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T610, Vodafone Live, Australia Awful support |
zzarg
Joined: Aug 16, 2003
Posts: 25
From: Australia
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well, what a saga this is turning out to be....
I purchased outright from a Vodafone store a T610, explaining I wanted to use it with an Optus SIM.
The store failed to warning me about the appalling VFL software that turned the phone into cripple-ware, especially on a non vodafone plan.
Checked the web (here mostly !) over the weekend, and more than a few posts indicated the way to get it fixed was an under warranty firmware re-flash...
So... logged a support call with Vodafone to see if they had any standard advise for outright purchasers as to the correct way to get this... they simply gave me the phone number for SE.
SEs response.... initially was talk to Vodafone, but when I explained they'd sent me to SE they said they don't recommend the re-flashing a VFL phone with mainstream firmware as the upgrade may corrupt the phone and void the warrenty.
First of all, I can't beleive re-flashing a VFL with current mainstream firmware should be any more of a problem/risk than the same change on a standard phone... which means either they don't trust their service centres, or the VFL phone is physically cripped in some way.
Very disappointed with the service from both Vodafone and SE today - have been bounced from one to the other from 9am to 5pm, so tomorrow I'm going back to the dealer to try and return the phone.
Will I get another T610 from a different store (not Vodafone affiliated) ?
Well, I'm undecided. Given the pretty average support I've got so far I'm not feeling that comfortable, given this is my first non-Nokia phone in over a decade it was a big call to make the switch... and until I've had a successful 'bonding' period with the T610 I've got no loyalty.
Feature/function on the T610 is good - Bluetooth/IrDa sync with the Mac is way better than anything I'll get with a Nokia, the camera is okay (compared to say a 7650) and the size is just about perfect....
Anyone in Aus had, and resolved, the same problem... or can point me to official SE or Vodafone documents to help get these two behemoths to actually be helpful !
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N.M.E.
Joined: Aug 02, 2003
Posts: 124
From: Western Australia
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Had the same problem about a month ago. They kept telling the VFL stuff is a 'feature'. They said if I had a non vodafone one I couldn't get on Vodafone Live (which is crap because I can :P).
Basically I went back to the supplier and told them that the phone they sold me was crap and that I want either a refund or a stock T610. 3 days later I had a stock T610 :) (I'm in Perth dealing with a supplier in Adelaide...thats why it took 3 days..)
Just whinge and complain. You shouldn't have to put up with vodafone crap.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke |
zzarg
Joined: Aug 16, 2003
Posts: 25
From: Australia
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Thanks Edmund.
Heading back to the dealer this afternoon. If they can't get me a stock T610 today, I'll pick up a Nokia 7650 (got a better camera even if it is bigger !) |
Angus
Joined: Aug 16, 2003
Posts: 8
From: Sydney, Australia
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Get the stock T610 if you can... Better than the Nokia - though depends what you want it for I guess.
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zzarg
Joined: Aug 16, 2003
Posts: 25
From: Australia
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got the fairly standard T610 from a Telstra dealer (it's got some bigpond stuff on there, but no drama)
I guess the final word goes to the, oh so helpful, SE support folks... who have convinced me that the T610 is a stop-gap until the next round of Nokias arrive and I can get a phone that has the features I need from a manufacturer I trust !
If you can find a Certified Service Centre who is willing to load alternate software onto your phone, by all means take up their offer.
You will be charged for this service as Sony Ericsson will not cover this under Warranty.
You will also be required to sign a waiver because if the T610 faults as a result of this software change, it will not be covered by the Sony Ericsson Warranty.
Best Regards,
{name deleted as he's only doing his job !}
Sony Ericsson Customer Care Centre
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Posted: 2003-08-18 11:07
