Where can I conduct an independent examination of a mobile phone? How much does a cell phone examination cost? How to do an independent examination of a phone?
Hello, dear friends! Welcome to one of the authors of publications in the online magazine “HeaterBeaver” - Anna Medvedeva.
I dedicated my new article to an independent examination of the phone. Needless to say, this topic is not only interesting, but also relevant. Absolutely everyone uses mobile phones.
At the same time, a good half of consumers are faced with low-quality goods, maintenance or repairs, and many sellers are faced with various tricks that dishonest buyers resort to. Both are aware of the difficulties that arise in such cases.
We will talk about how to successfully defend your rights with the help of an independent examination.
What is an independent phone examination and why is it carried out?
First, let's define the concept.
An independent examination of a telephone is a technical study of the characteristics of a device in order to determine its condition and identify defects, as well as possible or exact causes of the malfunction.
Why are we talking about independent expertise? As a rule, an examination is carried out in controversial cases when it is necessary to find out whose fault the phone failed.
It could be:
- manufacturing defects;
- fake;
- improper operation;
- independent attempts at repairs, etc.
Example
Ivan Smirnov bought a smartphone in a store, but a week later he brought it back. He claims that the device, after working for several days, turned off by itself and does not turn on, and demands that it be replaced with a similar one that would work properly.
The seller refuses to accept the device, arguing that the smartphone was in working condition at the time of sale, and the store only works with reputable suppliers and sells quality goods.
What to do?
In such cases, independent expertise comes to the rescue.
Why is a phone examination carried out:
| № | At the initiative of the buyer | At the initiative of the seller |
| 1 | Refund for low-quality goods | Prove that the fault was the fault of the buyer |
| 2 | Reduce phone cost | Prove that the phone does not have a manufacturing defect |
| 3 | Exchange an item for another | Refuse to exchange legally |
| 4 | Repair your phone at the expense of the seller or manufacturer | Don't do free repairs |
Categories of devices subject to examination:
- mobile (cellular) phones;
- communicators (smartphones);
- VIP phones.
Naturally, the examination conducted by a representative of the selling company will take place without the presence of the buyer and may quietly hide some unfavorable nuances. And the examination, at the initiative of the buyer, can take his side.
Therefore, when such a need arises, it is reasonable to turn to an independent expert. Then you will receive an objective assessment of the condition of the phone and find out the reason for its malfunction.
Read about the general rules and nuances of this procedure in the article “Independent Expertise”.
Dates
If you need to test the product with experts, this will take some time.
It is impossible to get results instantly. We'll have to wait a while.
Typically, independent diagnosis of the phone’s condition by private experts takes at least ten days.
After this, the client receives an official report in which the specialist indicates the reasons for the malfunction. You can take it to the store or to the courthouse.
Please note: forensic examination takes place in a government agency and takes longer. The phone is tested in approximately 15 days.
When a phone examination may be necessary - an overview of the main situations
An independent examination of cell phones is necessary in cases where there is no clear way out of the situation. Let's look at the most common of them.
Situation 1. Phone breakdown before the end of the warranty period
Either he has completely stopped functioning, or his work leaves much to be desired. In any case, the buyer’s indignation is understandable and justified - we buy a thing with the expectation of using it not for a year of the warranty period, but for much longer.
However, the seller had to be sure that the product was initially defective. Because there are often cases when a buyer unintentionally damages the phone and tries to disguise the defect as a factory defect.
Situation 2. The phone failed without external intervention
Let's assume that no one is being cunning and everything is fair. This also happens. They didn’t sit on the phone, they didn’t drop it from the fifth floor onto the asphalt, they didn’t try to open it, and they didn’t wash it in the washing machine. It was functioning properly, but one day, for no apparent reason, it simply turned off and would not turn on again.
And the store has already sold a large batch of similar goods and has not received a single return. Then an independent expert will come in very handy, who will be able to determine what really happened to the phone.
Situation 3. Disagreement between buyer and seller
This is the most famous case. The buyer demands justice, arguing that he did not cause damage to the device. The seller, in turn, refuses to accept the goods because he sold them in good condition. In addition, the manufacturer's examination did not reveal any manufacturing defects.
Such situations also happen after repairs (even under warranty). Therefore, if we don’t want to lose the money we’ve spent, we take the device and go in search of an independent examination.
Situation 4. The buyer goes to court
The last resort is going to court. They resort to this when they cannot reach an agreement at all. Although we would not recommend taking the matter to court. Even if you manage to win the case, you will waste a lot of time and nerves. And if you fail, you will also lose the money spent on buying the phone.
When a buyer or seller goes to court, a state forensic technical examination is carried out. You can read more about it in the article “Forensic Examination”.
Basic situations
Let's take a closer look at the main points:
- The warranty has not expired, but the device no longer works or does not meet the requirements. But before taking the goods back, the seller must have a legal basis that he actually sold defective phones, and not the buyer somehow caused damage to the product.
- It’s not the buyer’s fault, it’s just that the mobile device just stopped working for no reason. But other consumers of such phones did not contact the store. Diagnostics helps solve the problem.
- The seller accepted the goods from the buyer, and the manufacturer carried out its examination, but found no defects. Most often, such nuances appear after performing service under the warranty card. In this case, an independent assessment of the object is needed.
If the issue is not resolved positively, there is only one way left - going to court.
It is important to know: the court has the right to order a state examination.
How much does an independent phone examination cost?
It is quite difficult to say exactly how much an independent examination of a mobile phone will cost. The price of this service will be different in each individual case, since it is influenced by different factors.
Here are some of them:
- phone model;
- phone cost;
- degree of complexity of the work;
- company pricing policy;
- degree of research;
- research methods;
- urgency of work.
One of the main factors is the degree of complexity of the model . The more bells and whistles a phone has, the more its examination will cost. Naturally, researching a smartphone will cost many times more than a regular push-button phone with a minimal set of functions.
In addition, there is such a point as determining the falsification of the device. If, in addition to assessing the condition of the phone, you need to determine whether it is a fake or an original device, this will slightly increase the total amount for the examination.
Additional methods will significantly increase the price if the need arises - laboratory, organoleptic or physicochemical studies. To conduct additional types of examination, laboratory conditions and special equipment are required.
The type of person who is also of great importance . Individuals will spend less money than legal entities, and government agencies generally receive a 10-30% discount.
In general, we can name an approximate range in which the cost of examining a phone varies. The lower threshold is 2000 rubles, and the upper threshold is 20,000 rubles.
How an independent examination of a phone is carried out - 7 main stages
An independent examination of a phone consists of several stages. Conventionally, they can be divided into 2 parts - preparation and the actual examination.
Stage 1. Selecting an expert company
Of course, the first question that comes to your mind is where to conduct an independent examination of the phone? You can contact any company that conducts such testing. But it is better to find out in advance the level of competence of the company.
We recommend focusing on 2 indicators of the seriousness of an expert organization:
- whether it has the appropriate licenses to conduct such activities;
- Does it issue a written report on the test results at the end of the study?
If possible, read reviews of the company from other customers and look for recommendations.
Stage 2. Payment for services and conclusion of an agreement
Carefully study the contract for the provision of services to avoid further misunderstandings. When you decide on the necessary types of research, the list must be included in the contract.
Depending on the services, the total cost of the examination is determined. Whether it is a full examination or only certain types of it depends on the purpose for which you are conducting it.
Stage 3. Visual inspection of the phone
An expert can notice little things that a buyer or seller would easily not see. For example, microcracks on the case and other nuances that can affect the operation of the phone and indicate mechanical damage - a fall, attempts to open it, exposure to liquid, etc.
Then the operation of the device is checked with and without a connected charger, as well as with a SIM card and in offline mode. That is, full testing of technical characteristics is underway.
Stage 4. Checking the provided documentation
All documents must be provided - from those included in the factory package to the store's sales receipt. What is it for?
Firstly , if the warranty period has not yet expired, documents are needed for the upcoming exchange or warranty repair (depending on what the examination shows).
Secondly , during the examination, the compliance of the model and parameters specified in the documents with those provided by the phone is checked.
Thirdly , if judicial intervention is needed, documents are needed to confirm that the buyer really bought this particular phone on such and such a date in such and such a store.
Stage 5. Assessing the technical malfunction of the phone
After an external examination, the expert opens the phone to examine its internal condition. Here, too, it is first determined whether moisture, foreign particles have gotten inside, and whether there is any mechanical damage caused by a fall or impact.
The flash card is checked for malware, and the battery is tested if the phone is draining quickly or not charging at all. A magnifying glass, tweezers, screwdrivers, pumps and special devices are used.
Stage 6. Conducting specialized research
A separate stage of the examination is identifying a fake. This is sad, but in the domestic market counterfeit products account for more than 20% of the total. Both consumers and serious manufacturers suffer from this, and this invariably has a negative impact on their reputation.
The examination specialist checks the serial numbers and IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). It should be on both the packaging and the phone battery. In addition, all official devices undergo security testing. This is indicated by the presence of a sticker with the RosTest sign under the battery.
Stage 7. Analysis of the information received and preparation of a report
After a full examination, the specialist needs to make a final conclusion about the condition and technical characteristics of the phone. If the reason for the examination was a breakdown of the device, the expert points out the damage and establishes the reasons for its occurrence.
The conclusion must be provided to you in writing, drawn up in accordance with all the rules. After all, this document will be proof that you did not harm the phone or that it was sold to you in working condition.
On a similar topic, read the article “Property Valuation” on our website.
Unfortunately, conflict situations are not uncommon. Therefore, in any controversial case, it is best to consult with specialists. By seeking qualified help and armed with the necessary information, you will know how to defend your rights and feel more confident. We recommend an online consultation service.
A large number of lawyers work here, and you can find a competent specialist in any legal field. Many clients across the country have already received free answers to their questions and detailed paid consultations on the Pravoved.ru website.
What types of examination are there?
An independent examination of the tablet can be:
- Extrajudicial . The initiator of the analysis is the consumer or seller. The expert's opinion is used during pre-trial proceedings.
- Judicial . The initiator is a judicial organization. The result of the analysis has legal force and helps resolve the dispute between the seller (manufacturer) and the consumer.
- Partial . A separate part, a system block, is checked.
- Comprehensive . The tablet is examined completely from all sides.
Where to conduct an independent examination of a phone - review of the TOP 3 service companies
In order not to spend a long time looking for where to get an independent examination of your phone, we suggest you get acquainted with some companies that specialize in evaluating and testing household appliances and electronics.
1) Independent expert assessment bureau
The company was created in 2006 by a team of professional experts with many years of experience in the field of valuation activities. Now it is a reputable organization that can boast of an excellent reputation and an impeccable assessment and examination system.
The expert assessment bureau works in two directions:
- independent examination and assessment of any types of property;
- legal assistance.
There are two types of phone valuation here: merchandising and cost assessment . Experienced experts will identify all manufacturing defects and operational damage. You will receive the most accurate conclusion about the causes of the malfunction.
The company operates in Moscow and the Moscow region.
2) Center of Expertise
Another professional organization that offers a full range of valuation and expert services in a variety of areas. The company operates to the highest international standards and is distinguished by the high level of professionalism of its employees.
When examining your phone, you will receive a conclusion about:
- manufacturing defects;
- mechanical defects;
- reasons for the malfunction;
- technical condition;
- suitability of the phone for further use;
- feasibility of repair;
- the phone matches the specified model.
The company is efficient and offers affordable prices. On the website you can leave a request for a free expert consultation.
3) Center for Independent Expertise “Protection”
For more than 10 years, the company has earned a good reputation not only among clients, but even among competitors. Zashchita specialists are high-level professionals, which is confirmed by numerous certificates. They work quickly here and apply an individual approach to each customer.
Examination of cell phones has been placed in a separate category. You will receive a full assessment of all the parameters of your phone and an expert opinion that has the status of an official document that can be used in court as evidence.
You can contact the contact person for all questions by phone, by writing to an email address or by contacting the Moscow office directly.
How to speed up an independent phone examination - 3 simple tips
The standard phone examination procedure does not take much time. Usually from 5 to 10 days. If you don't want or can't wait that long, you can speed up the process.
Tip 1. Prepare all documents in advance
They will be needed in any case, even if the case does not go to court. If the phone is still under warranty, they will generally refuse to accept it without documents. If forensic examination is required, they are all the more necessary.
The package of documents includes not only all the inserts that were in the package at the time of purchase (including the packaging itself), but also a cash register receipt and a stamped delivery note.
Therefore, even when purchasing, make sure that the seller does not forget to give them out. Without a receipt, your claim may not be accepted at all, although the absence of a receipt is not a legal basis for refusal.
Tip 2: Order a quick estimate
Each company has not only its own prices, but also established deadlines. However, if you are 100% sure that you are right, order an express assessment. It will cost more than the standard one, but will pay off when you win your case in court. Express assessment will save your time.
In this case, you will receive a conclusion in 1-2 days. Agree that when purchasing a defective product, this will significantly speed up the process of returning money or exchanging the phone for a working one.
In the article “Damage Assessment”, read about how an examination is carried out to assess the damage caused to varying degrees.
Tip 3. Use special company services
Examination firms may provide other services to their clients. For example, this will be legal advice in complex cases or expert advice.
Which special services you choose depends on your situation, because they are all individual. Additional consultations can be free or on a paid basis.
After watching the video, you will receive some more practical advice regarding conducting an independent examination of the phone.
