Brilliance Communications

I visited Brilliance Communications in hopes that they could help with my T-​mobile G1. I called beforehand to make sure they would still be open after I got off work — they closed at 8pm. I had to also call when I got closer to the area because the shop was hard to find and currently had no sign. Nevertheless, I eventually found the place — it was a humble two room suite with a lobby connected to a back area. Two young men were present at the time.
I had high hopes since the T-​mobile store themselves recommended them to me. So I proceeded to go in with my phone and asked them if they could fix it for me. I informed them that it did not even turn on anymore. The young man, without a doubt responded, «It’s because it’s a G1.» I shrugged it off and asked him if he could fix it. He said he would be able to, and that it would cost $ 35. Expecting that it would cost me more, I gladly said yes. He informed me that I would lose all the data on the phone. Seeing as I had already tried to do a hard reset myself on the phone which would have resulted in the same thing, I said that is fine.
He took the phone and proceeded to the back where he sat down at his work bench comprising of many different chargers and his computer. After about 5 minutes he told me that he knew what was wrong with it, but it would cost $ 10 more. I walked over and as I turned the corner to respond to him, I noticed that he promptly minimized a window on his monitor. Thus began my doubtfulness. Doubtful, but still hopeful, I agreed and told him to do what he needed to do. I walked back out to the front lobby — secretly still able to see what he was doing through the reflection of the blackened windows on the wall.
I watched as he took apart the phone, periodically looking back to his computer screen and typing. I may be wrong, but I began to question whether I was indeed getting my phone fixed by Brilliance Communications or if he was secretly consulting the same person I was when I tried to fix it — Mr. Google. After about another 20 minutes, he came out, unsuccessful. He said he didn’t know what was wrong with it because he couldn’t even get it to turn on. Surprise, surprise — I thought that’s what I told him. Sad that he was unable to fix my phone, I was about to leave when he informed me I «only» owed $ 10. I asked him what for and he said that it was a diagnostic fee. I questioned the authenticity of that and responded telling him that he never told me there was any fee associated to a «diagnostic» of the phone’s condition. I thought in my head,“Diagnostic fee? What exactly did you diagnose? You have no idea what is wrong.” Thankfully it was only in my head.
He proceeded to say, «Well, we also close at 7pm — see the missing Sunday times on the door? I was in the process of changing it.» I informed him that I had called before I came and was told they close at 8pm. He said that must have been someone else who picked up that had already left. Could it be that the person who spoke to me that sounded exactly the same as you left within the 10 minute period in which it took me to find the place? I guess it’s possible — more likely than not, he has a twin, of course! In the end, he graciously allowed me to leave without having to pay anything…
I would have to say that these guys are amateurs at best, the lack of integrity makes me question their business practices, and in the end I managed to waste half an hour with no success. However, that 30 minutes is a small price to pay to know that I will never be returning to their establishment again. Maybe it’s time for a new phone…