Any experience with Audiovox Repairs?

[Guest infiniverse]

Hey all. I purchased my Audiovox SMT5600 back in December, and I love it. However I think something has happened with the antenna, because in areas where I used to get full strength, I now get 1-2 bars, and sometimes none at all! I have several coworkers with the same SMT5600, and their phones work just fine.

The problem is that Cingular does not offer any exchange by mail options for this device, probably due to inventory depletion post-AWS merger. However, I am not so thrilled with just sending this off to Audiovox and hoping for the best. Has anyone else had to deal with Audivox for an in-warranty repair? How was your experience? How long did it take?

Or...would it be more worthwhile to try to repair it myself to see if the antenna is somehow loose or has broken solder or something.

Thanks very much!