Should Cell Phones Break This Easily??

[Christine]

After a long year of resisting, I got my DD (14) a cell phone for Christmas.

She had it all of one day and it is broken. She was at the mall yesterday and had the phone in her pocket (somewhat sticking out). A woman bumped into her, she kind of stumbled, and the phone fell out of her pocket and went skidding across the mall floor. The phone can still receive and make phone calls, but the screen is not working. Fortunately, I purchased insurance on the phone and will be going to the store today to return it (I hope that don't give me any crap!!!). But, geez, should it break so easily??

It's not a flip phone (as DD didn't want one). Just a small, regular phone. I have a flip phone, have probably dropped it numerous times and have had it almost 2 years. Never a problem. I'm thinking I should not exchange this new phone for the same model?

 

[Mimi Q]

DD and I both have dropped our cell phones several times. Hers has even been washed in the washing machine. They are both still working fine. I think I would consider another model.

 

[bicker]

The biggest difference between various models of cellphones is indeed durability and reliability. The more expensive cellphones can be expected to survive a few drops (though not without inconsequential damage; I dropped my high-quality cellphone while hiking in rocky terrain, and it got marred, but it still worked.) By contrast, the less expensive cellphones can be expected to break, even with just a single drop.

 

[tmt martins]

Get a soft case Body glove mkes some good ones helps with these small things .If it's just the diplay then it separated from the main board most likely .

 

[Christine]

Get a soft case Body glove mkes some good ones helps with these small things .If it's just the diplay then it separated from the main board most likely .

Thanks. I was actually going to take her up to the phone store and get one of these cases yesterday. But, we ran out of time and she was supposed to meet her friend. Uuuggghhh, if only I had gotten the case yesterday.

 

[mtblujeans]

Many years ago, when we first signed up for service, my cell phone went out within the first week. It was a Nokia and they took it back and sent it in for free repair as it was under manufacturer's warranty. They gave me a 'replacement' phone to use and I have had the repaired phone for about 5 years now. I guess, just like computers, they can have a flawed component in them that is just waiting to go out....luckily it happened while you can still get "free" repair or replacement.

 

[S. C.]

Many years ago, when we first signed up for service, my cell phone went out within the first week. It was a Nokia and they took it back and sent it in for free repair as it was under manufacturer's warranty. They gave me a 'replacement' phone to use and I have had the repaired phone for about 5 years now. I guess, just like computers, they can have a flawed component in them that is just waiting to go out....luckily it happened while you can still get "free" repair or replacement.

I agree you never know be it a computer, car, or phone there is always one out of so many that will have problems.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree with getting a case. It will help cushion any blows.

 

[goofyforlife]

I dropped my old nokia once and the screen went out on it too......

Now my current flip phone (LG) has been dropped several hundred times and is still ticking......

I would get a case or purse with a pocket for it....

 

[Christine]

I just came back from the Cingular store. The screen is cracked and they knew immediately it was from being dropped. They said I could try to send it in to Nokia and *maybe* they would fix it under the limited warranty or I could go to the Cingular Direct store (I thought I was already AT the Cingular direct store) and they would replace it under my cell phone insurance for $50.

 

[mtblujeans]

I just came back from the Cingular store. The screen is cracked and they knew immediately it was from being dropped. They said I could try to send it in to Nokia and *maybe* they would fix it under the limited warranty or I could go to the Cingular Direct store (I thought I was already AT the Cingular direct store) and they would replace it under my cell phone insurance for $50.

Oh No! What have you decided to do??

 

[Christine]

Oh No! What have you decided to do??

I think I'm going to just swap it using my insurance. I will have to pay the $50 deductible. But, in reading the Nokia warranty, there is just no way they will fix it unless they are stupid. It specifically states that it does not cover damage resulting from accidents. I can't see packing this thing up for who know how long only to have Nokia turn me down.

Right now, I'd really just like to slap my DD.

 

[lsyorke]

Most service contracts don't include "abuse" which is what a drop is considered. They basically cover batteries.. I don't get the contract anymore.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I think I'm going to just swap it using my insurance. I will have to pay the $50 deductible. But, in reading the Nokia warranty, there is just no way they will fix it unless they are stupid. It specifically states that it does not cover damage resulting from accidents. I can't see packing this thing up for who know how long only to have Nokia turn me down.

Right now, I'd really just like to slap my DD.

I don't blame you for using the $50 deductible and for wanting to slap her! DS got a cell phone for Christmas that would be $349 to replace (we did not pay that much with the contract)! We opted for the insurance for the first 6 months at least, until he is familiar with the thing and until he is out of PE at school (locker thefts!). Glad you got the insurance at least. I usually don't get such things (DH and I don't have it on ours), but my gut said to go for it with a teen, at least for a bit. Ours covers such things, most do I imagine.

Can you just go to the store and take care of it, or is a lot involved with the insurance? I know for theft they said we would have to get something from the police.

 

[Christine]

I don't blame you for using the $50 deductible and for wanting to slap her! DS got a cell phone for Christmas that would be $349 to replace! We opted for the insurance for the first 6 months at least, until he is familiar with the thing and until he is out of PE at school (locker thefts!). Glad you got the insurance at least. I usually don't get such things (DH and I don't have it on ours), but my gut said to go for it with a teen, at least for a bit. Ours covers such things, most do I imagine.

Can you just go to the store and take care of it, or is a lot involved with the insurance? I know for theft they said we would have to get something from the police.

Yep, me too! I usually do not get insurance but I thought with a 14 year old it would be the thing to do.

I can just go to the store but I have to go to a *specific* store. They built a new Cingular store very close to my home. It is where I bought the store. It has a big Cingular sign out front and sells nothing but Cingular phone service. When I went there today, they told me that they weren't a "Cingular direct" store, whatever that means. They told me I would have to go to the Cingular Direct store located in the mall. Honestly, I can't tell what the difference is.

 

[Christine]

Most service contracts don't include "abuse" which is what a drop is considered. They basically cover batteries.. I don't get the contract anymore.

This is not a service contract. Nokia offers a "limited warranty" on the phone for one year. Basically it just covers defects in the phone. Why the guy at Cingular thought I would want to "take my chances and send it to them" is beyond me. It was pretty obvious that the phone was dropped.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Yep, me too! I usually do not get insurance but I thought with a 14 year old it would be the thing to do.

DS is 14! Guess we just don't think they are THAT responsible yet!

I think the Verizon at the mall where we bought DS's is the one we would go to.

I'm taking notes on this thread, though I hope we don't need the info! Good luck!

 

[Mimi Q]

Did you get a new phone?

 

[Christine]

Did you get a new phone?

Yes, I did. I ended up trying to go to the Cingular Direct store that I was directed to. When I got there, the manager apologized profusely, told me that I had been instructed incorrectly, and that all replacment phones (using phone insurance) were handled through the mail.

I called the insurance number she gave me, told them the deal, and two days later and $50 (for the deductible), I had a new phone.

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks for the update. I was interested in the outcome as Cingular is our cell phone carrier. Our DD is 13 yo and pretty rough on her cell phone. My DH said the other day we need to get insurance on her next phone, and I just wondered how it turned out for you.