box. The phone was wrapped in the nexus slip it comes in as if you were opening it up for the first time from the original box. It also had the serial label on the back of it. Question is, has anyone had any experience with Huawei device replacements before and did you receive a new device or refurb? I hate the idea of possibly owning a refurbished phone because my Nexus 6P died within a months use. The phone I have seems new but is there any actual way to check that?

R0gersism said:
I recently had to send out my 27 day old Nexus 6P 128GB Graphite. Something happened with the mobile radio and it no longer was able to pickup any sort of cellular signal. Huawei approved the device to be replaced and I just recently got it. It came in a basic brown box. The phone was wrapped in the nexus slip it comes in as if you were opening it up for the first time from the original box. It also had the serial label on the back of it. Question is, has anyone had any experience with Huawei device replacements before and did you receive a new device or refurb? I hate the idea of possibly owning a refurbished phone because my Nexus 6P died within a months use. The phone I have seems new but is there any actual way to check that?
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If it's any consolation, I'm using a refurb Nexus 6P and as long as it's manufactured refurbished you should be just fine. I have no problems whatsoever in any aspects, I was reluctant too and after that I've flashed several roms, run stress tests, Battery tests, etc. Been using it for about 6 months now without any problem. No complaints at all.

superviked said:
If it's any consolation, I'm using a refurb Nexus 6P and as long as it's manufactured refurbished you should be just fine. I have no problems whatsoever in any aspects, I was reluctant too and after that I've flashed several roms, run stress tests, Battery tests, etc. Been using it for about 6 months now without any problem. No complaints at all.
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I hear ya. I mean I cant say I have ever had issues with refurbs but I just feel that paying as much as I did for the phone and having it break less than a month into its life just to potentially receive a used device, kind of scratches me the wrong way. But on the flip side I've never seen a refurb come exactly how it would be if bought brand new. So just was curious if anyone else ever dealt with Huawei.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Bright white line down the screen, 3rd XL

This is now my 3rd replacement which is due tomorrow, the first had charging issues, the second crashing apps and charging issues, the third after about 7 days use this horrible bright white line just appeared on the screen out of nowhere today, i'm now expecting my fourth replacement tomorrow, i'm about to give up on the XL if this next one isn't right, I've never had to send a new phone back at all, here's some examples.

I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Ady1976 said:
This is now my 3rd replacement which is due tomorrow, the first had charging issues, the second crashing apps and charging issues, the third after about 7 days use this horrible bright white line just appeared on the screen out of nowhere today, i'm now expecting my fourth replacement tomorrow, i'm about to give up on the XL if this next one isn't right, I've never had to send a new phone back at all, here's some examples.
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That's a bummer. I had issues with my Nexus 6P and Google was very good about making sure things were right. Even after two years they gave me a full refund.
Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my Pixel XL 2

browniegirl said:
I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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I'm starting to lose hope, even if i did get what seemed to be a good one that lasted a few months who knows when these lines might appear again out of nowhere, I really didn't want to have to deal with this constant rma cycle, I'm wasting so much time keep setting a new device up it's demoralising.

jasondowning85 said:
That's a bummer. I had issues with my Nexus 6P and Google was very good about making sure things were right. Even after two years they gave me a full refund.
Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my Pixel XL 2
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That's one device i never had an issue with the 6p loved it, Google do seem to be dealing effectively by keep sending me a new one but if they run out of stock and i still can't get a fault free device I'm going to have to ask for a refund

Ady1976 said:
That's one device i never had an issue with the 6p loved it, Google do seem to be dealing effectively by keep sending me a new one but if they run out of stock and i still can't get a fault free device I'm going to have to ask for a refund
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Are they sending you refurb units or new? If refurbs, I would demand a new one. It's a $1,000 phone and no more than 6 months old?

jasondowning85 said:
Are they sending you refurb units or new? If refurbs, I would demand a new one. It's a $1,000 phone and no more than 6 months old?
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it's a new one they're sending, i'm concerned as to what is the time frame I've got before I can say just give me a full refund as it's not fit for use ?

browniegirl said:
I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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Phone 7 here but it is perfect months in now!

Ady1976 said:
it's a new one they're sending, i'm concerned as to what is the time frame I've got before I can say just give me a full refund as it's not fit for use ?
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It depends upon the area, if they have refurbs your getting a refurb. Even the new is a "new" in a refurb box. Also, they won't give you a refund.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I can't believe so many people have had to swap so many times. I'm 5 months in with phone #1 and no issues at all.

browniegirl said:
It depends upon the area, if they have refurbs your getting a refurb. Even the new is a "new" in a refurb box. Also, they won't give you a refund.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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No these are brand new sealed, I'm in the uk, they said it's not a service centre repair or refurb as it was purchased from the Google store, incidentally the first 2 i had over the course since nov when i pre ordered none of them had any issues with the screen, just this later batch of mine which was manufactured on the 16th nov shipped on the 20th.

jimv1983 said:
I can't believe so many people have had to swap so many times. I'm 5 months in with phone #1 and no issues at all.
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I'll be honest mate I've never had to rma a single phone I've purchased over the last 10 years + this is a first, I've been unlucky it seems, although it also seems I'm not alone.

Just to update on this I watched this video https://youtu.be/upLTjUzrRxw a similar issue to him excep he didn't have the line until he pressed a certain part of the screen, I've now been able to remove the line by pressing a certain part of the screen near the bottom near the home button, it has now vanished, i can get it to reappear briefly by pressing the screen again in a certain area, but now it's off, I've told Google if it arrives back to them like this don't think there is nothing wrong with it, there must be some short or damaged connection behind the screen somewhere, I'm still keeping the new one which arrives today.

Facing the same issue
Even I had this experience. But in my case the bright white line was on the left of the phone. I'll let you know that my phone's screen has been cracked since the last 9 months and it had been working perfectly fine until one afternoon when I kept it in my bag and it had the thick line on it. I cannot diagnose if it's a software or hardware issue. I'm going for a screen replacement. But in the meantime can anyone help me to know if it is a software or hardware issue?

Namanv said:
Even I had this experience. But in my case the bright white line was on the left of the phone. I'll let you know that my phone's screen has been cracked since the last 9 months and it had been working perfectly fine until one afternoon when I kept it in my bag and it had the thick line on it. I cannot diagnose if it's a software or hardware issue. I'm going for a screen replacement. But in the meantime can anyone help me to know if it is a software or hardware issue?
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My replacement which I've had for nearly a year now is perfect and defect free, whites are white like they should be and no hardware defects, I'm sorry to say it sounds like a hardware issue, if you can firmly press all parts if the screen and sometimes it disappears it's a connection issue but it's very difficult to pin point where the exact loose connection is, if your getting a new and digitizer that may remove the issue.

I can press all parts of the screen perfectly..even where the line is located. Thats what made me think that it is a software bug. Also the line is far brighter than even the highest brightness settings on the phone. I'll have it replaced and I will respond here soon

Namanv said:
I can press all parts of the screen perfectly..even where the line is located. Thats what made me think that it is a software bug. Also the line is far brighter than even the highest brightness settings on the phone. I'll have it replaced and I will respond here soon
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Yes that's how mine was the line was extremely bright like that pixel line was on full brightness, no problem, loving the pixel 2 xl my best phone so far, will upgrade to the 4 xl if they get rid of that fugly notch on the 3 xl, Good luck with your screen mate.