All SPIGEN products 20% off with free tracked shipping by using code “EASTER24”
20% off Storewide (Including SPIGEN) + Free Tracked Shipping @ Pro gadgets
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This month my $160 Z Fold 4 Spigen case broke on the front after under a year and a half.
Not due to a drop, and there's no drop damage.Sent the pics to Pro Gadgets and they said since it's past 12 months they said they won't replace it and will offer 20% off a replacement instead.
I pointed out ACL, as the case does not meet expected quality, and they still said 20% off is the best they can do.
Sent a formal complaint with a deadline before I escalate, and they finally agreed to replace it, as they also knew it wasn't due to a drop from the images I provided earlier. I'm not bothering with Spigen or Pro Gadgets again, even though I trusted them for a decade until now.
I cant speak for fold cases (and assume it has a hinge or something mechanical that broke?) but Ive had iPhone cases form Spigen last 3 years until I upgraded and they still look brand new.
@Skramit: Nah, not the hinge. Part of the front that doesn't move, but the hinge touches when opening.
Pretty poor form on their end to require a formal complaint to replace such an expensive case.
I commented below with the conversation I had with them.
My conversation with them below:
Me:
Hi, my case just broke on the front top left corner (when the phone is closed).
I have no idea how this occurred. I picked the phone up from my desk and saw the thin piece that runs next to the hinge is broken at the top and completely loose. This wasn't caused by a drop, and I have no ideas as to what the cause could have been, other than the hinge part of the case rubbing against this area when the phone is opened.Is it possible to get the case replaced?
Them:
Thank you for contacting us.
We’re sorry to hear that you’ve run into some issues. We’d like to take a look at what the problem might be.Please send us the following information:
- A photo/video of the issue
- Description of the issue and how it occurredWe will review it for our warranty program. The warranty covers manufacturing defects for a period of 12 months from the purchase date. Defects are defined as imperfections or flaws that are produced by a manufacturing error. Accidental damage (such as due to impact, undue pressure or pulling), installation failures, wear and tear, and misuse etc. caused by the owner are not covered under warranty.
Me:
Hi Kat, photos attached.
As you can see, the case broke on the top left. This appears to be caused by the case rubbing against itself when the phone is opened, as evident by the damaged area also having a shiny 'sheen' to it, as though it's been rubbed repeatedly. The same is also visible on the bottom of the case.I ordered the case 15 months ago, order ID -REDACTED-
I understand that it is beyond the 12 month period for standard warranty, but would greatly appreciate it if the case could still be replaced. The issue appears to be due to a design flaw or manufacturing defect, and I wouldn't have purchased the $160 case if I had known it would need to be replaced after just over a year, as I do not believe this is acceptable quality.I am currently looking to have the case replaced, rather than a refund.
Thank you for your understanding and assistance, have a great evening :)
Them:
Hi NobalaKoba,
Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately, Spigen only provide 12 months warranty for manufacturing defects in Australia. If you’d like to purchase a replacement case, we can offer you a 20% discount on this occasion.
Please let us know if you'd like to proceed, we will send you some instructions.
Kind regards,
katMe:
Hi Kat,
Regardless of the store warranty, I understand that I have rights as a consumer that are not limited by the product warranty provided by the store.
This is a $160 case, so it is not reasonable quality when it breaks after just over a year, especially when upon closer inspection, it appears that the damage may stem from a design flaw or manufacturing defect, rather than typical wear and tear.
While I would expect a product of lesser value to endure such wear over a prolonged period, the significant cost of this case relative to the value of the device it protects renders this premature failure unacceptable. The case accounts for more than 10% of the cost of the phone itself, making its failure all the more concerning.
I am prepared to escalate this matter formally, if necessary, by filing a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading. However, I sincerely hope that such measures can be avoided through an appropriate resolution.
I request that Pro Gadgets reconsider its stance and provide a suitable remedy, such as a replacement for the defective product.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Them:
Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately, we have offered you the best we could - 20% off a replacement purchase. Please let us know if you'd like to proceed.
thanks
Kat@NobalaKoba: Fair enough. But sounds it has a mechanical movement (open/close) that ultimately caused an issue by some rubbing or whatever. Where as Ive only had good experiencves with iPhone cases that are static and lasted years and years and look new still.
@Skramit: Yeah, but if it costs that much you'd expect it not to be designed in a way that will cause failure in well under 2 years, or at least a replacement.
@NobalaKoba: Lol, reminds me of a jug for boiling water I bought a while ago.
It was designed so that water flowed out the sides of the lid on top (the lid didn't fit the shape of the jug properly, and had two gaps on either side, where boiling water would flow out, instead of from the spout, because the spout had a mesh filter which presented enough resistance to water flow to force the water to come out the sides when you tried to pour it out).
It's clear that a lot of manufacturers simply never test their products even once, as this product clearly posed a severe burn risk.
Gotta love most of the things that mainstream retailers (in this case Big W) import from China, without any testing if they are fit for purpose.
@BooYa: This is one area where Aldi is actually ahead of the others, likely just because the sheer amount of things they bring in, their quality control is better. You still get duds, but not usually of the magnitude of what you are describing
@NobalaKoba: You did almost everything right, the only thing I would say you did even slightly wrong was to say
I understand that it is beyond the 12 month period for standard warranty, but would greatly appreciate it if the case could still be replaced
I know you are just being articulate and polite in your manner, but I would have phrased this much stronger. I would have said straight up front it's unacceptable that a $160 item would fail on its own withing 15 months, for that money you should be getting a lifetime warranty, and what I mean by that is it should work for as long as you have the phone. 160 for a cover is insane, I would have baulked at the price myself. If you are going to dismiss their warranty anyway, just do it straight up front.
Keep in mind that not everyone has English as their first language in out multicultural society, and nuance is often missed. The phrasing you used kind of made it sound OK for them to say no in the first instance. Sorry if this comes across the wrong way, it's not meant to be anything but a detailed review of your statements, you are totally in the right here
I'm not bothering with Spigen or Pro Gadgets again, even though I trusted them for a decade until now.
I had a similar discussion with both Kat and Mia regarding a SPIGEN bumper + screen protector combo for the Apple Watch Ultra.
It was a horrible design where the screen protector would prohibit certain touches from registering on the device because there was a gap between the watch screen and the protector. No to mention water and sweat would get in easily rendering any touch gestures completely useless.It was a product design issue.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of unnecessary back and forth before they would accept a return.
Yea nah spigen used to be good, now they average to bad and brands like ESR are doing better cases than them at cheaper prices.
Thanks, picked up a spigen thin fit for my s24 for 23.99. Currently have Spigen Liquid Air, but had thin fit on my s22 and it was amazing how slim it is.
Haven't seen it below 25 before, thanks OP!
Was waiting for this sales to occur. Thanks OP.
Spigens can outlive the phones they're protecting
I wish I could find the Spigen case for my secondary phone (Xiaomi Pocophone F1), but nowhere seems to stock it anymore :(
I didn't like my spigen on my v30+, sand got trapped inside it easily (not going anywhere sandy) and ruined the edges of my phone… Sand size dents all around the phone body
However, the official Google pixel 7a case is a flawed piece of utter garbage and it's breaking too, so I'll give spigen another chance
Thanks to op, because now I don't need to wait for a $5 Ebay code for this purchase
Same exact thing happened on my Samsung S9+ with a Spigen Tough Armor case. Sand pockmarks all along the bottom and sides. I don't know if that was a flawed case, or if it would've happened with a different one, but it's a bit disappointing regardless.
This applies to any case. Ever
The case is just that. It's not sealed
what da heil did I just buy. as always, thanks Ozbargain. thanks from my bank manager, from the bottom of his/hers/theirs heart(s)
Will this brand work well with S24+ i got a bunch of glass protectors from ali express and the finger scanner doesnt work
I really like my Spigen iPhone cases, so much so that I've bought similar ones for staff to use at work. Thankfully, I've not had a dud yet. Whenever Pro Gadgets has these sales it makes them great value, too.
Shame about Spigen. Otterbox was fantastic for me. They didn't even need receipt or to send it back when my cover/stand base on my Tab S1 defender case snapped a clip. They just sent a whole new one from the US. Now that's service.
Brilliant. Was about to buy screen protector for my Model Y yesterday for $110 from them on Amazon. $30 off is nice!
Had a spigen cover on my last Apple Watch and it rubbed the coating off 2 corners of the watch… nothing caught between the case and the watch. Just a slightly uneven case
Thank you OP :) Very timely post, saved me a few bucks .
I used to buy spigen every year but this year one of the case buttons doesnt click properly, same problem for other people online so clearly they didn’t test the case with a real phone
case was the liquid air for iphone 15 pro
Any bargain, @Joancc?