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LynnPritchard
09-25-2005, 12:59 PM
Re: Samsung i730

I have just had an unfortunate experience with the Samsung i730, Verizon, and Samsung and thought I would pass it along. I had the Samsung i700 originally and loved it and recently upgraded to the i730. I am very pleased with the features and performance of the device itself but am very unhappy with the way an issue was handled by my carrier, Verizon, and by the manufacturer.

As a former Palm and IPAQ user of many years and the former user of the Samsung i700, I am very familiar with and prefer to use graffiti rather than the keyboard provided by the new Samsung i730. I have used ONLY the stylus provided. However, after usage of only 30 days or so, the area of the screen allocated for graffiti letter writing has developed a maze of tiny scratches. At this point, when the back light is on, there is a visible “glimmer” on the screen at the scratched area, and several letters aren’t responding properly when I make their symbols on the touch screen: specifically “r” and “b”. I have never experienced this problem with any other PDA of any sort.

I took the i730 into my local Verizon store and pointed out the problem. After a caucus in the back room with co-workers, the tech support person pronounced the unit defective, gave me a number to call at Verizon for replacement, said it would be no problem, and sent me on my way. The number proved to be for data tech support. The gentleman with whom I spoke decisively pronounced this issue as “damage to the unit” rather than a defect in the unit and said that I needed to go to the insurance carrier for a replacement rather than to Verizon.

I pointed out that I had used the unit entirely as it was intended to be used, and that the damage was caused by the stylus provided with the unit. I pointed out that Samsung neither warned against the use of graffiti (and in fact provided a spot specifically for its use) nor provided or recommended a screen protector. He was inflexible in his position that this was “damage” to the unit and sent me to the insurance carrier.

The insurance carrier was very pleasant but pointed out that there was a $50 deductible for replacement of the unit. He suggested, properly, that I contact Samsung, as the unit had in effect damaged itself during proper usage. He assured me that the insurance company would replace the unit if Samsung was unreceptive.

I call Samsung. They pronounced the problem “damage to the unit” and said that they would not replace the unit but would repair the screen, at an estimated cost of $150 and 4-6 weeks down time to me. I declined.

Ultimately and quickly, I called the insurance company, paid the $50 deductible, and am now awaiting the replacement unit. I have purchased and will install a screen protector. However, I am very unhappy with the way both Verizon and Samsung handled this issue and thought that other Samsung i730 users should be aware.

I am a user of Verizon or one of their affiliates since 1989 and would have expected better of them. Any suggestions for better handling of this issue, by the way??

SteveHoward999
09-25-2005, 06:14 PM
Whilst I agree with your stance, I had not expected any manufacturer to treat it any differently. Why else would there be such a huge market for third-party screen protectors?

It always seemed to me that it should be a fairly simple science to provide a stylus that was softer than the screen and therefore could not scratch it ... but then you cannot keep the screen dust and grime free forever, and I guess that this is what is chiefly the cause of the scratches.

In 3 years I have only applied a screen saver once - and that was to my E750. I lost the original stylus, and after I had a third-party stylus for about 3 days it was already scratching the screen!!! So I had no choice but to get screen protection.

samsung_tech_777
03-14-2006, 07:12 PM
SteveHoward999 is correct. Samsung Telecom America does not replace phones. Samsung has a repair facility in Ft. Worth, Texas for repairs only. Samsung's Limited Warranty specifically states that wear and tear through use of the product is NOT covered. Since the damage to the screen was not there when the unit was new and never-been-used, Samsung cannot just replace the unit. Furthermore, since Samsung does not sell directly to consumers, it is left up to the service provider to replace phones. Service providers carry inventory, not the manufacturer. Samsung offered it's best option. With only one repair facility serving all 50 states, the quoted turn-around time was about right.

By the way, I am a Level 2 Tech Support agent for Samsung Wireless.

Janak Parekh
03-14-2006, 08:53 PM
Since the damage to the screen was not there when the unit was new and never-been-used, Samsung cannot just replace the unit.
I think the point of argument is who caused the damage. Lynn's point is that it's ultimately a fundamental defect in the fragility of the touch screen on the i730. However, I'm sure the fine print suggests otherwise. Lynn, you might have a case, but the cost of having a lawyer send off some letters may be more expensive than paying that deductible. I've been with Verizon for quite some time (not since '89, but certainly since the BAM days) and I'm not really all that surprised -- all the mobile carriers tend to blame the user for any damage that occurs to a phone, be it a Pocket PC or otherwise.

In any case, I'm not surprised either. :( The practical upshot, possible design defect aside, is that I'd advise you is to either regularly clean the screen or use a screen protector. When I carried my i700, I would wipe the screen once a day; dust that accumulates on the screen or stylus frequently contributes to scratches. On my new Treo 700w, on the other hand, I put a PPCTechs screen protector, and it works great -- the surface is very rugged and I no longer am afraid of scratching the device. I think this is more noticeable for the new Pocket PC phones as the case is less useful for them, especially because it hinders keyboard usage; I carry my 700w in my pocket "as-is".

--janak

darkdestroyer
04-16-2006, 09:15 PM
Janak, would you happen to have Newton Rings on your 700w? I'm asking this because usually the twist and turn forces would cause the touchscreen to bend slightly. My i730 has this problem and I was wondering if you do with your 700w

Janak Parekh
04-16-2006, 11:44 PM
Janak, would you happen to have Newton Rings on your 700w? I'm asking this because usually the twist and turn forces would cause the touchscreen to bend slightly.
I don't think so -- at least, they're not noticeable if there are any. (What do you mean by twist and turn? The 700w has no twisting parts, unlike, say, the JasJar.)

My i730 has this problem and I was wondering if you do with your 700w
Do you mean the touchscreen itself, or with a screen protector applied? It might be possible the latter could mask such rings?

--janak

maxnix
06-30-2007, 10:41 AM
What's a screen protector?

Janak Parekh
07-02-2007, 04:35 AM
What's a screen protector?
Wow, this is a very old thread, and I hardly remember it. ;) But to answer your specific question, a screen protector is a protective piece of plastic installed on top of the touch (or non-touch) screen of a PDA or other consumer electronics device. It "sticks" to the surface using either electrostatic attraction or an adhesive and is generally more resistant to scratching than the underlying screen is. Moreover, if it does get scratched, you can easily replace it.

My favorite screen protector for Pocket PCs, by far, are the WriteSHIELDs from Pocket PC Techs (http://www.pocketpctechs.com/). I put one on my Treo 700w, in anticipation of it being used in all sorts of environments, and it's held up with nary a scratch.

--janak

Cybrid
07-02-2007, 08:32 AM
Wow, this is a very old thread, and I hardly remember it. ;) But to answer your specific question, I think he knows...evidenced by the subject line of his post....

"If this were Jeopardy..." Answer...(in the form of a question, of course) "What is a screen protector." :lol: :lol:

maxnix
07-11-2007, 10:36 PM
Wow, this is a very old thread, and I hardly remember it. ;) But to answer your specific question,
I think he knows...evidenced by the subject line of his post....

"If this were Jeopardy..." Answer...(in the form of a question, of course) "What is a screen protector." :lol: :lol:
Bingo! :wink:

Maybe the subject text needs to be in BOLD.