This is a rant, and I am aware that by the letter of their contract, which I should have read properly, they have me over a barrel. Nevertheless.
I've had a Povo phone contract for about three years, satisfied with it. And having had Pixel phones I decided to pay 830yen a month for the 故障サービス just in case I broke it.
Last night the worst happens, I drop my Pixel 7 Pro and smash the screen. My fault entirely but all I can think is how glad I am I have insurance. I contact them this morning to put in a claim and am told that actually they don't repair phones, they replace them. Ok, I thought. But they don't replace like for like. They offered me a AQUOS sense6, retail under 4man and probably costs them a man or 2. And as part of that deal, I have to pay 11,000 AND also send in my Pixel 7 Pro which they will do what they want with.
I asked them how they could justify giving me an old phone when they can take my phone, put a new screen on it, and sell it for 7-8man, that that deal would be terrible even if I wasn't paying insurance but given it's meant to be an insurance policy it's a complete scam and basically fraud. I got a lot of 申し訳ございませんs in response and told to reread the conditions.
I know there's nothing I can do. I know it's my fault for not confirming the conditions of the insurance. But all I can think to myself is how this is essentially an unconscionable contract and at least in the UK it would not fly.
If there is a takeaway from this rant it's to be careful when signing up for insurance here. It may well be worth nothing whatsoever when it comes time to use it. If there is a silver lining from this for me, at least I learned this lesson with something that won't cost me too much to fix by myself. I'll certainly be reading terms and conditions from now on though.
by MitchMitchos