I am one of those people who are brand loyal which is the reason even though there are better and cheaper products available in the market, I tend to buy those “brands” which I have been using since quite some time now. For example automobiles-Maruti, Television and Audio-Sony etc and in mobile phones-Nokia. But I am going to share a bad experience with you people which has led me to think twice now before being brand loyal to a company. I hope the company personnel might read so that they can at least start making better products.
I have been using a mobile fone since the past 6 years. Having used almost all company’s phones I WAS always a die-hard fan of Nokia for obvious reasons which I have used 5 different models of Nokia-starting from 6610, 3120, 6600, 2310 and N73-M (the last two being purchased very recently-August 2007). I never really had thought I would be shifting from Nokia but the purchase of the last two models have led me to seriously re-think my thought and probably now if I am going to buy a new cell phone in future it sure will NOT be a Nokia. Y? read on.
August 2007, I gave away my Sony Ericsson W700i and purchased a spanking new N73-1 music edition from Subhiksha Mobile. Nokia being a pioneer in making cell phones surely knows how to market their cheaply made products well. Now then coming back to N73, worked very well for 2 months, phone did not get slow, great battery back-up and no real problem till now. But then on 24th October 2007, the vibrator stopped. Sounds a normal problem so took it to the nearest Nokia care centre and gave it for repair. No real hassles when they told me that it’s not so serious problem and will be taken care off in 2 hours. So happily I gave the cell phone to them and went back to office. Y happy? Coz my 6600 ALSO had got the same problem and took 2 days to get repaired. After 2 hours went again to Nokia Care to get my cell back, they tell me it’s a serious problem and the phone will be sent to headoffice for repairs. I was frustrated now then also I said ok no issues how many days will it take, so the good people over there told its gonna take 25 days I was like what the? Repairing will take 25 days? Great..i have my contacts and loads of stuff in the cell so they replied we recommended you take a back up. I gave it.
Now just after 2 months of usage of a costly phone, you don’t expect it to sent for repairs for 25 days rite? My mom said its because of all the complexities built in the phone it gets conked off so easily. Ok I understand she is not a gadget friendly person so she prefers a not-having-so-many-features phone so I could understand why she was saying so I also had another simple phone again a Nokia 2310 which I had just purchased for a temporary usage since my another number had become a company CUG.
This 2310, a simple color phone just few days back I could not send messages. Although every other service was working fine, I even could receive SMS but could not send them. Initially had thought that might be SIM problem but checked with other instruments, could send messages so the problem was with the instrument. Now this 2310 is even new just a month old and co-incidentally it has also been purchased from Subhiksha. Totally new phone and lo a problem creeps in.
I just read somewhere that Nokia was dumping third-grade handsets here, seems like I have been the unlucky one to get these faulty handsets but then you don’t expect such poor quality handsets from such a reputed company.
So think twice before buying a Nokia handset now. I know I may have got bad pieces but then its my duty to write about what I have got to the prospective buyers and hence have written my experiences with Nokia, Nokia Care and Subhiksha Mobile.