"Protect Cell" Aka "Digital Leash" cell phone insurance protection plan Walled Lake Michigan

Let me first say, I am representing another individual as they're not familiar with cell phone technology.

"Protect Cell" is a cell phone insurance / protection company which provides replacement cell phones upon damage. Their website and terms clearly state after inspection, they will determin the proper course of action. (Website as source) This is their current order:

1. Repairing the damaged unit
2. Replacing the unit with a new or refurbished phone.
3. Any issue deemed eligible for the manufacturer's warranty will be returned to the client for proper warranty processing.

TThe phone which was sent in for repair and/or replacement was a Motorola Razr V3e phone, which was an Edge capable phone. The front screen was damaged and needed to be replaced. However, the phone which was sent back was a V3r, which is not an Edge capable phone, but a GPRS phone.

It is clear that after inspecting the phone, the coloring on the shell differs from one piece to another. Along with such, a new battery cover was given in order to compensate the new casing. Both the front cover and battery cover differ in color then the rest of the phone.

The phone only required a screen to be replaced. Instead, the phone was replaced. The problem: The man I'm representing spent $40 (the required fee) for a phone which was worth much less then the one sent in. Excess parts were taken rather then repairing the needed screen.

What does this all mean? Imagine surfing the web with near DSL speeds. All of a sudden you're forced to use dialup. This is the problem. The phone sent in did not need to be replaced and harvested for their own personal gain.

Apart from such, the screen given is clearly used. The original one which came with his phone was better. There is distortion with the display, emulating an old Razr of mine before the screen died. Do not buy into the "refurbished" rhetoric. Refurbished merely means repackaged. Cell Protect replaced the phone with one of lesser value and I highly doubt this was an accident. For the price he paid, he could have had a local dealer fix it and retained his connection / surfing speeds.

What's interesting to note is that the initial policy requires a fee of $40 upon repair or replacement. Upon the 2nd incident or claim, the fee is $80. I find it outrageous that a company would replace a phone which needed minor repair, with an older phone and older parts, most especially a screen which is failing, only to tell me that the price is $80 for the 2nd incident.

When all is said in done: my friend got ripped. He would have been better off buying a V3E off Ebay for $55 shipped. He was suckered into the replacement plan. Don't do the same. If you can have the phone fixed locally, it may cost $10-20 more, but at least you can speak with them 1 on 1.

Claim ID:12722
Claim submitted: 9-5-08
Claim filled date: 9-11-08
Phone purchased: 4-xx-08

Thomas
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.