Envirofone damaged phone?

A question about : Envirofone damaged phone?

Hi all

I have just sent a phone off to Envirofone - a Nokia N95 with a value quoted at Ј101. The phone was in perfect condition and working order.

Anyway, the email came through today saying it had been received but had an 'LCD Fault' and they are now only offering Ј30!

There was absolutely no fault with the screen (or any aspect of the phone) when I sent it. So it must have been damaged in transit or Envirofone are trying to scam me?!

Can anyone tell me what my rights are? I can get the phone back from them free of charge but now it is damaged - I'm very angry!

Any help much appreciated.

Andy

Best answers:

• You dont really have many rights if it was damaged in transit.
• I'd ask for them to send it back to you so that you can see the damage for yourself...
• had the same thing happen to me in April - sent off a perfectly decent phone and even included the box! then they said it had "a broken keypad" that we knew it did not - it did have a small scratch on the keypad that we would have classed as "cosmetic" ...they offered us Ј5 less for the phone that considering the hassle it would have taken to get it back we accepted...still was angry though..
  They must be struggling to shift a mountain of phones so tightened their criteria or got some jobs-worth in to do the checking?
  In your case I would get them to return the phone as that's a big mark down, as to who's to blame - did you send it recorded delivery as they recommend? You should then be able to claim off the transit company if it is broken?
• Over the last 3-4years I have traded probably in excess of fifteen phones with Envirofone, and never had a problem. I always wrap my phones in an old carrier bag before putting them inside the padded jiffy bag.
  Which reminds me I have another three to send at home.
• Thanks for the replies. I think I'll just get them to send it back and see how bad the damage is. It was sent recorded delivery as they instruct but I realise now it should have also been insured.... which it was not. Lesson learned.
  Very unfortunate though.
• well, a new screen costs Ј15 and easy to fit by removing the 4 T5 screws behind the screen casing
  so Ј101 to Ј30 means they will charge Ј70.01 to change the screen if it needs changing.... after the Ј15 cost for the new screen leaves Ј65 for 5 minutes work or Ј780 an hour labour....... nice work if you can get it !!
  Loads of these companies are doing this as there is so much competition for these phones. The phones are unlocked, serviced and sold to either UK or foreign markets. The company quotes a high price on the website then renegotiates when it is their hand for a scratch or biscuit crumb found on the phone.....when you do it with an expensive phone there is big money to be paid....
• Hi Andy
  I had the same situation. I sent an old samsung off to them and they said the back was broken....I knew full well that when I sent it, it wasn't.
  I rung customer services and said unless it was damaged in the post (which I very much doubt as I had put that much packaging round it!) it must be an error, so therefore I'll come to your offices to collect the phone as I don't live far away.
  5 minutes later, got a call back...hey presto....full value for the phone.
• Couldn't you have got more for it if you sold it on ebay, Ј101 seems a little cheap and appears to be causing you a little agro.
• they will get away with it for along as they can...word of mouth takes along time to kick in. Until AndyBarnes gets the phone back it would only be rumours that what they are doing is ripping customers off....
  "caution my child - be wise and patient"
• Definitely something phishy about this whole thing. They are claiming that they haven't received my handsets despite posting them well over two weeks ago. Of course, the longer they take to arrive, the lower the price.
  I have never, ever had anything go missing in the post in my many years on this earth and they didn't have that far to travel, so I have sent them an e-mail today that I will inform the police that the handsets have been stolen (it is illegal to tamper with the Royal Mail). This should render them useless as of course, once an IMEI is registered as stolen, the phone is a brick.
  I got a reply from them, in the form of an automated "We haven't received your handsets yet.. did you know the price isn't held forever etc."
• It's only blocked in the UK - most of these handsets are sold outside the UK anyway.
• Hi guys,
  I also have an N95, the screen is cracked annnd the top section has come off its 'sliders', the band inbetween holding the main 2 pieces together has nearly ripped aswel.
  Is there any point in sending this off? Will I get like Ј1.30?! Any knowledge or rumours much appreciated!
  Cheers
  Dan
• Isnt really any solid proof they done anything wrong.
• Called Envirofone first thing this morning and voiced my concerns that it was quite suspicious that all these n95s which were sent in working condition all suddenly developed faulty LCDs.
  The girl I talked to said she'd see if my phone could be tested again, though it might not be possible as I'd already said to return it. She said she's call me if it was possible.
  No call all day so thought I'd just chalk it up to experience and be more careful in the future.
  Got home and checked emails...lo and behold a new message from Envirofone.
  "We have tested the following mobile phone in our warehouse today and it has passed successfully meeting our terms and conditions."
  So it seems my N95's LCD just had a 24-hour flu type of thing!
  While I'm obviously ecstatic at getting the full amount now, I don't think it should be up to the customer to raise a stink in order to get what they deserve.
  p.s. When I called them I made out that I might be thinking of dropping by their office to pick up my phone, as a previous poster had said. Don't know whether or not that had any effect on the outcome.
• I found this thread after searching for "envirophone scam" because I wondered if others had had the same problem. I sent in an N95 in perfect condition and they've said it has a damaged cover "around keypad" and reduced the price by Ј25.
  I was immediately suspicious as there was nothing wrong with the phone when I sent it.
  The excuse for a jiffy bag which they supplied to send in the phone is totally unsuitable. Maybe they don't mind phones being damaged when they arrive so they can fix them but knock off a lot more than it costs to repair therefore making profit out of the damage. They can't mind phones being damaged because if they did they wouldn't send such thin envelopes.
• Why would anyone send their phone off to these dodgy companies when its well known that they pay less than the phone's worth and they often pay less than what they say and then you get all that hassle. It's easier to sell it on eBay and you get more money for it.