Its a Galaxy Tab GT-P1000T and it didn't come with android market installed in it, also the phone was from Hong Kong
After they installed the market the main browser wouldn't tilt(including many other issues); obviously Samsung has locked up the main browser
The phone is in the shop now so I sorry I don't know anymore information right now but if it's important I can find out and list it. But I do have the box case if that can help including serial numbers which I don't understand.
I didn't know what parralel import means and I bought it online thinking the warranty was under Samsung... but now I know its not and their so called technician does the so called fixing with it
It sounds like it will be easy enough to fix. If you can get it into download mode it is very straightforward to flash a stock rom onto it, however this may void your warranty. Being that it's with the service agent it's obviously not an option at the moment anyway.
In your situation though I would definitely see this through and get a refund anyway.
Did the company advertise the phone that it did have android market? Is it a phone issue or a setup issue that doesnt allow the menu's to 'tilt'?
On the face of it, it sounds like you just didnt get the phone that you thought you would have gotif you bought a NZ new model. Thats what you get with parallel imports, it may not be the same. It still works as a phone should ?
Did the company advertise the phone that it did have android market? Is it a phone issue or a setup issue that doesnt allow the menu's to 'tilt'?
On the face of it, it sounds like you just didnt get the phone that you thought you would have gotif you bought a NZ new model. Thats what you get with parallel imports, it may not be the same. It still works as a phone should ?
Good point there - as there's nothing inherently wrong with the device in its out of the box state. Android Market is just not available in the region that the device is from - a consequence of it being a parallel import. So you don't have a case against them on that front.
However, as SpookyAwol mentioned, if it was advertised as having access to the Android Marketplace - then it would be your reasonable expectation that the functionality be in place (it should also be enough if the packaging states it). You would have a case for a refund in this case.
Next, they helped you out by putting Android Marketplace on - but in the process caused problems to emerge, then it becomes their responsibility to put it right. Which would seem to indicate that you now have a right to ask for a refund, replacement etc. if they can't do it in a reasonable amount of time. This would be your best case against them.
They should not be able to defend against your claim by stating that the device does not work with Android Marketplace, unless they specifically mentioned or stated that to you before they installed Marketplace. Given that they indicated to you that it was "easy", your reasonable expectation would be that it shouldn't cause problems.
It didn't advertise as having android market in it from the first place, but isnt this kinda obvious(I really don't know first smartphone I ever bought)
But it does advertise Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Picasa integration (Basically I couldn't download any apps for 4months until I finally had the time to take the tab to the store and take 2 weeks of my time out without a phone and a tab) (Before that I tried to download android market myself but I can assure you all, you get all sorts of error messages regarding google accounts and most people won't know what to do themselves)
I don't know if this counts but it does have market on the box cover showing the main title of the galaxy tab
Also when I first got the tab it didn't have GPS either(GPS is actually advertised but as this was my first smartphone I didn't know and didn't bring this up when I first fixed it, after the market was installed there was a GPS)
Before the market was installed on the settings it had a three-axis gyro sensor(I think this means the thing where you place the tab on the table to configure degree of tilting. This is advertised on the website and this setting disappeard after the market was installed. I asked them about this and they just said its different software...
Lastly how do I know exactly if these guys are based in New Zealand as this seems to be important
I dont have anything posiive to say, sorry, but I will offer some realistic comment. Perhaps others can expand on it or correct me.
That you have purchased a parallel device means that there are risks. That it is not is not for our market, that I doubt it will have been sent to an approved Samsung service centre, and that you may not have any recourse against Samsung f the retailer does not fulfil his obligations. If the device is from Hong Kong and does not have Android Market installed, that is actually standard for that source. If there are workarounds to get it installed that is a warning in itself. From your post it appears that the device was not faulty? It just had that software and perhaps others missing? If that is the case you got what you paid for, the device as it is produced and sold in Hong Kong.
They have offered a replacement so I dont see that you have a case. Your concern is that a replacement will have the same fault? I don't see it as faulty as its standard from Hong Kong.
My other concern is that it is not genuine, it may be a copy. You can buy iPhones there that are clealy genuine, except they are not, you see that with the fake iOS, but with a copied Android device it will actually have genuine Android on it, and the software issues may be a consequence of possible fake hardware.
Can you send the serial and all firmware etc codes to Samsung to confirm it is genuine? Then you will have a case.
But from what I have read, you have taken a risk to save money and got a product that is not faulty, but it is not the same as you expected, as in a NZ new Samsung Tablet.
I hope you can sort this out, the 80% refund may be a case of taking the hit, and buying a geniune NZ Samsung tab from here.
For the Android buffs. Is there an option to clean install a full new Android OS on the phone? That may get a better outcome than adding a problematic Android Market to whatever is on the device?
tdgeek: For the Android buffs. Is there an option to clean install a full new Android OS on the phone? That may get a better outcome than adding a problematic Android Market to whatever is on the device?
Yep, this is my thought too. Its a fairly simple process to flash a new ROM - either the base Samsung one or a mod.
Rohmann - I'd suggest going to http://www.samsung.com/us/support/ and either emailing support or opening a chat session and see if they can confirm whether your tab is genuine or not. Based on that you can decide whether to keep it or not.
If you decide to flash a new ROM (i.e essentially re-install the OS) you can find lots of options here.
I personally use this one on my Tab. IMO they also have the best upgrade guide as well.
I didn't know what paralled import meant at first I bought it online just going by the Samsung logo and naturally thinking it would be Samsung customer service(now I know of course as when I call Samsung they don't help me)
They are offering a replacement but after taking my phone twice
Once to install the market(after that the browser became locked these guys don't even check main browser which takes 5 seconds...) Also there were other minor issues at first like the contact menu on the main screen wouldn't open at all(but it did open from submenu from the phone menu so I didn't actually specifically mention this because they said after they install android market all other minor issues should be fixed...)
Twice to fix all the issues after the market was installed(same problem with main browser they didn't check again and tell me to pick it up it's fixed)
I don't have the tab right now(currently the shop has it as I told them I would take the 85% refund(sorry its 85 my mistake) and the shop says when I return the box they said they will give it to me So therefore I can't check anything about the tab On the box it says *353966/04/026433/0* above the barcode if that helps Also it did have that "Do not accept if seal is broken" which of course wasn't broken when I opend it
@tigercorp I tried the "http://www.samsung.com/us/support/" and they say its technical support for US customers only and to call Samsung NZ Anyway the tab is at the shop so who knows what they have done to it by now
I'm gonna call Community Law Center on monday get some advice if I can actually win at Disputes Tribunal for the full refund or just take the 85% as I don't want to have anything to do with the shop anymore(don't even say sorry for all your troubles, they tell me to google how to install android market and do it myself, when they finally take my tab to install the market they tell me to bring the connector jack making me go to the shop again, don't say sorry about this either... the list goes on)
Thanks everyone for all the support I guess what I really wanted was someone to talk about this issue and get some inner comfort
Thats all good we are all happy to help. I guess it does show the value in buying some products from NZ, to get the support from the retailer and the service centre. And the compatibility.
I don't really see its worth it going further with legal advice. Its only cost you 15% of $800 plus $30, so really its probably better to have learnt a lesson from non standard retailers, knowing that it won't happen to you again, possibly with a more costly device.
Sorry to hear about your problems OP. After working for a parallel importer there is no chance in hell I'd ever buy from one. Never worth the hassle. Wasn't much fun working there either.
Best option is probably to download Odin and flash a generic firmware which will have everything running correctly. This is relatively straightforward to do. Links here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1073854
Basically, install Kies (from Samsung), download the firmware with bootloader from the link in the forum, as well as the PIT, DBDATA and Odin files, put Tab into download mode (power on holding the Volume-down button), plug into computer, run Odin, select the PIT partition file, select the main firmware as "Phone", and follow the instructions.
Read the installation guide _carefully_ if you wanted to do this. You can probably say bye-bye to your warranty if you do this though.
But you probably should try and get them to sort it out for you. From a legal standpoint they're within their rights IMHO but of course IANAL. Fixing the issues is a piece of cake if you know how, but a major hassle if you don't.
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