Uniden Repair Delay

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MStep

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Uniden told me that they didn’t contact me because it was determined that my radio is not repairable because of water around the SD card slot. The rep is going to “reach out to his corporate office” about an offer on a refurbished radio that I can buy from them.

I had that radio out on a boat and some water sprayed up while we were underway. If an SDS100 cannot withstand that, I don’t consider it water resistant.

They at least could have been professional and notified you immediately of their findings rather than waiting 3 months for you to call them. Especially since they were quick enough to cash your check. States laws may vary. It would seem to have placed them in an awkward situation. In terms is offering you a refurbished unit, you would have to negotiate if the repair payment you made is going to offset the cost of that unit. And if you are willing to accept a reburbrished unit when it might be more advantageous to just buy a new unit.

At least it's a lesson to fellow SDS100 owners--- water and electronics generally don't mix, "water resistant" or not. Hope things would out for you.
 

garys

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I guess you'd have to read JIS level 4, which covers Splash Resistance.
  • 4 - Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.

Since the SD slot is inside the battery compartment, it seems likely that Uniden considers that more than "some water sprayed up" while you were underway.

Liquid Exposure Warning Uniden does not represent this unit to be waterproof. It is water resistant to JIS level 4. To reduce the risk of damage to this product, minimize exposure of this unit to rain or moisture. This product is not warranteed against water damage

Uniden told me that they didn’t contact me because it was determined that my radio is not repairable because of water around the SD card slot. The rep is going to “reach out to his corporate office” about an offer on a refurbished radio that I can buy from them.

I had that radio out on a boat and some water sprayed up while we were underway. If an SDS100 cannot withstand that, I don’t consider it water resistant.
 

lwvmobile

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Uniden told me that they didn’t contact me because it was determined that my radio is not repairable because of water around the SD card slot. The rep is going to “reach out to his corporate office” about an offer on a refurbished radio that I can buy from them.
Wow, so I guess they thought because the warranty was somehow void or it was unrepairable, they not only didn't need to contact you, but they didn't need to return your radio or refund your check or give you a partial refund for that matter. Almost sounds like a made up on the fly excuse or something.
 

Brentorious

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Wow, so I guess they thought because the warranty was somehow void or it was unrepairable, they not only didn't need to contact you, but they didn't need to return your radio or refund your check or give you a partial refund for that matter. Almost sounds like a made up on the fly excuse or something.
Yes, and I wonder how they come by having refurb radios around? “unrepairable radios” perhaps?
 

Brentorious

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2 weeks since they told me they would contact me with an offer to buy a refurb. Nothing. Just called them again. Really disappointed in Uniden’s service.
 

lwvmobile

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2 weeks since they told me they would contact me with an offer to buy a refurb. Nothing. Just called them again. Really disappointed in Uniden’s service.

I would be demanding a full refund on the repair check you send in and the immediate return of your property, broken or not. Maybe even file a complaint with the BBB, not that its likely to do much.
 

Ensnared

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I sent my 2nd 436HP to Uniden repair yesterday. I previously indicated I received my first repair in less than two weeks. I will see and report how long this takes.
 

MStep

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From The Perry Mason School of Lawyering:

Some of these methods might be tried after you first contact Joe Bearcat and he tells you that this is not within his scope of operation, ability, or that these is nothing here can do. So try him first.

None of the following is illegal or against the law. Maybe a little deceptive, but that's what Perry was famous for. You are simply a consumer trying to get your equipment back. First you try honey, but when that doesn't work, you try a little vinegar.

1) Have someone with a very deep and business-like voice call them and tell them they are "representing" you. You never say you are a lawyer. But you give that impression. When they say, "Are you a lawyer", you simply say."We are investigating this case on Mr. XXX's behalf. We would like to resolve it before it has to go through further legal channels", or "we cannot provide further information since this may be going into pending litigation." Throw around a few legal terms--- ask if they have been served with a " subpoena duces tacem"---something along those lines. Well, you get the idea. You just want to ring their bell--- jiggle their chain a bit. Get their attention.

2) Contact the Roanoke, Texas Chamber of Commerce and ask about the method to file an action against the Texas branch of the company. They will likely direct you to the Better Business Bureau for that area, and while you can file a verbal complaint on the phone you will have to get a reference number and follow up with a written letter.

3) You might also be able to file a small-claims court proceeding in your own state, since the radio was delivered to you there.

There are many other little nuisance things you can do which are all within the parameters of the law. These little nudges that can sometimes help you get back on their radar. I am not a lawyer per se, so the usual YMMV and FWIW.

Let us know how you do.
 
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Ensnared

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I just received my 436HP back from Uniden repair. It was about two weeks. Maybe Texans have special privileges. I am curious about something. If you send something in for repair, is there a limit of things you can have fixed? They replaced the keyboard, the SMA connection and clean corrosion, but they did not fix the display screen. The display screen had a scratch in the top right, but it did not interfere with scanning. I am so relieved. My main squeeze is back!
 

MStep

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I just received my 436HP back from Uniden repair. It was about two weeks. Maybe Texans have special privileges. I am curious about something. If you send something in for repair, is there a limit of things you can have fixed? They replaced the keyboard, the SMA connection and clean corrosion, but they did not fix the display screen. The display screen had a scratch in the top right, but it did not interfere with scanning. I am so relieved. My main squeeze is back!

You did not indicate whether or not your unit was repair under warranty, HOWEVER, cosmetic damage is not generally covered under warranty UNLESS this is a brand-new unit which you received with those cosmetic damages. In which case, you would probably have sent it back to the dealer and not in for warranty repair in the first place.

For units either under or not under warranty, if you have cosmetic damage to a unit that does not affect operation, they will generally repair it (if they have the parts) ONLY IF you give them prior approval and indicate you want that specific part replaced and that you are willing to pay for the replacement part (scratched screen, scratched case, etc).

This is how most electronic repair services seem to operate at this level of service. There are some rare exceptions, with extremely high-end equipment, where units sent in for electronic repair will also get some courtesy cosmetic treatment, but that is the exception and not the rule.
 
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Ensnared

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You did not indicate whether or not your unit was repair under warranty, HOWEVER, cosmetic damage is not generally covered under warranty UNLESS this is a brand-new unit which you received with those cosmetic damages. In which case, you would probably have sent it back to the dealer and not in for warranty repair in the first place.

For units either under or not under warranty, if you have cosmetic damage to a unit that does not affect operation, they will generally repair it (if they have the parts) ONLY IF you give them prior approval and indicate you want that specific part replaced and that you are willing to pay for the replacement part (scratched screen, scratched case, etc).

This is how most electronic repair services seem to operate at this level of service. There are some rare exceptions, with extremely high-end equipment, where units sent in for electronic repair will also get some courtesy cosmetic treatment, but that is the exception and not the rule.

I bought these radios a long time ago. It is no big deal. I will say something that nearly sent me into orbit. I fired that puppy up and it showed the inner clock setting problem, and showing the serial port screen. I said a prayer after I re-programmed it. The radio works fine now. I think it was demon possession.
 

VA3ADP

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So I sent my SDS100 for a bad encoder/squelch know (yet Again) I've been checking uniden's website and still nothing is showing up on their website saying it's been received. I have the address and everything correct. Maybe there's a backlog of repairs due to the holidays?
 

donc13

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So I sent my SDS100 for a bad encoder/squelch know (yet Again) I've been checking uniden's website and still nothing is showing up on their website saying it's been received. I have the address and everything correct. Maybe there's a backlog of repairs due to the holidays?
No idea on backlogs, but from other posts here, uniden repair was making a "big" change in their service database and thus what was hooked to the website never showed radios received or sent back.

But the radios were received, repaired and returned so the website info was useless. You might try calling them.
 

garys

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Uniden received my bcd325P2 a week ago Wednesday. Yesterday I checked for the status using my phone number and zip code. Search returned that nothing was found. Did the same thing today and got a return. At first I thought that they had done a quick job, but then looked at the date. This was actually a repair done in 2019.

I don't know what's going on with their database, but it sure doesn't seem accurate.



No idea on backlogs, but from other posts here, uniden repair was making a "big" change in their service database and thus what was hooked to the website never showed radios received or sent back.

But the radios were received, repaired and returned so the website info was useless. You might try calling them.
 

VA3ADP

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Uniden received my bcd325P2 a week ago Wednesday. Yesterday I checked for the status using my phone number and zip code. Search returned that nothing was found. Did the same thing today and got a return. At first I thought that they had done a quick job, but then looked at the date. This was actually a repair done in 2019.

I don't know what's going on with their database, but it sure doesn't seem accurate.

Yeah that is great point. There is certainly something wrong with their database. I did end up calling Uniden and mine was received on 12/21, and shipped last week. However, the rep was unable to provide me with a tracking number. So hopefully its back soon.
 

garys

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I mentioned in another thread, but will repeat it here. When I spoke with a rep last week he told me that the database that is online isn't used any more. He had no alternative site information, which to me is a bit of a lapse. It would certainly save them a lot of phone calls.

I think it was Friday when I spoke with him.

As with you, he couldn't provide a tracking number, but did tell me that it had shipped. It came yesterday via Fed Ex Home.

Mine was received 1/6 and shipped out 1/7 according to the repair slip.

There doesn't seem to be much of a repair delay, but their communications could be better.

Yeah that is great point. There is certainly something wrong with their database. I did end up calling Uniden and mine was received on 12/21, and shipped last week. However, the rep was unable to provide me with a tracking number. So hopefully its back soon.
 

VA3ADP

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I mentioned in another thread, but will repeat it here. When I spoke with a rep last week he told me that the database that is online isn't used any more. He had no alternative site information, which to me is a bit of a lapse. It would certainly save them a lot of phone calls.

I think it was Friday when I spoke with him.

As with you, he couldn't provide a tracking number, but did tell me that it had shipped. It came yesterday via Fed Ex Home.

Mine was received 1/6 and shipped out 1/7 according to the repair slip.

There doesn't seem to be much of a repair delay, but their communications could be better.

Very Interesting. I actually just got mine on my doorstep this morning and Uniden included a paper invoice also which they haven't done in the past. Could be because all my other repairs were under warranty repairs.
 
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