[AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note II] Dr. Evo:
Highly Recommended

I have had BB Black Tie Protection on EVERY phone I've had since the original EVO 4G. I had it on my original GNote and it was a blessing from elsewhere, because I ended up having to get FOUR replacement Note's due to random issues that didn't please me. They were issues that most people probably could have lived with, but not me.

BB never gave me any flack for the replacement. Took the phone in to BB Mobile, told them I wasn't happy with my phone for X-Y-Z reasons, and they filled out a service order and sent it out for replacement. One important thing to note (no pun intended lol) is that BB has TWO phone repair options. The first is called "Rapid Exchange," which basically means you will never see the phone, again. They send it out and 2-3 days later a REFURB is sent to the store and BB calls you and tells you to come pick it up. The other option is an actual REPAIR and I think that's precisely what they call it, but you might wanna check up on it. At any rate, a repair is much more lengthier and could literally take up to 30-DAYS to be done! When you opt for a repair, you get your original phone back, not a refurbished one.

Now, Black Tie Protection has a policy that is written somewhere in your contract that you should keep in mind... after FOUR (4) authorized and legitimate replacements — it shouldn't matter if you choose 'rapid exchange' or an actual repair — BTP should provide you with a BRAND NEW device of the same kind, not a refurb or repair device.

This is where it gets dicey and i'm assuming it depends on the store. I have two primary Best Buy's I go to in my area, and both have told me different stories. The crap BB, which of course is closest to me, tried to find all types of ways to screw me on getting a brand new Note after my fourth replacement. They insisted they could only give me a new Note if I had chosen to do an actual REPAIR four times. However, I got so fed up with those idiots on the third try, that I went to the BB a little further out. They told me something totally different. Not only were they much more professional and friendly, they specifically went out of their way to let me know what that policy was, and when I told them was the other BB told me, they specifically said they were "bulls***in!" The rep told me that it's in my contract I was entitled to a brand new phone if I had one more repair of any kind, and it didn't matter if it was done under rapid exchange or the lengthier repair.

At any rate, the BB closest to my home wouldn't budge on their B.S. made-up policy, but my last issue actually involved a cracked screen. That's how I was able to get my Note II for basically free. There was some intricacies involved, but because I had so many issues with my original Note, BB finally gave me the option to upgrade to a brand new phone of any kind. I chose the Note II and I paid the difference between the retail price of the Note I and II, which came to like $62 and some change. Not bad for a $300 phone on-contract or a mind shattering $800 off-contract from BB!! I was very unhappy with how BB handled this most recent claim (as they have usually been extremely good) but I have a new Note II so I guess I can't be too unhappy! I had the same experience just a few weeks ago, replacing a 2-year-old Sony car stereo under Black Tie Protection. I had issues that was covered under normal wear and tear. BB gave me the option to upgrade to a brand new system from any manufacturer, and I paid the difference between the Sony and the Kenwood I eventually bought. The Kenwood was only about $10 more expensive. So I got a $140 system for $10 lol!

Hope this helps. I'm not sure how often they extend what they did to me when it comes to the phones, however. I believe they usually just give you a brand new phone of the same phone you had. If you're lucky you'll get the option I got.