Verizon Wireless LCD Bleed Cerritos California

I purchased an LG Voyager March 13, 2009. On April 16, 2009, while talking on the phone, I noticed a large black 'blob' on the exterior screen. I walked into the cerritos VZ store and told the rep I wanted to exchange for a new phone. He took one look at the phone and said the damage was due to extreme pressure being on the touch screen and denied that this could be a manufacturer's defect. Seeing there was no actual damage to the exterior screen of the phone, and the fact that I was talking on the phone when this happened, I asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor proceeded to inform me that I have insurance and would be offered a 'refurbished' phone for fifty dollars, which is the deductible amount. I proceeded to explain to him that approx. 35 days ago I purchased this phone NEW and am not going to pay another fifty dollars for a used phone. I wanted a refund. He stated a refund was not possible because the phone was damaged. I left the store with his business card in hand, and called what I thought was the corporate office. The CS rep on the phone asked me if I kept my phone in my pocket. I told her I keep my phone in my purse, and she proceeded to tell me it was not a safe place to keep it because the screen can be easily damaged! Needless to say I got nowhere with her and asked to speak to her supervisor. Same scenario. He couldn't do anything for me. I finally said I want to cancel my contract, and he said that would cost me $170 because I was in a new two year contract. Either way I end up paying. This is not a case of user abuse or improper handling. The LCD screen spontaneously started to 'bleed' rendering the phone useless and Verizon states that because there are no other reports of this happening, I am automatically at fault. I have found many other blogs about this same thing happening and am quite sure verizon is aware of what is happening.

Christine
Lakewood, California
U.S.A.