Customer Drags Samsung to SON Over Warranty

• Customer Drags Samsung to SON Over Warranty

A customer of Samsung Electronics, Dan Aibangbe, has written a petition to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) over a product he bought from the South Korea original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

The petition dated July 24, was on a product, Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 351692/09/348434/2, he bought from Lummy Communications.

“Incidentally, the product developed a major fault, i.e blank out completely within a short period of three and half months.

“This incident occurred very early within the two- year warranty period offered as part of the sale condition and I returned same to Samsung Channel Partner who examined it and advised that I take the product straight to Samsung Service Centre to avoid delay.

“On the same day as advised, I took the product to Samsung Service Centre where it was received with receipt number 0004453 on warranty condition.

“However, to my disbelief, I was called over the phone the next day by one Tayo, Samsung Regional Manager on 08129459001, 012341701. He told me that liquid was found inside the phone and that I am required to pay N41, 500 to repair the defective part,” the petition read in part.

He said throughout the period he used the phone, it did not come in contact with water or any other liquid. He said the phone was not opened in his presence and therefore, doubted the veracity of Samsung’s claims.

“Therefore, I appeal to you to use your office to properly advice as to my right as a consumer and as well assist me in redressing the situation, bearing in mind that this device is a major tool of my trade. I bought the phone despite its relative high cost based on my belief about its high quality and promised durability.

“I cannot afford lengthy delay in a repair or replacement. Already, the device has been in Samsung’s possession for over four weeks with no favourable response. As a result, I have lost uncountable business calls and usual opportunities, which by my calculation, amounted to over N20 million.

“I am convinced that the action of Samsung is a deliberate attempt to void the device’s warranty and compel me to pay for the repairs. This is evidently what Nigerians go through in the hands of Samsung on a regular basis.

“It is beyond argument that Samsung deliberately flouts the laws of the land in order to keep exploiting and extorting money from Nigerians, whereas it cannot do the same in its mother country or in Europe and America,” Aibangbe said.

He urged the regulator to investigate the likelihood of Samsung ripping off Nigerians through the distribution and sale of sub- standard models of their device offering, adding that the number of people he met with similar complains on the day of his visit to Samsung was massive.

Efforts to get the reaction of Samsung proved futile as calls to its Managing Director, Bravo Kim, fell through while the email that was sent to him failed to deliver.