broken serial/power connector in phone

[sloppy2nds]

Ok, here is my problem. I went to plug my phone in and nothing. The light did not come on, there was no beep, nothing! I looked at the slot where you insert the power cord and inside the phone the "female" connector is broken. I can't charge the phone at all.

So I took the phone back to Bell(Im in Toronto) because I bought the extended warrenty. So far this has paid off well because I am onto my fourth Treo. This time however they told me they will not fix it because it is "physical abuse".

So I have two questions for y'all.

1. Is this accurate? will they say it is physical abuse? I would hope that they warenty the phone and build parts like the power recepticle so they can handle usage. To me this is not physical damage, but wear and tear. And if is normal ware and tear which causes the breakage, then that should be covered under my extended warrenty.

2. If they will not fix it, which I am sure they wont, what can I do? Could I find a cell phone repair shop and have it repaired?

For anyone concidering going with Bell as their provider I strongly enocourage against it. They use phone technology which only works with their service(cdma). That, and once they get you under contract they treat you like garbage. They have given me two options, buy a new phone from them at full price, or opt out of the contract at a $400 cost.

Forcing peopel to use a technology that only they use is a monoploy.

[Visor]

Originally Posted by sloppy2nds

Ok, here is my problem. I went to plug my phone in and nothing. The light did not come on, there was no beep, nothing! I looked at the slot where you insert the power cord and inside the phone the "female" connector is broken. I can't charge the phone at all.

Bummer. Any idea how it broke?

So I took the phone back to Bell(Im in Toronto) because I bought the extended warrenty. So far this has paid off well because I am onto my fourth Treo. This time however they told me they will not fix it because it is "physical abuse".

Nice that you can get an extended warranty. I tried and it's not offered here. Just on the cheaper phones.

1. Is this accurate? will they say it is physical abuse? I would hope that they warenty the phone and build parts like the power recepticle so they can handle usage. To me this is not physical damage, but wear and tear. And if is normal ware and tear which causes the breakage, then that should be covered under my extended warrenty.

Typically, in the U.S. at least, breakage/abuse, wear and tear, consumable parts (batteries), etc. are not covered under warranty. Warranties cover problems with the manufacture of the units, defects in parts and workmanship. Any time there's a sign of physical damage (dropping, crushing...), alterations, water damage, etc. it's not a warranty issue.

The only way your issue would be covered is if there was a general issue with that part, meaning a lot of them broke under normal use.[/quote]

2. If they will not fix it, which I am sure they wont, what can I do? Could I find a cell phone repair shop and have it repaired?

Well, here's how I'd approach it. First, I'd go to a different Bell location and hope for a sympathetic person. Failing that I'd nicely ask for a supervisor and explain the situation to them. They usually have discretionary control and might do you a favor.

It is a favor, so approach it like you're asking for a favor and not demanding satisfaction, attitude is everything here. Let them know what a loyal and good customer you are, show them the Bell logo tattoo you're thinking of getting, how you help old ladies cross streets, etc. Might work.

If that doesn't work be understanding, graciously thank them for their time and leave politely. I've been stopped at the door with a "We're not supposed to do this, but you've been so nice..." Storming out solidifies their decision not to break the rules for you.

Failing that, call Palm and see if they can help. Repairing these things isn't cheap. Saw that the average repair price for an out-of-warranty unit is $200 (U.S.).

Another option, short of buying a another, is to surf for parts, maybe someone's broken Treo 650 with that part intact, etc. Even if you find a repair shop that can fix it for you, they will need the parts and if they have to order them it could take quite a while. There may be instructions, etc. online as well. Seem to remember reading that people have found a source for screens, etc. Search here, surf, etc.

In an attempt to avoid working I just did a little surfing. I may be wrong (I've been wrong before) but the part you need may be the entire motherboard.

I've seen some pictures of other Palm items and the bottom power/charge piece is a part of the motherboard itself. Might be cheaper just having Palm fix it if the above attempts fail.

For anyone concidering going with Bell as their provider I strongly enocourage against it. They use phone technology which only works with their service(cdma). That, and once they get you under contract they treat you like garbage.

Well, the only working on their system part is the normal practise of all providers. That's why you see some people buying "unlocked" units. However, there's two systems (someone correct me if I'm wrong) for the Treos, CDMA and GSM. You cannot use a CDMA phone on a GSM network and vice versa. So, even if you had an unlocked phone you'd have to have the right one for the network.

You can possibly find a CDMA one on ebay that will work on your provider's system. Research it first.

They have given me two options, buy a new phone from them at full price, or opt out of the contract at a $400 cost.

Hmm. $400 is pretty steep for an opt-out. It's usually $150-200 here.

Good luck!

[hchai]

The place Visor mentioned is www.pdaparts.com They have new/used LCD screen plus other parts. But seems they do not have motherboard in stock and their price looks outragous to me ($25 for 4 case screw, $50 for Treo 650 antenna...I am not that crazy )

I will try what Visor suggested before dig into eBay. Not sure whether it works, but a used CDMA 600 costs way less than $150 here in US.

Good luck!

[sloppy2nds]

If I go to a bell store, they will tell me "it's not our problem". They are privatly owned franchises and only cell the phones. The warrenty is provided by a third party and they say they have no discression over repairs or replacment. When I called Bell directly they told me that they are just the service provider and do not sell the phones and are not affiliated with the stores(eventhough there is a bell logo on the store and they sell the same phones online).

I am stuck. I have two years left on a three year contract. If I opt out of the contract I have to pay a cancellation fee for three years(100$ a year). I don't know, this seems illegal to me!. I have another option, I can buy a new phone and get a $150 discount if I resign for three years(1 more year basically). Seems like another rip off. They want me to pay again for their crappy phones, and they also want me to sign a contract for their crappy service to get the phone.

I am going to tell them that my cell bill is $160 a month. If I opt out I will pay $300, if I don't then will make $3000 through the duration of my contract. I am planning on giving them the option to sell me the new 650, for $299(it's about $500 if i don't sign a contract) without a new contract. Basically, they will give me the phone for the 3 year contract price while continuing my 2 year contract.

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I will keep you guys updated on what happens.

John

[Visor]

Originally Posted by sloppy2nds

If I opt out I will pay $300, if I don't then will make $3000 through the duration of my contract. I am planning on giving them the option to sell me the new 650, for $299(it's about $500 if i don't sign a contract) without a new contract. Basically, they will give me the phone for the 3 year contract price while continuing my 2 year contract.

I'm not sure what your carrier options are there. Here, you can find a dealer selling the Treo 650 for as low as $69 (after rebates) with a 2-year contract. A friend paid the early cancellation fee on his to get a deal like that. Said he did the math and it was worth it.

Good luck!