O/T Mobile phone fault

[Ian Rabbetts]

I had to return my step-daughter's mobile phone for inspection/repair as it had stopped working. When they eventually got around to looking at it they say it has sustained water damage. My step-daughter insists she didn't drop it in any water, but she did take it to the Reading Festival where it rained quite a bit.

In the report it states "Steam from a bath or shower are common causes but damage can also come as a result of rain and severe changes in climate."

Water damage isn't covered under their warranty so they won't repair or replace the phone.

Is this an acceptable position for them to take?

There's nothing in the user guide about not using the phone in the rain, although it does mention not to use it when the weather is really hot, like over 40°C. Seeing as the phone was sold for use in the UK the former is far more likely than the latter.

Any advice gratefully received.

Ian

[peterg]

From what I've heard the 'damage due to water ingress' is a classic get out from most mobile manufacturers as it's a) not covered by the warranty and b) virtually impossible for you to prove different especially after you've given them the phone to repair  

FWIW I dropped a Nokia 6610 in a bucket of water (while washing car, plopped into bucket from shirt pocket...) took it apart, dried off with paper towel and then stuck the bits in the airing cupboard for 48 hours, worked perfectly after that  

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

I had exactly the same with O2 via car phone warehouse.

I was told water damage, which was untrue .

As it was a works phone and the argument was going no where I left it at that.

Cheers john

[Rusty Nuts]

May be worth talking to Citizens Advice Bureau, if it wasn't dropped in water and it was being used noramlly and moisture ingress has caused the problem, then surely it was not fit for purpose i.e. normal use and being carried in a pocket or bag even though its in the rain.

I dropped my iphone in water it was a few years old and paid £70 to get it repaired needed two buttons replacing and cleaning.

[Mid life crisis]

A number of phone manufacturers install a moisture sensitive tape made by "The Brady corp" inside their devices at the point of manufacture. The tape turns permenant red when it comes into contact with water. Ther have been reported cases where the tape has turned red through natural ingress of moisture after prolonged exposure to damp conditions.

[deanoecosse]

A number of phone manufacturers install a moisture sensitive tape made by "The Brady corp" inside their devices at the point of manufacture. The tape turns permenant red when it comes into contact with water.

I was a factory engineer with Motorola and can confirm we fitted the moisture tabs. We used to get numerous phones returned with the owner claiming they hadn't got them wet, yet when we opened them up, the stickers were bright red and in

most cases there were moisture droplets still inside the phone.

We also had a number of phones which had died after the owners left them in the bathroom while they showered every day, allowing the ingress of steam.

It's just common sense really, as with most electronic stuff, unless it's specifically sold as weather resistant, don't get it wet or use in a damp environment.

[pistonbroke]

Don't understand why something which "arguably" these days is essential safety equpment ( contacting emergency services etc.) isn't made to IP67 or some other waterproof spec  

[bhouse]

Ruggedised phones are available but they are more expensive.

The average phone is as sensitive as a computer/digital camera/ radio. (and a LOT more complex). And I don't think anyone would expect them to work if they'd been left out in the rain.

The trouble is that we all expect miracles as standard these days...

[Ian Rabbetts]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

The phone wasn't left out in the rain - I wouldn't expect a phone to work after that either. It was in a coat pocket and also being used.

No mention of red stickers in the report, just a photo of the motherboard apparently showing water damage. But seeing as the copy I've got is a black and white photocopy the photo isn't showing much.