Samsung Mobile NO REFUNDS on defective phones

hussrif
By hussrif

I'd spent some time looking at new mobile phones and the S8300 caught my eye, unfortunately it did not catch my ear as well. A week after my purchase the phone would only work with one way reception. I could hear the people on the other end but they wont hear me, so when i went to Samsung the last thing i expected to hear was "Our company policy does not give refunds!"

This would be the best way to summarize what it took them a whole week to say. On my first visit to the Samsung booth where i had originally purchased the phone, I tried to exchange the phone for something else but after a lot of explaining i was told that i must send my phone to the service center where they will check the software for defects and if it was a software issue they would repair it, other wise we could exchange the phone. I agreed and they promised to return my phone in two days. Five days later while i was still left with out my pricey phone, I called samsung and they said the issue was repaired and I can pick up my phone.

My biggest surprise came when i took my phone and an hour later, the same problem occurred! I went back to the booth where i was again given another run around, first of all i was given no help at the booth, then i was put on the phone to the service center, when i requested to change my phone the response was

"I do not have the authority to take any action".
"Who does?" I asked
"The manager, sir."
"Can i talk to him" i pleaded
"He is not around sir"
"Can i have his mobile number?"
"we are not allowed to give the managers number".

I had purchased a defective phone, and was being transferred from one person to the next, from one booth to a service center, all to no avail. The idea of customer service was apparently a myth i had dreamed up.

After leaving the booth, by some magic act the service manager called me. I was pleased to talk to someone who would "have the authority" to do something. How wrong was I! On two different days i spoke to two service managers. One denied a problem ever existed in the phone, the second said it was a common problem with this particular model.

I explained the hassle i have been going through and told them that i was extremely disappointed to see an international million dollar company hassle its customers this way, and due to the none existing service I no longer want to do business with them. I wanted my money back.

"Sir, we have a no refund policy"
"But the phone doesn't work, are you saying you wont give me back my money for a phone you sold me that does not work?"
"Sir i have been working in the telecommunication business for six years and there is not any company that would refund money, but we will replace your phone with the same model so you can be pleased"
"but you told me that you have been getting similar complaints about this phone, and you would sell it to me again?"

It was a useless conversation, my options were as follows. Replace the phone with the same possibly defective model, exchange it with a cheaper model and loose the rest of my money, or exchange it with a more expensive phone and pay them more than i had intended.
At the end i summarized my experience with the responses they gave me, and the only conclusion i could deduct was that it was my fault for purchasing a defective phone, and now I am stuck with dealing with Samsung, simply because i have no other choice.

By joi• 1 Aug 2009 14:50
Rating: 5/5
joi

try samsung showroom at Friaj Nasser (near moon palace) their staff there are accommodating...

By adams.apple• 1 Aug 2009 13:56
adams.apple

hahahah.. Alexa chill.

By adams.apple• 1 Aug 2009 13:34
adams.apple

Only if ur product is not as expected and its within a few days old and the showroom guys care to hoots for u after their sale is done.. thats when the Hand comes in Place.. Its just to call for attention but not serious blows.. So dont Dont dont Do this unless ur 100% Right that ur product what ever is not working and the way ur being treated.

By hussrif• 1 Aug 2009 13:31
hussrif

Fayez, my samsung model is the S8300, but where is Intertec?

By anonymous• 1 Aug 2009 13:26
anonymous

celina, you'll get a lot of it soon and maybe get fed up with it too

By anonymous• 1 Aug 2009 13:23
anonymous

Well, i bought the same phone (S8003) one month ago, and doesn't have any problems with it till now. and with my experience the samsung's customer service is good, may be you went to the wrong place and met the wrong people. I would suggest you goo to Intertec (official samsung mobile dealers in qatar), their sevice over there is pretty good.

By celina12• 1 Aug 2009 13:21
celina12

Hello all,

I am very glad to visit this forum and would like to get more information in future.

thanx

celina

Chevy Volt

By anonymous• 1 Aug 2009 13:01
anonymous

ok ok, forget the slapping, NO to violence

By scorpio79• 1 Aug 2009 12:39
scorpio79

well-done.. is ur friend coming down to Doha any time soon.. we could go shopping in Carrefive. The folks in there need some of ur friend's magic touch..

By anonymous• 1 Aug 2009 12:37
anonymous

same here labda, hate long posts but this one made me.....to the author, go back there and slap all of them one by one and If you wan't, I can come with you to hold there heads to make sure you hit the right spot

By labda06• 1 Aug 2009 12:10
labda06

Go Nokia.

As an aside, beautiful writing skills. I normally dont read long posts. ADD and all.

By adams.apple• 1 Aug 2009 12:00
adams.apple

Slap one Guy.. with whom you bought the phone and file a complaint that they are selling dead products.

Much so.. the first exercise(Slap) will get them ringing bells to work ur problem out..

If explanation does not work.. a little of force will do good.

I had a similar situation in India.. and when I returned the phone.. the showroom guys started jumping.. I spent almost 15k for the mobile.. my friend who is a very short tempered guy accidentally happened to join me since he wanted to buy a mobile for his girlfriend and wanted to look at some models..

Having heard the guy respond to me and the attitude he showed towards us was intolerable.. he used to make us wait and he would run around.. customers showing mobiles and flirting with women customers..

My friend grew impatient as much as i did..I raised my voice and summoned him to me.. Instead he stood at a different counter and indicated us to move to a new counter where he was standing.. My friend and i walked up to him and he recited that same thing" How many times to tell u boss.. u need to get it checked with the service center" and then Smack.. came a big sound.. My Friend Slapped him real tight.. before i could raise my hand.. and then.. the next thing is the manager of the showroom who came running..and gave me the replacement without much negotiations hahahah.. I Gave the phone to my friend a few weeks later as a gift.

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