Cracked Palm IIIc Cases
I've received a few accounts of quality issues with the Palm IIIc case. Read on for more details. If I get a significant response on this issue I will try to contact Palm for their position on this matter. -Ryan
Mark Ressa writes...
Seems there are a significant number of IIIc's developing cracked rear cases. Personally I've had one such case and it looks as if my second IIIc is developing cracks as well. Not sure what Palm's position is on this as I've read that several people have paid Palm $100 to repair. Clearly Palm should cover these repairs free of charge and should announce cognizance of the problem.
Martin Clemons also wrote in with comments on the IIIc case...
I have a rather interesting story..
I bought a PALM 3c in mid March, and by mid April I noticed 2 hairline cracks in the back case. I set my unit in for a replacement, and no, about 1.5 weeks after getting it, another crack is developing on the back case. You would think I was playing hockey with my palm unit or something! Well, I searched around and found that several other people have been having this problem as well, and I also have owned a regular palm III for almost 2 years -- with no problems.
Could this be a defect?
I was thinking maybe you could do a survey on your site to see how many other people have had a problem.
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RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
I noticed from the get-go that the sensitivity to get Grafitti to do anything was VERY weak. I almost had to grind the stylus into the screen to get it to recognize anything.
Then sure enough, a day or two later, I looked and there were indeed cracks in the back of the case - and I *know* that I have never dropped it before at all, ever.
Luckily I took it back, and they gave me a new one, no questions asked. But you are indeed not the only one that has had this problem...
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
About 10 days after receiving my 2nd replacement unit, the same types of cracks developed on the new unit.I called technical support this time and they said that they could not help me and that I would have to call customer relations at Palm. I made that call and they did replace it under warranty.
I asked the rep if this was a commen problem with the 3c and she said that she didn't know. The reps are not supplied with that information.
By the way it has been 4 days since my last replacement,with no problems.The phone number of customer relations is 888-956-7256.
JerryL
RE: Palm IIIc cases
Luckily, I purchased my IIIc from one of our merchant partners, Franklin Covey, on Quixtar. Franklin-Covey simply asked for my invoice number and generated an exchange ticket with Palm. They are shipping a replacement unit via Airborne Express. I just have to hotsync my data before I return the defective one in the same box as the new one I get.
Apparently, Palm has a manufacturing problem. Hopefully the new unit will not experience the same problem, but at least I know our affiliate companies take care of us (and their customers) very well.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
The woman at Palm support logged my complaint for later use. Since this appears to me to be a design defect due to so many reported instances, I'd like to wait until the design problem is fixed. I doubt the crack can lead to internal damage unless the whole unit gets wet.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
I wonder like someone else posted if this could have something to do with the rechargeable battery. After all this is the first plastic Palm that uses one, maybe the case design just isn't up to the challenge.
I'm going to wait & see for now as I take very good care of my IIIc (screen protection since day one) & I'm not happy at the prospect of a refurbished banged up IIIc, even if it is offered.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
reconditioned unit which voided my extended waranty
from Circuit City (different serial# and no documentation
showing that the reconditioned unit was replacing the
original. If the case were made available, they could be
changed by all most anyone. Four small screws and snap
off the old and install the new. Jim Weese, Houston, Tx.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
I pointed out to them that lots of people were having this problem and that they had already
replaced the case for free in many others, they agreed to replace it at no cost.
Other than this little problem I have enjoyed my IIIc completely.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
---Dan
i-heart-my-three-c
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
I called 3Com. They said that the warranty of my IIIc has been expired and I need to pay a certain amount for changing to a re-new one from Singapore. Of course I would not pay such payment. Now it is still with me, but very seldom use cause I've got a Clie.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
- owen
RE: Palm IIIc cases
My case has the cracks in it, and no help from Palm. I was blaming my kids till I saw this forum.
Rob.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
RE: Palm IIIc cases
I'm not shelling out more money to palm to replace this case with the same plastic junk they used in the first place and am tempted to repair it myself. Anyone have luck doing this?? This is definitely my last palm.
RE: Palm IIIc cases
Good news- Palm recongizes that the cracked rear case is a manufacturing problem and offered to replace or repair my 2 year old Palm 3c - for free. I opted for replacement, of course, and am looking forward to getting a device that won't have to be held in the cradle with a large paper clip!
RE: Palm IIIc cases
They are shipping me a temp unit and will said they will replace the back at no cost to me.
Poor Quality Coupled with Poor Customer Service
I received in regards to the software questions I had
(minus lack of cognizant function from "Dosti" opinion),
hardware problems are now surfacing. I have been tooling
around other news sites in regards to the Palm IIIc for
information, and so far it seems that there are serious issues
with the sensitivity of the touch-screen, battery recharging,
cracked cases and memory leaks. As it stands, there has
been no interaction with Palm or it's "Technical Support"
personnel to rectify these problems. It seems that in
order to receive any relief, the item must have been
purchased from a third party vendor, i.e., CompUSA which
in my opinion has little to no customer service, either.
I am still very happy with the Palm IIIc since I have yet
to experience any technical problem which I cannot handle
myself. I keep away from any Palm developed software as
it seems they do not have the programming talent as most
third party companies. In the event I do experience a
technical problem, I would, and I would suggest this to
everyone, you immediately request to spreak to a manger
and/or a shift supervisor or other person in authority
to make an actual decision. If not. Demand your money
back because the first thing out of their technicians'
mouths is a request for your serial number so they can
charge you for the call.
RE: Poor Quality Coupled with Poor Customer Service
My Cracked Palm IIIc
Cracked IIIc cases
As for the cracked cases, that is appalling. Palm needs to own up and do a recall. If this were the automotive industry they're heads would be on the block. If they are serious about enterprise computing and handhelds they need to get a grip. Any large company would have their heads for faulty equipment as such.
I bought the extra warrantly offered by best buy. I was skeptical about it and haven't needed it but having heard all of this I'm glad I have. The additional features of OS 3.5 are nice however if the upgrade were now available I wouldn't put it on my husbandsIIIx or daughters III until they get it straight. I certainly wouldn't pay for the upgrade at this point.
IIIc Case Cracked and really bad service
Palm is totally out of touch. I would not do business with them again for anything, or for any new product they may invent!
IIIc cracks on PalmLounge
http://www.go2mac.com/displaynews.cfm?newsid=6471" CLASS=NEWS>http://www.go2mac.com/displaynews.cfm?newsid=6471 Please keep us informaed of any developments so we can help keep Palm users updated on this story.
Thanks,
Rob Parker
Managing Editor
PalmLounge.com
Cracked IIIc
Ditto ditto
My IIIc also has a Y shaped crack in the top right corner. I certainly will not be forking out 100 bucks for a fix!
Pay the extra up front!
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