DexCom G4: Busted Slide Cover

There is a thread on TuDiabetes and other bloggers have mentioned this problem, but the slide covers on the new DexCom G4s are breaking off.  More specifically, the "track" the cover slides back and forth on is chipping off.  This makes it impossible for the cover to stay attached to the receiver.

(The cover pops off if I slide it over the charging port.)

This product defect does not impact the accuracy of the sensors, but it's frustrating to spend a few hundred dollars on something only to see a chunk of it fall off before your eyes within weeks.  The good news is that if you call DexCom (888-738-3646) they will overnight you a new receiver at no cost (assuming your G4 is still under warranty, which it is because it's only been a few months since they started selling them).  They will also send you a return envelope so you can return the broken receiver.  The only caveat to this is that they will charge your credit card ~$195 if they determine the chipping happened because of user abuse (e.g. massive water damage, receiver is returned in 10 pieces, etc.).  For me, the chipping happened just from sliding the cover back and forth every few days to charge the receiver.  In other words, using the product exactly as it was designed.

I debated even calling to report this because, again, it's not impacting the results.  I eventually called because other bloggers brought up the good point that DexCom needs to know how much this is actually happening.  The more people that call the better luck we'll have that they will change this part of the design in the next go-around.

If you're debating buying the DexCom system I would still 100% say get it.  The amazing benefits you receive from wearing the sensor far outweighs this minor inconvenience.