*** I am very disappointed with Samsung ***

I am very disappointed with Samsung, I used to rate them highly as premium product suppliers and great customer focus, I guess I had just never dealt with them directly before. Now that I have, I see Samsung as a bunch of weak, pathetic Con artists. I was in the market looking for a new cellular device when I came across an adverti*****t. THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY 21FE was in the price bracket and comes with a new SAMSUNG GALAXY A7 TAB LITE WIFI, fantastic I will take it, here’s my money. Purchased on 02 Feb 2022. Only to realise when it was too late that I was conned. I am sure just like 1000s before and after me. Turns out the advert was misleading, and if you purchased the Samsung S21FE you would qualify under scrutinizing terms for the promotional gift (GALAXY A7 TAB LITE WIFI). I was chilled, had to go back to the store to get an idea of how to claim this gift. Vodacom was awesome and helped right away. I followed their instructions on Samsung members and received a tracking number and thought great, now we wait. Well, the “fun” is only just about to begin. I followed up 3 days later (7 Feb 2022) to confirm everything was in order and received this back “Please note that the fact that you received the reference number shows that your claim was successful.” (TL, Samsung Electronics).

So, I waited till the 25 Feb 2022 (18 days) and decided to follow up again. I chatted to Mfundo, who advised that my claim was actually not successful and the Vodacom contract I uploaded as proof was deemed insufficient. I was shocked. I didn’t have any other proof but no problem Samsung, I will go back to the Vodacom shop. Off I go and to my surprise, Vodacom was very helpful. Saw me straight away and said they don’t have any further proof, but we can write a letter with the company’s letter head and confirm purchase, along with a copy of the contract surly that would be sufficient. I get back to the office and submit the supporting documents required and Mfundo replies back “Kindly note that your documents has been received, and feedback will be communicated to you soon.” (Mfundo). Awesome, I am so happy that this is all over now, but is it. No feedback was received. I waited 6 days (03 March 2022) and thought let me phone these guys again. Couldn’t get through. I tried again a few days later and I found out from Samsung that my promotional gift was still not processed successfully as my proof of purchase and letter from Vodacom shop was not good enough. I got upset here I wont lie. If I could have shoved the phone, and all the extra accessories I paid for (this phone does not even come with a charger, it had to be purchased separately), back up Samsung’s ass I would have. But I can’t do that. I decided to go back to the Vodacom store and get the Vodacom store to phone Samsung directly, surly if I put the two together, we would get somewhere. Vodacom came through once more and agreed to call Samsung to find out what on earth they would accept as proof. I’m not sure what was said but I received an email confirming my claim was successful, “Your gift will be delivered in the next 4 to 5 working days.” (Samsung Team) Wow I was over the moon for a moment I thought I would never win (08 March 2022). 23 days later (31 March 2022) to my surprise, the promotional gift has still not been delivered and they don’t even have the decency to communicate that there would be a delay. So, I followed up again today. This time I was helped by Brandon who said I will receive an update via SMS within 24 – 48 hours. Well call me crazy but I do not see them doing that. I believe this fight will go back and forth for many many moons.

I just wanted to warn the public of 3 things:

1. What happened to me, 2. Do not ever buy anything from Samsung that contains the words “Free” or “Promotional”, 3. If you failed point 2, buckle up its going to be a rough ride.

Regards Devon