Develop Bugs

Samsung warranty for UK/Canadian phones used in USA?

Does anyone have any experience with Samsung USA's service department to get service for a phone purchased overseas? Since it seems us GSM users are being left to kick rocks when it comes to getting a Galaxy Nexus here, I'm wondering if it's possible to import one without the worry that I wouldn't be able to fix it if it broke or was shipped as a lemon.

OJ in Compton said:
Does anyone have any experience with Samsung USA's service department to get service for a phone purchased overseas? Since it seems us GSM users are being left to kick rocks when it comes to getting a Galaxy Nexus here, I'm wondering if it's possible to import one without the worry that I wouldn't be able to fix it if it broke or was shipped as a lemon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that Samsung wouldn't honour warranties for UK customers who had bought the grey-imported SLCD version of the Nexus S.

OJ in Compton said:
Does anyone have any experience with Samsung USA's service department to get service for a phone purchased overseas? Since it seems us GSM users are being left to kick rocks when it comes to getting a Galaxy Nexus here, I'm wondering if it's possible to import one without the worry that I wouldn't be able to fix it if it broke or was shipped as a lemon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they will not warrant any phone purchased else where

This is my fear for importing the phone. Are there any other options? I really want to import this phone, but I'm very hesitant to spend around $700 and have no type of warranty.

nyijedi said:
This is my fear for importing the phone. Are there any other options? I really want to import this phone, but I'm very hesitant to spend around $700 and have no type of warranty.
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Click to collapse
i know with tmobile if you have there insurance they will replace it with a current equivalent. I do not see why samsung will not honor a warranty covered defect no matter where it is sold

BiGMERF said:
i know with tmobile if you have there insurance they will replace it with a current equivalent. I do not see why samsung will not honor a warranty covered defect no matter where it is sold
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Click to collapse
They didn't honour the warranty for the SLCD version of the Nexus S that was grey-imported to the UK.

oscillik said:
They didn't honour the warranty for the SLCD version of the Nexus S that was grey-imported to the UK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im talking here in the U.S....

BiGMERF said:
im talking here in the U.S....
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Click to collapse
ohh i forgot, the US is special...

oscillik said:
ohh i forgot, the US is special...
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Click to collapse
not saying that... its just like any other thing you buy samsung. tv, monitor , laptop, etc. 1 year manufacturers warranty on defects

BiGMERF said:
not saying that... its just like any other thing you buy samsung. tv, monitor , laptop, etc. 1 year manufacturers warranty on defects
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Click to collapse
yeah...which you would've thought would apply to the SLCD version of the Nexus S...but it didn't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_s#History_and_availability

ive bought alot of devices from overseas basically your localised companies will not do warranties, instead you have to contact in this case samsung UK get an RMA form then mail the device back to samsung uk and they do the repairs/replacement and send it back.
now as for uk stores some will handle this for you such as clove in that case you contact clove and they help you with the RMA process
i find it kinda strange no one has had to do this before or just says no warranty :\
having said that they will not honor the usual user damage instead you will have to pay to get that fixed (ie water damage or negligence)

noobdeagle said:
ive bought alot of devices from overseas basically your localised companies will not do warranties, instead you have to contact in this case samsung UK get an RMA form then mail the device back to samsung uk and they do the repairs/replacement and send it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this. This is good news, as I just want to be assured that if something w/ the phone goes bad, I'll have somewhere to send it to be repaired.

ATT rep said my recent warranty claim was the 1st one made?

Certainly that can't be right.
Nevertheless, I have to say my experience getting my bricked phone (my fault entirely) replaced throught the ATT warranty dept went very well.
They even included overnight shipping, didn't require me to ship mine back 1st and included a return shipping label for my crapped out phone. I made the claim Friday and received my new phone Monday 11 am.
Well done ATT.

Congratulations!
What can you advise me to do with my bricked phone? I bought my phone from eBay and I live in Israel. I think that will not be able to replace my phone for a new one. Only if I'll send it directly to LG. But will there be something to do?

Machzelet said:
Congratulations!
What can you advise me to do with my bricked phone? I bought my phone from eBay and I live in Israel. I think that will not be able to replace my phone for a new one. Only if I'll send it directly to LG. But will there be something to do?
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Click to collapse
Maybe LG but ATT won't do anything for you unless your a customer. And usually warrenty is not outside of the country you got it from.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA App

I think this particular ATT Rep was smoking salmon...I have returned 2 already due to warranty stuff and will probably be selling the next replacement I get...the rep at my local store wasn't overly enthused with the phone and said that was the consensus.
On a lighter note they were very helpful with getting this taken care of and doing so very quickly...
scott0 said:
Certainly that can't be right.
Nevertheless, I have to say my experience getting my bricked phone (my fault entirely) replaced throught the ATT warranty dept went very well.
They even included overnight shipping, didn't require me to ship mine back 1st and included a return shipping label for my crapped out phone. I made the claim Friday and received my new phone Monday 11 am.
Well done ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Machzelet said:
Congratulations!
What can you advise me to do with my bricked phone? I bought my phone from eBay and I live in Israel. I think that will not be able to replace my phone for a new one. Only if I'll send it directly to LG. But will there be something to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have AT&T so despite living in the USA, I sent my phone directly to LG. (I use an AT&T MVNO, so I don't get support from AT&T) LG repaired it free of charge and mailed it back. So I guess LG does something right.

fishscale28 said:
I think this particular ATT Rep was smoking salmon...I have returned 2 already due to warranty stuff and will probably be selling the next replacement I get...the rep at my local store wasn't overly enthused with the phone and said that was the consensus.
On a lighter note they were very helpful with getting this taken care of and doing so very quickly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what's been the issue(s) with your phones?
Generally, I tend to find local store rep's opinions to be, well, less than they should be. After using this phone for 2+ months I'm unsure why a local store rep would not communicate the benefits of this device as opposed to their lack of enthusiasm for it.

I don't think the phone is so bad...I think there are lots of great things about it. I love the screen, it has the potential to be so quick and snappy and really could be an all around awesome phone...I just realized the fact that updates were going to be a little slower towards this phone and it seemed like making any slight mod (firmware/rom wise) would work but had a much higher failure rate than I think anyone was looking for-hence my looking to move on...
The specific issues with my phone were a short or something that just hard bricked the phone without warning and without any mods...at all. It just turned off one day and nothing could ever, every be done to get it back on. Strange.... the second phone has never been quite right after installing a rom and the boot loops and not being able to reboot was kind of a turn off. Plus the speaker in the earpiece has been a bit wonky so I decided to do a warranty return and then move on from there.
And you're right...some of the reps seem to be way off from what's realistic...you can tell they definitely play favorites and seem to be very partial and unsupportive. But at least they were helpful!

kernelpan1c said:
I don't have AT&T so despite living in the USA, I sent my phone directly to LG. (I use an AT&T MVNO, so I don't get support from AT&T) LG repaired it free of charge and mailed it back. So I guess LG does something right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get your repaired phone back? How long did it take? Get me some tips what I need to do, where to send?

Machzelet said:
Did you get your repaired phone back? How long did it take? Get me some tips what I need to do, where to send?
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Click to collapse
I called LG Customer Service and told them the device wouldn't power up. (I had done a battery pull and it totally hardware bricked the device.) They had me send it to Stellar Wireless with the Repair Authorization # they gave me. I got it back within 7 business days.

scott0 said:
Certainly that can't be right.
Nevertheless, I have to say my experience getting my bricked phone (my fault entirely) replaced throught the ATT warranty dept went very well.
They even included overnight shipping, didn't require me to ship mine back 1st and included a return shipping label for my crapped out phone. I made the claim Friday and received my new phone Monday 11 am.
Well done ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exchanging in a store during your 30 day buyers remorse period is different than exchanging through warranty. You might have exchanged it several times in store, but to AT&T's warranty department, this is the first time. They keep track of how many warranty claims you make, once you get to a certain point they usually allow you to try something different.
As for AT&T store reps, many of them base their opinions on phones on popularity, return rate, etc. The Nitro/Optimus LTE is an awesome phone, but it isn't very popular saleswise.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

kernelpan1c said:
I called LG Customer Service and told them the device wouldn't power up. (I had done a battery pull and it totally hardware bricked the device.) They had me send it to Stellar Wireless with the Repair Authorization # they gave me. I got it back within 7 business days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One problem - I live in Israel, and in my country this device is officially not for sale. So I do not know how and where to call and send the device. I have no idea what to do.

AT&T reps were trained to lie to customers. I had to turn in my SGS2 twice for exchange, and both times I was told I was the first to exchange the SGS2.

Machzelet said:
One problem - I live in Israel, and in my country this device is officially not for sale. So I do not know how and where to call and send the device. I have no idea what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would go to the LG swebsite and look for a way to contact them about a warranty exchange or repair.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA App

Getting Galaxy Nexus on T-Mobile

I've been thinking about ordering the GSM Galaxy Nexus to use on T-Mobile since it doesn't look like this phone is going to be released anytime soon. I think I read that if I do this, in order to still get updates straight from Google I have to flash something? Does this mean that I'll have to root the phone once I get it?
Basically I just want to know what I need to do once I get the phone to make it work on T-Mobile.
And I was thinking about ordering from Amazon or Negri.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-GT-i9250-Smartphone-Touchscreen-Processor-No/dp/B005XYU45E
https://negrielectronics.com/samsung-i9250-google-galaxy-nexus-black-unlocked.html#.T2LZ02JWq0Q
Leaning towards Amazon since it's much cheaper, but would Negri be safer? I've heard good things about them. Any input would be very helpful!
Thanks!

No you dont have to flash. Only if you get the samsung firmware one. Gsm ones get direct ota updates no worries.

RogerPodacter said:
No you dont have to flash. Only if you get the samsung firmware one. Gsm ones get direct ota updates no worries.
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Click to collapse
How would one accidentally get the Samsung firmware one? By chance?
So if I get the correct 1 all I have to do is stick my SIM card in it and I'm good to go?
Edit: And any preference over ordering from Amazon or Negri?

Theres a chance you'll get a non "yakju" device (yakju** version) that gets software updates slower (from Samsung). You can flash any i9250 (GSM) model to yakju just fine, so it doesn't matter which one you actually get from the seller. It doesnt require root, just unlocking the bootloader. You can re-lock after if you really want to. Once you get the drivers installed (which can be annoying), it takes about 5 min and 10 lines in the command prompt to complete manually. No hackery.
As far as buying it online, I recommend Negri if you value having a warranty. The Amazon model explicitly says "no warranty" on it. Negri will let you send the phone to them and they forward it to Samsung Europe for repairs, as Samsung won't take the phone directly from you. This is for manufacturer defects only, though. If you want extra accidental damage insurance you get that from a 3rd party here in the US.
The Negri model is only $595. The CAN one is cheaper because they get a deal on them and it comes with a US-capable charger in the box (less cost to them). Don't be worried though, you can flash it to yakju the minute you get it. I bought one and it works fantastically. Functionally, there is no difference in hardware from any other i9250 variant.
No matter where you buy it from you will always be able to just put your SIM in it and use it. Flashing to yakju isn't a necessary step to use the phone. Because you're on XDA I'm assuming you might care a bit more than the normal user though, and for that reason I recommend you flash to yakju. Even if you don't want to root or mess around, flashing is a good idea so you'll be first in line for OTAs.

martonikaj said:
Theres a chance you'll get a non "yakju" device (yakju** version) that gets software updates slower (from Samsung). You can flash any i9250 (GSM) model to yakju just fine, so it doesn't matter which one you actually get from the seller. It doesnt require root, just unlocking the bootloader. You can re-lock after if you really want to. Once you get the drivers installed (which can be annoying), it takes about 5 min and 10 lines in the command prompt to complete manually. No hackery.
As far as buying it online, I recommend Negri if you value having a warranty. The Amazon model explicitly says "no warranty" on it. Negri will let you send the phone to them and they forward it to Samsung Europe for repairs, as Samsung won't take the phone directly from you. This is for manufacturer defects only, though. If you want extra accidental damage insurance you get that from a 3rd party here in the US.
The Negri model is only $595. The CAN one is cheaper because they get a deal on them and it comes with a US-capable charger in the box (less cost to them). Don't be worried though, you can flash it to yakju the minute you get it. I bought one and it works fantastically. Functionally, there is no difference in hardware from any other i9250 variant.
No matter where you buy it from you will always be able to just put your SIM in it and use it. Flashing to yakju isn't a necessary step to use the phone. Because you're on XDA I'm assuming you might care a bit more than the normal user though, and for that reason I recommend you flash to yakju. Even if you don't want to root or mess around, flashing is a good idea so you'll be first in line for OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Although newegg has a deal for the Galaxy Nexus $529.99... 90 day warranty. Negri and Expansys offers about a year of warranty.

martonikaj said:
Theres a chance you'll get a non "yakju" device (yakju** version) that gets software updates slower (from Samsung). You can flash any i9250 (GSM) model to yakju just fine, so it doesn't matter which one you actually get from the seller. It doesnt require root, just unlocking the bootloader. You can re-lock after if you really want to. Once you get the drivers installed (which can be annoying), it takes about 5 min and 10 lines in the command prompt to complete manually. No hackery.
As far as buying it online, I recommend Negri if you value having a warranty. The Amazon model explicitly says "no warranty" on it. Negri will let you send the phone to them and they forward it to Samsung Europe for repairs, as Samsung won't take the phone directly from you. This is for manufacturer defects only, though. If you want extra accidental damage insurance you get that from a 3rd party here in the US.
The Negri model is only $595. The CAN one is cheaper because they get a deal on them and it comes with a US-capable charger in the box (less cost to them). Don't be worried though, you can flash it to yakju the minute you get it. I bought one and it works fantastically. Functionally, there is no difference in hardware from any other i9250 variant.
No matter where you buy it from you will always be able to just put your SIM in it and use it. Flashing to yakju isn't a necessary step to use the phone. Because you're on XDA I'm assuming you might care a bit more than the normal user though, and for that reason I recommend you flash to yakju. Even if you don't want to root or mess around, flashing is a good idea so you'll be first in line for OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for helping me flash my phone to yakju. It was really easy I also listen to him and got the Canadian version from negri. Negri also has a coupon too if you google "negri coupon"

Ngo93 said:
I've been thinking about ordering the GSM Galaxy Nexus to use on T-Mobile since it doesn't look like this phone is going to be released anytime soon. I think I read that if I do this, in order to still get updates straight from Google I have to flash something? Does this mean that I'll have to root the phone once I get it?
Basically I just want to know what I need to do once I get the phone to make it work on T-Mobile.
And I was thinking about ordering from Amazon or Negri.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-GT-i9250-Smartphone-Touchscreen-Processor-No/dp/B005XYU45E
https://negrielectronics.com/samsung-i9250-google-galaxy-nexus-black-unlocked.html#.T2LZ02JWq0Q
Leaning towards Amazon since it's much cheaper, but would Negri be safer? I've heard good things about them. Any input would be very helpful!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on T-Mobile and ordered mine through expansys. It arrived with 4.0.1 and then prompted me about the update to 4.0.2. Also only order from expansys, the galaxy nexus has a 24 month warranty and if you have issues you just send it to expansys and they take care of the rest because this phone has to be repaired over seas for the warranty to be valid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I ordered mine through amazon/trd trading for 563 with 18.88 overnight shipping. Its the European version I think. Anyways after I got it I rooted and installed the kl1 radio and get better reception than my s2.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Thanks for all the answers! Yeah, the only reason I don't want to root and stuff is because I still want to hold onto the 1 year warranty just incase.

I purchased my GNex from Expansys for T-Mobile (I love the phone BTW) and I asked them specifically which version they were selling and it will be the Google build and not the Samsung build. Additionally, I was told by expansys as this is a European phone it is subject to European laws and they provide a three year warranty. I do not have that in writing but I asked the guy the same question three different ways and he gave me the same answer every time....

Birdsfan said:
I purchased my GNex from Expansys for T-Mobile (I love the phone BTW) and I asked them specifically which version they were selling and it will be the Google build and not the Samsung build. Additionally, I was told by expansys as this is a European phone it is subject to European laws and they provide a three year warranty. I do not have that in writing but I asked the guy the same question three different ways and he gave me the same answer every time....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Negri and they told me all their phones have the Samsung build, ugh
I've heard that customer service is terrible at Expansys though, how did it fair for you? I'm still trying to deciding whether to buy or not buy the phone, it's so much money... lol

Ngo93 said:
I called Negri and they told me all their phones have the Samsung build, ugh
I've heard that customer service is terrible at Expansys though, how did it fair for you? I'm still trying to deciding whether to buy or not buy the phone, it's so much money... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Builds dont matter. You can change it to yakju, and if u don't want to then you really don't have a voice in complaining because it's there to change, but you just don't wanna do it.
And I don't think customer service @ Expansys is terrible... contact Corey from XDA, he is from Expansys and personally posts here.
$529 @ Newegg is the cheapest... however warranty is only 90 days compared to Negri and Expansys' warranties. We GSM users bought it way back for $700+, consider yourself lucky lol

zephiK said:
Builds dont matter. You can change it to yakju, and if u don't want to then you really don't have a voice in complaining because it's there to change, but you just don't wanna do it.
And I don't think customer service @ Expansys is terrible... contact Corey from XDA, he is from Expansys and personally posts here.
$529 @ Newegg is the cheapest... however warranty is only 90 days compared to Negri and Expansys' warranties. We GSM users bought it way back for $700+, consider yourself lucky lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not complaining I'm just thinking it out loud really, sorry if I came off as whiny. I just don't want to do anything to void the warranty yet as I've read problems w/ mysteriously cracking screens and the like. How long does it take Samsung to push out the updates compared to Google?

Ngo93 said:
I called Negri and they told me all their phones have the Samsung build, ugh
I've heard that customer service is terrible at Expansys though, how did it fair for you? I'm still trying to deciding whether to buy or not buy the phone, it's so much money... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, it doesn't matter... any i9250 model can be flashed to yakju. Just get it where you can get the best price (or best price w/ warranty). Samsung will be a couple to several weeks behind, depending on which build you have. Just flash to yakju you'll be glad you did.
Also, it doesn't void the warranty to unlock the bootloader and load yakju. Its okay lol you can re-flash and return to stock if you want.

Ngo93 said:
I called Negri and they told me all their phones have the Samsung build, ugh
I've heard that customer service is terrible at Expansys though, how did it fair for you? I'm still trying to deciding whether to buy or not buy the phone, it's so much money... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very easy process for me, I have purchased from Negri and they were good but not great. I would buy from Expansys again in a heart beat especially if you have a clue. Ask them about the warranty on the phone and see what they say.

Omg.. I placed the order and then Google cancelled it for some reason. Now they said I have to wait 3-5 days for the funds to come back into my account and then I can try again using Amazon checkout.

Ngo93 said:
Omg.. I placed the order and then Google cancelled it for some reason. Now they said I have to wait 3-5 days for the funds to come back into my account and then I can try again using Amazon checkout.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you go through Negri or Expansys?

Birdsfan said:
Did you go through Negri or Expansys?
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Click to collapse
I went through Negri since I was buying the extended battery from them as well, I figured it'd be easier doing everything from 1 site. Ugh, this is such a bummer

Ngo93 said:
I went through Negri since I was buying the extended battery from them as well, I figured it'd be easier doing everything from 1 site. Ugh, this is such a bummer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue with Negri and Google Checkout. Use your Amazon account if you have one or just use your Google account with Expansys. Just make sure your CC company knows there will be a refund from Negri. As far as the extended battery why get what you don't need unless you end up needing it?? I'm 3 months without ever having a dead battery, I charge every night though. If you want to buy an accessory buy the desktop dock!!

Birdsfan said:
I had the same issue with Negri and Google Checkout. Use your Amazon account if you have one or just use your Google account with Expansys. Just make sure your CC company knows there will be a refund from Negri. As far as the extended battery why get what you don't need unless you end up needing it?? I'm 3 months without ever having a dead battery, I charge every night though. If you want to buy an accessory buy the desktop dock!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'll make sure to do that next. This is so frustrating though, I gotta wait almost another week before I can order this now.
Sent from my HTC Pyramid using xda premium

iwireless.com selling the GSM Galaxy Nexus...$699

Called iwireless.com today...and they are indeed selling the GSM Galaxy Nexus. They'll even sell them to non-customers, though they told me they only have one left right now, but they're getting more Friday.
This is the FIRST time the GSM pentaband has been sold in the USA, correct? This is huge to me, because it comes with a USA warranty. The last thing I want is to import the phone, and then Samsung won't even service it.
So do you think the iwireless version is the exact same as the world phone? Like if I buy an imported phone, will Samsung even know the difference, or will they say "sorry, yours is grey market, it can't be serviced here." Possibly by the IMEI number?
Very intriguing. I'm of course hoping that T-mobile gets it for real soon. Still waiting to hear what the SGH-T999 is. Anyone buy one of these from iwireless?
http://www.iwireless.com/phones_detail.asp?pid=228

699, lol? seriously?

Already threads on this. The price is ludicrous.

I work for this company and yes it's the same one.
I can't believe how much attention we have been getting. We are a small regional carrier and I understand we are the first here to get GSM version but I was surprised how many android sites had posted about our company selling the phone.
The phone is nice but it's getting old fast and I think it's overpriced. I will actually be sticking to my AOSP sensation...dual flash, 8mp camera, sd card slot, yum.

nathan118 said:
Called iwireless.com today...and they are indeed selling the GSM Galaxy Nexus. They'll even sell them to non-customers, though they told me they only have one left right now, but they're getting more Friday.
This is the FIRST time the GSM pentaband has been sold in the USA, correct? This is huge to me, because it comes with a USA warranty. The last thing I want is to import the phone, and then Samsung won't even service it.
So do you think the iwireless version is the exact same as the world phone? Like if I buy an imported phone, will Samsung even know the difference, or will they say "sorry, yours is grey market, it can't be serviced here." Possibly by the IMEI number?
Very intriguing. I'm of course hoping that T-mobile gets it for real soon. Still waiting to hear what the SGH-T999 is. Anyone buy one of these from iwireless?
http://www.iwireless.com/phones_detail.asp?pid=228
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine back in January from Fry's Electronics in store. Not sure how the warrany works with them but I had a problem with the one I bought and took it back to the store where they swapped it out for another one (new in the box) after verifying that it was a manufacturing defect.

Just spoke to a level 2 phone agent at Samsung Wireless US. The phones iwireless are selling are actually imported as well so they technically do not have US warranty. Any repairs or defects you might have will be done through iwireless, I'm assuming they'd have to swap it out or mail back to country of origin.
So we still have zero US support on galaxy nexus. I'm still trying to get my earpiece speaker fixed and they don't even have the part for it.

Its a small local carrier to me so they will handle defective ones just like any US carrier. They'll swap it out for a refurb and exchange it with Samsung.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

player911 said:
Its a small local carrier to me so they will handle defective ones just like any US carrier. They'll swap it out for a refurb and exchange it with Samsung.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if they are importing the phone as posted above you. They would have to send the phone to another country for warranty repairs, unless they refurbish phones themselves. If you get a phone from them make sure you have a backup phone for the month it will be away getting repaired.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Geez...what a rip off then for $700! The waiting continues...

nathan118 said:
Geez...what a rip off then for $700! The waiting continues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what? Phone is for sale all over the internet.

martonikaj said:
For what? Phone is for sale all over the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the phone to go on sale in the US and for Samsung USA to offer support. Have you not been paying attention?

Warranty Claim or Pay to Repair in the U.S.? Please help me. (SDS involved)

Hello people!
Looks like I might have become the first in the U.S. to experience the SDS issue, at least among those who attend this forum regularly? Because I searched and searched, read and read, and could not find a single sign that anyone in the U.S. has experienced this SDS issue and filed a warranty claim to someone/somewhere. I contacted Samsung USA and they said this device is not supported and they're not trained to provide the support to me, and directed me to their international website... I had not luck with their international website either, so I contacted Amazon seller who I bought my N7100 from. And they have not replied in the past couple days...
So I wanted to see if anyone here has imported his/her n7100 into the U.S. and happened to encounter any issue with the phone and successfully filed warranty claim against Samsung. If so, how can that be done?
Worst case scenario, I pay to repair n7100 in the U.S., who should I go to? Or do I have to send the phone overseas either way?
Many thanks in advance.

bump for help please :crying:

I did not import my phone, I got it from Sprint, BUT..................given the choice, ship it back to Korea for Warranty!!! Have you ever a conversation with repair tech's in most mobile shops here??? And even with TEP they will give you every excuse how YOU messed it up or dropped and and your claim is denied.
If you send it back and likely they will get you someone that actually BUILDS the note's, original part, or give you a brand new (not referb) Note!!
This is JMO! Good Luck!!

Thanks for your reply. However, who would I contact before I ship it to Korea? I'd guess I'll have to have Samsung open an RMA for me or something?

Hi
if you have N7100 SDS,,Usually You Need Replace eMMC....
I Have and i can replace eMMC ,,,Please Read :http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/9306319-post324.html
i'm product manager on RIFF-Jtag Box and I can do it,,,Plz Contact Me Via eMail or Sonork
[email protected]
Thanks

Thanks for the info. How much do you charge for the repair though? Also, where am I gonna send it to? Your location shown under your name or did you implicate (if you implicated at all) that you have stores in the U.S.?

How long have you had the phone? Is it within 30-day return period? For return/replacement reasons I only buy items from Amazon that are Prime Eligible even if the non-Prime ones are dirt cheap.

clearday said:
How long have you had the phone? Is it within 30-day return period? For return/replacement reasons I only buy items from Amazon that are Prime Eligible even if the non-Prime ones are dirt cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish! :crying: I've had it for well over 5 months. It wasn't prime even tho I do have prime membership, because at the time I bought it, only ones available are from all kinds of importers/sellers that sell THRU amazon. Even though it's prime (fulfilled by Amazon), im not sure if it's Amazon that you can contact for warranty claim after 5 months, because it is not sold by Amazon but only "fulfilled".
It's unlucky to say the least. It is essentially "mistake by mistakes" made by me. I shouldn't have assumed that there should be no issue like SDS on an Samsung device; I shouldn't have assumed that if something happens, it's easy as a breeze to just call Samsung UK to get things fixed; I shouldn't have assumed that the seller I chose on Amazon is willing to help me if Samsung UK and Samsung USA kicks me back n forth; etc etc...
Bad assumptions, bad luck.
If anyone had any experience with this, please please help me :good:. I swear I'm not gonna be so trusting next time. I will buy from a seller that's known to be helpful with their customers' warranty claim, i.e., expansys. I would even buy a carrier subsidized phone just for the sake of the proper support. I thought the worst case with this dead phone for me was to pay high bills to fix it and sell it to cover partial cost, but now it looks like the worse case is that I don't know where to go to fix it...

cswithxda said:
I wish! :crying: I've had it for well over 5 months. It wasn't prime even tho I do have prime membership, because at the time I bought it, only ones available are from all kinds of importers/sellers that sell THRU amazon. Even though it's prime (fulfilled by Amazon), im not sure if it's Amazon that you can contact for warranty claim after 5 months, because it is not sold by Amazon but only "fulfilled".
It's unlucky to say the least. It is essentially "mistake by mistakes" made by me. I shouldn't have assumed that there should be no issue like SDS on an Samsung device; I shouldn't have assumed that if something happens, it's easy as a breeze to just call Samsung UK to get things fixed; I shouldn't have assumed that the seller I chose on Amazon is willing to help me if Samsung UK and Samsung USA kicks me back n forth; etc etc...
Bad assumptions, bad luck.
If anyone had any experience with this, please please help me :good:. I swear I'm not gonna be so trusting next time. I will buy from a seller that's known to be helpful with their customers' warranty claim, i.e., expansys. I would even buy a carrier subsidized phone just for the sake of the proper support. I thought the worst case with this dead phone for me was to pay high bills to fix it and sell it to cover partial cost, but now it looks like the worse case is that I don't know where to go to fix it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about the warranty bro. By the way, I've successfully returned items to sellers without problems even when it was only fulfilled by amazon. One instance was an order of 750gb seagate xt HD, to which I received a 60gb HD instead. Contacted the seller, got no response, contacted Amazon and I was immediately issued an RMA.
As far as requesting support from warranty, knock on wood, I haven't such experience yet with items purchased from amazon.
Good luck man, hopefully someone can help you in this forum.

clearday said:
Sorry about the warranty bro. By the way, I've successfully returned items to sellers without problems even when it was only fulfilled by amazon. One instance was an order of 750gb seagate xt HD, to which I received a 60gb HD instead. Contacted the seller, got no response, contacted Amazon and I was immediately issued an RMA.
As far as requesting support from warranty, knock on wood, I haven't such experience yet with items purchased from amazon.
Good luck man, hopefully someone can help you in this forum.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the kind words man. If you have a note 2 just remember to update whenever it's possible and avoid ending up like me hah...

Hey cswithxda, I have the same situation. Bought a N7100 from Amazon a few months ago (around November) and everything was fine until this afternoon when it was just off. Tried turning it on but I'm just getting the dim red light that flashes slowly when I press the power button. Charging light is off and the phone appears absolutely dead.
A while ago I checked to see if I have a vulnerable chip, and it was positive.
Samsung's live chat said they don't support international products.
I might go to one of those repair places tomorrow to see if they can diagnose the phone. Then I might see if Samsung USA will even look at it, or else I might send it to UK or Korea?
What have you done since your phone suffered from the SDS?

Gordon. said:
Hey cswithxda, I have the same situation. Bought a N7100 from Amazon a few months ago (around November) and everything was fine until this afternoon when it was just off. Tried turning it on but I'm just getting the dim red light that flashes slowly when I press the power button. Charging light is off and the phone appears absolutely dead.
A while ago I checked to see if I have a vulnerable chip, and it was positive.
Samsung's live chat said they don't support international products.
I might go to one of those repair places tomorrow to see if they can diagnose the phone. Then I might see if Samsung USA will even look at it, or else I might send it to UK or Korea?
What have you done since your phone suffered from the SDS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about your unlucky situation.
By repair places, do you mean Samsung support center or something? I talked to Samsung USA also and they wouldn't even talk to me if I tell them the model number (n7100). So I really don't know where I should go now. I contacted original seller and the help was minimal (telling me to contact Samsung).
I would like to send it to either UK or Korea, as long as it can be repaired, or even better, if it can be repaired under warranty.
Let me know what you find out with repair places.
Also, I did not know about SDS after my phone's dead. So I had been suffering from hangs/freezes but thought it was only software problem and was being lazy about re-flashing it. I wish I'd come here more often when the phone was in a good condition, not after it died... Anyway, after I got to know that it's been SDS'd, I contacted seller, SamUK, SamUSA without any luck. It is just amazing how much we are unsupported in this situation. As large as Samsung has become, how hard can it be for them to just provide global repair services (if not warranty services)

BABAK236 said:
Hi
if you have N7100 SDS,,Usually You Need Replace eMMC....
I Have and i can replace eMMC ,,,Please Read :http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/9306319-post324.html
i'm product manager on RIFF-Jtag Box and I can do it,,,Plz Contact Me Via eMail or Sonork
[email protected]
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$150 for an emmc chip?
How much does whole motherboard itself cost

I'm about to go to a phone repair place for a diagnostic test and see if they can do anything. I'll let you know what I find.
I was surprised to read that Samsung UK didn't wasn't helpful, since this phone is sold there. As a last-case scenario I was thinking of sending my phone to a friend over there and sending it in for repair.

Okay, as of today I sent the phone to a friend in the UK who was kind enough to let me use his address. It really sucks from having the best, most powerful phone to nothing, but I will likely pick up a Nexus 4 to use. I don't regret purchasing the phone since I wanted to have the best and it needed to be unlocked, but in the future I will be more cautious about buying one without local warranty.
I just hope the phone is 'dead' enough so the fact that I rooted it isn't detected.
What have you done with yours? I imagine it'll take ~2 weeks for my package to get shipped across the pond, and then I'll calculate 1.5 months for repair. I'll keep you posted on how it goes; maybe it's an option to get yours repaired there too?

Gordon. said:
Okay, as of today I sent the phone to a friend in the UK who was kind enough to let me use his address. It really sucks from having the best, most powerful phone to nothing, but I will likely pick up a Nexus 4 to use. I don't regret purchasing the phone since I wanted to have the best and it needed to be unlocked, but in the future I will be more cautious about buying one without local warranty.
I just hope the phone is 'dead' enough so the fact that I rooted it isn't detected.
What have you done with yours? I imagine it'll take ~2 weeks for my package to get shipped across the pond, and then I'll calculate 1.5 months for repair. I'll keep you posted on how it goes; maybe it's an option to get yours repaired there too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a nexus 4 as well lol. I really needed a phone and it was cheap! :good: The experience has been as good as on N7100. 4.2.2 is even smoother now.
I have been caught up with school works and sth else in life, so I haven't really tried anything else yet. Samsung UK sent me an email that I cannot reply (automated email system), gave me a link to the list of Samsung regional supports (hell, they think I cannot find that on my own?!), and nothing more. Samsung USA just slammed the door in my face, basically saying "no, good luck" when I tried live support on their website. So now I am still trying to get my original seller into this and help me, but they haven't replied in the past 2 weeks.
I wish I had a friend in UK!
BTW, when you bought your phone thru Amazon, did you notice where the phone came from? I'm not sure where my came from now.. It has German, French, and Italian user guide in it, but on the warranty card, it seems to be written in German and Slovenian. And Samsung Electronics Austria GmbH is the only thing I can read (those long, long german words are giving me a headache :silly: ) It talked about three regions - Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland (thanks to Google Translate). So it looks like this phone might come from Austria. I am not sure if it still can be sent to UK for repair.

Well my friend in the UK really only has to drop it in his mail and then accept it when it comes back. I'll let you know how it goes because he might be able to help you too. I'm pretty sure mine came from California (Amazon seller WorldWide Distributors). But the firmware version on the phone was from Brazil or Panama.
I made an account on Samsung UK's site and it accepted the model number, serial number and IMEI number so despite not being from the region, it should be good. Did you do anything to your phone just before it died? I think that installing MIUI with kernel 4.1.1 was the insult that triggered it all for me. I should've realized the vulnerability but assumed the newest version would have the SDS fix included.
I was thinking about bringing it to a cell phone repair place for diagnosis, but it didn't have water damage or broken screen so I doubt they could have helped.
Being optimistic, not having a good cell phone is really allowing me to focus on my final USMLE studies!

Gordon. said:
Well my friend in the UK really only has to drop it in his mail and then accept it when it comes back. I'll let you know how it goes because he might be able to help you too. I'm pretty sure mine came from California (Amazon seller WorldWide Distributors). But the firmware version on the phone was from Brazil or Panama.
I made an account on Samsung UK's site and it accepted the model number, serial number and IMEI number so despite not being from the region, it should be good. Did you do anything to your phone just before it died? I think that installing MIUI with kernel 4.1.1 was the insult that triggered it all for me. I should've realized the vulnerability but assumed the newest version would have the SDS fix included.
I was thinking about bringing it to a cell phone repair place for diagnosis, but it didn't have water damage or broken screen so I doubt they could have helped.
Being optimistic, not having a good cell phone is really allowing me to focus on my final USMLE studies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW good luck with the exam, i used to do premed but changed my major my GPA wasn't good enough
Anyway, that's for sure a better news. It looks like Samsung UK does not screen off phone bought outside of UK support region (if yours was from Mid/latin america.
Please definitely update this, if this works out I'll follow your path. Thanks for being the first in this case and helping the rest of us!

Gordon. said:
Hey cswithxda, I have the same situation. Bought a N7100 from Amazon a few months ago (around November) and everything was fine until this afternoon when it was just off. Tried turning it on but I'm just getting the dim red light that flashes slowly when I press the power button. Charging light is off and the phone appears absolutely dead.
A while ago I checked to see if I have a vulnerable chip, and it was positive.
Samsung's live chat said they don't support international products.
I might go to one of those repair places tomorrow to see if they can diagnose the phone. Then I might see if Samsung USA will even look at it, or else I might send it to UK or Korea?
What have you done since your phone suffered from the SDS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you check for vulnerable chip?

Gordon. said:
I made an account on Samsung UK's site and it accepted the model number, serial number and IMEI number so despite not being from the region, it should be good. Did you do anything to your phone just before it died? I think that installing MIUI with kernel 4.1.1 was the insult that triggered it all for me. I should've realized the vulnerability but assumed the newest version would have the SDS fix included.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh btw, I don't think anything triggered the issue, it was just there from the beginning I didn't even install anything new for at least 2 months before the phone died. Just normal daily use - web browsing, call, SMS, mobile IM, etc. I did start experiencing random freezes about 2 weeks before the phone died, and it became much more frequent towards the end of its life.
clearday said:
How did you check for vulnerable chip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search "SDS xda" on google, and you'll find a ton of info. I didn't know about this issue before my phone died, so I never bothered to check if the chip in my phone was defective hehe..