WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[N_LaRUE]

There is nothing worse than trying to return a product from a discount website.

The information is conflicting and I'm trying to sort out what the exact policy is. They take forever to reply as well.

 

[N_LaRUE]

As I'm waiting for a reply from this place I went to check out the used phone prices. It's not the best.

Hopefully I can return it. I really don't want to keep it around and the resell price is a bit depressing.

 

[N_LaRUE]

What I don't understand is if it was a simple patent issue and just HP it should have been hopefully simple to solve. HP is not exactly making phones anymore. I'm sure they would have been happy to sell the patent or licence it. Unless they were asking for some ridiculous amount of money.

This is what makes me think there was more to this story than just HP. Unfortunately we'll never know.

It's sad though. That was a great set up.

OK did some more research.

The HP patent doesn't apply in this circumstance.

So it seems that the issue is from a contract they signed with one of those way too powerful carriers in the US for a phone with this specific fingerprint configuration. Sony appears to have reneged on the deal or something else happened and that's why they couldn't sell it as is. You'd think by now the contract would've finished but going by the current configuration of things it appears no.

I hate US carriers.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

OK did some more research.

The HP patent doesn't apply in this circumstance.

So it seems that the issue is from a contract they signed with one of those way too powerful carriers in the US for a phone with this specific fingerprint configuration. Sony appears to have reneged on the deal or something else happened and that's why they couldn't sell it as is. You'd think by now the contract would've finished but going by the current configuration of things it appears no.

I hate US carriers.

I nominate Verizon as the culprit. Seriously.

If I remember correctly, it wouldn't be AT&T as they officially hadn't carried an Xperia device since the Xperia (had wanted one for the design but I likes the S better). Sony had announced the Z3v and was supposed to offer some version of the Z4/Z3+ also, which ended up being Sony's first high end power button + FPS combo. Something happened where that deal got scuttled quickly and the Z3v was EOL'd as fast as they do on t-mobile. I think these carriers at the time signed some long term contracts and that's what has held Sony up for the past few years.

I could be wrong though.

 

[libra89]

I nominate Verizon as the culprit. Seriously.

If I remember correctly, it wouldn't be AT&T as they officially hadn't carried an Xperia device since the Xperia (had wanted one for the design but I likes the S better). Sony had announced the Z3v and was supposed to offer some version of the Z4/Z3+ also, which ended up being Sony's first high end power button + FPS combo. Something happened where that deal got scuttled quickly and the Z3v was EOL'd as fast as they do on t-mobile. I think these carriers at the time signed some long term contracts and that's what has held Sony up for the past few years.

I could be wrong though.

I think you are correct about it being them. I thought that this ended though, since the XZ2 Compact had a working fingerprint sensor for the US model. Can't recall if the XZ2 had the same deal or not.

 

[libra89]

I'll admit, cars are not really in my wheelhouse of things I follow but I really like how he did this Tesla review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErE-UnQO-DE

It kinda makes me want one...eventually. It doesn't make sense for me to go with one anytime soon (for a lot of reasons actually). I am interested in electric vehicles but I would probably prefer a hybrid type.

 

[fatclue_98]

I'll admit, cars are not really in my wheelhouse of things I follow but I really like how he did this Tesla review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErE-UnQO-DE

It kinda makes me want one...eventually. It doesn't make sense for me to go with one anytime soon (for a lot of reasons actually). I am interested in electric vehicles but I would probably prefer a hybrid type.

This story came out a couple of weeks ago just up the road in Ft. Lauderdale. I saw the video on the local news and it was awful how 1st responders were standing back utterly helpless.

https://www.newsweek.com/tesla-door-handles-fire-omar-awan-1467426

 

[libra89]

This story came out a couple of weeks ago just up the road in Ft. Lauderdale. I saw the video on the local news and it was awful how 1st responders were standing back utterly helpless.

https://www.newsweek.com/tesla-door-handles-fire-omar-awan-1467426

Wow, this is crazy!

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I think you are correct about it being them. I thought that this ended though, since the XZ2 Compact had a working fingerprint sensor for the US model. Can't recall if the XZ2 had the same deal or not.

Fingerprint sensor wasn't integrated with the power button...

 

[libra89]

Fingerprint sensor wasn't integrated with the power button...

I totally forgot that the integration was a thing. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

So I went to browsing for the V50. I see LG still doesn't allow access to all three cameras in manual mode (Huawei does on the Mate 20 Pro). But at least unlike in the V40, the V50 defaults to the main camera instead of the ultra wide.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

This is why I don't **** with sales reps.

I'm watching two older folks (who look like Rue) looking at the newest iPhone. As I look at the S10 vs the S10+ the the gf (still thinking the S10), I stay quiet and look on. After the sales rep blows them off (after she asks for iPhone 8s), I just continue to observe. The man has a KeyOne and the wife and iPhone 7. So I start talking to them both in a very calm tone.

Transcript:

MIA: I'm sorry to butt in, but I was curious as I heard you're browsing.

Wife: Yeah, we're trying to get him on an iPhone for the longest time. I've had mine for 3 years as no problems. He's had that thing for 18 months.

MIA: I see. (looks at the guy) What's important to you?

Wife: He cares about battery life.

Guy: Yes, that's key for me. Camera is irrelevant. So which has the best battery life?

MIA: 11 Pro max, 11, 11 Pro...in that order. But Apple does good work about battery life.

Wife: That's good. (guy places KeyOne over 11 Pro Max). Well, the device is the same size.

MIA: Yes. 11 Pro Max is a fine device. Giving up that keyboard can be tough. It's your call.

guy (pauses): I wish I could get another Blackberry. I cannot find a new Keyone, just them refurbished.

MIA: if you're that dead set on a Blackberry, perhaps a Key2 Le?

Guy: (pauses) Is that on Verizon?

MIA: Yes. Not sure if you can still get it easy for consumers, but for corporate, you should be able ask around for it.

Wife: OH, there's a guy in the office who handles device sales...(then she starts to get a bit tight as her plan shatters)

MIA (feels her shift in mood): Well, if he cannot get the Key2LE, the Pro Max is a fine choice. Security is solid on Apple, lots of hospitals and stuff use it - even though it's no Blackberry.

Guy: Oh, OK. What are you using?

MIA: I use an LG V40.

Wife: What brand is that?

MIA: (points to the V50) LG is Korean. Like Samsung. Uses Android.

Guy: Why that one?

MIA: It's the **** for audio. Wired audio. Especially for high end HEADPHONES. Best amp in the game. (guy eyes widen).

Guy: what about wireless?

MIA: (points to Sabbats) It's OK. But when I really want to enjoy my music, I go wired.

Wife: (going SMH) Well, thank you. Watch him ask the sales guy in the office about that Blackberry.

MIA: Again, the Pro Max is a fine choice. Otherwise if he cannot part with the keyboard, the key2 Le may be the fit.

Wife: Thanks again. Have a good evening.


So if the dude is smart, although the wife never let me say this, he'd get the battery on her iPhone 7 replaced as she was looking at being cheap and getting an iPhone 8. Then she could wait for the SE2 for something smaller, or pull the wife card and get the 11 Pro.

Yes, I screwed the wife's plan (guys gotta win occasionally). If I'm a betting man, he'll get the iPhone eventually. I think they both liked the fact that I knew my ****, as the wife didn't give too much grief. And I could tell that she was pissed with the rep.

This is why I never liked sales. I'd rather you be happy with what you get - than to make a buck from you. I'd have done the same if I worked there. I'd have even told him to take st drive the 11 Pro Max, and if you don't like it, bring it back. Then I would have talked up the wife to offer her:

1) Wait to see if Apple launches the SE2 if she likes that smaller old school iPhone

2) Pay the battery replacement fee and rock out for another 18 months

3) Get the 11 Pro and get another 3 year out of your new iPhone

Especially being in the Upper East Side, you don't know who is walking in (and how deep people's pockets are).

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I'm interested in the Xperia 5. If I get one, it'll be that Bordeaux red color. In fact, the three color gradients I've loved so far for this year are (in no order):

1) So Orange - Pixel 4
2) Aurora White - Samsung Galaxy Note 10
3) Bordeaux red - Xperia 5

Honorable mentions are the Xperia 1's purple and the Nokia 9 Pureview Blue. The LG G8's carmine red is nice too. Huawei has done some nice things color wise as well, I'm just that old school one color person.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I'm interested in the Xperia 5. If I get one, it'll be that Bordeaux red color. In fact, the three color gradients I've loved so far for this year are (in no order):

1) So Orange - Pixel 4
2) Aurora White - Samsung Galaxy Note 10
3) Bordeaux red - Xperia 5

Honorable mentions are the Xperia 1's purple and the Nokia 9 Pureview Blue. The LG G8's carmine red is nice too. Huawei has done some nice things color wise as well, I'm just that old school one color person.

I liked the Panda Pixel colour in the past. That was a perfect mix of black and white to me.

I went back to blue for my S10+, so this is now my 4th blue phone. Other than black phones, I haven't had as many other phone colours beside blue. I've had 2 silver phones and 1 red phone. Everything else has been black or blue.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I'm interested in the Xperia 5. If I get one, it'll be that Bordeaux red color. In fact, the three color gradients I've loved so far for this year are (in no order):

1) So Orange - Pixel 4
2) Aurora White - Samsung Galaxy Note 10
3) Bordeaux red - Xperia 5

Honorable mentions are the Xperia 1's purple and the Nokia 9 Pureview Blue. The LG G8's carmine red is nice too. Huawei has done some nice things color wise as well, I'm just that old school one color person.

Now, I don't think I want to use one as the daily driver just yet. I like my LG's. As much as I liked the XZ3, the Xperia 5 is a bit more interesting. I wish it had Qi charging. But it's different enough where it is still uniquely Sony.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I liked the Panda Pixel colour in the past. That was a perfect mix of black and white to me.

I went back to blue for my S10+, so this is now my 4th blue phone. Other than black phones, I haven't had as many other phone colours beside blue. I've had 2 silver phones and 1 red phone. Everything else has been black or blue.

Blue is a hard color to me to get done right. Samsung has done a good job. LG has recently too. HMD's 9 Pureview is really nice. I've got a blue Mate 20 Pro and that looks good as well.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Now, I don't think I want to use one as the daily driver just yet. I like my LG's. As much as I liked the XZ3, the Xperia 5 is a bit more interesting. I wish it had Qi charging. But it's different enough where it is still uniquely Sony.

I didn't realise how much I missed Qi charging until I got my S10+. I used it all the time with my Lumia 920.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

With the X5 she just wasn't keen on the tall thin thing.

As for keeping it pristine, she's not the best with her phones. She hasn't cracked a screen yet but she does drop her phone a lot. Or she used to. She's best not to do that with the Nokia 9.

In any case we got a decent deal on the Nokia 9. At worst it will be a back up phone and she'll pick up something else if it gets to that point.

If she doesn't like it in the next month my guess will be the purple X1 but I don't know for sure.

Stick around, I may have a deal on a Nokia 9 for you.

You know where to find me to talk price. I can tell you that the $ is a bit thin in these parts, so I hope your return efforts go well.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

It would appear Libra's team is off to a flying start. Well, these were the two scores I thought of for this Fall classic:

Astros in 6: Houston's starters dominate and the offense beats up on that Nats' pen that's weaker comparatively.

Or

Nats in 7: Nats across the series tax the Houston pen more because they keep wearing down the Astros starting pitchers.

Nats are 2-0 going back to DC. Hmmm...

Well...

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I didn't realise how much I missed Qi charging until I got my S10+. I used it all the time with my Lumia 920.

It's the only way I charge, really. I very rarely top up during the day. In fact, I very rarely use the usb-c port as I like to keep it clean and reduce wear and tear.