Samsung Mobile Phone Servicing Stings!

[dctrs18]

I purchased a Samsung SGH-Z510 in Singapore 18 months ago. After 6 months the key board started to malfunction.

When I press one key either it does not work or repeats the same number several times.

I tried to obtain service in Singapore at the Samsung Service Center but they were not able to correct because this model is not meant for the Singapore market.

The reseller who sold me the phone in Singapore agreed to "upgrade the sóftware" and charged me $ 80-; but the malfunction was not corrected.

Now I contacted the Importer in Finland and he claimed that this is a very old model and not purchased in Finland and refused to assist.

Is this the Samsung Global Service Policy.

I have another Samsung model SGH-P300 and plan to purchase the new Dual SIM D880.

Please recommend what should I do?

[peaz]

Hmmm sounds like you bought the 'parallel import' (there's a term for this) stock and not original from the appointed distributors. For those, you'll need to go back to the same shop you purchased the phone for repairs and services.

[jasperchc]

I believe its like the Original and AP set here in malaysia. You cant claim warranty from the official distributor if you get the AP set, only from the shop you bought it from. But since the AP is usually much cheaper, its a preferable tradeoff for most i guess.

So if you still want to get a samsung for your next phone, then get one from the official samsung distributor for the peace of mind if you are worried about warranty claim and money is not an issue.

[peaz]

Ah yes... AP.... that was the word i was trying to remember. LOL!

[marc]

Originally Posted by dctrs18

I purchased a Samsung SGH-Z510 in Singapore 18 months ago. After 6 months the key board started to malfunction.

When I press one key either it does not work or repeats the same number several times.

I tried to obtain service in Singapore at the Samsung Service Center but they were not able to correct because this model is not meant for the Singapore market.

The reseller who sold me the phone in Singapore agreed to "upgrade the sóftware" and charged me $ 80-; but the malfunction was not corrected.

Now I contacted the Importer in Finland and he claimed that this is a very old model and not purchased in Finland and refused to assist.

Is this the Samsung Global Service Policy.

I have another Samsung model SGH-P300 and plan to purchase the new Dual SIM D880.

Please recommend what should I do?

Just a note. Most major manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung have region-specific service centres.

This means that only phones that are authorized by the local appointed distributor can be serviced at those service centres.

I guess the shop you bought from should fix it for you for free if it is under warranty.

In Singapore, these sets are called import sets if it is cleared by customs and not approved by the authorized distributor.
In Malaysia, they are called AP sets.
If the set is not even approved by customs, it is called underwater sets.

[Adrian Wong]

This is the problem with buying AP sets. If the difference in price is not much. Sometimes, it's better to just buy from the authorized distro.