Nokia Nseries :: 701 Side Lock Broken?

Three days ago the side lock key on my eight-month-old 701 broke in the course of normal use - I didn't drop it or anything like that - I was just trying to lock the screen in the normal way. There is plainly a mechanical fault as the slide doesn't spring back when you move it.

I took it into Nokia Care here in Taipei and, to my surprise, they told me a) that it can only be fixed by replacing the phone's motherboard and b) that I would have to call Nokia to see whether they were willing to cover it under the guarantee. (It seems that the few remaining Nokia care centres in Taiwan are contracted out and given little or no discretion.) Interestingly they showed me another 701 motherboard with the slide broken in the same way.

Yesterday, Nokia Taiwan called back saying that the limited guarantee specifically excludes damage to the exterior of the phone and that if I wanted it repaired I would have to pay for it.

I have now checked the terms of the guarantee (available in Chinese on Nokia Taiwan's web site) and this simply isn't true. There are exclusions for improper use or modification, acts of god, normal wear and tear, replacement of consumables (fuses are specifically mentioned) and damage to or breakage of aerials, but nothing about damage to switches or anything else of on the exterior of the phone.

Regardless of the details of the guarantee exclusions, I am appalled at Nokia Taiwan's attitude, and would be very grateful if other users could tell me if they have had similar problems with side locks, or with repairs that should be covered under guarantee.