CEX broke my iPhone!

A question about : CEX broke my iPhone!

Took my iPhone 5 into the Milton Keynes branch of CEX today. I know the phone was 2 years old but it was in good condition. There were no screen issues- I know that for certain. However they took it to 'test' and then they decided they couldn't buy it as apparently the screen was 'blanching' when pressed. Both my partner and I witnessed the 'tester' stabbing at the screen with excessive pressure, not just the normal pressure you would use. When I touched it with the pressure I would normally use, it was fine. Also they claimed the backlight was faulty and had burned the screen- it definitely hadn't. There will be CCTV footage of the excessive pressure as in the course of the discussion I misplaced my iPhone 5S and they went to check the CCTV if they could see where I've put it. The excessive pressure has now damaged the screen and they said my only option would be to sell it to them for scrap to which I said 'no, I wont. This phone has been tampered with.' Not even a denial as any decent person would if they were not guilty! What comeback have I got now? I can have the screen replaced- I need to sell the phone as I badly need the money- I was thinking of sending the bill to them and issuing a court claim if necessary. I will also be reporting the criminal damage to the police.

Best answers:

• I think phoning the police for this is absolutely ridiculous.
  I don't think the cctv will be clear enough to prove that the guy pressed with excessive force on you screen
• Why should I let them get away with deliberately damaging the phone though? And I wasn't about to phone 999. Was thinking more along the lines of phoning 111 for a crime reference number. I don't know about the CCTV though- he was putting quite heavy pressure on the screen with exagerrated arm movements- I'm talking stabbing at it with his finger, his arm pointing downwards as you would if you were pointing not in the normal position it would be in. which I did ask him not to, incidentally.
• If the screen now has problems due to him pressing it, chances are it was on it's way out or had some underlying issue that's just been made worse.
  Police won't be interested because it doesn't sound malicious.
  Small claims likely won't go in your favour due to lack of evidence.
• Nothing to stop you starting legal proceedings against the store .Either hire a solicitor or try the small claims court but both may want actual evidence .
• It blanched because it was pressed hard and I mean hard. If pressed with normal pressure it wouldn't- I tried it several times. Am going to ask the guys in the Apple Store tomorrow for their opinion on it as as I say I used it up until yesterday without issue and it definitely wasn't doing that.
• "To sell it to them for scrap"
  Now there is a surprise. Glad you told them to swivel.
• Right I'm sorry I've been quiet but I've been busy sorting this out. I've read numerous complaints online about CEX's antics. I've also spoken to their customer service, to the Apple Store and... I have since sold the phone. For a fair price.
  The phone was tested extensively when I sold it using normal pressure. I was told- I quote- 'it seems to be fine. I don't know what CeX did to it but it seems ok to me.' They are aware of what CEX said but were happy that the screen seemed ok and that everything else was working fine. (It was. I loved that phone and it was well cared for. All original- nothing had ever been replaced/repaired)
  I've got the price I wanted for the phone now and an answer about what was wrong with it (nothing- thus proving CeX were telling porkies) the guy in the Apple Store was also puzzled. He tried it himself with normal pressure and confirmed no blanching was present. Both places declined to place heavy pressure on it as obviously then that could lead to the screen breaking which rightly they would be responsible for- however the pressure they used was akin to what a reasonable pressure on the screen would be and both times it was fine.
  I have now spoken at length to Customer Services and explained the situation- ie the fact that their employees clearly lied and also that yes I haven't lost out but the potential was there and they could have 'possibly' broke my phone. I honestly believed my phone was broken- luckily for them it wasn't. I have now requested an apology and also that this is looked into and these practices need to stop. I was told of a case from a relative of mine where a brand new, shop sealed phone with all paperwork (wrong phone was bought but shop refused return due to their own policies) was taken to them and they said it was in poor condition and only fit for scrap!
  Customer Services have apologised but I doubt somehow anything will be done. Sadly the Internet is full of similar stories. I only took it there as they assured the best price but I was surprised to be offered the same price from the shop I eventually took it to and I wish I had gone there in the first place. Thanks to those who offered constructive remarks- to those who suggested I was overreacting yes perhaps I was. But I have severe mental health issues and things are not always crystal clear to me.