[Verizon HTC One (M8)] rhodyvik:
Hello all,

I am hoping HTC isn't monitoring this because the process is still on going but they cannot go back on their word as it is printed, saved, PDF'd, recorded via phone and all in the cloud in case haha.

My original problem was that the charging port was whacked out. You know how most of us have to prop up the charging cable to our laptops or other devices because one single pin out of a million decided to move so you have to Macgyver a solution? That's what I had to do at first...and then it just started saying "Slow Charging...use original charger." So I've always used the original charger and have three rapid charger 2.0's. At first I thought those three were causing an issue so I went to the original charger that came with the phone and the original cable...neither did the trick and I swapped out like 15 USB-microUSB cables and with different USB-AC units. Anyway, it got to the point where I had to plug the cord into the phone and then wrap it underneath once and let it stay for about 8-10 hours to charge. I was getting tired of it which is why I ended up with that 3rd rapid charger 2.0. The 2nd was because Digital River screwed me. But anyway...point is: there is definitely a problem with the charging port.

I first call Verizon Wireless and ask questions outside of unlocking, S-Off, Rooting, etc which my phone had been until HTC will probably reset when I get it back :( ... Small price to pay for what they did for me. They said they could overnight a phone to me, at no charge, and I'd have to send the original phone back. And then the gentleman happened to mention the fact that IF VZW determines a cracked screen or other damage outside the purview of the limited warranty, they would charge me $299 for the new phone onto my bill. I laughed and said I'd call HTC. I call HTC and they said "since it's not charging, and you're still under warranty, we'll fix it free of charge if you send it back to us. We'll even send you a prepaid label." Even though it went 3-day select throughout a weekend, they got it on the 16th and made the judgment that in order to fix the charging port, they'd have to charge me $200 for a new screen. I asked why I needed a new screen if the problem was the charging port. Under their (what I thought was a blanketed warranty) was a clause that stated "If the damaged area that IS covered by the warranty but there is also damage outside of the warranty, the warranty is null and void." My phone had a minor hairline fracture. Literally like an arch that you couldn't see with a dark background.

When I got the email today about the quote for $200 I went ballistic and emailed them back in their quote system telling them to call me regarding this matter. No one did. I happened to chat with an HTC Rep on the 16th who said "If it is covered under our warranty, there will be no quotation." And by quotation they mean the damn $200 quote. I remember her saying in that chat (and I ALSO PRINTED IT OUT that night because I knew I had an ace up my sleeve." Even though she didn't say "yes" completely...she left it open to interpretation that it would be covered regardless of other damage. My original thought was: "if the charging port is legitimately damaged from wear and tear 'which it was' then why charge for a new screen?" I chatted with someone today and they said that since there is other damage (that minor hairline crack), they cannot fix the charging port because they have to remove the screen and risk the screen cracking even more. I told them I'd take on that risk because I wasn't paying $200 for a new screen when all I needed was for them to fix the damn charging port! We kinda went back and forth in the chat and he ended up saying "I understand what you're saying and let me call RMA to see what they say." He then told me to call them and tell the person my number to look up my issue and then contact RMA internally. The reason as to why HTC can't contact me directly is beyond me but not the point. So I call, talk to a dude from Canada and he transfers me to a dude in the RMA department out of the country of Colombia. This fellow said that the reason for the new screen needed to be charged is because they have to send the phone back in better condition than how they got it. Like I said, I told them I'd assume all risk for them taking off the screen to repair the USB. He said this is not possible because if the screen breaks even more, then there will be issues and it's their policy that the screen be replaced because that IS out of warranty. I really was bummed at that point and just asked "come on, can you please just take the screen off, repair the USB charging port and we go on our merry way?" I told him they could also void and null ANY AND ALL future warranty issues as a sign of compromise from me.

I did not want to go through Asurion and pay $100 for a refurbished phone. To me, a refurbished phone is like a house of cards waiting to fall apart. There are probably OEM parts from initial manufacturing mixed with newer or older parts from other functioning M8 phones and I just don't like that. If it was my last resort, then yes. Obviously I'd pay the $100 over the $200. The dude said he'd come down on the quote and "only" charge $150. I told him about my Asurion insurance and he said that they could ship the phone back the way they got it and I could go that route. At this point, I was *almost* out of options for free servicing. I played the ace up my sleeve regarding my original chat on the 16th with one of their reps who said something longer but said "it should not be a quotation," after asking that I wanted 100% clarity and confirmation it would be covered. I told him the name, the time, the date, etc of the chat. He came back after a few minutes and said...the woman you chatted with actually did state "If the issue is not outside the warranty, it should not be a quotation" so yes at first I didn't mention she said that first part because I didn't think it was relevant lol. After stating that I was about to go H.A.M. on this guy but he cut me off by saying he got authorization to cover the quotation and that the phone would be fixed free of charge within a few days and then shipping out via UPS Ground. He mentioned that they would fix the charging port, PUT A NEW SCREEN ON!!!!!, flash the original factory software which isn't even Android 5.0.x. It comes back as Android 4.4.4 which I thought was ridiculous too. But anyway at that point...I felt victorious. It took me 30 minutes in the chat room today with HTC and then about 30 minutes on the phone with the RMA guy in Colombia. When he first came back and said the entire quote of the chat lady from a couple days ago, like I said, I almost went ballistic but then he said HTC would cover the quotation. I told him that he probably should have led with the fact that HTC would take care of it free of charge.

I then asked how long, etc. I also asked about the software. Seeing as my phone is S-Off, Unlocked, *OFFICIAL* and rooted...I wanted to make sure there were no surprises. I didn't specifically bring up those points but I asked again for clarification: "From here on...no matter what the issue...it will be fixed free of charge?" and he said yes. So that statement also covers the fact that when they turn it on and see the custom recovery of TWRP 2.6.x.x and all the lovely things I've done to void the warranty for sure, that I'm covered and I have to be since he said it.

I know this was a long post and I apologize but I wanted to let people know of my experience with HTC. One thing that surprised me the most was that I bought the phone in April of 2014. And yet the phone was still under manufacturer warranty until June 11th (I called about the situation on the 10th of June!). I think I got it April 11th of 2014 which would mean a 12-month warranty PLUS a 3 month extended manufacturer warranty? I don't know. I don't care anymore...my phone is being fixed and I'm getting a new screen. I'm pretty pumped up about it even though I won't have it for another week.

I went on this forum to see other people's experiences with issues with warranties and almost 100% said that it didn't matter if there were software changes like unlocking or S-Off'ing but cracked screens and whatnot would definitely be an issue.

FOLKS: DO NOT GO TO A VERIZON WIRELESS corporate store if you think you have a hardware or software issue and need a repair!!! I REPEAT: DO NOT GO TO A VZW Corporate Store! You can read other people's issues. I'm just glad I read those before I did what I did and just sent it directly to HTC and then talked my way into almost a new phone pretty much. When they run their tests at the store, they'll notate that there is a crack and it's S-Off, unlocked, etc. Here's the kicker: even if they don't notate it and you think you're getting a new phone in the mail (which you will) and the factory gets the phone and says "there's a crack" or there's too much physical damage...they will charge your account $299 for this specific phone at this point in the year.

That will then stay on your phone's SN/IMEI for the rest of its short existence. They put it in their system and therefore there's no way around it. I quietly asked the girl to take a look at my phone before I shipped it to HTC to see if Verizon would just send me a phone. She looked and said that yeah it's a hairline crack but I won't say anything. She was so awesome (and pretty damn cute).

I guess the point of all of this was for me to write out my frustration, displeasure and then elation after the fact. You know what also bothered me? The speed of shipping. The label they sent me to send to them was UPS 3-day select. I will get my phone back via UPS Ground. FedEx came Tuesday to drop off an empty box for me to put my Powerbeats2 Wireless in to send back to Apple (grrrrr Apple since they bought Beats by Dre after I bought them). The driver waited for me to open the empty box and put the earbuds in, tear off the label which had a label underneath pre-printed, overnight priority by 10:30am. So I got the empty box Tuesday the 16th, had the driver wait like 2 minutes, Apple got it the morning of the 17th and by evening they sent me an email saying they'd ship a replacement free of charge, overnight via UPS! So it went out Tuesday the 16th...and I'm supposed to receive it today (the 18th) by 5pm. How crazy fast is that? 48-72 hour turnaround with me not going anywhere. And now UPS allows you say "leave package even if signature is required." No way HTC, Google, etc would ever go to these lengths. It takes about 6-9 total business days of actual transit back and forth with my HTC phone currently. I sent it on the 12th. They got it the 16th. Diagnosed it either that night or the 17th and then this whole debacle started. He said I'd get it by the 27th since it would probably ship out Monday the 22nd. And that's IF UPS Ground delivers on Saturdays. I don't even know if they do anymore.

I think I wrote this much because I'm so pumped up still and happy haha. If you actually read this entire post...I thank you. And hopefully you gained some 411 about how to go about a warranty exchange/repair. If you have even the tiniest hairline fracture of a screen, you're screwed unless you're within your 6 months (or is it 12 months even with new M8 purchases and not the M9?). This was an awful day to begin with...and now it just got a ton better. I'm officially off the hook for dropping my phone a couple times but only once did it crack and it was a hairline crack at that.

I FEEL SO TRIUMPHANT RIGHT NOW!!!!! And this all went down 2 hours ago. It took me about 45 minutes to write this.

Thank you for reading. Which I highly doubt 99% did all the way through. PM me for the bulleted version lol.