Sorry this is going to be wordy but I have a lot of information to include.
First here is a timeline of events, then I will include more details. And I will update this review when I receive new replacement.
Ordered on 3/8/2020…Delivered on 3/18/2020…Used a few times and then Broke later that night (will explain more below)…Sent back next day for repair, then received replacement on 4/4/2020. Contacted customer service right away about potential defect (will explain more below). Waiting for return label so I can mail this back and hope that the third time is a charm!
So first I want to say that as someone who has been washing their phone with rubbing alcohol for years, despite knowing that is not the best for your phone, I have always wanted a product like this. So I was very excited when I came across this product. At the time when I ordered there were 2 models available: The PhoneSoap3 ($79.95) and the PhoneSoap Pro ($119.95) The difference between then besides the price was that the Pro was a little bigger and sanitizes in 5 minutes vs 10 minutes. I was originally going with the cheaper one but am SO GLAD I went with the Pro.
NOTE ABOUT SIZE OF THE MODELS: I have an original Google Pixel phone, so it’s not even that big. It does have an otterbox and a popsocket on it which of course adds to the size. I can fit my phone with the case and the popsocket pushed in (not extended) into the Pro. But there is not a lot of room to spare. Since my phone is so old I know it will need a replacement one of these days that will most likely be a larger size, so fortunately I went with the Pro so it might fit. I would be concerned with a future phone potentially not fitting in the smaller model (PS3).
Obviously I could take the case off to save room if needed, but it’s nice that right now it does fit with the case on.
In my Pro I could NOT fit my Fitbit Charge2, a wallet, some bluetooth headphones. I was only able to fit a phone or some earbuds. Obviously you could fit some loose change or loose bills, anything small and the right shape.
NOTE ABOUT STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT:
I do not know if it was a design flaw, a way to manufacture and ship the units out faster, a way to cut costs for both manufacturer or consumer, or if it was simply a way to try to gain a little extra space inside the unit. But the unit is very fragile. When you open it up, on the bottom the bulbs are covered so there is a flat surface to lay your phone on. BUT on top lid there are two exposed bulbs. Which makes them very fragile. As I said, I don’t know if this was left open as a way to try to ‘gain’ some space. If there was a covering you would lose a few centimeters of space that perhaps was left open so you could fit something CAREFULLY between the bulbs that need a little more height. Or perhaps it was left open as a flaw/cost saving measure. Either way, it means you have to be exceptionally careful when placing something inside the unit or you can very easily crack a bulb. While I understand not trying to force something to fit in or force close the lid, i do wish that top side was more durable so you didn’t have to walk on eggshells when placing something in there, out of fear it might crack a bulb.
When my Pro arrived I was very excited to use it. Even my husband who doesn’t generally sanitize his phone said he would absolutely start using it. We used it a few times without any issues. The lightning bolt was white for 5 minutes and then turned off. It seemed to be working properly (I didn’t actually test with a petri dish or anything so I can only assume it’s actually sanitizing.)
Later that night I noticed that the lightning bolt would start out white and then turn to red. I searched the manual, Google, etc. and could not find anything about what red meant but I assumed it was bad.
I called customer service the next day (given the pandemic they’re exceptionally busy.) The wait-time was well over an hour and the girl who answered was nice but admitted they had been getting calls all day about broken units.
She explained to me that the red light was like a ‘check engine’ light. Which meant we needed to look the unit over and if we didnt find anything wrong with it, it might be fine. Upon further thorough inspection we noticed that one of the bulbs on the top (as I said above they’re exposed) had a crack in it.
So she said I would need to mail it back to have the bulb replaced. And possibly the whole unit would be replaced. She said they were out of stock so if I had it replaced it might need to be a refurb, but if that happened I could request a discount.
My replacement unit arrived, it’s a different color so I know it’s not my original one and that’s ok but I have no idea if it’s brand new or a refurb. But the first thing I noticed is that the white light stays on for 10 minutes instead of only 5. I was glad to have a working unit again so I honestly don’t mind the extra wait time but I contacted customer service to find out if this indicates a defect or if it’s working as intended. I was informed that does mean it is defective and I can send it back for yet another replacement.
So now as of 4/3/20 I am waiting to receive my packing slip email so I can mail this back. I will update this when I hopefully receive my 3rd unit.
As of today I am giving it 4 stars. Perhaps I am am giving too many. Given all the cons I have mentioned. BUT I am also rating on how nice customer service has been. And how much I want to believe in the product and like it.. I am hoping my next replacement will work beautifully, and be the last replacement I need. I am being cautiously optimistic
Depending on how the rest of this experience goes, I would absolutely consider purchasing the $199 HomeSoap model that fits larger items like tablets and Switches, etc. .
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