SE Aino repair

[TerrorBlade]

hey guys,
i bought an SE Aino like 18 months back...
it's lcd started going blank every time i slowly slid it up...
i updated the firmware and the ear speakerphone died too and finally, the lcd died fully..
So i took it to the service center here in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi.
They say that they have to replace the entire lcd and they have to change a wire going to the earphone speaker...

They are charging a whopping a 4.2k.... I bought the phone for 23k initially when it was realeased...

so i wanted to know, can it be repaired at some other place with the same quality as the official service center at a lower price...

If not, is it a good decision to spend that much on repairs rather than going in for a new phone.. as in will it die out on me soon anyway after the repair?

 

[madnav]

So i took it to the service center here in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi.

so i wanted to know, can it be repaired at some other place with the same quality as the official service center at a lower price...

Depends upon:

1. How good is the quality of SonyEricsson 'Certified' Service center.(SonyE outsources to local centers, they dont regulate quality of service.)

2. How good, reliable is alternative.

If not, is it a good decision to spend that much on repairs rather than going in for a new phone..

How much would it sell for after repairs?

as in will it die out on me soon anyway after the repair?

Nothing is eternal and failure may not always be fetal. (No the question can not be answered)

 

[RD274]

They say that they have to replace the entire lcd and they have to change a wire going to the earphone speaker...

They are charging a whopping a 4.2k.... I bought the phone for 23k initially when it was realeased...

If not, is it a good decision to spend that much on repairs rather than going in for a new phone.. as in will it die out on me soon anyway after the repair?

It is quite common among all slider phones for the Flexi (thin-wide) cable that runs from the screen/ear phone to your phone motherboard to get damaged, esp if dust gets in as the overall sliding friction eventually wears that wire out. If the screen kept going off only when you slid it up and eventually complete damaged then it seems more logical that that cable is spoilt and not the entire screen/ear phone.

If possible go back and tell them that you consulted with someone first and he suggested getting the flexi cables replaced first, NOT THE ENTIRE SCREEN and how much would that cost.

Depending on the cosmetic condition of your Aino if it was fully functional you wouldn't get more than 6k ~ 7k for it so I highly doubt if getting that full 4k repair work done would be worth it.

 

[madnav]

^ I would suggest not getting it done from SonyEricson if they quoted you 4+k for repairs.

It is obvious that they want to milk you.

they do not take any responsibility of any damage during repair and you would be most likely left with unpleasant experience if you tell them just to replace flexi cable.

try to seek an alternative person/service who are confident/capable of handling complicated devices. otherwise sonyE is most probably your last resort.

Try calling/writing to sonyE. I did the same during my rma.

I had give a 3g, gps and sensor baring cellphone for rma and the local service center they appointed were tipping me off with a cellphone that is outdated; with no 3g, gps or sensors. I called Sony Toll-Free and complained.

I got a call in 2days from local service center that they can give a much better replacement.

The thing is, SonyE has no obligations of service providers, they(sonyE) are liable only as long as the product is under warranty..after that. it is just a Ch-ching!! thing. They earn off the name of sonyE while sony having the least to do with that apart from the spare parts.

 

[Superbad]

If the phone has its warranty expired it makes no sense to get the work done from SE service centre.
If possible try to find a local repair shop which does the repairing in house that is immediate repairs. These people are more capable of doing the repairs in the sense that they wont make fake stories of the parts that have gone bad and they do give an honest quote. That apart after the repair is done it would be best suggested that you sell your phone as soon as possible.

 

[RD274]

^ I would suggest not getting it done from SonyEricson if they quoted you 4+k for repairs.
It is obvious that they want to milk you.
they do not take any responsibility of any damage during repair and you would be most likely left with unpleasant experience if you tell them just to replace flexi cable.
try to seek an alternative person/service who are confident/capable of handling complicated devices. otherwise sonyE is most probably your last resort.

Try calling/writing to sonyE. I did the same during my rma.
I had give a 3g, gps and sensor baring cellphone for rma and the local service center they appointed were tipping me off with a cellphone that is outdated; with no 3g, gps or sensors. I called Sony Toll-Free and complained.
I got a call in 2days from local service center that they can give a much better replacement.

The thing is, SonyE has no obligations of service providers, they(sonyE) are liable only as long as the product is under warranty..after that. it is just a Ch-ching!! thing. They earn off the name of sonyE while sony having the least to do with that apart from the spare parts.

Exactly my thoughts but the reason why I am still asking him to go to a Sony Ericsson service centre is because it is very difficult to get Sony Ericsson Aino parts locally as the phone never did well.

 

[TerrorBlade]

Alright.., so Im a bit confused...
Basically I don't know any local reliable repair shops... Can anybody help me out with that?

I think I'll tell the se center to replace the flexi wire and see if the phone works with just that change... Yet im sure they will lie about it as they would wanna make more money...

Also, another question that comes to my mind is that is it imperative to sell the phone after I get it repaired? As in does a phone get more to problems after the first major glitch like this?

 

[madnav]

Exactly my thoughts but the reason why I am still asking him to go to a Sony Ericsson service centre is because it is very difficult to get Sony Ericsson Aino parts locally as the phone never did well.

I think it is possible to acquire just parts from them (certified service centers)

The flexi cables and speaker-phones are pretty generic (unless SonyE travels a monopolistic path)

The only concern shall be of opening the device properly without marks on the casing.

Thus, i would advice consulting alternative repair centers before proceeding.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Alright.., so Im a bit confused...

Basically I don't know any local reliable repair shops... Can anybody help me out with that?

I think I'll tell the se center to replace the flexi wire and see if the phone works with just that change... Yet im sure they will lie about it as they would wanna make more money...

Also, another question that comes to my mind is that is it imperative to sell the phone after I get it repaired? As in does a phone get more to problems after the first major glitch like this?

That is not at all necessary.

It would b like selling the bike because the clutch wire broke.

5months ago, a spring attached to break level broke on my bike resulting into incapability of changing gears. HH service center quoted it would be between 3-5k stating that i would have to replace gearbox/clutch. Later after inspection, i found out that the problem could go away if gears are tapped a certain way. Got to local mechanic, opened the gearbox and found a broken pin..

Total expenditure:- Rs.15/- for parts and Rs25 for labor.

In the mean time, i got many suggestions stating to sell the bike as it is giving gear issues. But half baked suggestions would be only as good as no suggestions imo.

So please do a complete inspection of the cell phone at a center that can let you be audience while inspecting.

Ask how much is the repair worth?

Ask how long or how short would the fix hold?

and alternatively, ask what can he offer for it in the condition it is.

Also, some major retailers have their technicians to inspect devices before purchasing, you may want to approach these for selling aino and getting another cell.

 

[Superbad]

That is not at all necessary.

It would b like selling the bike because the clutch wire broke.

5months ago, a spring attached to break level broke on my bike resulting into incapability of changing gears. HH service center quoted it would be between 3-5k stating that i would have to replace gearbox/clutch. Later after inspection, i found out that the problem could go away if gears are tapped a certain way. Got to local mechanic, opened the gearbox and found a broken pin..

Total expenditure:- Rs.15/- for parts and Rs25 for labor.

In the mean time, i got many suggestions stating to sell the bike as it is giving gear issues. But half baked suggestions would be only as good as no suggestions imo.

So please do a complete inspection of the cell phone at a center that can let you be audience while inspecting.

Ask how much is the repair worth?

Ask how long or how short would the fix hold?

and alternatively, ask what can he offer for it in the condition it is.

Also, some major retailers have their technicians to inspect devices before purchasing, you may want to approach these for selling aino and getting another cell.

the example does not hold true in this place

i suggested that since his phone requires soldering(would require) soldering.

the motherboards of all mobile circuits are miniature.

in the assembly line these connections are done by automated machines.

so when the equipments need replacement there is a chance (high probability) of damage caused to other components.(this is to chance)

so to prevent further escalation of cost to the user i suggested to sell the phone when the phone will be working in just about perfect condition.

 

[madnav]

^the flexi cables are now with socket-connector configuration, making it easy to replace.

speaker phone location may produce a challenge for replacement though.

thats why suggested getting an overview before deciding on the aftermath.

my reply was in no way targeted to you. you had your intension correct. sorry if you took it as an offense.

 

[Superbad]

none taken