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Samsung Will Credit You $100 If You Exchange Your Note 7 For Another Samsung Phone (mashable.com)
In an effort to presumably stop customers from jumping ship to the iPhone 7 or other non-Samsung device, Samsung is offering up to $100 in credit to every customer who exchanges their Note 7 for another Samsung smartphone. Mashable reports: The company said so in its updated Note 7 recall page which plainly states that the recall has now been expanded to "all Galaxy Note 7 devices," and asks consumers with a Note 7 to power it down and return it to the place of purchase. Bear in mind that the new offer, which goes live on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. ET, is only for U.S. customers, as users in other parts of the world have different recall programs in place. Furthermore, if you've already exchanged your Note 7 for another Samsung smartphone, you "will receive up to a $75 bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets in addition to the $25 you previously received." Even if you exchange your Note 7 for another brand or ask for a refund, you will still receive a $25 bill credit from select carriers and retailers -- again, less any incentive credits you've already received. "As a sign of our appreciation for your patience and loyalty, we are offering up to a $100 bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets if you exchange your Galaxy Note 7 for another Samsung smartphone, less any incentive credits already received," Samsung wrote.
They are passing up an amazing opportunity. They will never have this much publicity about a product again.
Here is what they should do:
Put ads everywhere offering a full and formal apology. And, in the same ad, stating that they are going to focus entirely on battery development to produce the safest, cleanest, longest-lasting and most quickly rechargeable batteries ever made. To do so, they will include links like Google did asking for the world's smartest and brightest engineers to join their quest and share their progress with the world.
*** Don't be dull.***
Doing right by your customers is an important part of retaining them.
I am amazed how Samsung has responded to this. Think about all the recalls (and should-have-been recalls) of the past 30 years. They could have responded
It has come to our attention that a small minority of Note 7 phones (less than 0.001%) have resulted in smoking and short durations of flames when improperly charged. We would like to remind you to always use Samsung brand phone chargers plugged into an electrical socket that meets state and local building codes.
I can't think of a single company whose first response wouldn't have been a denial, followed by months of denials, federal investigations, and then a small fine. Most auto manufacturers have faced deadly design choices and it's not until the government twists their arm do they act.