Never Buy from Samsung - Consumer Theft

I would not purchase anything from Samsung directly. At least if you purchase from a store, you can call them and hold them accountable directly. This is not possible with Samsung, they can simply ignore you and you will have no recourse.

Purchased a TV and a soundbar for the World Cup 22 for about $5000. Soundbar never worked, sent in for repair twice, sent back "repaired" - same issue, twice. After a further 11 calls with no response or call back after the last repair I escalated to a manager and pushed for a resolution. Approval for replacement on 10/03/2023. Was told it would take 7-14 business days. Today is 20/05/2023 and all I get is "we will call you back within 1-2 business days" which never happens.

Heard nothing. Called and followed up twice a week ever since. Was told it was escalated, would be called back etc. Eventually refused to hang up the phone until I spoke to the VOC manager who assured me that he would update me soon. This repeated about 4 times. Has since ghosted me, doesn't reply to emails.

No soundbar, I don't have my money and every time I call Samsung I get the "will call you in 1-2 business days" response - I feel like I've been stolen from, from a massive company and it boggles me how this can happen with no recourse. I've had to lodge this with the Australian Fair Trade Commission, who have contacted Samsung, who have requested an "extension". Australian Fair Trade made it clear they cannot force a company to do anything and only a tribunal or court can do this.

Lifelong Samsung customer who owns their entire range from Galaxy phones to buds to gear, and I will never ever purchase anything Samsung again and will make sure I spread the word, not that it matters - I doubt they care they've lost a single customer.

Stay away, buyer beware. Straight up theft from consumer.

EDIT: Waiting on ACCC and then will apply to NCAT as I thought the ACCC may scare them into action but looking at the reports they already have on there, I doubt they will care. I've lost under $1000 but its purely for the principal. For others in the same boat, here is the link, they will make them pay, fee is $54

https://www.ncat.nsw.gov.au/case-types/consumers-and-busines…

Also, it boggles me how some are defending Samsung. They provided goods that was defective, took the defective goods and refused to return my money or give me another item. Its that simple. I myself have had good dealings with them with their phones etc, but it seems to be luck of the draw when buying from them directly and I will never purchase any big ticket item from them again.

The fact that I have to go to literal court to get my money back is ridiculous. Will update when I get my money back.

UPDATE: 25/05/2023. GAVE UP ON ACCC, LODGED WITH NCAT. COURT DATE ON 20/06/2023. LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME

Related Stores

Samsung
Samsung

closed Comments

  • +92

    Scamsung.

    • +1

      What’d it sing about?

    • +22

      I think "scamscum" sounds better.

      product review rating seems damning with countless commments with a focus on lack of support from a customer support.
      https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/samsung

      Many users here seem to have reported issues buying directly with Samsung. Enough to make me personally avoid buying directly from them and I changed to Pixel anyway.

      It's unfortunate many people are so quick to try and dismiss OP.

    • +3

      Samscam

    • +6

      Or SamDung

    • +1

      I have similar story for my S7 which was refused warranty by samsung
      ACCC ruled that advertising material implied water resistance due to the images and video shown (2022)
      S7 battery vented so i removed the battery
      ACCC advised to contact Samsung for Refund
      Samsung Refuses warranty saying phone has been tampered with

      My 10 year samsung fridge freezes things regardless on what setting the fridge is on
      my 10 year old samsung top loader has weak area on the top corner of the plastic tib rim

    • +56

      Yes, they have, but I think it is important that before a person purchases a samung product, they know the risk involved ie. it is possible they get a defective product and then are unable to get their money back or a new product - this is a pretty big thing and Id like as many people to know this as possible. If I knew this, I would not have taken the risk.

      I dont care if I get ignored, as long as Im able to prevent one person from ending up in my situation, Im happy.

      • +35

        If I knew this, I would not have taken the risk.

        Guess what, if you knew 1 person had an issue with a company you've dealt with, you wouldn't be dealing with any of them

        From your ISP, to your bank, to your car manufacturer, to the cafe you bought a coffee from… All have had complaints in differing levels of magnitude.

        Make your point, but don't spam every Samsung deal post because you just end up losing all credibility.

        • +33

          I've been alive for 36 years and Ive never known a major company to straight up take your money and ignore you. It is sad that this is normal for you. If I were about to buy a soundbar and I saw this post, Id factor it into my decisions when choosing against Sony etc. Im sure other more sensible people would as well, and Im glad I posted it in as many places I have and will continue to do so.

          Your argument is that you would rather not have this information is extremely strange. Good luck with that.

          • -1

            @trippy87:

            Ive never known a major company to straight up take your money and ignore you

            That's nice, i've had a major telco and major retail store take my money with less reason than samsung had with you, and got no recourse. i.e. they billed my account accidentally/fraudulently. If i'd known better at the time i would have lodged a reversal with my bank, oh well.

          • +2

            @trippy87: Adidas did something similar to be recently. Have your bank raise a chargeback. It will get their attention.

          • @trippy87: lost for lost pack it with faeces/ seafood / dog food and send it back to the repair place or the office

        • Guess what, if you knew 1 person had an issue with a company you've dealt with, you wouldn't be dealing with any of them

          Exactly. That's why posts like these are important to get the word out.

          • @trapper:

            Exactly. That's why posts like these are important to get the word out.

            In that case make sure you let everyone know how terrible Apple Stores are.

            You're missing his point. Every company will have dissatisfied customers because companies sometimes screw up. People only tend to complain online, so you'll often only see negative comments. It doesn't mean every person who buys a product from that company will experience issues, but plenty of people online don't understand that and come to flawed conclusions.

            If someone were to read that product review page on Apple they would stay far, far away from them. But we all know their customer service is generally great. You have to beware of echo chambers like that, and this thread.

            Yes, I'm sure you're completely aware of that. But have a read through this thread and you'll see many people who aren't.

            • +6

              @eug:

              You're missing his point.

              No, you're missing mine.

              Every company will have dissatisfied customers because companies sometimes screw up.

              And as a consumer it is to my advantage to know as much about these situations as possible. What happened, how was it resolved etc

              There is nothing to be gained at all by covering it up.

              • @trapper:

                No, you're missing mine.

                Your response to the original post misses the point that the original post was making.

        • +3

          OP only had one comment so far on Samsung related deal post other than this one, I wouldn't call it spam?

      • +3

        Look at it like this: you bought samsung and have stayed loyal - despite them being involved with many well-known issues such as exploding phones, injecting ads into TV etc and only stopped using them when you were personally affected.

        • Not to mention defective fridges and washing machines that catch on fire

      • +1

        Hey OP, I am in same boat as yours. I have been against Samsung since I purchased my Smart TV 4 years ago, and noticed they started displaying ads at the bottom bar. Then they got more aggressive and kept showing me to install Disney app etc… and recently I found out they installed Disney app anyway and I can't uninstall it. The message (Not exact words) "Sorry, essential apps can not be uninstalled". F samsung. They are dead to me… I mean forcing to show me ads is one thing, but forcing to install apps on the TV which I can't remove is another. They are dead to me. I will never be buying Samsung product either, even if they sell me their latest phone for $1.

    • +107

      The guy has had a very bad experience, who are you to tell him to ease up, everyone is entitled to be heard that's what ozbargain is for sometimes, to air out grievances.

        • +55

          You telling someone what they can or cant say is not an opinion, it is trying to censor someone on these forums, which imo is the epitome of scumbaggery.

            • +23

              @spackbace: Akshullaly "Dude, ease up on the Samsung comments."

              Maybe he's being vocal, but hey, it's his call. I mean, every time Harvey Norman gets mentioned here, someone pipes in with some sarcastic comment too.

              I've seen many other posters here echo similar sentiments, certainly enough to surprise me (thought Samsung would be good here but I am discovering to my dismay that some services in Oz are much lower than what I would have expected).

              • -3

                @rumblytangara:

                I am discovering to my dismay that some services in Oz are much lower than what I would have expected

                How fabulous are the services in the country where you are from?

                • +5

                  @[Deactivated]: Some amazingly good, some amazingly shite. But Samsung or any other 'big brand' electronics company wouldn't get away with the sustained terrible CS that seems to be commonly bandied around on OZB. The resolution times, good or bad, tend to be very fast rather than the drawn out sagas they turn into here.

                  • -4

                    @rumblytangara: Does your country not allow SM sites so that residents can vent their spleen over crappy CS?

        • This kind of situation doesn’t call for opinions.

        • -1

          OP is in the right forum and made a post sharing his experience on a substandard way a company handles critical operation. Your post on the other hand…did not add any value to this community.

    • +10

      I'm sure many more have had good dealings with Samsung

      I wouldn't be as sure. Samsung really seems to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to customer service. Like in OP's case, it makes sense to replace or refund the soundbar. My own problem was around the SSD rebates. They eventually paid but it was a real ordeal. Customers remember this rubbish.

      By comparison, I'm writing this on a Samsung TV, I paid a fair amount of change for and love. So why dent your brand by making the process when a customer does have issues so unbearable?

      • i've never had issues with samsung products or customer servicce…
        they helped me reverse a cancellation (not on my part but afterpay/having an expired cc - but instead of ask me for the new # they just cancelled the order with samsung)….

    • +3

      Dude, ease up on the Samsung comments

      Has he deleted some comments because from that link I cannot see where the problem is?

      One post and four comments on that post is not too much.

      • +4

        Mods have removed comments, yes

        Had posted on about 6 separate deal posts

    • +4

      have a vested interest in protecting the samsumg brand or just gatekeeping in general?

      • -3

        How's chemist warehouse working out for ya?

        • -2

          LOL!!!!!

          imagine thinking youre a big deal on a shopping website!

          …like a really big deal!

          • -4

            @franco cozzo: I know right, imagine ppl thinking others care when they rant about popular stores!

            • +4

              @spackbace: Well if people didn't vent their poor experiences, everyone would continue to buy direct from Samsung and also have poor experiences?

              Kinda makes sense that we should all be trying to help each other here, seeing as we're all consumers.

              I'm writing on a Fold3, the wife has a Flip3, we've a Samsung fridge, washing machine, TV… you name it.

              But I'm sure as shit never to buy anything directly from Samsung again with the absolute state their customer support is.

              I've honestly gotten better customer support from random Chinese sellers on Aliexpress than Samsung.

    • +1

      Samsung gave me a run around around 10 years ago with a colour laser printer. Ended up having to lodge a NCAT dispute to get them to replace it.

      So other than phones and SSDs, I generally try to avoid Samsung products.

    • I thought it was the squeaky wheel gets the oil?

    • +31

      excellent. what brought you to them? was it the paying for a defective product and never getting a refund or a replacement so you neither have the product or your money?

      i find it insanely strange that you are advocating for them in this instance, you are literally the consumer.

      • +14

        Don't worry, you're not the only one that thinks it's strange.

        There I was thinking Apple had the only blind, cult-like support.

        • +6

          Please don't compare apples with Samsung… One has amazing customer support the other may as well be compared to Telstra

          • +1

            @Sammy Boi:

            Please don't compare apples with Samsung… One has amazing customer support the other may as well be compared to Telstra

            There will always be people with negative experiences regardless of the company.

            • +1

              @eug: Some of those 1 star reviews are pretty petty. Complaining about needing an appointment to change a battery on an Apple Watch? It’s hardly a 3 minute exercise.

              • @[Deactivated]: Apple was sued, in a legal court like with actual judge and lawyers kind of way, and lost the case for their horrible ipods repair service. "Just buy a new one" they used to say to customers who wanted to repair their ipods and iPhones. This is apart from the planned obsolescence they admitted to. So no, it's not just petty reviews. Don't forget the broken keyboards on $4000 macbooks which became so big it finally pushed Apple to improve their repair program only like 4 years ago. Apple has its own shit going on. Sony was also caught consistently refusing repairs on their "waterproof" phones like a decade ago. It became so bad they were kicked out of smartphone existence.

                In case of this OP's Samsung experience it's a horrible one but I don't get to hear consistent horror stories from Samsung so it seems like a fairly rare occurrence.

          • +1

            @Sammy Boi: They say you should only compare apples with apples.

        • Because that's definitely not a blind, cult-like belief right there

    • -1

      A fool and his/her money is easily parted

    • +2

      Yes welcome customer #224670, we really care about you.

  • +25

    Pretty much exactly the same experience as me - ordered a "frame" for a TV, they delivered it and it was broken, came to pickup the broken one, and never sent a replacement.
    That was November 2022

    Not a peep of the new frame from them - have had 14 phone calls so far

      • +4

        Yeah exactly, we used Samsung points too so can't really do a charge back either
        It's the principle for us too, it's what, $90?

        But I'd never buy a new Fold from Samsung even though my last 2 were delivered just fine - just in case the same thing happens

        • +4

          Yep, I'm happy to get anything Samsung in future (I'll upgrade my Fold3 to a Fold5 next), but just never from them directly.

  • -1

    Okay

  • +4

    I have not dealt with Samsung, but have with multiple other brands. If you're requesting a refund, then it's usually pretty simple. They get the item, assess it, and then you get a refund. Not too long to wait when I have done this.

    Whenever there is a replacement or repair though, that tends to take way longer, and they never manage to keep their promised dates of delivery or calls. One ghosted me on PayPal on a return, so I ended up just getting a refund, and keeping the item, because they refused to communicate with me further.

    • +11

      yeah because its a massive company, there is no single person I can go and say hey" this email said this date"

      Its just me calling, and then the person on the other end saying oh we have no update, we will call you back within 1-2 business days. and then they dont. Repeat ad infinitum

      if this was from an actual seller, id have some avenue to take it up with them or if it was good guys or anything, id be able to call the store. But all I have here is a 1300 number.

      this is why Im saying if you have to buy Samsung, dont ever by directly from them.

    • +5

      I was told on multiple occasions, by different reps on each occasions, for both a repair or refund that someone would contact me in 8-11 business days….. 8-11 business days!
      That is insane.

      That's not even for someone to pick it up, that's for someone to actually contact me, which they never did.

      If you're unlucky to live somewhere like me, in Perth, I would have still had a wait time of 2-3 weeks before the item would get back to Sydney for them to assess it and send out a new one (another 2-3 weeks delivery time) or issue a refund.

      As trippy mentioned, you have to ring their horrendous support number every time and all the reps are like brainless drones and don't seem to be able to step outside of whatever script they're using, so you're well and truly screwed.

      Thank God for paying with PayPal though.

    • +3

      I've been waiting for Samsung to give me a refund for my S21 Ultra since the 29th of March!

    • +3

      Always avoid replacement, warranty and repair options. Just get a refund and buy something else instead.

  • +20

    Samsung management being terrible is meme level bad. I've never seen a company trip over itself so badly. I just don't get why it's so hard, they hire all these Indian call centers that do nothing it's just bizarre.

    I probably have the strangest case in all of Ozbargain history. Took them a year to respond to a return/refund request out of nowhere. And when I replied within 24hours it wasn't until another 6 months where money randomly appeared in my bank account but I still had the item as I received zero instructions on how to return. shrugs shoulders

    I won't stop buying small cheap gear from them but would never do big ticket items, way too risky.

  • +9

    It just show how much respect Scamsung has for the relevant govt authorities.
    They make more $$$$ ignoring consumers than being compliant.

    • +3

      I bet if all their containers got stopped at the ports and sent back to South korea they would start to understand.

      • +2

        why send them back?

        confiscate, auction, payout money to unsatisfied consumers.

        • Unfortunately these days connected devices probably have the ability to be remotely bricked based on SN/other ID. If they were smart, they'd just brick the devices when they try to phone home.

  • +32

    Same kind of thing happened to me.

    Ordered a 65" Frame TV off them Feb 15th - took 3 weeks to arrive.
    Arrived damaged, I contacted them straight away for a replacement - they faffed about for about a month and I still didn't even have a call from a courier to pick it up.
    I then rang and asked for a refund - same deal, faffed about for about a month or more and, still, no courier or anything.

    So I got onto PayPal, filed a dispute - they had about a month to respond to dispute - naturally, they didn't bother which was to be expected.
    In the mean time, I bought the same TV for $400 cheaper off JB and it was delivered in 3 days.

    Now I've got the full money back for the TV and, about 2 weeks ago, they decided to chase things up and look for the TV.
    I'm just not returning their calls now - they were perfectly happy to hang on to my money while I sat and waited for a refund and now, when the roles are reversed, they're suddenly a bit more attentive.

    Nearly a full financial quarter, while they had my money, and still didn't sort out a replacement or refund - unreal.

    I'll eventually look to get the broken TV repaired and Samsung can go and do one.

    • -2

      So the initial order was from Betta, DM, GG, HN, JB, JM, or OW?

      In case you don't know, that in Australia, there are agreements in place to not undercut local retaillers (unless EP, Retail staff etc).
      Hence why you bought it at a cheaper price

      • +1

        Original order was Samsung for $1580ish.
        Second order was from JB for $1100ish a couple months later, after waiting with a massive cardboard box sat in my hallway, ready for a courier to pick up.

  • +17

    lol at the samsung shills and gatekeepers…

    • +5

      Yeah it's quite strange. I dont understand why people feel the need to stand up for a billion dollar faceless company.

      • +3

        happens here all the time

        a lot of users here arent critical at all and really like to suck up to mega-corporations and brands arses…

        and all for free.

  • +3

    Sounds about as bad as Sony

    • +3

      Sony were one of the worst companies I dealt with (and still are), but the 'fruit store' have been the worst. Yes I have some products from the 'fruit store', as I am a musician.

      • +2

        I thought you could just walk into a fruit store and they will assist there?

        • As a consumer they will hopefully look after you. Given the excessive price they charge on their Phone devices, where the Screen, Storage, and a few other components come from Samsung. One of the other major components that has been supplied at times are batteries from Samsung, even after the disaster of the Galaxy Note 7 from 2017?

        • Ha! I had a repair appointment, still had to wait half an hour to tell me they wouldn't repair as my Mum's ipad was too old. They gave me a small credit on a new one, can I buy it now? Nope, you also need a sales appointment. Wasted half a day.

      • +7

        The fruit company is widely regarded as one of the best aftersales in the industry.

        • +1

          That's what I heard but I guess there are some bad apples

          • @reactor-au: Let me point out that in this case we're comparing apples to apples.

      • Why say 'fruit store' instead of just saying Apple?

  • +11

    I had similar issues. Took two months to get a refund for goods they didn't deliver and tried to collect back from me 3 times.
    The only way I got a refund in the end was going to their physical address in Sydney Olympic Park and speaking to them directly.
    Jose arranged a refund same day and I got my money back the next day, otherwise the call centre staff couldn't arrange sex in a brothel.

  • +6

    I have to agree.
    I had the exact same experience with my galaxy S20. Thought buying direct would be better for warranty issues, turns out they're so much worse.
    Exactly the same experience as poster. Basically ghosted and tried to push out the replies past the warranty period (also have they heard of the consumer guarantees act (I'm in NZ now)).

    I wouldn't make a large purchase from them directly again.

  • +6

    Another day another horror direct Samsung/Sony store experience. Hearing these stories absolutely helps others take a gamble buying direct through Manufacturers

  • +3

    Like Qantas, we have love hate relationships with them. It's a customer service issue and bad company policy not wanting to give in and management that refuses their call handlers to budge. I had a flagship phone sent up for screen replacement and it got lost in the void for 2 weeks (auspost) but something Samsung (who organised the shipping) took zero responsibility. I assumed it was stolen and got another phone.

    LESSON LEARNED for me is to buy their (flagship) equipment second hand (half price), or new from a reputable store and use third party repairers. …

  • +8

    forget fair trading, go straight to NCAT.

  • +3

    I had a very similar experience with Samsung refrigerator. Ice make failed twice, I calling a refund under ACL, initially approved by Samsung, then after I requested a cash refund rather than a Harvey Norman store credit they reneged on the agreement, but not up front, they essentially ghosted me on responding to e-mails and over the phone apologised profusely and state they have escalated to Management. Never again will a Samsung product be purchased by me.

    • +1

      Luck of the draw. Our Samsung fridge is going great, but last year LG had many customer service issues.

  • +1

    Thanks for that. I will take it into account for the future.

  • +6

    Pretty much what I've said for several years now, ever since buying a lemon phone and getting no warranty or after sales service.
    Since then, it's cost them literally thousand of dollars of sales, all over failure to behave well in the matter of a $300 phone.
    And of course I take every opportunity to NOT promote them. A stupid business.

  • +16

    I came here to find out what happened between OP and Samsung, I stayed for the spackbace drama. Wasn't disappointed. Just wish I had popcorn and a nice beverage as I was reading the comments.

    • +3

      Me too, this was a pretty entertaining comment section

    • +2

      I came here for the Op only.
      Your comment’s now motivated me to actually go through the entire thread for the first time,got no popcorn at home though 😞

Login or Join to leave a comment