Latent Defect Customer held responsible!!

<p>On 11 June 2016 I handed in my Galaxy Gear Watch at the Vodacom Repair Centre in Irene Mall. I was given a Job Number ( ********** 8) and told to expect an answer. I was then emailed by Charissa Bornman on 15 June 2016 with a quote for the repair for R2,977.68. I queried this as the item was under warranty. I provided proof of the purchase and was told by Charissa that the item would be fixed under warranty. The email was as follows: "Please be advised as the technician is going to use the Activation date on the proof of purchase and do it under the warranty." Then suddenly on the 21st of June 2016 I recieved an email from Kelebogile Sega with another repair quote for R2,746.72. When I queried this I was told that the warranty was voided because the contacts at the back of the watch was corroded. We then went back and forth with me providing proof that this has happened to other people and their watches was fixed under warranty also that this is worn on your arm ind is obviously in contact with sweat. on 23 June 2016 I was told that the matter had been escalated to the "Escalations department". Eventually on the 5th of July, after enquiring AGAIN, I was told that it is under investigation. I waited and waited and sent emails to enquire what was happening with no response. Today I decided to email Charissa Bornman again and recieved the following answer: "The handset was sent to our Advance Repair Centre for a second opinion and was also taken out of warranty due to the damages, it cannot be repaired under warranty." So now, two months later, after I had to email and beg, I am still at square one with a broken watch. Was anyone planning on telling me this??? How can I be held responsible for a latent defect on a watch? In the last 15 years I have spent thousands of rands with Vodacom and this is how they treat their customers? Please advise how I should now proceed.</p>