Sony Ericsson Cell Phone - G502 — Warranty

Dear Sir,

I had bought a Sony Ericsson (G502) Handset through indiatimes.com shopping website from a vendor called Aakanksha Distributors Pvt. Ltd., Indore on June 17 2009. It cost me approx. Rs 6000/-

The phone went completely dead a week ago, on 12 March 2010. I immediately visited the Sony Ericsson Authorized Service center called "Service Point" at Jayanagar, Bangalore. They charged Rs 150/- just to accept the handset for checking.

After the check up, I was informed that the handset was out of the warranty period and that there is problem with mother board; replacing which could cost me about 80% of the initial cost. They also suggested that I should go for a new handset.
When I checked with the vendor I was told that he only supports 6 months warranty
and there is nothing he could do to help me.

Based on this particular experience and also some others that I have heard from my colleagues I feel that there is a serious Quality issue with Sony Ericsson Handsets. Also, customer service does not seem to be part of its culture. Once a sale happens the company is least bother about the customer and shirks from its responsibilities towards him or the sale. This is very much evident from the attitudes displayed its representatives at the service centers.

I never expected this kind of a deal from a popular brand such as Sony Ericsson.

I feel helpless !

Regards,
Prashanth