Expert: DebiN - 9/8/2009

Question
I CAN ONLY TALK ON SPEAKERPHONE, WHAT'S UP? THE SPRINT STORE SAYS IT'LL BE A MINIMUM OF $100.00 BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT CAN BE. SO MY QUESTION TO SPRINT IS IF YOU DON'T WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT THEN HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT IT WILL BE AT LEAST $100.00 TO FIX IT WITH OUT EXAMINING THE PHONE?

Answer
What's wrong is that the phone internal speaker needs to be replaced. This, unfortunately, is very common and is one of the first things that goes on a phone. The display is the other thing that goes first. The reason that the minimum charge is $100 is because Sprint charges $100 in labor charges to diagnose and repair a phone. It's likely around $50.00 an hour and for repair, they charge a minimum of 2 hours not counting any parts that they have to replace. It's very similar to getting your car diagnosed and repaired or calling a plumber or any repair person - they often charge a minimum labor charge and then parts. This is very common.

Personally, if I were you and my phone was no longer under warranty (since if they are charging you for repair, your phone is not under warranty), and if your eligible for an upgrade, I would strongly recommend just getting a new phone and signing a new contract. It is much wiser to get a new phone then to repair one. Phones are basically disposable these days and only have a limited lifetime. $100 is too much to spend on repairing a phone that you can likely get new for the same money or less. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN