It is not uncommon for a brand new mobile phone, so long-awaited and necessary for work and communication, to break down before it reaches the end of the warranty period.
What might it look like? The phone starts to “fail” - restart by itself, shut down unexpectedly, even send unexpected calls to someone. And you can return the money spent or replace the device with a similar working model, only by proving that the "author" of the breakdown is not you.
In the service center, representatives of the manufacturer do not always seek to assess the situation with an open mind. No wonder - the legitimate return of money for low-quality goods is not at all in their interests. And in order to defend their rights, it is necessary to attract third parties. And more specifically, to resort to such a procedure as an independent examination of the phone.
When is it held?
You will need a third-party expert’s opinion when the device “rested” earlier than the warranty period has expired . And also if his work causes serious complaints. At the same time, there is no fault of the owner in this, but they don’t take him back in the salon where the phone was bought, referring to the fact that the owner is supposedly to blame for the breakdown.
Examination conducted by the manufacturer does not confirm the presence of marriage. Thus, there is disagreement between the parties - the consumer and the manufacturer of the goods - regarding the cause of the breakdown.
It is in such cases that an independent examination of the telephone is possible and desirable. In addition, there may be a variant with the appeal of the buyer to the court to assert their rights. In this case, a state forensic examination of the telephone may be ordered.
The reverse situation is when the owner really broke the phone himself, but continues to stubbornly deny it. And the conclusion of the service center is not a decree for him. Here, the manufacturer or the store is already acting as the “injured person”. A legal entity has the same right to demand the appointment of expertise.
Where is it held?
A legitimate question arises - where to do the phone expertise? You can order such a service in any company whose specialization is the conduct of such tests.
Be sure to make sure that the company has documents on the right to conduct this activity. And that at the end of the examination procedure you will receive an official document containing justified evidence of the presence or absence of marriage of factory origin.
What happens when you turn to independent experts? Let's briefly follow the main stages of such a procedure as the examination of the phone.
What does an expert do?
The first thing the expert will do to determine the cause of the defect is an external examination. Visually, it is easy to establish the presence or absence of mechanical damage that led to breakage.
About whether or not the device was dropped or, for example, exposed to water, the specialist will be told signs that are invisible to the seller’s eye or the owner of the phone — for example, microcracks, etc. If they are absent, the expert proceeds to check the quality of the device. To do this, an assessment is made of the phone connected to the charging device and without it. It also evaluates the work with and without a SIM card.
If, at this stage, the phone’s examination did not reveal a problem, a specialist will open the device to investigate the “filling”. What is used a number of devices - tweezers, screwdrivers or pumps. At the same time, checking for moisture and extraneous microparticles getting inside. In this case, use a magnifying glass with an increase of 2-10 times the size.
In the case when the complaints about the phone’s operation are related to the software, the expert will check the flash card for viruses or malware, which may cause malfunctions.
When it comes to charging problems, the battery is also tested with a special device.
Upon completion of the audit, the specialist issues an opinion. The “diagnosis” may consist in poor-quality soldering of the microcircuit, poorly functioning software, etc.
Another task of examination
This is a fake identification. The appearance and widespread use of “gray” devices on the domestic market creates problems for both buyers and consumers. Such equipment - at least 20% of all that is sold on the market. Cheap fakes are prone to frequent breakdowns, spoiling the image of bona fide manufacturers and disappointing buyers.
The expert checks IMEI and serial numbers. If the phone turns out to be unoriginal, then the responsibility is no longer the manufacturer, the seller - it should go to him with complaints. In such a situation, he is almost unequivocally obliged to return the amount paid for the purchase.
Phone Expertise - Deadlines
When can I expect a result? Having passed the mobile phone for examination, please be patient. As a rule, verification does not require a huge investment of time. To make a reliable substantiated “diagnosis”, an expert needs only about ten days.
The documentary completion of the examination is the issuance of an official opinion containing the opinion of a specialist on the causes of the malfunction. Having received this document, the consumer, if necessary, can use it as an argument when considering a case in court.
Is it possible to speed up the process?
It is possible, but you must be prepared to spend a slightly larger amount of money. Each company conducting such activities sets its own prices, as well as the time required to complete the work.
By certain companies, the entire telephone examination procedure (together with the issuance of a final certificate) can be carried out “in urgent mode” - literally in a couple of days. But such firms charge quite serious money for their services.
This necessary measure - examination of the phone - sometimes becomes the only way out for a stalled buyer. Most often this applies to cases when you are firmly convinced that a breakdown or poor-quality phone operation has nothing to do with your actions, and the seller or a service center specialist claims the opposite.
In this case, it is important not to waste time. A timely appeal to independent experts, a quality and objective examination of the phone, and official confirmation of your innocence is your real opportunity to defend your position in court, after which you have the opportunity to either return the money spent on an unsuccessful purchase, or get a free repair, or make a replacement to a similar, but at the same time working model.