Thread: Nokia won't repair my US N900 because I live in Canada [OK, eventually they did]
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shallimus is offline shallimus
2010-05-07 , 21:21
Posts: 568 | Thanked: 969 times | Joined on Dec 2009 @ Toronto
#52
Originally Posted by JohnoDotCa View Post
It's really pretty simple dude, you didn't buy from Nokia Canada, which is essentially a seperate distributer/company from Nokia USA. Nokia Canada didn't earn any money off of the sale and will therefor not take the risk of accidentally damaging your phone during repair and be forced to replace it at their loss.
Did they tell you this? An alternative explanation (which has the singular advantage of being the actual explanation) is that Nokia Canada don't have the parts or training to repair the N900 because they don't sell the N900. On the other hand, if Nokia globally aren't capable of repairing their own products without damaging them further, who are you suggesting as a viable alternative?

Originally Posted by JohnoDotCa View Post
In a way, it's like expecting Sony to honor your LG TV warranty.
No, it's not. It's like expecting LG Canada to help me find a solution when an LG TV I bought in the US goes wrong.

Originally Posted by JohnoDotCa View Post
Get a freight forwarding address and send it to Nokia USA. You don't really have any other option.
I'm saying that I should have other options, i.e. Nokia Canada should be able to do more than nothing. My original post describes a corporate fail in action. After a significant outlay of time and trouble on my part, Nokia USA have now accepted my phone for repair, although they have yet to indicate if they will charge me for the repair. If it's free, great - I'm a loyal customer of just about every flagship Nokia phone for over a decade, so this will restore my faith. If not, I can live with that - remember I'm willing to pay for the repair because I love the N900.

Originally Posted by JohnoDotCa View Post
It's that hard to understand? Nokia USA and Nokia Canada are seperate companies selling the same brand. If you buy a phone from Nokia USA, why would Nokia Canada be responsible for the warranty of another company's product that they have chosen not to distribute?
They are both owned by the same parent company. They have a coherent global corporate brand, which they invest significant resources in promoting and protecting. I fail to see how it is not in Nokia's best interests to direct me to the person most able to help me continue to feel good about Nokia's product.

If you read my posts, you will see that I'm not expecing Nokia Canada to honour my warranty. In fact I'm not expecting anyone to honour my warranty - I am willing to pay for the repair.

Originally Posted by JohnoDotCa View Post
Two months after I purchased my phone from Newegg.ca, I needed to get my phone warranteed. I didn't buy the extended warranty from Newegg. I called them, told them that I was having trouble getting Nokia to honor the MANUFACTURER's warranty as they (Newegg.ca) sold me a US product in Canada without first disclosing that the manufacturer's warranty wouldn't be valid in Canada. They took care of it for me by routing my USA warranty claim through the states. I might have been a special case as I practically purchased my N900 the moment it was available on the site (they may have added a disclaimer re: warranty issues since), but it's worth a phonecall to them to see what they can do.

Newegg also performed this astonishing feat for a friend who purchased an N97 with a noisy vibrator before Nokia Canada started distributing it here.

Sometimes, it is as simple as a phonecall to the seller.
Originally Posted by arifsaha View Post
Did you try to contact Nokia USA?
I think newegg.ca specifically said to contact Nokia USA for any warranty question.
I'm glad that newegg.ca were able to help you and others. However, I didn't buy from newegg.ca (or one of the other tech sites I imagine you're referring to) so that's not really relevant in my case. Hopefully useful for other Canadian N900 owners who bought from newegg though. I am certain that my original vendor does not offer this service.
Last edited by shallimus; 2010-05-07 at 21:29.
 

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