Help Water Damage Sticker problems ??

[Droidone]

Ok I have a hero that I recently took it apart to get the dust out of the screen. When I opened the phone I noticed a water damage sticker right beside the usb or charger port ( I am not talking about the one that is visible by taking the phone battery cover off) inside the housing is untouched. The one that is visible from the outside is turning a pink color. I went to sprint today because I started to get dust in the phone again and also noticed that the buttons were peeling a little. The rep looked at the phone and just ordered a refurb without any questions. They didn't take off the back cover. He looked at it and said we can't fix that and we will get you a refurb. This is a free replacement and not insurance.

My question is, will the company that handles refurbs reject my hero when they see the water strip pink. Like I said, the one inside the phone is completely perfect and there is no sign of water damage inside the phone. Taking it apart showed no trace what so ever.

Does anyone has any experience with this? I just don't want to be charged full retail. I'm a little worried.

 

[cbarth3]

When I worked for Nextel that was one of the things that we verified during triage was if the sticker had any signs of moisture. Looking at mine the sticker that is down by the charge port seems to be a diamond pattern with white and red/pink. I also see that there is a sticker covering the one screw there also and it is completely white.

 

[cooolone2]

Being that the issue you are having it replaced is not for FUNCTION that could be attributed to WATER DAMAGE, why would you think they could deny the replacement? I would take some pictures too just for records prior to returning it. Those stickers are NOT fool proof as to false positives as high humidity and likewise can cause them to indicate water. I wouldn't worry about it until you are denied... Besides... I thought the SPRINT Insurance COVERED water damage now???

Anyway, just my $.02

 

[Droidone]

Being that the issue you are having it replaced is not for FUNCTION that could be attributed to WATER DAMAGE, why would you think they could deny the replacement? I would take some pictures too just for records prior to returning it. Those stickers are NOT fool proof as to false positives as high humidity and likewise can cause them to indicate water. I wouldn't worry about it until you are denied... Besides... I thought the SPRINT Insurance COVERED water damage now???

Anyway, just my $.02

The only thing is that this is not a insurance replacement and sprint is handling it as a defect. The keys peeling and dust in the screen is warranty coverage. I am going to take pictures of the phone running with a date stamp and also will take pictures of the housing. The placement of the sticker on these phones is horrible. If you were even to take a car with a slight drizzle outside, it may be set off. If they try to charge me, I will cancel my contract and go to vz or tmobile. I don't want to but if the phone hasn't been wet and they claim it has solely on that sticker, then I am out.

 

[330D]

The only thing is that this is not a insurance replacement and sprint is handling it as a defect. The keys peeling and dust in the screen is warranty coverage. I am going to take pictures of the phone running with a date stamp and also will take pictures of the housing. The placement of the sticker on these phones is horrible. If you were even to take a car with a slight drizzle outside, it may be set off. If they try to charge me, I will cancel my contract and go to vz or tmobile. I don't want to but if the phone hasn't been wet and they claim it has solely on that sticker, then I am out.

No fact behind what I'm writing, but I saw in a thread on here somewhere that many of the sprint techs know that the stickers are super sensitive, and that the humidity really affects them, so if you live in an area prone to humidity they don't even really look at them. And that the stickers change color after a certain amount of time anyway, so they kind of disregard them unless it is an obvious water damage case... Like I said I don't know where that thread went, but I'm trying to get the facts right for you as I remember them....

Anyway, good luck with the return, and hope all goes well for you.

 

[luckie_reubs]

Great thread to see. I took my Hero into Cellular South today b/c of a hardware issue (vibrate no longer works), and the guy looked at the indicator right below the VOID screw. He said it had been set off (it is pink, but the red/white is still discernible), and he told me that the stickers are not so sensitive as to be affected by humidity or being set upon a table that had just been wiped off, etc.

The battery indicator is still perfect, and I know for a fact this phone has never been rained on, dropped in a tub, had water poured upon it or anything. Here's the thing, though: we live in Alabama on the coast, where it is very humid and the phone as been in the bathroom when I've been showering, so I wonder if there's any way that set it off...

Anyway, thanks for the thread, and I don't mean to hijack. It just seems like we're having similar problems and might reach different resolutions since we're with different carriers. Good luck to the OP!

 

[Droidone]

First, Thanks for the replies. I did some research online and notice that this happens all the time on all types of cell phones. I am just gonna wait for the replacement and then decide. keeping my fingers crossed. I assume if the rep accepted it for replacement that I should be covered. If I am asked, that is what I am going to say. If there was a problem, they should have said something then. I am not trying to get over on anyone but will not allow my self to be taken advantage of.

 

[cooolone2]

Great thread to see. I took my Hero into Cellular South today b/c of a hardware issue (vibrate no longer works), and the guy looked at the indicator right below the VOID screw. He said it had been set off (it is pink, but the red/white is still discernible), and he told me that the stickers are not so sensitive as to be affected by humidity or being set upon a table that had just been wiped off, etc.

The battery indicator is still perfect, and I know for a fact this phone has never been rained on, dropped in a tub, had water poured upon it or anything. Here's the thing, though: we live in Alabama on the coast, where it is very humid and the phone as been in the bathroom when I've been showering, so I wonder if there's any way that set it off...

Anyway, thanks for the thread, and I don't mean to hijack. It just seems like we're having similar problems and might reach different resolutions since we're with different carriers. Good luck to the OP!

He's full if ****, and hate as I might to use this example... there is currently a class action lawsuit against Apple for the false positive moisture indicators and denial of insurance scheme scenario. They do not require being submerged to set off the indicator strips as any humidity will do. If you're getting dust inside, moisture will enter too.

Anyway... hope it works out for everyone.

 

[Droidone]

He's full if ****, and hate as I might to use this example... there is currently a class action lawsuit against Apple for the false positive moisture indicators and denial of insurance scheme scenario. They do not require being submerged to set off the indicator strips as any humidity will do. If you're getting dust inside, moisture will enter too.

Anyway... hope it works out for everyone.

you made a very good point. Didn't think of that angle. If dust is getting in the phone, then it is very possible to get moisture in the phone. Thats gonna have to be my wild card if they say anything

 

[cooolone2]

Definitely... no angle really.

If they give you a hard time ask to see the manufacturer specifications indicating the the phone's enclosure is water tight and or water resistant. If they further trouble you then point out the glaring manufacturer defect that will allow water to enter the phone in a simple rain storm, I.e., the headphones jack opening. Or where in the instructions and specifications on the phone is it mentioned that using the phone in this manner (while raining) that water may enter the phone and could void warranty. Lol, be nice, but don't back down or let up. persistence wins always.

Worst case scenario... call Sprint CS after 6pm (Eastern time) and tell your tale, I found that to be best time to call and have always gotten what I want from them. It's a call center here in U.S. and fairly knowledgeable people that want to keep the customer happy. Ha-ha... what a concept...

Regards

 

[Droidone]

for anyone interested, I got my phone today and it turns out they sent me a new phone. I checked ##786# and the life timer is at zero and the activation date is not there. I didn't get all the accessories but the phone is new.

Anyway though, my real reason for posting was to say that the sprint paperwork said that if your phone that you are returning $125.00 on your next invoice. I hope this doesn't happen to me but wanted people to be aware of this.

 

[cooolone2]

for anyone interested, I got my phone today and it turns out they sent me a new phone. I checked ##786# and the life timer is at zero and the activation date is not there. I didn't get all the accessories but the phone is new.

Anyway though, my real reason for posting was to say that the sprint paperwork said that if your phone that you are returning $125.00 on your next invoice. I hope this doesn't happen to me but wanted people to be aware of this.

Wow, hey good for you!

I believe the $125 notice is to tell you they will charge you for the phone if you don't return to them the defective one.

Happy Trails

 

[Droidone]

no it's 125.00 for an unrepairable phone and $500.00 if you don't return the phone at all.

 

[CelJel]

I just ran into this problem today. My Hero has been acting up lately; it does random reboots at random times. I had the Sprint store reset it to factory about 3 weeks ago but it started doing the reboot thing again.

I called Sprint customer service and they said that I should bring it back into the store and they would replace it with a refurb. The woman at the store opened the back and said "sorry, nothing we can do, water damage." The internal battery sticker is perfect and my phone has never been near water. (of course they didn't care, they just went by the edge sticker) That sticker, that I had never seen before, is right under where my palm sits (and sweats) while I talk on the phone. (I use it for business, so my conversations can be pretty long) Further, when you think about it, that's right where your breath goes when you talk.

The back of the phone doesn't seal against soft rubber, it's just hard plastic against hard plastic. I think if they at least put that little ("no fix for you") sticker away from the edge it wouldn't give false indications. I know that in my case, there is no water damage. But sprint won't budge. (I even threw in "I'm a 10 year customer")

OK, I feel a little better but I'm stuck with my rebooting Hero.
Thanks for letting me vent!