In Thursday’s early morning monsoon, I fumbled my Motorola RAZR2 into a nice puddle. I immediately thought the worst, and my concern was what to do with the impending death of my personal cell phone. The problem I was now facing was even worse, as I do not have the optional phone insurance. I decided to not invest in that money-making scheme, given my relatively high rate of success with phones.
I gave the phone a day, letting it dry out completely. After it failed to come back up, I decided to traipse down to my local Verizon Wireless store to confirm that the phone was dead. I waited to talk to one of the techs and explained the situation. They pretty much confirmed what I thought–the phone was dead and I would have to pay close to full retail to replace the phone. In this instant, I was reminded of the problem with the subsidized cell phone services here in the States.
I decided to wait and talk to Customer Service to see what they recommended, and pretty much my alternative was to pay $50 less than the retail price or to get a different phone. After looking at the potential phones available to me and considering looking online, I decided to go back to my old phone–the trusty Motorola e815.
After getting everything setup on my old phone, I decided to play around with my RAZR2. Something strange popped into my head, and I decided to plug the phone in and let it get charged up. When I plugged it in, I got the usual boot menu the phone gives, and it continued to take a charge.
After some time charging, I decided to power the phone up. Lo and behold, the phone worked. I went online and reactivated my RAZR2, and it has been working just as expected. There appears to be no loss in functionality, and it works just as it did before. The crisis has truly been averted, and I will not have to buy a replacement phone.
One of the lessons here is that apparently, the technical staff at Verizon Wireless stores is not as savvy as I thought they were. Of course, this should not be terribly surprising to me as it is. Secondly, for a long-time customer, I was surprised there was not something else they could do for me.
{ 20 } Comments
Hmmm… okay. Being an industry girl and all, I need to tell you that it is potentially possible for the phone to corrode inside. Feel free to use it, but backup your data, because after water damage it could last 5 years, or last 5 days. Usually a full dry will render it useable, but corrosion is the issue. Just my (expert) two cents.
Hmmm… okay. Being an industry girl and all, I need to tell you that it is potentially possible for the phone to corrode inside. Feel free to use it, but backup your data, because after water damage it could last 5 years, or last 5 days. Usually a full dry will render it useable, but corrosion is the issue. Just my (expert) two cents.
@Charissa: Ahhhh, the industry shill.
Corrosion is certainly a possibility, but the corrosion should be mitigated by a few steps I took. I immediately stopped the use of the device, disconnected the battery, and placed it within many layers of absorbent towels. I could have gone the extra absorbent way and placed the phone into a bunch of cat litter, but I do not own a cat nor have easy access to cat litter. I also made sure to not use the device nor charge it for 36 hours.
As for a data backup, you do not know me very well. For years I have used Motorola Phone Tools as the device to sync the Contact information on my phone. My use of this tool dates back to my days using a StarTAC in 2000 when I worked at College Park. I have upgraded through the years, and I have graduated to using Bluetooth as the communication method. Nonetheless, I most certainly have my data backed up, though. I never like manually entering numbers and such into a cell phone, and this software package has been a find.
Still, your comment provides a cautionary tale for those devices that wind up “in the drink.”
@Charissa: Ahhhh, the industry shill.
Corrosion is certainly a possibility, but the corrosion should be mitigated by a few steps I took. I immediately stopped the use of the device, disconnected the battery, and placed it within many layers of absorbent towels. I could have gone the extra absorbent way and placed the phone into a bunch of cat litter, but I do not own a cat nor have easy access to cat litter. I also made sure to not use the device nor charge it for 36 hours.
As for a data backup, you do not know me very well. For years I have used Motorola Phone Tools as the device to sync the Contact information on my phone. My use of this tool dates back to my days using a StarTAC in 2000 when I worked at College Park. I have upgraded through the years, and I have graduated to using Bluetooth as the communication method. Nonetheless, I most certainly have my data backed up, though. I never like manually entering numbers and such into a cell phone, and this software package has been a find.
Still, your comment provides a cautionary tale for those devices that wind up “in the drink.”
I’m surprised the Verizon employees weren’t more helpful. When I broke my old phone (and yes it was totally my fault) they replaced it for me, even though I didn’t have the insurance. Of course I have the cheapo Nokia and not a fancy Moto…
Ooo…I get to upgrade this month…what should I get??
I’m surprised the Verizon employees weren’t more helpful. When I broke my old phone (and yes it was totally my fault) they replaced it for me, even though I didn’t have the insurance. Of course I have the cheapo Nokia and not a fancy Moto…
Ooo…I get to upgrade this month…what should I get??
@Carol: Meh. That’s what I get for buying the “expensive” phone. It works. Suck it, Verizon techs. As for your phone, good luck with your choices. Just get something decent. You could go sexy slim like me, but that’s how I like to rock the phone.
@Carol: Meh. That’s what I get for buying the “expensive” phone. It works. Suck it, Verizon techs. As for your phone, good luck with your choices. Just get something decent. You could go sexy slim like me, but that’s how I like to rock the phone.
My 2bit opinion, don’t upgrade unless you need a new phone. If you upgrade you are normally locked into a contract extension and you loose any power in your relationship with your carrier. If they tick you off, you can walk away at anytime.
(and as an added bonus if the new 3G iPhone is the the bees knees you an get that next month)
My 2bit opinion, don’t upgrade unless you need a new phone. If you upgrade you are normally locked into a contract extension and you loose any power in your relationship with your carrier. If they tick you off, you can walk away at anytime.
(and as an added bonus if the new 3G iPhone is the the bees knees you an get that next month)
@Paul: Yes, indeed, let us all await for the arrival of the Jesus Phone’s Second Coming. There’s no lock-in there at all–contract or otherwise.
I’m sorry, but my last comment was dripping with sarcasm.
@Paul: Yes, indeed, let us all await for the arrival of the Jesus Phone’s Second Coming. There’s no lock-in there at all–contract or otherwise.
I’m sorry, but my last comment was dripping with sarcasm.
But I want a pretty phone. Pretty and shiny.
BTW, JJT — I am mocking your Mighty Weber. Silently, but mocking it.
But I want a pretty phone. Pretty and shiny.
BTW, JJT — I am mocking your Mighty Weber. Silently, but mocking it.
I back up the mighty JJT and his weber.
Mine sits alongside its gas using brother and both get lots of grill time.
I back up the mighty JJT and his weber.
Mine sits alongside its gas using brother and both get lots of grill time.
Mighty JJT and Mighty Weber?
I am no longer mocking silently…I’m all-out chortling.
I still can’t decide about the phone, so I might not upgrade even though mine is totally mock-worthy.
Mighty JJT and Mighty Weber?
I am no longer mocking silently…I’m all-out chortling.
I still can’t decide about the phone, so I might not upgrade even though mine is totally mock-worthy.
@Carol: No grill goodness for you.
@Carol: No grill goodness for you.
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