Ok, so the title kinda says it all. The small latch that holds the cover on fell out, and now its gone. my question is, where would I find one of these CHEAP (I found one, but it was $25.00!!! )
Thanks!

Have you checked to see if it's covered under warranty? There have been MANY cases of this problem. TMo should replace it, IMO.

edit

Thanks Dave!

Yea, other than the missing latch, the pearl is in PERFECT condition. I sent T-mo an e-mail, and am hoping for a response by tuesday. By the way, do you mean an exchange of the entire phone? Or just the latch?
Thanks!

The entire phone (except the SIM card) usually is exchanged.

It's a smooth process with TMo. Once they determine you are in warranty and the phone is eligible, they ship you the replacement first and you return the defective one within 7 days of receipt. I've always had good luck with their service.

Wirelessly posted (Opera/8.01 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/3.1.8295/1704; en; U; ssr))

Are you talking about the silver piece between the two gold pieces at the bottom of the phone? If so, I have the same problem, and now my battery cover does not stay on. My phone does have some scratches on the side rails though, does anyone know if tmo will take it as an exchange, or where I can buy obscure parts such as this one? I will pay to buy parts if need be, as I will most likely be giving this phone to my girlfriend and getting the curve when it comes out. Thanks in advance.

normal wear is ok... they don't allow any red moisture indicators or cracked or broken screens.

Yep, the small silver piece is what i'm talking about. My pearl has been kept in a case since about the first week ive had it, so, aside from one TINY flaw, its perfect. I have not gotten an email back from Tmo yet, but it is a holiday weekend, so Ill look for a response by tuesday, and update everyone with what happens!
Thanks for all the help!

You could call them and get the ball rolling faster, but yea, the holiday weekend is going to slow anything down at this point, like shipping.

Hmm, I just called t-mo today about the same issue. They told me I had to go through blackberry to get a replacement, and that any "broken" pieces voids the warrenty. I kept explaining that it was broken that it just fell out.

Very frustrating. Do you think Id have better luck going into a store?

I actually have the same issue - the battery latch hasn't fallen out, but one of the legs that holds it in broke.

I called AT&T by calling 611 the other day and they said it wasn't covered because that is considered normal wear and tear.

I called the warranty 800 number, and they said that even though it's normal wear and tear, they will replace it.

So if it doesn't work the first time, try again. Even though they make notes on all of your calls, you may still have good luck.

wow it seems like it is happening to everyone now, mine fell out last week. apparently they under engineered the part...instead of lasting 2 years it last about 9 or 10 months?

It only lasted 4 months for me , im definitely getting rid of it. I dont know whether to get another blackberry or not, because im VERY disappointed in the pearl!!

UPDATE: I called them, the customer service rep. told me that they could exchange it, but when it got to the warehouse, if they determined that it was my fault, they could charge me a $100 physical damage fee (which we all know they would, even though the phone is perfect.) So, she told me that I could also take it into a T-mobile retail store, have them examine it, have them call customer support, and guarantee me that I wouldnt be charged, so thats looking like the best option right now. I called the T-mobile store near me, and they will be open tomorrow, so im going to go in tomorrow, and get it all worked out....Wish me luck!

edit

I told my Customer service rep. to check how many people have this problem, to show that i do NOT abuse the pearl, and she checked, and came back and said "we haven't had many of these at all". So that didn't quite work out, but you could also go into a t-mo store like I'm going to tomorrow.

After my first rebuff from Tmobile customer support, I went to a store today. The rep examined my device, noted my account and told me to call back. Tmo is sending me a new one which I should recieve in 7-10 days.

Suprisingly the Rep on the phone said "new" so I wonder if it will be new or refurb.

Sounds like the phone reps arent aware of the issue, going to a store to show them seems to be the way to go.

Yep, definately, the rep. seems to think that I have abused the pearl, but they are gonna be in for a surprise tomorrow....lol

Have them check their list of known issues for the particular device. My guess is that latch is in the list of known issues. If it's in the list, they'll replace it. I had a usb port pull out of a 7100. They checked the list, it was on there, so they replaced it-with only 3 weeks left on warranty. 7100 was no longer available so that user got a new Pearl. TMo is pretty good about that stuff.

The phone you get will most likely be a refurb. However, TMo's refurbs are just as nice as a new one, in my experience. My wife has been using one for a few months now. (It even took a swim in Lake Shasta for about 15 minutes...still works!)