When a New Phone Accessory Doesn’t Last as Expected

Back in mid-April, I purchased a new phone. Naturally, that meant getting a new phone case, screen protector, and lens protector as well. I bought all three at the same shop, and they also kindly helped transfer my data from the old device.

The salesperson recommended the accessories, and since there weren’t many other shops nearby - or many options to choose from - I decided to go with their suggestion. The total cost for the case, screen protector, and lens protector was close to 3,000 NT, so I didn’t consider them cheap.

After only two months, I noticed the screen protector starting to peel at the edges. It had a slightly raised border compared to the center, which was unusual to me - every other protector I’ve had before was flatter and fit neatly within the phone case’s edge.

Over time, more cracks began appearing. While it didn’t affect basic use much, it wasn’t ideal. From the beginning, I also found the raised edges slightly annoying as they covered part of the screen’s view.

The lens protector’s damage was harder to pinpoint. I noticed it about three weeks ago, but since the weather had been poor, we hadn’t been outside much. When I finally went out on a sunny day to take photos, I realized a large portion of my pictures appeared foggy! That’s when I realized the crack was affecting image quality or I should say makes everything unusable...

I decided to leave a review on Google - not a one-star review, but an honest one - explaining that the products seemed to be of poor quality. I also mentioned that my phone had never been dropped or hit by anything. Most of the time, it sits on my desk, or I carry it in a pocket or bag without any sharp objects.

For comparison, I still own another phone that’s 4–5 years old with an intact screen, and my husband’s phone is the same. Both of those have cheaper protectors purchased from a different shop (also fell on the ground before!), and they’ve held up perfectly. So, having an accessory break in under three months felt disappointing.

The shop replied quickly - but the initial response wasn’t what I expected. They straight away said that the products have not been bought from their store and suggested the damage could have been caused by carrying the phone with keys or coins. I was taken aback, as I never do those things, and everything was purchased from them directly.

Since it’s hard to sort these things out over Google reviews, we decided to visit the shop in person.

Once there, the conversation took a more positive turn. The salesperson was still trying to tell us this is not their product!! But in the end she offered to replace the screen protector for free, and offered to change the lens protector, and even exchange the phone case the next time I come back as they didn't have any in stock. I hadn’t expected that nor was I trying to get free replacements in the first place. My goal was simply to let them know that the accessories they sell might not match the price in terms of durability.

While the experience had its frustrations, I appreciated that, in the end, they were willing to make things right. Hopefully, the replacements will last longer and help prevent similar issues in the future. 

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Kites, Sand and... Surprises

On August 2, our trip led us from Toufen to Tongxiao to catch the famous Tongxiao Sand Sculpture Festival (which we have been to previously, blog post HERE). Back at home, the weather had been perfect - bright blue skies, warm sun. Yet when we arrived in Tongxiao, the sky turned ominously dark and it sprinkled rain just as the kite show was about to begin.

Thankfully, after a short shower, the clouds parted and the sky cleared just in time. The kites soared vividly in the crisp light above the towering sand sculptures. 

This summer, Taiwan has suffered unusually heavy rainfall and widespread damage (at least in my 8 years living here). Around late July 2025, torrential rains battered southern Taiwan, forcing over 3,000 residents to evacuate, shuttering businesses, and triggering school closures across Tainan, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung.

Just days earlier, Typhoon Danas struck the west coast in early July, killing two people, injuring more than 500, cutting power to around 660,000 households, and causing over NT$1 billion in damage. Authorities warned of continuing severe flooding and potential landslides across the island.

Right before the kite show we decided to grab some local beef noodle soup. Just a few bites in - a cockroach surfaced in my bowl. I recoiled in disgust. That nightmare presence destroyed my appetite and dampened my mood completely. I had hoped to film some footage of food and the festival, but after that incident, the mood was gone - no vlog, no content (I've a few shorts tho - YouTube).

This isn’t the first time I’ve found something in my food - there have been hairs, strings, or other random items, which I’d usually just take out and continue eating. But I guess a cockroach crosses the line. I’ve even eaten in places where cockroaches or rats were running around and I don’t mean open-air stalls, I mean indoors! But seriously, after eight years here, it feels like things in Taiwan are getting worse, not better. And it’s not just the food hygiene, the traffic is getting out of hand too.

Taiwan has been under scrutiny for recent food safety scandals. Just a few recent examples:

- In Taichung, a Cold Stone Creamery outlet was ordered shut after four people accidentally drank bleach mixed in with their ice cream toppings. 

- At the Breeze Xinyi branch of INPARADISE, 59 people fell ill between January 5–7, 2025. Over 70% had consumed raw fish.

- A popular Tan Zuo Ma Li outlet near the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts was ordered to close for seven days after 22 diners reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

- In mid‑2024, authorities uncovered 11.4 tons of frozen meat—including goose meat that was up to 14 years past its expiration date—being relabelled and sold. 

What began as a promising, sunny travel adventure turned into a cautionary tale of unpredictability - both in the weather and in food safety, the experience left a bitter aftertaste.

Taiwan remains a place of incredible beauty and cultural richness - but current events suggest there's a pressing need for more vigilance in food hygiene and stronger enforcement of safety standards.

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