How to get LG to honour warranty on a rooted phone? - G4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys.
So I was unlucky enough to get one of the G4's that were built last summer with a hardware defect. It is completely bricked and I can only get it into download mode - and the LG Flash Tool can't do anything with it. I called LG and explained as best I could that it is rooted but it's definitely the hardware defect causing problems (was working fine before). They said they wouldn't touch it.
I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about how to convince them to honour it or any other ideas slightly outside the box?
Thanks!

You shouldn't tell them you rooted it. If you unlocked bootloader which is visible on power on i would have tried to fry it somehow for good. Put it in microwave or inverse polarity or somethin...or higher voltage

I purchased a G4 in Slovakia, and RMAd 2 times with the bootloader unlocked. They changed the display and motherboard for free. So I think the warranty also depends on your country and the shop where you got it.

In germany you have to show the manufacturer/retailer that the defect what not caused by you rooting the phone/installing a ROM/unlocking the bootloader/ etc. (since you cannot completely void your guarantee)
So, for example, if you rooted your phone and the charging port is not working you can say that this defect could not be caused by any ROM/tweak/whatever and you can reclaim you guarantee.
If it is a hardware failure known to LG you could argue that the rooting did nothing to accomplish it and that the defect is purely LG's fault and that they have to repair/replace your phone.
Since I don't know in which country you live I don't know how this is handled there, but I don't think it is that different from Germany.

I'm from slovakia as davebugyi, with the same prob, replaced by seller.
seeee7: As far as I know that Germany is part of EU that mean that EU laws & regulations applies - good for you, because seller is responsible for any faults (inherently faulty, bad design...) for 2years (except for battery) - good for you because that crap you "agreed" when you ask for bootlocker unlock code is irrelevant. And as I wrote seller is responsible NOT manufacturer!!! And second thing is about your 1st sentence - within warranty/guarantee seller has to prove that malfunction/harm was caused by improper usage, NOT you. BTW - in case of inherently faulty/bad design goods you can ask seller for money back, repair even after warranty/guarantee period (within reasonable time - within expected usability period - ie. not 10yea after you bought phone) - but in this case you have to prove that failure/harm/problem was caused by bad design/manufacturing...
I know that because I have HTC Universal and T-Mobile UK refused to fix my phone, so I was forced to raise an action against them @ sheriff's court (Small claim action in Glasgow, Scotland). Feew weeks before 1st court session, they sent me a checque with full amount I wanted (fee for action, indepent repair, external charger, 2nd battery, compensation for inconvenience... - and they paid twice the price of new Uni, and at least 5times more than repair) as I guess they knew they will fail.
SO in the worst case go to court.

I always call them and tell them that i woke up and the phone wouldn't turn on.

hey phsnake,
The 2-year EU regulation is only a guarantee, but the unlock voids my warranty (I made a mistake in my previous post).
The guarantee is a EU right and is something between me and the seller/retailer.
[+]The warranty is (in this case) a contract between you and LG (not the seller).
So yes, the seller is still responsible for any faults but any extra warranty given to you by LG is now void. A warranty covers a wider range of problems. So the bootloader unlock's t&c are not irrevant, only usually the warranty given to you by the companies/retailers is just pure marketing and doesn't extend the basic EU rights very much (L don't know whats inside the LG warranty but I think it's just a standard warranty like any other)
Adding to this, the EU regulation states that only in the first six months, the retailer has to prove that the failure was caused by a misuse. After these 6 months you actually have to show that the failure was already there when you bought the device (and that you did nothing that has invoked the defect).
A short example of where you invoked the defect on your phone: You installed a custom ROM that disabled the heat control of the CPU and it overheated and stopped working.
An example of where it was LG's fault: You put a custom ROM on the phone and the charging port is broken. The ROM couldn't have damaged the port.
With a bootloader unlock the seller could (even within the first 6 months!) argue that you "misused" the phone by rooting it and doing whatever with it. And then you have to show them that the rooting did nothing to invoke the problem.
Back to OP's problem: You need to talk to your retailer, just don't tell him that you unlocked/rooted/wahtever. If he refuses to repair your phone, tell him that your rooting did nothing on the defect and that it was a design/hardware failure. If you are living in the EU say him that he cannot 100% prove that it was your failure and claim your rights (tell him about "1999/44/EC" (the name of the regulation), most sellers/retailers tend to be very cooperative when confronted with precise knowledge about one's rights )
And, as phsnake said, go to court in the worst case. Or tell you retailer that you'll do it, maybe you get the same outcome as phsnake

Related

Faulty Desire? Safe Mode and button problem

Hi all,
My missus has a UK T-Mobile Desire, it is bog standard, not been updated with a new rom or even Froyo. Today it showed the Android boot loader and then when it eventually decided to boot it seemed to be stuck in Safe Mode and the Home, Menu and Back buttons don't work.
I'm not sure what might have caused this, it's been running fine.... would a hard reset possibly fix the problem?
Thanks
if you havn't done anything to the phone, return it and get a new one just back up all your things to outlook or gmail or whatever you prefer and you are ready for a new Desire
hope this helps! good luck!
Yeah fortunately there is the return option...
Another thing about two weeks ago the Facebook Friends Stream Widget apparently stopped working for no apparent reason, I don't know if this and the bottom problem is linked...
I'll backup all her contacts etc later and try a hard reset then if necessary speak to T-mobile tomorrow.
Thanks
Tried a hard reset tonight and that made no difference. But playing with the buttons on boot and the phone booted normally..... all the buttons fully operational
Didn't last for long though.... the phone locked and I had to remove the battery.... guess what - SAFE MODE
Holding down the four buttons prevents the Safe Mode words displaying but the four buttons still don't work. I am going to call T-mobile tomorrow and see what they say.
Very angry indeed... outcome of me sending the phone to HTC... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8133471&postcount=32
Any advice would be really welcomed.
omg i just saw the email in the link
****ing outrageous
i had so much trouble with HTC when i had the HD2 but after enough arguing over the phone and threatening them with the sales of goods act they played fair and not only repaired the HD2 but gave me the Desire and a better contract.
how long have you had the phone for?
if you've had it for less than 6 months then phone T-Mobile and demand a new phone because it is covered under that law. That's right, T-Mobile, not HTC, because your contract is with them and it is up to them to supply you with a working phone for the contract agreement and the act states that these goods must last a certain period of time. So phone them up and tell them.
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/the-sale-of-goods-act/
EDIT: read them line by line this:
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/how-long-should-it-last/
To be honest with you I would have sent it to Tmobile and let them deal with HTC. When you bought the handset you entered into a contract with the retailer for the warranty, not the manufacturer. This is not the airtime contract I'm talking about by the way, that is a seperate issue.
I think you should get on to Tmobile about this and tell them you want it sorted asap. You can also contact Consumer Direct by clicking HERE. They will advise you on what your rights are and how to sort your problem out.
You should also look at getting a report from HTC to state exactly what they say the cause of damage was. At least then you will know what you are up against.
I called T-mobile earlier today to tell them what had happened... I was routed through to a call centre in Asia. The person was helpful to an extent... listened... went away... and returned and said that if the Manufacturer said the the phone is damaged and not covered by warranty then there is nothing they can do.
They suggested I take the phone into a T-mobile shop and pay for an exchange (yeah right!). I quoted the SOGA stuff and they have now said that a manager would call me back in 24 hours - the operator could not put me through to a manager nor could my call be re-routed to a UK based agent.
So at this stage I'm no better off really.
I have since heard back from HTC... and a rather abrupt message that I am not happy about... they have also taken two images that I assume shows "damage" there is no explanation with the pictures though...
One image shows a small white stick that half of which has turned red, another shows the motherboard and some circuitry and a small arrow pointing to it.. it looks fine to my untrained eye. Assuming it is damaged in some way is it possible that this is linked to moisture or as there have been issues with Desire motherboards could this be the same thing?
If anyone wants to see the images then I will email them...
Here is the content of the message and my reply however:-
From HTC:
Here are two images of the broken handset there are some more if you want some, as the phone is out of warranty you either pay the quote have the phone returned un-repaired or if you don't respond to the quote the phone will be discarded 30 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My reply:
I have viewed the images and am unclear what exact "damage" exists, I will need this to be described fully in a report that summarises the exact nature and extent of any damage and repair required. I assume that the red label indicates the existence of moisture however is it not possible that this could have been activated due to ambience or humidity?
Under the Sale Of Goods Act, any fault that develops within the first six months of a product being sold is deemed to have been present at the time of sale. Since owning the phone, no incident that I am aware of has occurred that would give rise to the damage you say has been discovered, so the Sale Of Goods Act would come in to force. T-Mobile provided the phone in a sealed box, so I do not see how the damage could be down to them and as the ultimate supplier of the phone, I would have to hold you responsible for the sale of defective goods. Under the terms of the Act, it IS FOR YOU TO PROVE OTHERWISE or accept the repair or replacement of the phone at your expense.
In addition the handset is not out of warranty, in fact it is only 4 months old. It was also sent to you in a semi functional state - in other words it could be used fully except that just the bottom row of bottoms (excluding the roller) were not working. Can you please confirm that this is still the case should the handset be reassembled and returned.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU, HTC OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF HTC DISCARD THE HANDSET AS THIS MAY CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL ACT
I wish to make a formal compliant about the way in which this case has been handled, namely:-
1. I was never told nor did I agree that charges for both repair or return could be charged.
2. I was led to believe that the handset was still within warranty and would be repaired accordingly.
3. I have been told that you must replace items that do not need replacement, such as the LCD screen and the plastic surround which are known to have minor scratches consistent with fair wear and tear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Samsung warranty repair - too good to be true?

I just finished a conversation with a Samsung support person, regarding my hard bricked T989. It seems that either there was some major misunderstanding between the two of us, or Samsung's policy is unexpectedely too firendly.
The bottom line was this: if you hard brick your phone due to firmware update - they will fix it and the repair is under warranty. Huh? Does anyone have a personal experience with getting a phone to be unbricked by manufacturer?
Here are some quotes.
Q: The phone had a firmware update which went wrong and now the phone is 100% inoperable. But there is no mechanical or any other damage whatsoever - only the firmware updated wrong.
Answ.: We can repair the phone, if it is still under warranty and has not been physically damaged. [...] Provided there is no physical damage to the phone and the failure is not due to any type of liquid damage, the phone will be repaired under warranty.
I think I was clear describing the bricking, and the answer was just as clear. Did I miss something?
BTW, the chat was exactly to clarify the question. Originally I emailed them asking a question on a different topic. The reply suggested that the phone could be covered by warranty. Surprise.
Yes Samsung can unbrick it. But they will take like 3 weeks. My friend he bricked his 7 inch galaxy tab and he sent it to Samsung and they unbricked it and sent it back.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Well, having the phone back working 3 weeks late late is better than never. I am aboroad, bought the phone from a tiny retailer, and returning to it to T-Mo wasn't an option. After figuring out that unbicking is not an option either - no one offers the service, because they dont know how to unbrick it yet, - I was thinking that either the phone will go to Adam or will spend a six months in the desk, loosing its value to something like $50. Three weeks is soon.
But the point was slightly different: normally the warranty is void as soon as a product used not as intended. Bricking, I think, is mainly caused by reckless flashing, no paying attention, not reading the instuctions, etc. I expected that if one admits that it is him who made his own phone inoperable, then... well - it's his loss.

Bootloader relocked, can I claim warranty?

Well, I guess my One X isn't perfect.
When I first got it, I didn't look for the flaws, I just checked that the Wi-Fi is ok and there was no ripples, so I unlocked it and flashed ARHD. But, after few days of usage I was shocked after I pressed the screen a bit harder (not VERY hard, just a bit harder because I stumbled upon some HOX screen creaking issue videos) and it started creaking in the upper corners and you can push the screen further into the casing (upper side) like it's on some kind of springs. Note: It was in a case since day 1, never fell because I treat it like a baby, I've had it for around a week. Now, I relocked bootloader and got everything back to stock. I never flashed custom kernels nor tried to overclock it/undervolt it. Plus, it NEVER got hot, after playing some more intensive (THD) games it got SLIGHTLY warm, you could barely feel it. So it is deffinitely assembly issue. My question is, can I claim warranty? Because I bought this phone in Germany (1&1) and I'm from Croatia, so I would have to ship it to Germany first. Or should I take it to repair shop so they fix the screen because it's perfect in every other way? It's model SH26.
Thanks very much.
Regards.
Well, I would say that it depends on the engineer who examine your phones. However, they always knew that you are unlocked and they have the right to void your warranty if they detemine it was caused by mis-used of custom ROM/kernels or else. Since, this is a assembly issue which was not consequences of unlocking. I can said that you are safe from this.
I adviced you get to HTC directly instead of a repair shops and query to HTC croatia asking wether they accept your device or not. For you interest, I heard that international warranty was apply my One X from a local retailer while my device is brought from neighbour country.
Either its hardware fault or not if ur device is unlocked they can refuse the repair under warranty. i have asked the same thing and they told me that if you unlocked it u cant use ur warranty.i said all the stuff about its not my fault or unlocking and its by manufacture but no luck. so i guess it depends ur rights that ur country provides .In Uk you can claim hardware fault in court.
Sounds like a shoddy products.
Yup, had to admitted the warranty may go as per country basis refering local laws. I don't think many asian countries deserves the rights for requesting changes/rejecting a device in 7 days without giving any reason as in UK. Thus, this may be why there are more strict on this unlocking issue in UK.
I sent my HOX (unlocked) for repair directly to HTC due to faulty earpiece jack.
They returned it to me fixed, and with a new and better battery.
HTC didn't charge me a cent.
Ive installed ARHD recently and a few hours after i noticed my screen making creaking and popping noises when pressed. Not sure what i should do about it, it doesnt bother me that much but if my screen falls out ill be slightly annoyed ;p. Surely they have to replace/fix the phone because this is a hardware issue?
Guess I was extremely lucky. Having heard of many defective devices, I began to worry about mine, and, to my surprise, there was no problems i could detect.
That's because generally people only shout about things that don't work. The happy folks with good phones are much quieter.
Rusty! said:
That's because generally people only shout about things that don't work. The happy folks with good phones are much quieter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True,i haven't had a single problem with my HOX.When it was first released many people complained about the flickering screen,after that with the memory loss problem,now with the new 2.17 update alot of people are having problems with the wifi,and even so,i don't have any problem with the phone.
ON Topic:In my country if you unlock your bootloader the waranty is completly void,a friend of mine had problems with the phone microphone and they denied his waranty,had to pay to repair the HOX.
This may not be the greatest tip to give, but if you know that they will reject warranty claims (If you are in the UK, etc...) on the basis of bootloader unlock, it might be possible to bypass the issue by just bricking the phone to the point that you cannot get to the bootloader, because it seems they determine warranty status by going to the bootloader and looking at the screen.
Hence, no bootloader screen to check, no evidence that warranty was broken.
Of course this is quite shady and if you have the means you should pay for the warranty repairs.
...or realise (UK, etc.) that your statutory rights are not affected. Which is why they are "statutory".
It's hard to tell, some users reporting that they've been charged for a new motherboard prior to fixing any issues. Until then they won't touch the device. It varies from country to country and individual on the other end.
If you got it from a carrier maybe try sending it to them and bypassing HTC.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Im in the uk, does anyone know if they will or wont fix my phone? Also do they fix the phone or replace it?
MadCatz900 said:
Im in the uk, does anyone know if they will or wont fix my phone? Also do they fix the phone or replace it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the problem, but usually a fix is possible/cheaper for them.
On the UK, your statutary rights stand with the retailer. If you're unlocked (relock it) take it to them.
Great news, my One X is back and It's fixed. Big ups for HTC Germany!
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

[Q] Camera and warranty problems

After much experimentation, I've concluded that the front facing camera in my none x is faulty as I keep getting red lines through pictures and some weird sort of color bleed. Now my problem is that I've got an unlocked boot loader and though I've locked it, I'm not sure whether ThreeUK or HTC will fix it even though its a hardware fault. Can anyone advise me n what I might do to get it fixed without having to pay out my pocket ?
Going back to stock rom and relocking the bootloader might help to get it fixed for free.
If they don't agree, demand it and appeal to the european consumer protection laws. There is no way that unlocking bootloader could've caused it.
Transmitted from my wireless telephone apparatus.
Yeah, Three are responsible, not HTC, so talk to Three.
Thanks for the help guys!
What should I say if they say that they won't fix the fault as I have unlocked the bootloader
They're legally obliged to provide a product free from defects, if it's broken within a reasonable time (which would be at least your contract term), they must repair, replace or refund. It's your statutory right.
Agreeing to the terms of HTC warranty invalidation at htcdev does not affect your statutory rights.

Warranty and knox 0x1 ? (In EU)

Hello,
almost a year ago i purchased an Galaxy s9 (Which i regret due the battery not lasting over 2 hrs- 3 hrs max sot time)...
the store asked me if i want to make an extended warranty if i drop my phone and the screen breaks, they gonna replace the screen for free (by sending it to an authorized repair center)
they problem is that authorized repair center will replace the screen but if there is something else broken like a camera or a back glass they gonna charge change them too
in my case my knox is 0x1 and my screen have a small crack, the phone though is in perfect shape not scuffs no anything... i called the repair center (fonemaster authorized repair center in Cyprus)
and they told me that if i modified the firmware and the knox shows 0x1 they will have to replace the motherboard (plus the screen) and its gonna cost me just 500 euros
though i read that rooting the device its not gonna void the warranty
here you can read more
In short: No. Just the fact that you modified or changed the software of your device, is not a sufficient reason to void your statutory warranty. As long as you have bought the device as a consumer in the European Union.
A bit longer: Directive 1999/44/CE dictates¹ that any object meeting certain criteria (including telephones, computers, routers etc.) being sold to a consumer² inside the European Union, has to carry a warranty from the seller that the device will meet the quality that you would expect for such a device for a period of 2 years. A telephone is an example of such a device and is an object that comprises many parts, from the case to the screen to the radio, to a mini-computer, to the battery, to the software that runs it. If any of these parts³ stop working in those 2 years, the seller has to fix or replace them. What is more these repairs should not cost the consumer a single cent — the seller has to cover the expenses (Directive 1999/44/CE, §3). If the seller has any expenses for returning it to the manufacturer, this is not your problem as a consumer.
if you want you can read more here:https://www.piana.eu/root/
i think that unfair because i am just asking for a screen replacement and nothing else though the battery was bad from the first week i thought that it was gonna adjust but it never did.... and samsung said to me to sent it to their service center..... and my friend did that and they said that they reflashed the firmware but the battery was still not even good if you compare it with the galaxy a5 2017
never mind
i am wondering if that ok to call them and speak directly to a person which gonna repair my device and not the secretary, or it is gonna be time loss
thank y and sorry for my bad English.
dimitrispas22 said:
Hello,
almost a year ago i purchased an Galaxy s9 (Which i regret due the battery not lasting over 2 hrs- 3 hrs max sot time)...
the store asked me if i want to make an extended warranty if i drop my phone and the screen breaks, they gonna replace the screen for free (by sending it to an authorized repair center)
they problem is that authorized repair center will replace the screen but if there is something else broken like a camera or a back glass they gonna charge change them too
in my case my knox is 0x1 and my screen have a small crack, the phone though is in perfect shape not scuffs no anything... i called the repair center (fonemaster authorized repair center in Cyprus)
and they told me that if i modified the firmware and the knox shows 0x1 they will have to replace the motherboard (plus the screen) and its gonna cost me just 500 euros
though i read that rooting the device its not gonna void the warranty
here you can read more
In short: No. Just the fact that you modified or changed the software of your device, is not a sufficient reason to void your statutory warranty. As long as you have bought the device as a consumer in the European Union.
A bit longer: Directive 1999/44/CE dictates¹ that any object meeting certain criteria (including telephones, computers, routers etc.) being sold to a consumer² inside the European Union, has to carry a warranty from the seller that the device will meet the quality that you would expect for such a device for a period of 2 years. A telephone is an example of such a device and is an object that comprises many parts, from the case to the screen to the radio, to a mini-computer, to the battery, to the software that runs it. If any of these parts³ stop working in those 2 years, the seller has to fix or replace them. What is more these repairs should not cost the consumer a single cent — the seller has to cover the expenses (Directive 1999/44/CE, §3). If the seller has any expenses for returning it to the manufacturer, this is not your problem as a consumer.
if you want you can read more here:https://www.piana.eu/root/
i think that unfair because i am just asking for a screen replacement and nothing else though the battery was bad from the first week i thought that it was gonna adjust but it never did.... and samsung said to me to sent it to their service center..... and my friend did that and they said that they reflashed the firmware but the battery was still not even good if you compare it with the galaxy a5 2017
never mind
i am wondering if that ok to call them and speak directly to a person which gonna repair my device and not the secretary, or it is gonna be time loss
thank y and sorry for my bad English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have personally had a rooted phone replaced under warranty. They didnt even look at it to check, and unless the issue theyre addressing is with something that involves root, why would they waste their time checking for it? Flash your 100% stock files back on it and go for it.
youdoofus said:
i have personally had a rooted phone replaced under warranty. They didnt even look at it to check, and unless the issue theyre addressing is with something that involves root, why would they waste their time checking for it? Flash your 100% stock files back on it and go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought about it ... but i found a person who i exchanged it for oneplus 6 gold (128+ 8gb ram)
i am happy because battery is much better, a few oxygen os tweaks etc.....
the worst thing is the speakers and the screen, everything else is better)
thank you for your reply!
dimitrispas22 said:
i thought about it ... but i found a person who i exchanged it for oneplus 6 gold (128+ 8gb ram)
i am happy because battery is much better, a few oxygen os tweaks etc.....
the worst thing is the speakers and the screen, everything else is better)
thank you for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you got it worked out to your satisfaction! i havent messed with oxygen in forever! my fiancee has a retired oneplus 2 and she wouldnt let me touch it while she was using it. its sitting in a drawer now, but i cant find the motivation to get it out and mess with it. i didnt know that the OP6 had an 8gb ram option, nice score!

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