phone purchased outside Thailand, CM Samsung won't repair

[RoyLee]

Samsung Galaxy S4 got a little wet while in Krabi recently. Took it to kiosk in krabi-town who was unable to fix. I believe he only dried it out.

When I got home in CM, took it to Samsung service centre north side of moat. After leaving it for 2 days, i went to pick it up but was told they won't be able to fix since I purchased it outside Thailand and they don't service that model here (SGH-M919V) . Sounds like bs to me. When I went to pick it up, the girl was in the back for an inordinately long time 10-15 minutes ; whereas I noticed other customers repaired devices were quickly located. I wonder if my order fell through the cracks somehow and rather than fess up just tried to get rid of me. Couldn't they have asked that simple question when they took my phone ?(ie. in which country did you buy the phone?)

At any rate, I am looking for another reputable service center here in CM. I am hoping the phone is repairable since it boots up without the sim, although what is normally white on the screen appears pink and there is staticy sound. With the sim installed there is only a high pitched wine. If all else fails, I'll send it off to the States.

[NaiGreg]

I had the same experience with a non-Thai Samsung phone model last year. They offered no explanation, just refused to service it despite the fact I was a cash customer. I ordered parts from the US and fixed it myself.

[PiPiFFS]

Take the phone apart. remove the battery and put it in a container half full of rice and then fill the container completely covering the phone and leave for around a week. It has worked for me and several others I have told as well.

[farang62]

Samsuns service has gone from bad to worse here in Thailand.

I am not purchasing any additional Samsung products either here or the U.S.

To bad because thay make a good product, but with out service, they have a credibility problem.

There are good altertanatives out there, we will start ny purchasing Nikon cameras.Good service and good prices.

[impulse]

If you brought a Ford over from Canada and needed to get parts from the dealer here in Thailand, they wouldn't be able to help you, either.

Different models are made for different markets. Parts often aren't interchangeable. It's not reasonable to expect Samsung (or Ford) to carry parts in Thailand that they may sell once every 10 years.

So a good price on a phone (or a car) from overseas may not be a good deal, unless you're willing to work on it yourself- with parts bought online.

I bought a Thai Samsung SII and have had zero problems with service, or getting parts in almost 3 years now.

Edited May 10, 2014 by impulse