Build quality?

[little jack]

I just sent my two month old SJ30 back to Sony for repairs. I filled out a repair form that stated something to the effect that if the tech feels the unit was misused thereby causing the malfunction, I will be charged $100.00 for the repair. My Clie was sent back because the back button no longer worked. The button still had the spring action but no longer gave the impression of a clicking sensation and had no effect on the settings. I am careful with my things and normal handling of the unit should not have caused this kind of a break. I read another member's account of how their SJ30's center up and down button was falling off. Hopefully, these are isolated incidents and I will receive my Clie back, free of charge.
Bob

[kezza]

the digitizer on my sj30 stopped working correctly within weeks of purchase, and became completely unusable after just under 3 months. i'm being lazy about getting it sent back (i bought a replacement the day the first one bit it), but it's only confirmed my belief that if you buy sony products that aren't pretty high-end, you pay for it with crappy build quality. every mid-range or lower sony product i've owned has died within 1 year of purchase, through no fault of my own. i held off buying a clie as long as possible, but i just didn't want to go without hi res anymore, and didn't want OS5.

[Winston_Smith]

My sj30 did the same thing after about a week. After having dealt with sony with my old t415, I spent the extra $40 on the 3 year extended circuit city warranty. Now they have to deal with my problems and replace the unit if something goes wrong. After only a little shouting, fist waving, and foot stomping, they handed me a new sj33. So far so good with this one.

It seems to me that Sony has great tech, terribly quality control, and absolutely miserable support. But then I'm not saying anything new here.

[little jack]

Well, I got my Clie back today and no charges were assessed. I sent it out on the 5th and got it back on the 10th. The rear cabinet assembly, which most likely houses the jog dial and back button, was replaced. They pulled off the sticker on the back of the SJ30 that had all the info on it and stuck it on the new back. It looks as good as new. I am very pleased with Sony's customer service.
Bob