Samsung isn't honoring its Galaxy S8 $2. Samsung runs promotions on its phones pretty often. For the Galaxy S8 alone, we've already seen quite a few - a free Gear VR / an optional $9. Entertainment Kit," and currently, a free $2.
Visa card. However, while customers were recently guaranteed a $2. S8 in exchange for almost any phone in good condition that they sent Samsung's way as a trade- in, the company is having a hard time delivering on its promises to some. The original offer was simple: you'd purchase an unlocked, AT& T, US Cellular, or Verizon Galaxy S8 or S8+ between June 2nd and June 2.
S8, Samsung would send you a confirmation email. If your trade- in didn't qualify, you'd be charged $1.
Samsung, you agree to transfer title and ownership of the device to Samsung. You disclaim any and all right, title or interest in and to the Trade- In Device, including the right to sell, dispose, or otherwise collect, where applicable, the its value.""Good condition" meant that your phone would turn on and hold a charge, have a working display, have no cracks or breaks, not be on a blacklist, have no water damage, etc. That $2. 00 number would increase to $3.
Samsung runs promotions on its phones pretty often. For the Galaxy S8 alone, we've already seen quite a few - a free Gear VR / an optional $99 bundle for p. by.
Galaxy S7 or Note. S7 edge. You also had the option to purchase the new Gear 3. Pretty straightforward, I think. Personally, I was genuinely enticed by the offer, despite already owning a T- Mobile S8+.
Naturally, people began digging around for ultra- cheap phones that were eligible so that they could get $2. Galaxy S8 phones at nearly no cost. Given the promotion's relatively loose constraints, many simply purchased a cheap prepaid phone from stores like Target or Walmart and called it a day. For instance, the Slickdeals thread suggested the $9. Alcatel One. Touch Pixi Eclipse from Walmart, which is of course now sold out.
Others just grabbed an old phone out of their drawer. A couple of days ago, customers began to receive emails from Samsung. While most people were greeted with a confirmation of their successful trade- in, others weren't so lucky. Here's what Slickdeals user dchay found in his inbox after trading in an unnamed new prepaid Alcatel phone (likely the $1.
- We know that there are many Samsung users that are still struggling with connecting your phone to your computer through Samsung Kies. While our solution isn't an end.
- Detailed description of how to update the Samsung Galaxy s3 to the latest firmware version. Step by step with pictures.
Pixi Eclipse): "Dear Don,Your original method of payment will be charged $1. The Trade- In phone we received did not meet one or more of the eligibility criteria and you will be charged for the Trade- In Value you have already received through our Program. All charges will be applied to your most recent method of payment on file. Samsung will not be able to return your Trade- In device back to you. Click to see the Terms and Conditions of the Samsung Trade- In Program. You will receive a separate email confirmation of this charge. The following condition was not met: Phone not functioning/cracked screen."Others, including some of our readers, had similar experiences.
After combing through some comments on Slickdeals and reddit, I compiled a list of successful trade- ins, and another for unsuccessful ones. Here's what went through Samsung: "$1. Alcatel)"an old Plixi tracfone..
I think I paid $2 for it""crappy $5 phone"Alcatel C1 4. G (AT& T Go. Phone)Alcatel One.
Touch Pixi Eclipse, brand new. HTC One M7 w/ custom ROMHTC Titan II (Windows) in "immaculate condition"Moto E 2. Verizon prepaid), purchased for $1. Black Friday 2. 01. Moto G (older model), thought to be blacklisted. Moto G (unspecified model)Motorola Droid Razr.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus, used as a "pooping phone"Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)Samsung Galaxy S4. And here's what didn't: "brand new pre- paid alcatel phone""a tracfone"Alcatel Ideal 4. G LTE in "very good condition"Alcatel One. Touch Pixi Eclipse, brand newi. Phone 4s, working condition and good screen. Samsung Galaxy Note.
Samsung Galaxy S5, "worked perfectly before I sent it in"Samsung Galaxy S6 edge. ZTE Majesty Pro, brand new, purchased for $2. We received a few tips that supplied some details. One reader sent in one of the $1. Alcatels from Walmart and opened it to make sure it satisfied all the requirements, but was denied because his device reportedly had a screen issue.
Another sent in an i. Phone 4s that was in "very good condition," held a charge, and had Find My i. Phone disabled, yet was denied for the phone being blacklisted. Yet another sent in a fully- functional Galaxy S5, but was rejected for the phone "not powering on or holding a charge."There's clearly not much setting the accepted phones apart from the unaccepted ones. While the uber- cheap prepaid phone trade- ins are working for some, they're not for others. Even an older Moto G that was thought to be blacklisted went through. Hell, a GNex that the user called a "pooping phone" went through.
It's also worth reiterating that unsuccessful trade- ins were not returned to customers, meaning that someone got only $2. Note. 5, a phone that still commands around $2.
Looking through Samsung's trade- in FAQ and terms and conditions pages yields no answers either. I actually called Samsung's support line earlier in the week for a different issue, but couldn't get a representative on the phone after a full hour of being on hold, presumably because of angry customers who've just had their credit cards charged an unexpected $1. We've reached out to Samsung regarding this issue, and will update this article when we receive a response.