Search for:
digital domain
System malfunctions happen to us all...
So vent about it and get advice
11:00 am Jan 7 - by Tim Anderson – buzz Writer
Related Media
With the holiday season coming to a close, you may find yourself with a shiny new iPod, camera, computer or other gadget. If this item malfunctions or breaks, you may be in the unfortunate circumstance of dealing with an exchange, return or at the very least, a few painful hours exchanging frustrating e-mails or on the phone with customer service.
There’s nothing more infuriating than burning all those calories with nothing to show for it: a damage not covered by a warranty, a sales person that won’t take your return, or a customer service representative quick to misdiagnose your problem. I had an MP3 player a few years ago which had a screen that cracked without any abuse and became unusable. I struggled with mounting hostility against the representative on the phone who could do nothing for me except explain that I must have done something wrong and that fixing the broken device would cost almost what it cost to buy a new one.
Browsing online for a machete to cut through the red tape my MP3 player seemed to be firmly wrapped in, I was pleased to happen upon link a blog where shoppers bite back. Here, agitated consumers are encouraged to vent their frustrations and injustices about the stores or online retailers that wronged them. The bloggers on staff post these stories, citing (usually with a taste of that enjoyable ‘we’ve been slighted’ venom) the problems with these business practices and advice on how to rectify the situation. Contributors in the form of an affluent and intelligent readership can post replies, which surprisingly often include detailed knowledge of store policy or even legal means to employ if the situation so calls.
Even if not seeking a means to get what you deserve, browsing the pages of The Consumerist will sway your purchasing habits away from repeat offenders on the site, and is always an entertaining read. The site doesn’t solely cater to electronics devices and suppliers, and the award-nominated site is an entertaining distraction and potentially powerful resource.
Sound Off
Last post: Jan. 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Jan. 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm:
Here's some advice. If you drop your phone in a pool, toilet, sink, etc., and you're worried it won't work because it's wet, there is a solution that requires only a couple household items.
1) Do not try to turn the cellphone on.
2) Remove the battery and leave it and the phone sitting out for a few hours. If it's a nice day, you can leave it outside to dry in the sun. Don't blowdry it or anything.
3) Before you go to bed -- keeping the phone and the battery separate -- put them in a plastic bag that you fill with rice.
4) Dessicant (probably spelled wrong, but yeah, it's that stuff that comes with shoes in little bags that say "do not eat") works even better than rice to suck out the moisture. I don't have a clue where, but according to various internet sources, this works best.
5) Come morning, put the battery back in and try turning the device on.
It sounds kind of bizarre and like a fake natural remedy you'd hear advertised on infomercials, but it worked for me. And I had to have an epic Moby Dick-type struggle trying to pull my phone out of the toilet as the toilet tried to suck it down into the abyss. So you know it was super wet.
The next day, the display looked a little wet, but over time that moisture just kind of evaporates.