Warranty support for my Pixel 2 XL is the worst I've ever experienced...

[DracoDan]

I love my Pixel (and Nexus before it) phones, but based on my most recent experience with the Google "customer support" I think this will sadly be my last.

Like so many others my USB-C port has failed. At this point I can get no data across it and 90% of the time I try charging the phone it either starts cycling charging/not charging or just crashes. Oddly it is able to charge (slowly) when it's off. Needless to say it's been a battle keeping it charged and the inability to use Android Auto sucks.

I opened a case with Google support (July 15th) where I got bounced around 4 times and had to keep explaining the problem to each person. Finally the case was "escalated" to an engineer to determine if the phone should be replaced under warranty. Unfortunately it's not possible to talk to anyone in that department by voice or chat, my only contact has been with "Shane" from google support via Email. I haven't heard back from him in 8 days now and "he" just ignores all my emails.

Amusingly I did receive a support survey yesterday asking how my service experience was... I wasn't exactly nice on it.

BTW, I did buy into the "Preferred Care" scam when I bought the phone (at full retail), but now I'm told that in order to use that I will have to pay the deductible to have my poorly built phone replaced...

</vent>

 

[DracoDan]

I should mention that yes, I cleaned the connector. I used 91% isopropyl alcohol and a dental brush to clean it extensively (tried multiple times now).

 

[aoaleman]

You tried multiple cables, right? Just double checking.

 

[DracoDan]

You tried multiple cables, right? Just double checking.

multiple cables and multiple chargers, including the originals.

 

[aoaleman]

multiple cables and multiple chargers, including the originals.

Wow, sorry to read that. Hope something gets resolved.

 

[Nichie]

Luckily over here in my country there is a authorised physical repair shop. Had touch issues with my 2xl.

Sent the phone in on Friday 7pm, got it back fixed on Saturday 12noon. Don't even need to go thru Google web support

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Edmontonchef]

I had the same problem a year in and brought it back to the Telus store. They ended up giving me a new one instead of replacing the port. Apparently it was still covered under the manufacturer's warranty.
I could charge fine but couldn't transfer files or connect to the computer. Strangely I could still use a type c thumb drive and flash ROMs no problem.

 

[lywyn]

I recently RMA'd my phone under the standard 2-year warranty. After the July update, my phone would not charge of the official charger and when plugged in to it, it would turn off the phone. Tried various plugs/cable combos and finally got an old LG plug and cable to charge it. Had to be off and took 8 hours to fully charge.

Used the support option on the phone for a callback. Tried the usual, safe mode, factory reset. Twenty minutes later I received an email with label and details on how to return the phone. The process was easy and they were great about it.

It may be worth talking about how all this started after the July update, there might be something in that to get them to swap it.

 

[DracoDan]

I recently RMA'd my phone under the standard 2-year warranty. After the July update, my phone would not charge of the official charger and when plugged in to it, it would turn off the phone. Tried various plugs/cable combos and finally got an old LG plug and cable to charge it. Had to be off and took 8 hours to fully charge.

Used the support option on the phone for a callback. Tried the usual, safe mode, factory reset. Twenty minutes later I received an email with label and details on how to return the phone. The process was easy and they were great about it.

It may be worth talking about how all this started after the July update, there might be something in that to get them to swap it.

I think it's too late for that, I already told them it started after getting my phone a tiny bit wet... Even though it's supposed to be IP67 rated and I made sure it was dry and waited ~8 hours before trying to charge it!

 

[drsuse]

I have had the exact same problem as you. It was just weird that my USB c to headphone jack didn't work, so I just chalked it up to it being something wrong with the connector. but I plugged it into my Samsung Galaxy note 9 and it worked fine. I then had an issue with the charging, I had it plugged in the whole time and look at it a little bit later and it's completely black. I have to hold the power button down for 20 seconds or so and eventually it would power back up but the battery would be dead. So I assumed it was a bad cable so I replaced the cable and even started using the one that came with it. Well after upgrading to Android q I noticed that I could see a little bit of burn in. So I read some of the forums about people who are getting replacements for that issue. I went to my pixel 2 XL, went to the settings, and opened up the chat from there. I spoke to someone, and told them that I had a Verizon pixel 2 XL that had burn in and I have never dropped it or had it in water. She had me send a picture of the front and back of it which I did. She asked me where I purchased it. I'm almost positive I purchased it at the Verizon store, but I was not sure so I told her I think it was Best buy but I wasn't sure. She said she needed the IMEI, and once I gave it to her she said the warranty was up in November of 2019. And that she would do a exchange with me. So I got the RMA information and I'm going to send it off. She said 5 to 10 business days is the usual turn around. But I'm in Texas and where I'm sending it to is in Texas as well so hopefully it shouldn't be that long. Hopefully I will get a Google refurbished and not even Verizon one. I just thought I would let you know that you're not the only one having that problem. I just happened to try my luck with that chat portion on the pixel 2 XL and it worked. I'll post back and let everyone know if I got the Google refurb or Verizon

 

[Larzzzz82]

I called Assurant directly on a Friday afternoon. I had a new to me phone on Monday and it was Google's version, not vzw. If it's refurbished, I'm surprised at the packaging it was shipped in.

 

[murphyjasonc]

I had s completely different experience. I was having a problem with one of my speakers not working. I chatted with support and they escalated it. Twenty minutes later I had an email with the RMA information. They put a hold on my credit card for the price of a new phone and overnighted my replacement. When they received my defective one the hold was dropped. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

 

[JoroBo]

Quick question: what happens if Google has to replace the phone but doesn't have a new one (or even refurbished)? Are they going to throw a 3aXL at you and call it an equivalent replacement? I'm just curious if anybody has encountered a similar issue...

 

[lywyn]

Quick question: what happens if Google has to replace the phone but doesn't have a new one (or even refurbished)? Are they going to throw a 3aXL at you and call it an equivalent replacement? I'm just curious if anybody has encountered a similar issue...

You'll get the safe model back. The parts for any device are produced past the end of life of devices so they can be repaired/refurbished. Warranties cover same for same, insurances cover replacement of same/similar device.

 

[crucialcolin]

I just got my 2 XL replaced for the same reason. My USB port stopped working properly. Issues with charging, data connections, etc. That was actually quite easy to do through the Google Store. After a few minutes of chatting i had a new one on the way and a hold placed on my card until they receive my replacement. What I'm unhappy about is Google sent me a replacement device that 3 months older based on its manufacture date. Basically a first run item. Also my display is not as good as my original which was flawless. The new one is much cooler in color temp.