Hi all,
I've been away from the thread for a while. Look forward to catching up!
Unfortunately I have to report a poor experience with my Lavricables Lightning to Micro-USB cable as it broke/ceased functioning after about 5 months of use.
I previously reported that I was very happy with the cable in this very thread. I never had connectivity issues before it broke so I have every reason to believe it uses a genuine Made-for-iPod/iPhone or Apple CCK chip in the Lightning end of the cable, which remains perfect. It's the Micro-USB plug on the cable that broke.
At first I was worried there was a problem with my Mojo because I couldn't see a problem with the cable and the Mojo reported some connectivity (the signal ball lit up) but it couldn't establish a connection with my phone. On closer inspection however I saw that the Micro-USB plug on the cable was loose, so I figured at least one pin in the cable was broken.
What follows is why I'm disappointed. I expected as Latvia is a member state of the EU that the cable would be covered by warranty and I'd be eligible for a repair or replacement of the cable. When contacting Lavricables I explained that I was aware much of the value of the cable was in the Lightning end so I knew they'd need it back, but I also asked if, with confirmation of return shipping of the broken cable, they could pre-send another to save time on a twice round-the-world journey.
What I was disappointed to find however, was that despite the cable costing over USD $100, Lavricables refused to cover it under warranty and instead requested a USD $30 repair charge in addition to the return shipping I'd have to pay. He would also not pre-send another cable until he'd received the broken one and payment for its repair. He requested pictures of the cable which I dutifully sent and then accused me of mistreating the cable and said things like "people have cut the cable and requested a free replacement before" implying I'd done the same or something similar. But why the hell would I?
His accusations wouldn't stand up in a court in Australia as he'd have to prove that I went out of my way to intentionally damage the cable and use it in a manner in which it wasn't intended and there's a very low likelihood that any normal, sane person would do that so the burden of proof is very high indeed! My Mojo and phone are perfect!
Whether it's the Micro-USB spec itself or his build that's to fault I don't know but I used it as intended with my Mojo and iPhone happily for about five months. When it stopped working the USB plug on the cable was loose. At this point I tried to massage the plug thinking there was an internal plug-connection before my brother managed to easily completely separate the plug from the cable, exposing four silver wires. I've never had a USB plug break on me like this, which implies that something about the design is insufficiently robust and not fit for purpose.
I also note that because of the position of the Lightning and USB ends in the phone and Mojo the cable is forced to bend against the plug, and being very short this no doubt puts strain on the plugs. Perhaps this wasn't considered in the design or there is insufficient slack in the plug itself, both of which imply that the design is insufficient and that the maker should be compelled to cover it under warranty. The cable should be designed to compensate for this bend.
I'm not sure whether all businesses that sell EU-made products from within the EU are bound by EU warranty requirements but I thought they were or else what's the point? The EU trade laws are deliberately designed to encourage/increase the reputation of EU member states and discourage environmental wastage and it's this reputation that swayed my decision to purchase from Lavricables as opposed to Hong Kong or somewhere else. So it seems my faith in paying a premium for an EU-made product was misguided.
I'm not particularly interested in supporting his business anymore so I don't want to pay the USD $30 to get it repaired or replaced. If anyone else wants it I'll be happy to send you the broken cable, but personally I'd prefer to shop elsewhere from now on.
Disappointed to report this experience but it is what it is.
Looking forward to that wireless Mojo solution!
