Faulty charging port

[Charging-Port]

Hi all.  

I bought a Samsung Galaxy A5 around 3 months ago. 

Using the phone and original charger as normal.  I work in telecoms, handling phones on a daily basis, so I know that this isn’t normal. Around 3 weeks ago I put my phone on charge as usual, noticed it hadn’t pinged that it was charging, took it out and looked into the charging port to see that the pins were bent.  Panicking as all of my info was on it I backed the phone up and went on to the Samsung online chat where I was told that this was no problem and was covered by warranty and the phone would be collected, repaired and returned to me free of charge, I accepted this. Courier came, phone went, phone call around 2 days later to say that this was going to cost £90, I asked why there was any charge at all, also why so expensive and as there is a local guy that does this repair for £25, but I wanted to keep my warranty intact, they said that because they sometimes break the screen while trying to get inside the phone... Now for a Samsung “Specialist” to say they are charging me for something that hasn’t even happened, that is beyond my control that they “might” break the screen, from the first contact saying that this was a free warranty repair, I am sure you can guess my frustration at this point.  The guy said £90 or we will ship it back to you.  So, I got the phone back in the same shape it left me.

I then proceeded back to the online chat, told that we could try it again to get a second opinion, and if that failed come back on again and they will escalate it. Seemed like a fairly drawn out process, accepted it as I just wanted my phone back working, HOWEVER, they didn’t want to play ball.  Told me that they would get a manager to call me inside 24hours, got an email from an agent with a robotic scripted reply terms and conditions yaddy yaddy yaa, copy and paste job.

I couldn’t seem to find anywhere else to voice my disappointment where Samsung users or potential Samsung users would see it, so I decided to come here.

Should have just went to the £25 local guy because obviously Samsung warranty isn’t worth a fiddlers.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Charging-Port

My suggestion would be to visit a Samsung Service Location or Samsung Experience Store to have it looked at. 

I’m not sure why they’d suggest a charge just incase they break something. 

I would have thought that due to the issue being physical damage then the repair wouldn’t be carried out under the 24 Month warranty. 

As for using a repair shop the possible issues could be inferior parts used - issues caused by the repair person - introduction of dust and loss of any remaining manufacturing warranty. 

[Charging-Port]

It was what was said to me in the original conversation.  I had the transcript emailed to me even on this.  Just annoying that one advisor will have a different answer to the next.  

Not sure of your experience in getting repairs done, but £90 for a charging port on a Samsung A5 that cost £220 doesn’t exactly stack up.

[Lordwanswell]

I have exactly the same problem with charging my 18 month old A5. The charger lead does not fit in the socket securely and will only slow charge. What would you recommend ?

[BandOfBrothers]

@Lordwanswell

Are your charging port pins bent too ?

If not then try another new Samsung charger and check the port for build up of lint. 

Use a Samsung Experience Store or Samsung Service Centre for a diagnostic. 

@Charging-Port

That's expensive I agree but I assume one is paying for OEM parts and labour. 

Perhaps see if Home Contents Insurance or some Bank Accounts provide mobile phone cover as a perk of the account cover you. 

T&C's and Excess Fee's would need to be checked. 

[Lordwanswell]

There doesn't appear to be any lint in the charging socket and the pins do not seem bent. I have also tried another charging lead. The plug just doesn't fit securely in the socket. 

[BandOfBrothers]

@Lordwanswell

Was the other charging cable brand new ?

Samsung will check the phone over to determine if this is a changing socket failure. 

I assume it's never been dropped accidentally. 

I wish you all the best by going to a Samsung Service Centre. 

[Grech5ter]

Did you manage to sort this problem with the charger port out?  I have the same issue, just wondering whether to take it to a service centre which is a fair distance away.

Simon

[Marlene78Hyde]

I have a condition that make my hands shake medical issue so that how I bent it accidentally

[Marlene78Hyde]

No unfortunately not and I rely on my tablet slight learning disability