Samsung galaxy Note 7 is still being sold in Lagos markets even as
Samsung international has recalled the infamous phone from circulation because
of the dangers associated with using it due to defective battery.
Though the parent company is yet to officially introduce the phone
into the Nigerian market, the phone first entered the international market
exactly on the 19th of last month.
Investigations by The Nation revealed that though the phone has
not been introduced by Samsung into the country, importers, however, have
imported the phone from Dubai and other countries into Nigeria.
The implication is that the ones imported into Nigeria offer no
form of warranty in Nigeria while it offers a two years warranty in the country
which it is manufactured for.
Disguising as a prospective buyer, this reporter went to Samsung
Stall,Suit B2, Finet Communications, Awolowo House, 18, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, to
demand for the phone.
Eagerly offering to take the supposed buyer into the computer
village market to where she can acquire the phone, the Samsung sales
representative, whom I will call Dele, even proposed to call one of the
importers of the dodgy phone to see if he still has some in stock.
Briskly walking with the reporter into the market, they got to the
first shop ‘DSCL’ on Otigba Street Ikeja. After exchanging pleasantries with
the two sales ladies, Dele requested for Samsung Note7 phone.
The ladies, looking at the reporter apprehensively, admitted
having the phone but explained it was not on display as it was being recalled
from the market by the parent body.
Offering to make the phone available if the customer was ready to
buy it at the going price of N350,000, they, however, warned that they were not
going to be held responsible if anything untoward happened during the usage of
the phone.
To that, the reporter sought more explanations and they said that
Samsung International said that defective battery was causing the phone to
explode but they assured that none of the customers who have bought from their
shop has come back to complain about the phone.
Taking the undercover reporter to yet another shop where the phone
is marketed, the Samsung sales rep tried his best to market the ill-reputed
phone to the reporter he believed was ignorant about the defective galaxy Note7
phone.
To the amazement of the reporter, at the shop situated on Medical
Rd. Ikeja, the shop owner after ascertaining the identity of the reporter from
Dele went into an inner office and brought the phone out, emphasising the price
of N350,000.
“But how can one pay for a phone without a Nigerian warranty for
N350,000?” queried the reporter. “People are buying it and if it develops any
fault, you know my shop, bring it back to me,” responded the shop owner. “Will
I get my refund or have the phone replaced?” probed the reporter further.
“Because the phone does not come with warranty, we shall repair it,”was the
curt reply.
Probing further, the reporter asked the retailer about all the
dangers associated with the phone. Without denying or confirming, the shop
owner asked her to opt for Samsung Galaxy Note5 that has a two-year warranty
and even sells cheaper at N227,500.
At Olowu Street, Ikeja, the story was the same. The ill-famed
phone was being sold underground.
However, very big telephone and computer shops have none on display and
are even denying ever importing or ever having sold any.
At Microstation Shopping Mall, located at No. 9, Otigba Street,
Ikeja, the manager of the Samsung Mall, who identified himself as Jude Ogu,
said the shop never had the phone in their possession.
“Yes, it is in this market but we never imported or even sold it
as it does not come with Nigerian warranty because it did not enter the market
through the right channel. We sell genuine Samsung phones which when they are
introduced into the Nigerian market by the parent company will have two years
warranty.”
At Pointek Shopping Mall on No. 6, Medical Road, Ikeja, all the
Samsung sales reps refused to speak when the reporter divulged her true
identity.
However, at the Samsung Office, located by Oshoppey Bus stop on
Allen Avenue, Ikeja, the customer service officer explained that the company
does not have any business recalling Samsung Note7 phones from its Nigerian
customers because to the best of their knowledge it does not even exist here as
the company is yet to launch and introduce the phone here.
“We are not aware of the ones being sold underground and cannot
accept it from any aggrieved consumer. Anyone who bought it, did so at his/her
own peril,” cautioned the lady who refused to disclose her name as she
explained, “I am not in the position to speak officially for the company.”
An official of Samsung Electronic West Africa, Mr Zain Mamudu, had
already said that the Samsung Galaxy Note7 has not been officially introduced
into the Nigerian market.
Mamudu, who is Manager, Samsung Customer Service Centre in Abuja,
told newsmen recently that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was slated to be
introduced in the country in October.
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) issued a directive that the
company should recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 within seven days. This
development followed worldwide reports of dozens of the phone exploding while
being charged due to fault in the battery.
However, a statement from the Samsung Electronics West Africa
Ltd., which earlier announced the postponement of the launch, said that the
devise was isolated due to battery cell problems.
“Although the Galaxy Note7 has not been released in Nigeria, the
current Galaxy Note7 users are kindly advised to visit the nearest Samsung
Authorised Service Centre for immediate assistance about replacement programme.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have caused in the
market, but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest
quality products to Samsung customers. Samsung is completely committed to
fixing this problem and ensuring the highest level of safety and satisfaction
for its customers,” Samsung said.
A Samsung distributor of Mehdi Global Ltd, who requested not to be
named, told pressmen that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was not supplied to the
company or any of the company’s dealers. He, however, said that even if the
phone got into the country, it was probably bought in Dubai or elsewhere
because not all the units manufactured had problem.
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