Samsung - King of non-support?

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XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
It's beyond reason the lengths that Samsung goes to not support their current and prospective customers.

About 2 months ago I started my quest for a 64Gb or 32Gb version of the 7.7

Contacting the Portuguese Samsung Customer Support line, I was greeted by a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking operator (...you most probably don't know this but Brazilian Portuguese is not quite the same as the original language and, as such, the use of different expressions and pronunciation can turn any technical support exchange into a very irritating exercise...).

The lady was a-b-s-o-l-u-t-l-y clueless about what was being asked, so the inquiry terminated in frustration.

Since we are such a small market, I investigated a little and managed to circumvent the "official" (non)support network by obtaining the direct phone number to Samsung Portugal.

I've managed to talk to someone in charge over there and, luckily, things are on the right track now, as far as information for the Portuguese market is concerned...but only because I have "inside access".

...but, being that I travel a lot across Europe and have several days frequent stays in the Netherlands, I decided to contact Samsung Holland about the availability for the said models over there. I figured I might grab hold of one of the larger capacity models, while in Amsterdam.

Trying to get back to the Support phone line (Dutch version) proved impossible, as it features a 0900 number that is unreachable from outside Holland, so I resorted to an email inquiry.

Check out this "non-reply" I just received and tell me if Samsung is not testing their customers patience:

Hi,

I travel frequently to the Netherlands.

When will the 32 and 64Gb versions of the GT-P6800 be available and where can I find them in the Amsterdam area?

Thank you,


Client number: xxxxxxxx

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

Thank you for your e-mail concerning the Samsung GT-P6800.

Samsung offers its customers an extensive dealer and distribution network throughout the Netherlands. An authorized Samsung dealer (and / or distributor) may specialize in a particular type of product. They also have a difference between stocks and groups of products from Samsung.

It is also possible that a "subtype" of an article is not displayed on our website because it is in limited edition and sold by one or more parties exclusively with different product specifications.

These are the reasons we can't give an exact price, inventory and comparative technical information to determine, in relation to deliverability for the product mentioned. We therefore advise you to inquire at a Samsung dealer, distributor and / or retailer in your area (available via internet, telephone directories, information services).

For further question, you can always contact us on the telephone number 0900-SAMSUNG(0900-7267864) for Holland or 022012418 for Belgium, on workdays from 09.00 -18.00 o'clock.
For a quick and efficient treatment of your problems, we advise you to have the following data by hand: Your Customer number, your IMEI-number and the type of your mobile phone.

We hope to have informed you sufficiently.

Yours sincerely,

XXXXXX

Contact Centre Employee


Wow!

XK
 

TonyBigs

Senior Member
Apr 14, 2011
470
103
Lots of words that answer nothing. I suspect you were sent a form reply that the service tech thinks most closely matches your request.
 

burhanistan

Senior Member
Apr 14, 2011
837
182
Sorry, but I think you're being a drama queen. You asked the wrong department about finding a retail location for a product that isn't available in all areas yet and you met with some language issues.

Not really useful for a post here at all.
 

XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
Sorry, but I think you're being a drama queen.

For a senior member, you're quick on the name calling. Since I am a junior one, I hope this is not the norm around here...

You asked the wrong department

Wrong department?...really...?...The one and only Samsung Support line/email?

Do you suggest I go and circumvent all the Samsung European Support lines (...as I have successful done in my own country...) in an effort to have a clear reply from each country I might consider?

Since I've met with clueless support that even didn't knew the models had been announced when I contacted the "Portuguese" support number and now have been served this answer after contacting the Dutch support line what exactly do you recommend?...Drive to Samsung Europe HQ in Chertsey, Surrey, UK and put the question in person?

Not really useful for a post here at all.

I disagree.

Together with my previous experiences with Samsung (...the same kind of thing happened exactly the same way when I tried to procure an BR/HD-DVD player, the BD-UP5000 a few years ago...), this points out to a kind of "unsupport" people should be aware of.

XK
 
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GOF007

Senior Member
May 4, 2007
322
34
Some questions do not have solid answer.
And they can not just said "We dont know" do they?

Even they are Samsung, it doesnt mean they know everything about their own market plan; the HQ may not come up with the release date or release area yet so they really have no info to answer. And again they cant answer "We dont know".

In the end you get a lengthy reply with equal meaning to "We dont know".
 

Gaugerer

Senior Member
Sep 9, 2011
776
102
I think the technical support provided by Samsung on their Official Site and via telephone and other specialist sites such as their firmware site is normal for a large manufacturer but not outstanding.

The release information of new models such as the 32GB/64GB is probably only known to a few people within the higher echelons of Samsung who will release it when they are ready and that is no different from other manufacturers. However, as someone who is impatient to get ICS I understand how you feel.
 

XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
Some questions do not have solid answer.
And they can not just said "We dont know" do they?

Even they are Samsung, it doesnt mean they know everything about their own market plan; the HQ may not come up with the release date or release area yet so they really have no info to answer. And again they cant answer "We dont know".

In the end you get a lengthy reply with equal meaning to "We dont know".

Fair enough...at least we know how unorganized they stand.

Since day 1, with the GT-P1000, I can't shake this feeling that Samsung has kind of a "Tsunami" approach to this tablets things...They keep pouring and pouring models out, in "fuzzy" all-out-all-in" approach that even they can't keep pace and track of.

How difficult can it be to announce a model, it's various incarnations and, come the "D" day, have them all in the stores for the customers to choose from?

Apple does it, so...

...as far as the support regarding information about their product goes, in my continuous experience, they better get their act together or they will fail miserably short of the top Android tabs global player they're aiming to be.

With Apple in mind and adopting a oriental tone about Samsung, if I may: "No mater how much he may which so, a cat does not become a tiger just because he thinks he can roar".

XK
 

GOF007

Senior Member
May 4, 2007
322
34
Even App** will have hard time keeping track of the products if they have so much models and model variations like Sammy.

At the moment App** do not(or can not) release their products at the same time in many countries, and "not at the same time" means many months delay with no solid release date too. There is no official "The New iPad" here yet in Thailand and also many other countries.
 

XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
Even App** will have hard time keeping track of the products if they have so much models and model variations like Sammy.

Precisely!

At the moment App** do not(or can not) release their products at the same time in many countries, and "not at the same time" means many months delay with no solid release date too. There is no official "The New iPad" here yet in Thailand and also many other countries.

Don't even go there...there's no comparison.

Apple announced the 3rd generation iPad March 7th, 2012. They announced 6 models x 2 colors.

On the 16th of March it was released in the US. All 6 models, in two colors.

Since then, it has steadily been released across the globe in 55 different counties (Thailand will added to the list soon, as I understand it)

All the announced 6 models. In the announced 2 colors.

We're talking a flawless launch at global scale in about 2 months.

If I decided right now to buy one, I would have it delivered at my door, from Apple Portugal within 5 working days. No inquiries. No endless searches. No clueless "support" operators.

Just one of the 6 models in one of the 2 colors I would have chosen from.

...All I am saying is that Samsung really goes the extra mile for us, their customers, to feel alienated.

If it wasn't for the obnoxious format, the inferior display (for photography) and the "gated", non-adaptive-fully-exclusive philosophy behind their products I know which "buy" button, I would be clicking right now...

XK
 
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九千.

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
30
As cold as the reply you got from Samsung it seems to be, they are telling you the truth. 32GB and 64GB version of SGT 7.7 exists, but are not selling on global scale. I have been told they launched them in India, but beyond that I have little knowledge with. As it was not intended to be a global launch, a direct comparison with iPad is not quite appropriate.

For a heavy user like myself I think 16GB version is sufficient, though I wouldn't mind extra 48GB if it's available.:D
 

reverendbill

Senior Member
Jun 9, 2011
98
15
Dallas
For a company that exists to sell things, they shouldn't make it so hard to buy their things. They should have a database of products and where to get them. Not, 'I don't know, you figure it out.'

Sent from my SCH-I815 using XDA Premium HD app
 

九千.

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
30
For a company that exists to sell things, they shouldn't make it so hard to buy their things. They should have a database of products and where to get them. Not, 'I don't know, you figure it out.'

Sent from my SCH-I815 using XDA Premium HD app

I don't know about Samsung, but some other vendors operating on international scale would actually discourage their staff from releasing products information like pricing and availability outside their own region. This is called regional market segmentation, its purpose is to maximize profit on their own region. (Yes, I know Apple is an exception, because they tend to sell at perpetual high price)

Say, they won't want to let customers in Hong Kong know that they could get a 64G version in India for half the price of 16G in Hong Kong. (Just an example, not for real :))
 

XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
As cold as the reply you got from Samsung it seems to be, they are telling you the truth. 32GB and 64GB version of SGT 7.7 exists, but are not selling on global scale. I have been told they launched them in India, but beyond that I have little knowledge with. As it was not intended to be a global launch, a direct comparison with iPad is not quite appropriate.

For a heavy user like myself I think 16GB version is sufficient, though I wouldn't mind extra 48GB if it's available.:D

Sorry, I don't think you've read the reply right.

To the question "When and where would this product be available in the Netherlands" they replied by, basically, sending me on a wild-goose chase around the country (mine?).

This is no way to treat anyone in any kind of relation, let alone for a manufacturer to treat its clients.

I buy a lot of electronics and photography related items and, I can assure you, this is not the norm.

Once contacted, the manufacturers usually check when and where the requested item is available, or where it will be or, if permanently not available, informs what the limitations are.

...In fact, this was the very same logical and respectful approach I got from Samsung Portugal, once I figured how to talk directly to them !

It's just this "Official Support" masquerade that they have put in place that behaves in this unsporting way.

XK
 

zazonk

Member
Sep 30, 2009
14
1
hi, I also wanted to buy it from Netherlands but got it the last minute somewhere else. But I did find that dixons.nl had good customer support and actally answered my emails, give it a try
 
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九千.

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
30
Sorry, I don't think you've read the reply right.

To the question "When and where would this product be available in the Netherlands" they replied by, basically, sending me on a wild-goose chase around the country (mine?).

This is no way to treat anyone in any kind of relation, let alone for a manufacturer to treat its clients.

I buy a lot of electronics and photography related items and, I can assure you, this is not the norm.

Once contacted, the manufacturers usually check when and where the requested item is available, or where it will be or, if permanently not available, informs what the limitations are.

...In fact, this was the very same logical and respectful approach I got from Samsung Portugal, once I figured how to talk directly to them !

It's just this "Official Support" masquerade that they have put in place that behaves in this unsporting way.

XK


I actually side with you, but not in the obvious way that you could notice. I think I should make my stance on all these for you now.

The guilt in Samsung is too deep that there is no manageable way to right the wrong they have done to you. I was so furious when I came to the part where they gave you a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking support while all you were asking is a less Brazillian one. I would be pretty upset and frustrated if I were given a Putonghua Chinese speaking support while they they have full-knowledge of my Cantonese Chinese speaking habit. That is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y o-u-t-r-a-g-e-o-u-s.

You deserve better, but damage is done. If I were you, I would not give them the privilege of abusing me any further, by refusing to use any of their product, A-N-Y-M-O-R-E! They will regret having losing a valuable customers like you very soon. Mark my words. ;)
 

chrisrotolo

Senior Member
Nov 3, 2010
1,905
462
Corona, CA
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
same thing for me around the time the tab plus was released. I called multiple samsung reps, chatted online scoured all the websites. For a few days I believed there would be no 3G version with voice.
Until someone on Xda sent me the link where he bought his in malaysia.
Since then I have absolutely given up on their support.
I had even said, I understand the 3G version will not likely come to US, as the first one didnt make it, and I can understand that, but is there anywhere in the world, I said; that "might" (hint) be selling these?

they're a bunch of parrots reading from their computers or manuals.
 
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XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
I actually side with you, but not in the obvious way that you could notice. I think I should make my stance on all these for you now.

The guilt in Samsung is too deep that there is no manageable way to right the wrong they have done to you. I was so furious when I came to the part where they gave you a Brazilian-Portuguese speaking support while all you were asking is a less Brazillian one. I would be pretty upset and frustrated if I were given a Putonghua Chinese speaking support while they they have full-knowledge of my Cantonese Chinese speaking habit. That is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y o-u-t-r-a-g-e-o-u-s.

You deserve better, but damage is done. If I were you, I would not give them the privilege of abusing me any further, by refusing to use any of their product, A-N-Y-M-O-R-E! They will regret having losing a valuable customers like you very soon. Mark my words. ;)

Zzzzzttt...

(The sound a fly makes when, wondering aimlessly through the air, stumbles upon one of those bright blue contraptions.)

;) ;)

XK
 

XDAKhan

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2012
167
6
www.pbase.com
hi, I also wanted to buy it from Netherlands but got it the last minute somewhere else. But I did find that dixons.nl had good customer support and actally answered my emails, give it a try

Hmmm...it seems they don't have it, like everyone else across Europe.

For a moment I had some hopes, as some Swiss and Austrian sites listed a 32Gb version, but it was also a hoax. All the ones I contacted said they had none and didn't know when they might have.

Dixon NL has a very nice price for the 16GB one, though...Maybe I cave in the next weeks, while over there and just get one of those.

Meanwhile, the announced new Toshiba featuring a SuperAMOLED display is just adding more options for my decision...

:rolleyes:

XK
 

ikeny

Senior Member
Feb 18, 2011
386
69
Take it easy guys. If you don't like Samsung, vote with your wallet and buy an iPad. You'll get better support.
 

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    hi, I also wanted to buy it from Netherlands but got it the last minute somewhere else. But I did find that dixons.nl had good customer support and actally answered my emails, give it a try
    1
    same thing for me around the time the tab plus was released. I called multiple samsung reps, chatted online scoured all the websites. For a few days I believed there would be no 3G version with voice.
    Until someone on Xda sent me the link where he bought his in malaysia.
    Since then I have absolutely given up on their support.
    I had even said, I understand the 3G version will not likely come to US, as the first one didnt make it, and I can understand that, but is there anywhere in the world, I said; that "might" (hint) be selling these?

    they're a bunch of parrots reading from their computers or manuals.
    1
    In sensu stricto, yes.

    In sensu lato, no way.

    You see, what is allowed by a system and what is denied by its creator can also be regarded as "support" (...or the lack of it...), in a broader sense.

    XK

    There are two sides of every coin. Limited hardware and OS variants may be the reason why Apple is more successful in post-sale support. When Apple upgrade iOS, all supported hardware get the them, and get them on the same day. This will not happen with Android for a loooong time.

    However, I too like Android for its flexibility and customization. Just don't expect Samsung or Google to show you how to do that. As much as I love my GTab, I still couldn't believe how Android can get away with NOT providing a way for user to backup their in-app data (game levels, documents generated inside app).