Long story short, my curve is broken due to water damage. It was in the water for 10 seconds, I dried it out, tried the rice trick, but after two days it still doesn't work. I have come to terms that I have to buy a new phone. What are my options?

Should I ask for a replacement and send my phone back to them? I saw a couple stories online that said that if you send back a water damaged phone to tmobile, you have to pay for a new (refurbished) phone, and you have a $100 fee for liquid damage. Is this true?

Should I just report the phone lost/stolen, and buy a refurbished phone from them?

Or should I take it into the local store and try and bargain with them for a new phone? I have had my curve for less than a month (no insurance by the way).

Anyone have any idea which would be the cheapest way?
I have checked eBay and craigslist and I could get one for $250-$300 maybe. Anyone know the price I would be from tmobile for a curve 8320?

So you are asking us to decide on if you should be honest or not?

LOL!

Be honest?
You broke it; buy another one.

It happened to me recently. I've been with T-mobile since 2003. I went into the store and said I need a new Curve but don't want to pay the retail price. I pointed out it would be cheaper to pay the $200 contract cancellation, go to ATT, and get a new Curve for $99 than to pay the sticker price for a replacement. They got the message and made a more attractive deal. Try it.

Be honest about it. If you lie about it Karma will get you.

The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile. ~Plato

I agree, be honest. Not sure if your carrier offers a protection plan, but mine with Sprint would cover this type of incident. Whatever you do, get that plan it is well worth a no questions asked replacement.

Inside your phone should be a water intrusion detector. There is one in my T-Mobile curve. It is a little white square piece of paper. If water comes in contact with it, the paper should turn pink. So, if you "negotiate" with T-Mobile and don't let them know that the phone suffered water damage, they will know anyways.

My thirty days is almost here with my AT&T 8310. This Thread makes me want to buy that $5/month insurance now.

I have swam with 2 of my phones and that white sticker does not always turn pink. But my suggestion is to pay the $200 term fee and go to an authorized dealer to activate a new line. There are a few online dealers offering a free curve right now and it would be brand new.

Free Cell Phones & Cell Phone Service - T-Mobile and more.

Know what I'd probably look into that 5-7 or w/e $/month for insurance! ;-D

Good to know. The last two times I had to do a swap of my BB under warranty, I have always been asked right off the bat, "what color is that piece of paper by the battery?" When I say white, they say "perfect, we can start the paper work to swap your phone for free under warranty." Now, I will be less worried in case my phone accidentally gets water damaged as the water detector in the phone does not seem to be that reliable.

Tmobile will only allow him to add the insurance within the first 14 days. Tmobile does allow there BB users a 30 day grace period from time of purchase. Since you are within this period that might help in the negotiations for a new phone.

Supervisors have alot more flexibility, so don't let it die with the rep telling you "nocando".

Ask for store manager they seem to be a little more understanding..

Get insurance, wait if you didn't have it before, ask for a new one. This way it will be ~$140 or so instead of $450 or whatever the Retail is.

The deductible through Asurion is $110, and does not cover water damage.