Nokia 6500 Slide — Poor Warranty Service

To whom it may concern,

I am emailing Nokia with regards to the malfunction of my Nokia mobile (E8858 Nokia 6500 Slide) which I purchased from Dick Smith, Capalaba, Brisbane, QLD. My customer No. is 3560890. My issue is that my mobile had been not maintaining personal settings since nearly purchase date, which although annoying, I let ride. I am a widow and have recently become TOTALLY DEAF, and had used vibrate settings so I could feel it ring. I had to keep the phone in contact with my person for me to be able to feel vibration. When I had no pockets, I tucked the phone into my Brassier strap.
On the 24th of December 2009 (great time to be unable to contact loved ones) my phone stopped functioning altogether..... I took it to Dick Smith, Gladstone QLD, to be repaired. Yesterday, the 21st of January 2010 (nearly 4four weeks later), it was returned unrepaired, with the statement it had been water damaged. I NEVER let my mobile get water on it. The only way it could have sustained said water damage is from me having this phone, with vibrating option for people to feel it ringing, in contact with my skin. I fail to see how this could be my fault. Why the vibrating option, if not for people to have close contact with your product?
I have only recently become deaf, and had relied more than ever on my mobile for communication purposes I feel I have not breached any of Nokia's warranty guidelines. Perhaps Nokia should ensure their products are less likely to malfunction in such a way that the consumer is not entitled to seek restitution. Due to my deafness, I am unable to gain employment and will not be able to purchase anther mobile phone for some time, leaving me without a vital tool needed for maintaining my independence. In the repairers statement it stated "Due to the complexity of the technology it may take only a small amount of liquid to render your telephone beyond repair." I do NOT perspire excessively, and the weather was temperate at the time of my Nokia malfunctioning.
I can’t sign or lip read, and I have had very limited independence for the past month. Please reconsider my position in this matter, as it is very vital I have a means of communication with all due haste. I have so many people, my son and daughter especially, that I am unable to contact, and this is very distressing for me. I am imploring you to repair or replace my phone, and if you want to repair it, not another month!!!!

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Regards

Kate MacPhail

PS. I lost most of my pre=paid credit due to this situation as well.