[Q] Sending a rooted Samsung GT S7500 to a Repair Centre - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Okay. So about a week ago, I got my GTS7500. On the first day, I successfully rooted it. The next day, I broke it in a incredibly careless way using the command line: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1744909
It is now completely unresponsive. Don't question me on that. I know.
I emailed Samsung with a fabricated story, trying to sort out a repair/replacement... 3 days later, nothing.
So after giving up with the email system, I finally phoned customer support yesterday.
I described everything that had happened (a version in which my phone just dies unexpectedly with no wrongdoing from myself...), and I was sent an email with all the information I need to send it to a repair centre.
So, it's all packed and ready to be sent to Norwich Samsung Repair Centre.
...I am quite anxious though.
I asked if I'd be getting a replacement, and I was told I would be getting the phone I sent but repaired. Well... if they DO repair the phone, they'll see that I've tampered with it.
Unlike what I thought, I won't be getting a replacement... but what if they can't repair it?
I'm nervous I'm going to get an email or a phone call from someone at the repair centre with bad news... or confronting me on my heinous crime.
Also, if they find something, they'll likely remember my phone and my details and have it blacklisted from being repaired in any repair centre.
To add to my worries, I finally got a reply from my email:
Unfortunately we are unable to replace your mobile phone as your warranty in accordance with your statutory rights within the first 28 days lies with your retailer, after this time has elapsed your warranty is a repair only, therefore if the retailer are refusing to exchange the unit for you, all that we can offer you is a repair.
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More and more seems like they won't be sending back a new shiny phone... which is a shame.
The virgin mobile branding really pisses me off.
Also, I have written a description of what happened to my phone which I must send with the phone to the repair centre. At the end of it I've added:
If it does turn out to be completely unrecoverable like I expect, I ask that you refurbish me with an unlocked phone. Unfortunately, the seller I bought this phone from claimed it was not locked to a provider, but it turned out to be locked with Virgin Mobile. In the time the phone was working, I had not yet changed providers/sims.
This would be much appreciated to save me the hassle of doing this.
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Is this a good idea? Will it do any good/harm? Given that it seems quite unlikely I will be receiving a new phone, should I ask them for an unlocked phone?
I'm not sure if it perhaps looks a little suspicious...
Should I even send it off??? If I go in person will it increase my chances? Could i walk away with a repaired/new phone in the same visit?
Please give me some answers quickly. If I'm sending it off I want to do it later today.
Many thanks.

98 views and no replies?
Please, I need some advice. If I send my phone later today and then find out on this thread that it was a bad idea, that's gonna really piss me off.

ask for a unlocked one

ajay8055, I'm trusting you... Because you're the only person who replied.
Let's see what happens.
Off to the post office now.

hedgehog90 said:
ajay8055, I'm trusting you... Because you're the only person who replied.
Let's see what happens.
Off to the post office now.
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It's always fuzzy to have carrier locked phones they end up with problems more often.... And dude before flashing a firmware ask someone of your carrier to see if it works or not.... Preventing is better than cure

So I've now sent it back.
But there was a slight problem, or seemingly so.
In the email, it said this:
You can send the handset off for repair by using one of the below address options:
‘FREEPOST SAMANREP’ (This is a freepost option)
(On the front of the envelope)’
OR
‘A NOVO COMMUNICATION HOUSE (This is a standard delivery option and will be chargeable)
SAMSUNG
VULCAN ROAD NORTH
NORWICH
NR6 6AQ’
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So, I did the above option, I just put FREEPOST SAMANREP on the envelope. This seemed strange to me at the time. When I took it to the post office, the lady behind the window looked at it and gave me a puzzled/concerned look, and I explained to her the reason behind it.
I sent it anyway.
Won't be too surprised though if it's sent to the return address in a couple days...
What's weirder is googling FREEPOST SAMANREP returns absolutely zero results. Try it yourself if you don't believe me.
What do you think? Weird?
Also, I'd like some reassurance about my return. I'm quite anxious that I'm gonna get in trouble.

I've just done the same thing - sent my phone back to "FREEEPOST SAMANREP" for repair, as instructed by Samsung and printed on their address label. I got alot of resistance from staff at the Post Office, who were convinced that it wasn't a valid address.
Was there a happy ending to your story?

Related

Need 8525 Motherboard or 8525 w/broken screen.

Cheap EBAY car charger from Bargaincell.com fried the charging circuit/sync/USB connnector on my brand new 8525. The guy tells me he won't do anything about damages, so I'm stuck needing a replacement motherboard. Other than this my device is in perfect condition, so I'm not looking to part it out either.
If you have an operational motherboard, Please email me at:
natedog731 <NO @ SPAM> hotmail.com
THANKS!
Have you tried putting the phone in for warranty?
Well, I got the phone 2nd hand off of ebay (No Warranty). Shortly there after, another ebay product killed it. See this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1443395&postcount=22
I would still try and get it replaced through AT&T. I bought my 8525 through eBay and had an issue with it and AT&T still replaced it under the manufactures warranty for me. I've done it numerous times with phones over the years. The number you should call is 1-800-801-1101. It's definitely worth a shot...
Hmmm... I suppose the worst thing they can tell me is "no"...
I'll be damned... I didn't think that would work... A replacement is on the way! Thanks for the idea, TheBrit and ahfunaki!!
No problem, glad to have saved you some time and money...
And the nice thing is too, the phone you'll receive basically is brand new...
Bah... Cingular/ATT sent me a unit with the White screen issue. right out of the box... *sigh* A replacement for the replacement is on the way...
Nate731 said:
Hmmm... I suppose the worst thing they can tell me is "no"...
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Or charge you for the new phone after they determine the damage wasnt due to a defect. You gotta be careful as they try to find anthing to make your fault. I got a couple boards if interested
LOL Just called them again tonight... Time for the replacement for the replacement for the replacement . The rep tried to talk me into taking a different model in exchange. "Sir, since you've had the trouble with that model, how about a different model instead? A Blackberry 7100, perhaps?" LOL. He didn't seem too surprised that I asked about the Tilt, and it seemed like he checked stock and said that there was none so far. We'll see what happens.
omg.....really>? if i would of known this i wouldnt of opened my phone and voided it....do you guys think that they will accept it?? i got my 8525 from ebay
to ahfunaki:
Can you write all procedure step by step, because I don’t live in USA but I have couple friends in USA with ATT account? I can ask for help but their don’t realize how to do it, because I was send my device couple weeks ago but in ATT local store refuse to help because of ebay purchase. A can call to ATT via skype and organize everything.
Sorry for my poor English.

HTC unable to repair my phone - 4th times - Need advise

Hello,
I had several problems with my HTC Amaze phone; freezes and the screen become unresponsive, works by itself (open apps, close them and zoom in/out on webpages without touching it) or suddenly resets.
I already sent the phone 3-4times for repair, I even had a video to prove my problem.
The problem is that even this latest repaired phone has same problems.
What can/should I do with HTC in order to fix my problem ? get a different model maybe (which they refused to do) ? as it looks they are unable and they are not willing to repair the issue.
BTW, I m from Canada.
Thnx
I don't know how the laws are in Canada, but in the U.S., after an electronic has the same issue 3 - 4 times, we call it a lemon. The company must replace it with a new device or a device with an equal or lower value. You can research about your lemon laws in Canada.
Thx,
I know all stores such as Best Buy do it for extended warranty, but I am not sure about manufacturer!
Cause when I called HTC today the CSR told me I have to keep sending it for repair until I get a good working phone, which is completely unacceptable.
That's why I said research about Canada's lemon laws. You can use it against them.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk 2
xda_23 said:
Thx,
I know all stores such as Best Buy do it for extended warranty, but I am not sure about manufacturer!
Cause when I called HTC today the CSR told me I have to keep sending it for repair until I get a good working phone, which is completely unacceptable.
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If you send the device for repair and it comes back with the same issue, how was it repaired exactly?
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app
Does this happen with all stock applications? Nothing downloaded. No modifications. Is there a screen protector? Things of that nature should he eliminated first and tested again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's Better To Fail At Originality
Than To Succeed In Imitation.
-Mighty Healthy
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I looked for Canada's lemon law, apparently it applies only to vehicle
I called my carrier, htc and PCD (their warranty authorized service provider), when I asked why I send my phone for repair and I still have problems, the csr told in Canada we just swap phones and they never repair them lol
basically, they swapped my phone with someone else. This is ridiculous!
I asked to talk with manager, I am waiting him/her to call me back ...
@Double0EK: Yes, after 2nd repair I got the screen ghosting on day 1. I don't have screen protector.
Use this. It may help you.
http://www.consumerinformation.ca/eic/site/032.nsf/eng/h_00085.html

[Q] no service after samsung s3 firmware update

Hi, I have a stock samsung galaxy s3 phone and i heard google now is an amazing feature so i was tempted to upgrade to jelly bean and i used odin to flash my s3 with jelly bean available on sammobile but it came up without network service.
i then tried to flash it to stock firmware but after repeated attemps i could not get network service. tired and without sleep i finally handed it to samsung service centre. Now, i would like to know why this happened and will it get fixed or have i permanently broken something??
It may be modem related. I think you maybe rushed things sending it back to Samsung.
Did you happen to lose your IMEI in the process? An EFS corruption is another possibility, next time make sure to have a proper backup for it.
Anyway, generally speaking, if the phone is able to boot into download mode (and you made the proper backups) you are not totally screwed.
VulguM said:
It may be modem related. I think you maybe rushed things sending it back to Samsung.
Did you happen to lose your IMEI in the process? An EFS corruption is another possibility, next time make sure to have a proper backup for it.
Anyway, generally speaking, if the phone is able to boot into download mode (and you made the proper backups) you are not totally screwed.
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Click to collapse
Phew, thank you thank you thank you for your reply. i heard someone say to me it might be an EFS corruption. probably i did rush into sending it to samsung but i was so nervous and stupid and tired...hoping to get back my phone soon. they take ages to fix anything and service is so bad. nobody picks the phone. no timelines...nothing. Oh by the way i did not make any backups. I just want the phone working again and i dont mind installing all things all over. so is it screwed without a backup?
seedheart said:
Phew, thank you thank you thank you for your reply. i heard someone say to me it might be an EFS corruption. probably i did rush into sending it to samsung but i was so nervous and stupid and tired...hoping to get back my phone soon. they take ages to fix anything and service is so bad. nobody picks the phone. no timelines...nothing. Oh by the way i did not make any backups. I just want the phone working again and i dont mind installing all things all over. so is it screwed without a backup?
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they just called that the phone is ready. i will go now and see what they have done with it.
Ops always ask xda users first before you take another step which you think is impossible.
Sent from my GT-I9300
hero000 said:
Ops always ask xda users first before you take another step which you think is impossible.
Sent from my GT-I9300
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Yes, i will do that next time. will post soon what they have done with my phone
seedheart said:
Yes, i will do that next time. will post soon what they have done with my phone
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I'm just wondering was the phone rooted and did they cover warranty or did you have to pay for the repair? Just wondering exactly where service centers actually stand (not what the book says)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
delsus said:
I'm just wondering was the phone rooted and did they cover warranty or did you have to pay for the repair? Just wondering exactly where service centers actually stand (not what the book says)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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I paid $45 for the repair. got the phone back but its not doing voice calls on network. just data. Need to go back to samsung but what do you think has happened?
IMEI blocked
seedheart said:
I paid $45 for the repair. got the phone back but its not doing voice calls on network. just data. Need to go back to samsung but what do you think has happened?
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My phone is now blocked by vodafone. IMEI blocked. They wont tell why. Now what do i do?
Check if the imei (dial *#06#) is the same one as on the box or under the battery.
If not and it's not 49.... then the repair shop transplanted a imei from another device which is illegal and can bring both of you in lots of trouble. If it's 49... then the imei is a default one and it's not repaired.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
d4fseeker said:
Check if the imei (dial *#06#) is the same one as on the box or under the battery.
If not and it's not 49.... then the repair shop transplanted a imei from another device which is illegal and can bring both of you in lots of trouble. If it's 49... then the imei is a default one and it's not repaired.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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They said there was a problem with mainboard and they replaced it. Then the GT-I9300 became a GT-I9300 T.
Help!! Anyone...someone...
If it became a i9300T then they have replaced it with an incorrect MB - probably not a biggie as it is the Telstra variant.
I would take it back to them. Tell them they have used the wrong MB AND it isn't working. Handing you back a phone which will not connect requires a pretty good explanation as to why they consider it fixed.
Did you check the IMEI as d4fseeker mentioned? What do you have in there? If Voda have blocked you it is likely they have used an incorrect IMEI when 'fixing' your phone so when you go in act all scared about possible legal problems and if they get sticky tell them you will have to go to the police to let them know because you don't want to get arrested for stealing your own phone.
I'm no expert here, but from what I have read so far I think they have placed you in a very good position - were you to get nasty they'd be in serious trouble, with the law as well as Samsung (if they are an authorised repairer.
Download Lyriquidperfection's EFS Pro and make an EFS backup so you have the evidence, maybe make a nandroid backup as well, then go back, indignation firmly in hand and tell them they didn't fix your phone, and, also, they seem to have used an ilegal IMEI etc.
Of course, if your IMEI is still the same, maybe they've done something else. I'm not sure how they'd do it but maybe if they replaced the MB then somehow put your original IMEI back I'm pretty sure that would show at Voda as being an incorrect IMEI.
Hope that helps...
seedheart said:
Help!! Anyone...someone...
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What I'm reading is driving me mad.... this happened to me... I have the S3 GT-i9300 and while updraging I had the very same problem. Im on the 3network and when the install was done after 3 times with no network I got worried all I did to rectifie this was to start from scratch wipe cash and wipe the dalvik cash you will now lose evrything unless you did a backup using TB and backing up your desktops. Start from the begining and donot deviate... I used this how to link put the http: before address.. site wont let me do this yet. //galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-roms/how-to-install-custom-rom-on-rooted-galaxy-s3/ and it all came up and with my network too... yeah PHEW!!! was my thoughts... but if yours has now been to shop for so called repairs.. and now blocked.. freekin heck.. not sure what they have done.. is it not just your sim thats blocked?
What have you now got to lose... try it..
Loz.
Loz1 said:
What I'm reading is driving me mad.... this happened to me... I have the S3 GT-i9300 and while updraging I had the very same problem. Im on the 3network and when the install was done after 3 times with no network I got worried all I did to rectifie this was to start from scratch wipe cash and wipe the dalvik cash you will now lose evrything unless you did a backup using TB and backing up your desktops. Start from the begining and donot deviate... I used this how to link put the http: before address.. site wont let me do this yet. //galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-roms/how-to-install-custom-rom-on-rooted-galaxy-s3/ and it all came up and with my network too... yeah PHEW!!! was my thoughts... but if yours has now been to shop for so called repairs.. and now blocked.. freekin heck.. not sure what they have done.. is it not just your sim thats blocked?
What have you now got to lose... try it..
Loz.
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In all this process I have successfully gone mad. The IMEI on the box and my phone is different and they told me they replaced the main board for FREE!!. Mainboard costs a lot so i dont understand why would anyone do anything for free. I contacted them and they asked me to talk to the head office. they said its standard process and they cant do anything...Not sure if the police will do anything either. They have lots of other serious issues to handle than a freakin firmware upgrade!! Damn!
seedheart said:
In all this process I have successfully gone mad. The IMEI on the box and my phone is different and they told me they replaced the main board for FREE!!. Mainboard costs a lot so i dont understand why would anyone do anything for free. I contacted them and they asked me to talk to the head office. they said its standard process and they cant do anything...Not sure if the police will do anything either. They have lots of other serious issues to handle than a freakin firmware upgrade!! Damn!
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Any chance of sending it back to have the original board put back? Or the fact is if they have changed the board it's there duty to hand it back working or the phone back how they got it with little or no charge for labour. This really sounds like a scam deal you got here.
Loz
The only legit way I can think of to replace a MB free is to do a warranty replacement - in which case you should not have been charged the $45 either.
Police aren't the only option, but they are the most serious. It probably doesn't even matter if the cops action your complaint or not, the threat should get some action, but you should save it up till you have had no response on the other alternatives. And if they try to tell you the cops will not be interested, politely explain the cops might be VERY interested in criminal activity that the perpetrators think is incidental.
After all, even Interpol gets interested in phone scams of this nature. The potential for terrorists to use such altered phones to avoid scrutiny is enough to kick security into high gear, and if your local cops don't think of it you can always say, in a rather timid manner , I'm just worried they may be producing untraceable phones for criminals - I'm betting the cops would be knocking on the service guys door before you got to the front door of the cop shop.
But, before that you can talk to Voda or a Samsung centre and mention you got your IMEI changed and now your service provider has cut you off. I'd imagine they would be most interested in the details of the service people.
And you do't even have to threaten the service guy, just say, when you get no helpful fix, 'I guess I will have to talk to Vodafone or Samsung to get things restored - who should I tell them to talk to here to get things cleared up?'
Another question is whether the service place is where you got the phone. If not, talk to the vendor and explain that the service has done strange things to your phone and charged you extra for a warranty job (if that's the case) - they may want to change who they use for servicing.
I've got almost no experience in the phone side but after 25 years doing Desktop Support for PC's I can tell you that you are in a solid position - one way or another, these guys have done a shoofty and that leaves you holding the cards. Just stay calm and don't make threats, just comment about what you will have to do next.
For example, with the service guy, you could say, 'So I guess the next step is to talk to the cops - whoever got you the MB could be getting them illegally seeing the IMEI doesn't work. Do the police talk to you or do you have someone else who does the ordering?'
Your case Is similar like me but I am getting no service......no calls no texts after flashing UK Rom
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Journyman16 said:
The only legit way I can think of to replace a MB free is to do a warranty replacement - in which case you should not have been charged the $45 either.
Police aren't the only option, but they are the most serious. It probably doesn't even matter if the cops action your complaint or not, the threat should get some action, but you should save it up till you have had no response on the other alternatives. And if they try to tell you the cops will not be interested, politely explain the cops might be VERY interested in criminal activity that the perpetrators think is incidental.
After all, even Interpol gets interested in phone scams of this nature. The potential for terrorists to use such altered phones to avoid scrutiny is enough to kick security into high gear, and if your local cops don't think of it you can always say, in a rather timid manner , I'm just worried they may be producing untraceable phones for criminals - I'm betting the cops would be knocking on the service guys door before you got to the front door of the cop shop.
But, before that you can talk to Voda or a Samsung centre and mention you got your IMEI changed and now your service provider has cut you off. I'd imagine they would be most interested in the details of the service people.
And you do't even have to threaten the service guy, just say, when you get no helpful fix, 'I guess I will have to talk to Vodafone or Samsung to get things restored - who should I tell them to talk to here to get things cleared up?'
Another question is whether the service place is where you got the phone. If not, talk to the vendor and explain that the service has done strange things to your phone and charged you extra for a warranty job (if that's the case) - they may want to change who they use for servicing.
I've got almost no experience in the phone side but after 25 years doing Desktop Support for PC's I can tell you that you are in a solid position - one way or another, these guys have done a shoofty and that leaves you holding the cards. Just stay calm and don't make threats, just comment about what you will have to do next.
For example, with the service guy, you could say, 'So I guess the next step is to talk to the cops - whoever got you the MB could be getting them illegally seeing the IMEI doesn't work. Do the police talk to you or do you have someone else who does the ordering?'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what does a "/03" at the end of the IMEI number indicate??
Please see the following thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1918601

[Q] Provider refusing to repair or replace new phone

I had upgraded my old contract with 3 mobile (carrier) and got myself the Samsung Galaxy S3. It had just been about 4 months since I got the phone and I was happy with it. It was working perfectly with no issues or problems. On the 2nd of Feb 2013, I woke up in the morning to find that my phone had only 1% battery remaining. After making myself a cup of coffee, I got back to charge the phone but I found it had turned off due to low battery. I immediately plugged it in and after a few minutes I tried switching it on, but for some reason the phone wouldn't turn on. It would just go till the black and white screen showing the Samsung logo and then that was it. Thinking that it might have been drained of battery I decided to charge it till it showed 100% battery. After it got fully charged, I tried turning it on again, but the result was still the same. It wouldn’t move from the black and white screen showing the logo. At this point I realized that the problem was not something i could handle; I took it to the 3 mobile stores where I had originally purchased the phone from. The lady, whom I spoke to at the shop, did inspect my phone and tried to do a factory reset, but all that was of no use. After about 20 minutes I was told that I could drop it in for repairs by either posting it myself after getting into touch with the customer care team or I was told I could bring it back to the shop on Tuesday when they usually do pickups for repairs and send it from the shop. I chose to take it to the shop on Tuesday and have them send my phone to the repair centre. I was given the battery and back case for me to keep it with me and filled up a form for repairs and got told that they would get back to me in a weeks’ time.
Now here is where the problem starts...
Roughly after a week I got a letter sent to me by 3 mobile customer services. The content in the letter was...
"We are sorry to say there is evidence of unauthorized repair activity on your Samsung Galaxy S3. This suggests that the phone has been handled by a non- approved third party prior to receipt by our repair centre. As this invalidates your manufacturer's warranty we are unfortunately unable to progress with the repair."
I immediately phoned up customer services to let them know that I was not happy with these falls claims of a 3rd party trying to fix my phone. And they insisted that they cannot go against the decision of their engineer. And that they would not send such a letter through without thoroughly examining the phone. They person whom I was speaking to said that he had forwarded this to the complaints department and they will contact me within 48hrs.
The first thing I did when my phoned died was take it to the 3 store, knowing that I had 2 years warranty. I don’t see why I would want to pay a third person to fix my phone, when I can get it fixed for free by the 3 mobile.
The next day I got a call from this guy from 3 mobile who said he was a supervisor in the complaint handling department. I got told that their repair team believe that when they got my phone it was not in economic condition. And therefore they would not be able to carry on with repair. I kept on insisting that my phone has never been looked at by any unauthorized person. And I asked them to show me what proof they have to say that it was tampered with, to which they replied it could be anything, but they will not go against the decision of the engineer. I was told that they would return my phone to me so that I could give it somewhere else for repair and that they wouldn't replace my phone under any circumstances. I have told them to send me their statements in writing. As soon as I finished the call I went straight to the 3 store that I got my phone from. I spoke to the same guy, whom I had spoken to while handing my phone in for repairs and he said to me there is not much they can do at the store and the best thing I could do was to phone up customer care again and ask what proof they had to suggest that my phone got handled by a 3rd party.
I will be heading to citizens advice, hoping that they could help me in this matter. The fault that I had with my S3 seemed to be a common one , as I had read quite a few blogs and articles on it in the internet.
I just found out about this forum through a friend today. I hope there is someone here who can help me or give me suggestions on what to do.
Thnx
Search for "sds" you will find loads of info, precedence already set by Samsung, and nail those people with the CAB, they are your best bet, oh and ask the phone shop for an address to which you can send documentation as you wish to start legal proceedings...in short....You are in the right, you have faulty goods, they haven't provided you with any evidence to back up their claim you tampered with it....and point out that without dated photographic evidence they haven't got a leg to stand on.......basically harass the crap out of them and don't be afraid to go into that store and make enough noise to give them bad publicity, also tell them you are contacting local press!
They sold you the phone, they should replace it under the consumer act.simple.
Warranty from the store is not 2 years its standard twelve months .
Your claim is against the store not Samsung .
Separate limited Samsung warranty is two years .
The standard reply to this topic is that you need an engineers report yourself to disprove the sellers report .
If it is SDS then phone is repaired usually first case i have heard of rejected for the reasons you post .
TS may give you more advice but the basic is your word against the engineers diagnostics .
Do not as many have done with phone contracts and repairs stop paying the contract as al that happens is you still owe and get your credit record messed up .The phone is not part of the contract but an inducement to take out the contract .
jje
When i Phoned up 3 tech support to have my phone sent back to me.. the person whom I spoke to was able to give me a bit more details about what had actually happened. They claim that my phones software had been rooted and as a result their engineers( who were also trained by Samsung) could not access my phone . They said that it might have happened due to something malicious being installed on the phone or it might have happened when the phone had been plugged into the computer and a third party app being installed.
I don't really know much about phone software and routing. As far as I am aware, I haven't installed any malicious content on my phone , neither have I installed any 3rd party apps. All the additional apps on my phone had been downloaded from play store.
The guy from 3 tech support, told me that if 3 were to fix the issue, it would go over £200 and that my options were to either a) claim insurance ( which i don't have). b) have it send to Samsung, to check if they might have an different approach to the issue.
I ended up sending my phone to Samsung twice and here is what happened......
Over the past 1 month, I send my phone for repairs to Samsung twice and both times it got send back to me without being repaired.
The first time I send it for repairs; I got it back in 2 days. I was surprised that Samsung didn't fix my phone. They send be a letter along with my phone saying “That my phone had been tested with an RF test, which resulted in a pass, indicating that RF section of phone was not at fault. However, testing my handset with a live operator network failed as the network did not allow my handset to connect. They tried telling me that my phone had been blacklisted and network blocked by the provider. I was told to contact my provider for further details regarding this matter. It took 3 mobile a week to confirm that my phone had not been blocked or blacklisted at all.
I then contacted Samsung for a second time and told them that my network provider had confirmed with me that my phone was not blacklisted. My phone got send back to Samsung for the second time. I phoned them up on receiving a conformation text about my phone being delivered to Samsung. I did specifically tell them to keep me posted and to let me know before they send it back to me. Two days later I got a text saying that my phone will be delivered to me by 5pm that day. I quickly phoned up Samsung, hoping to hear that they had finally managed to fix my phone. But instead, I got transferred to the repair centre, who informed me that the phone had been sent back to me, but unfortunately could not be repaired as there was interference in the software. They told me that my phone was beyond economical repair and that I had to contact Samsung directly in order to get it fixed. I phoned up Samsung and made the aware that I was clearly unhappy with what was going on. Apparently the repair center that the phone was sent to does not deal with software related problems. So now they will send it to a different repair center (one that deals with software issues). But they also told me that it might have happened if the phone had been rooted and I clearly told them that I had done nothing to the phone. They went on to say that if the phone had been rooted, then there was nothing they could do, but if it hasn't been rooted, then it will be replaced. Personally I don't know how to root my phone. I have openly said that I'm not the best when it comes to such things as I have very little knowledge regarding such things. So even if Samsung were to tell me that they have found my phone to be rooted( which it clearly hasn't), I wouldn't know what to say to that.
I am waiting on Samsung to collect my phone from me now for the third time... Tbh I have lost all hope...
Would be nice to hear about what you guys think I should do nw. Thnx
Root is not a virus or trojan if its rooted its been flashed .
Root does not prevent access but it does void warranty .
interference in the software. >> really does not make sense as a service centre with software problems on a unit would just factory reset the phone ..
This saga smell like a second user phone that has been rooted and possible firmware changed . You have ended up with it from the store .
Presume you have no details of the firmware that was on the phone at point of sale .Nor your IMEI .
jje
I feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I don't really know that much about phone's software and firmware or any other stuff related to them.. But I think I may have the IMEI no. wid me. Are you suggesting that I may have been sold a second hand phone ?
If only i knew what exactly i needed to tell Samsung :crying:
Akhil John said:
I feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I don't really know that much about phone's software and firmware or any other stuff related to them.. But I think I may have the IMEI no. wid me. Are you suggesting that I may have been sold a second hand phone ?
If only i knew what exactly i needed to tell Samsung :crying:
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just suggesting its as a bit odd if its stock untouched and you have not rooted or modified the phone .
repair centre say rooted firmware modified IMEI blacklisted
If rooted is true then someone has carried out that task .
jje
Service provider 3 did confirm that the phone was not blacklisted . Would like to get any sort of advice on what steps I should be taking now with regards to contacting Samsung on further assessment and repairs.
JJEgan said:
Root is not a virus or trojan if its rooted its been flashed .
Root does not prevent access but it does void warranty .
interference in the software. >> really does not make sense as a service centre with software problems on a unit would just factory reset the phone ..
This saga smell like a second user phone that has been rooted and possible firmware changed . You have ended up with it from the store .
Presume you have no details of the firmware that was on the phone at point of sale .Nor your IMEI .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you not seen AdamOutler's explanation on why rooting doesn't void the warranty?
b-eock said:
Have you not seen AdamOutler's explanation on why rooting doesn't void the warranty?
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Click to collapse
Yes but i have also seen the Samsung letter that clearly states it voids warranty .
Plus i have yet to see one successful user report that Samsung accepted that root does not void warranty .
But the op has the choice of telling Samsung they are in the wrong even though presumably they have rejected as root is against their rules for the limited warranty .
jje
---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 PM ----------
OP i think your best to find out why warranty is not valid.
If its root or custom rom the reason then use b-eok post / adam outler to argue that root does not invalidate your warranty.
If the phone is rooted and you have not rooted then contact the vendor as to why was it a returned phone or similar .
jje
The way things stand right now, Samsung have arranged my phone to be collected on Tuesday ( 23/03.2013) . But i am still confused as to what I should tell them in terms of what I think is the fault. I'd imagine that they would know the causes of SDS by default. I guess this is what happens to people who clearly don't know much about phones. :crying: The only update that I had done on my S3 was ICS to Jellybean.
Akhil John said:
The way things stand right now, Samsung have arranged my phone to be collected on Tuesday ( 23/03.2013) . But i am still confused as to what I should tell them in terms of what I think is the fault. I'd imagine that they would know the causes of SDS by default. I guess this is what happens to people who clearly don't know much about phones. :crying: The only update that I had done on my S3 was ICS to Jellybean.
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Click to collapse
How did you update it?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
notification came up saying jb update avaiable, so i went nd updated it.
My phones gonna be send to Samsung today. Can anyone suggest any points that i could mention to them in order for them to understand that, it was the phone being faulty and not me doing anything to it. Is true that SDS makes the phone appear to be rooted ( with Custom status being ) ?
If that is so, then how do I explain it to them?
Just say its dead and you suspect eMMC / motherboard failure
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rootSU said:
Just say its dead and you suspect eMMC / motherboard failure
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Click to collapse
Cheers pal, will do.
There is a huge difference between warranty and limited warranty.
Basically the warrany is what your seller (not Samsung!!!) is required by law to provide and usually includes a phase (6months or so) where the seller has to prove you damaged the phone. claiming "rooting" as damaging the phone is btw not sufficient.
Limited warranty is optional and can have any restrictions the provider wants, including requiring you to sing karaoke on handstand every day and post it on Youtube. Limited warrany can be provided by anyone, but usually the manufacturer.
In short: ONLY deal with your carrier. Samsung has nothing to do with you and can charge / refuse repair unless they decide otherwise to provide customer service.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
d4fseeker said:
There is a huge difference between warranty and limited warranty.
Basically the warrany is what your seller (not Samsung!!!) is required by law to provide and usually includes a phase (6months or so) where the seller has to prove you damaged the phone. claiming "rooting" as damaging the phone is btw not sufficient.
Limited warranty is optional and can have any restrictions the provider wants, including requiring you to sing karaoke on handstand every day and post it on Youtube. Limited warrany can be provided by anyone, but usually the manufacturer.
In short: ONLY deal with your carrier. Samsung has nothing to do with you and can charge / refuse repair unless they decide otherwise to provide customer service.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
In the EU, if you can prove the fault is a manufacturing defect rather than user damage, Samsung would be breaking the law to refuse the warranty within a 2 year period of the device being purchased. It's the proof that is the hard part.
I would too always suggest going to the carrier first, but not for this reason. Simply so they have a log of your faults. However OP went to the carrier first and refused him under nonsense grounds. I do think that Offcom could make 3 UK evidence the nonesense they speak...
Got in touch with Samsung again. They said that the reason that the engineers haven't been able to fix it is because there is a software interference caused by installation of an unauthorized software. If this is the case, they said that the wouldn't touch the phone. But send it back just the way it was. I asked them to provide proof and I was told that the engineers would arrange photo's to be sent along with a letter, when they return the phone (clearly didnt make any sense to me). I got told that I could cross check with an individual repair center, to confirm about this so called unauthorized software.
Any suggestions on what I should do now? At this point of time i have clearly lost all hope that my phone will ever get fixed :crying:
Akhil John said:
Got in touch with Samsung again. They said that the reason that the engineers haven't been able to fix it is because there is a software interference caused by installation of an unauthorized software. If this is the case, they said that the wouldn't touch the phone. But send it back just the way it was. I asked them to provide proof and I was told that the engineers would arrange photo's to be sent along with a letter, when they return the phone (clearly didnt make any sense to me). I got told that I could cross check with an individual repair center, to confirm about this so called unauthorized software.
Any suggestions on what I should do now? At this point of time i have clearly lost all hope that my phone will ever get fixed :crying:
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Click to collapse
That is the standard reason they give when voiding warranty due to root custom roms etc .
Samsung's warranty is not the same as a vendors liability / warranty and says Limited on the packet .
Go back a few posts and you are told that root does not void warranty so i would take that path of pointing out to Samsung that root is not a valid reason to refuse warranty ( though i think as its an extra limited warranty it is ).
Or likewise from the vendor make a claim via the courts if they refuse it under EU law .
Initially it is the vendors responsibility .
Take advice from what was Trading Standards via your local council as well .
jje

[Q] Bootloader unlocking: Correct me if Im Wrong

Ok so ive read alot from the pro devs and people on the forums that unlocking your bootloader most "likely" wont void your warrenty esp. if you just relock it by restoring your TA backup and your carefull and clean about it but i have two problems with believing this. They are as fellows.
cant the sony apps just check for root and send a message
the service app knows if its unlocked and since youve entered your imei number to get your key again coulddnt sony send a message with your imei number
isnt the accounts linked between sony and google shared in the least which means the above questions can be passed on with google to sony
according to sony even if it doesnt void the warrenty that you agree to pay an additional repair fee for modified software.
Lets not beat around the bush and just say it would more than likly void your warrenty or at least have some cost. sorry if ive missread items on the forums but if i have read correctly or others have missunderstood as i may have hipefully this clears the air. Cause after all sony is company to make money but to make money they have to keep us happy so i am more than happy to admit i dont have a clue where it lies but i was about to unlock my boot loader when there was all these disclaimers which kinda scared me. my phones already rooted though so i may have already broken those disclaimers. END RANT.
Rooting is fine, as to my knowledge. It's unlocking the bootloader that you lose your "DRM" keys and thus lose warranty. But from what I've read, very few service centers check for that anyway. If all goes downhill, play the ignorance card and pretend that you do not know a thing about that. I'm fairly new to the whole rooting/unlocking scene and still learning, just as you. Also, from what I've been told, you have little to worry about if you have rooted/unlocked your phone.
As far as I understand you only have to pay if your issue is a software fault aka your fault not sonys. A hardware fault is a hardware fault irrelevant of software
I remember someone posting a thread about sony refused to service his phone without a charge for a hardware fault because of the bootloader was unlocked. That's in Australia tho. Not sure how somewhere else is like.
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jeremy.shi said:
I remember someone posting a thread about sony refused to service his phone without a charge for a hardware fault because of the bootloader was unlocked. That's in Australia tho. Not sure how somewhere else is like.
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That's about right. Australia's not the most customer service friendliest country to be in (with literally less than a handful of exceptions, and this is across ALL industries, be it hospitality or electronics.)
The usual immediate reaction to most warranty claims are "you've done something with the phone to cause this," followed be "prove you haven't done this and we'll accept it, unless we can prove the opposite."
Happening with me and my current phone (samsung s3,) which is why I'm on this neck of the woods with the forum as I'm looking or a new phone.
grungypoo said:
That's about right. Australia's not the most customer service friendliest country to be in (with literally less than a handful of exceptions, and this is across ALL industries, be it hospitality or electronics.)
The usual immediate reaction to most warranty claims are "you've done something with the phone to cause this," followed be "prove you haven't done this and we'll accept it, unless we can prove the opposite."
Happening with me and my current phone (samsung s3,) which is why I'm on this neck of the woods with the forum as I'm looking or a new phone.
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Click to collapse
Well, I don't know. Maybe I'm just lucky. Shops in my suburb offer pretty good customer service. Those people over the phone from my bank, NAB, couldn't be friendlier...the time I had really bad customer service was with Vodafone, but they were not based in Australia. I guess that doesn't count.
Anyway, if after-sale service is what you are looking for, get a nexus from google play store. They are pretty much like Apple I heard. They send you a replacement if there's anything wrong and then you send your phone to them, but you have the get the phone from play store directly in order to get that kinda service. Otherwise, you will be stuck dealing with LG.
I have received really good customer service from Apple, but I guess most people here are mostly android fans.
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jeremy.shi said:
Well, I don't know. Maybe I'm just lucky. Shops in my suburb offer pretty good customer service. Those people over the phone from my bank, NAB, couldn't be friendlier...the time I had really bad customer service was with Vodafone, but they were not based in Australia. I guess that doesn't count.
Anyway, if after-sale service is what you are looking for, get a nexus from google play store. They are pretty much like Apple I heard. They send you a replacement if there's anything wrong and then you send your phone to them, but you have the get the phone from play store directly in order to get that kinda service. Otherwise, you will be stuck dealing with LG.
I have received really good customer service from Apple, but I guess most people here are mostly android fans.
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Well I definitely think that Apple has their warranty service down to a tee.
I also think that Telstra's doing this too. What they're doing is creating an extra layer, where they just pretty much "accept" any errors, send it to warranty department to sort out and let you know what the result is. None of this "well, I think you're trying to screw the system, etc etc" talk.
Makes it alot easier. I was at the samsung experience shop and was told by someone who had no tech idea (in the tech/warranty support section, mind you) that I've tampered with the phone and there is no way it will be fixed under warranty, in an attempt to make me feel bad and walk away from trying to get a hardware error (power button,) fixed under warranty. When I tried to explain to them how the bootloader works and how you can reset the counter, they took it as an act of aggression and told me flat "no, you can hand it in but we'll know. Your risk."
I mean, there's no need for that as the phone's going to repair centre to get looked at but they just need to get that swipe in definitely doesn't help add to the customer service experience. But that's pretty much how it is for customer service in Australia.
grungypoo said:
Well I definitely think that Apple has their warranty service down to a tee.
I also think that Telstra's doing this too. What they're doing is creating an extra layer, where they just pretty much "accept" any errors, send it to warranty department to sort out and let you know what the result is. None of this "well, I think you're trying to screw the system, etc etc" talk.
Makes it alot easier. I was at the samsung experience shop and was told by someone who had no tech idea (in the tech/warranty support section, mind you) that I've tampered with the phone and there is no way it will be fixed under warranty, in an attempt to make me feel bad and walk away from trying to get a hardware error (power button,) fixed under warranty. When I tried to explain to them how the bootloader works and how you can reset the counter, they took it as an act of aggression and told me flat "no, you can hand it in but we'll know. Your risk."
I mean, there's no need for that as the phone's going to repair centre to get looked at but they just need to get that swipe in definitely doesn't help add to the customer service experience. But that's pretty much how it is for customer service in Australia.
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Saying about Telstra, just not long ago, a guy on WP posted something about their warranty policy. He said he was asked to sign a piece of paper to declare that if the fault was determined to be caused by the user, he would be charged for the service. I guess they just don't say it out loud to you. Instead, they ask you to sign a legal document that is pretty much an open cheque. However, I never had any personal experience with them. It's just what I read on the internet.
jeremy.shi said:
Saying about Telstra, just not long ago, a guy on WP posted something about their warranty policy. He said he was asked to sign a piece of paper to declare that if the fault was determined to be caused by the user, he would be charged for the service. I guess they just don't say it out loud to you. Instead, they ask you to sign a legal document that is pretty much an open cheque. However, I never had any personal experience with them. It's just what I read on the internet.
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Click to collapse
Sounds about right, and that's pretty standard tho'.
I think it's better that way because the techs make the decision based only on the phone they see, not the person who has it.
The only part I'd have a problem with is if they charge people automatically as opposed to giving them a quote first. But then again it stops people from "trying to get it fixed under warranty," if you know what I mean.
In any case, I was at the Samsung shop again today and they guy asked questions about the phone. At first the phone seemed like everything was working, which embarrassed me and had the guy asking if I got the phone wet, but then it started bootlooping, so they swapped it for another phone. I'm still looking at getting a z2 tho'.
hey thanks for the info but has anyone had any reports for hardfaults directly with sony becuase sonys websites say there may be a charge just for unlocking it but they arnt clear?
Why would one unlock the boot loader?
firecard said:
Why would one unlock the boot loader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To install a custom ROM.
grungypoo said:
Sounds about right, and that's pretty standard tho'.
I think it's better that way because the techs make the decision based only on the phone they see, not the person who has it.
The only part I'd have a problem with is if they charge people automatically as opposed to giving them a quote first. But then again it stops people from "trying to get it fixed under warranty," if you know what I mean.
In any case, I was at the Samsung shop again today and they guy asked questions about the phone. At first the phone seemed like everything was working, which embarrassed me and had the guy asking if I got the phone wet, but then it started bootlooping, so they swapped it for another phone. I'm still looking at getting a z2 tho'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to Telstra today to get my phone fixed as Sony advised me that the issue I had was likely to be a hardware problem. It went really well. He did play around with it a bit and verified the problem. He said I would get a brand new unit within a week and he didn't ask me to sign anything. Hopefully I can get my hands on a perfect one soon.
You didn't sign anything? So basically there's no official record of them taking your phone, hopefully all goes well but if not your screwed :-/
Hmm... did he even fill anything in on the computer systems?
Hopefully you remember the guy's name and when you came in if it goes awry.

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