Samsung announced a Free Repairs for Frontline Workers Promotion offering repairs, up to $279, for…read moreSamsung phones. I called this location first and asked about the repair process and what I should expect since my phone's screen was scratched and the battery not lasting long. I was told that when they repair they screen, Samsung automatically has them replace the battery, screen, glass and some other components for every device. He said the repair would take an hour and they had the parts in stock. Fantastic!
Yesterday my spouse and I, both of us work in physical/occupational therapy, brought our phone in to initiate the repair. The gentleman assisting us was told that each of our phones has the same issue, cracked/scratched screen and poor battery performance. We did not need to wait for our phones, and agreed to come back today after 1100 to pick up the phones. My spouse forgot his work ID, which was totally our fault, so we did drive back home to retrieve the ID and bring it back yesterday as this was required to begin the repair. We made arrangements for me to pick up both phones since I was not working today, which was also not a problem.
Today I came in around 1300 to pick up the phone. My spouse's phone was repaired as expected, but I was disappointed to find that the screen on my phone hadn't been repaired. I mentioned this to the gentleman assisting me (Will) and he said that the ticket only had the battery listed for repair. I explained that this was not what I communicated when I dropped the phone off and ask how we fix this error (that was theirs). The staff member said he would call to see if they could authorize another repair and proceeded to the back and called someone (I could hear everything he was saying). Instead of saying that they made a mistake, he told whoever he was talking to (I later found out this was Samsung) that I was wanting another repair and they would not approve it. I explained to Will that I expected my phone to be repaired as communicated when dropped off, and their error should not result in additional cost to me. I asked if I could have the number for the regional manager or franchise owner, and Matt confirmed this was a franchise location but they were not allowed to give out the number. He suggested I call Samsung, and I assured him I would be filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau against both UBreakIFix and Samsung seeking a resolution. I also asked if I could leave my information so the franchise owner could call me back at his leisure. I left the store with my phone that was still not repaired, after calling first and then visiting this location 3 times already. (I later found out that Samsung is more likely to makes exceptions when it is the customer's fault.)
I didn't want to have to come back, so I sat in my car and called their national customer service number to initiate my complaint and try to get the issue resolved before I left. I was on hold for quite some time, but after the customer service representative picked up and I started explaining what happened, Will approached my vehicle and said he could fix my screen. Great, but why the change of heart? (Will called me later and I found out that the franchise owner had approved the repair before corporate even contacted the store. It also important to note that Will was able to speak with the staff member who accepted our phones for repair and he confirmed that it was his understanding that screens and batteries were to be fixed on both phones.)
The customer service person did come back on the line after an extended hold. She told me that she had been able to "review the footage" and saw that it wasn't explicitly communicated by either party what repair was needed (both my recollection and the staff member's recollection conflict with her assessment). She also made a point to say that I signed the nearly 2 feet long receipt which listed the repair and the terms and conditions. I've learned that customers here really need to read the receipt they are signing, no matter how long it takes, because you may have a battle on your hands if a mistake is made. This company must have lots of issues with customer complaints if my interaction with customer service is an indicator. Good companies use common sense to resolve issues, but this company uses recordings that are made of customers and feet long receipts with tiny print to try to deflect responsibility. Overall, I have to say that while in the store and speaking with corporate, I felt like I was the one being scrutinized.
I initially rated this experience as 1 star. I have changed the rating based on a couple of things. Matt did call me later to follow-up, which was a positive gesture and a step towards earning my trust. What truly changed my experience, was when the franchise owner called me back and we were able to discuss the experience in detail. I feel like we both had similar expectations and perspectives, and that he cared.
