A mother in Cambridgeshire, Alina Damian-Cretu, has found herself in a baffling situation after attempting to return a Samsung phone, only to be told that she had sent three tins of sardines instead. The ordeal began when Alina purchased a Samsung S25 Ultra as a birthday gift for her husband in February, taking advantage of a trade-in offer to get the device at a discounted price of £800. However, upon discovering a promotion offering free Samsung Galaxy buds, valued at £219, she decided to return the phone and place a new order to claim the offer.
Alina mentioned that she only opened the outer box of the new Samsung phone before returning it at a DPD drop-off point. A week later, when she contacted Samsung to inquire about the return, she was informed that instead of the phone, they had received a box containing three tins of sardines. Shocked by this revelation, Alina insisted that she had sent the correct phone and promptly raised a complaint with both Samsung and DPD, also reporting the incident to Cambridgeshire Police.
Samsung responded to the situation after being contacted by the press, stating that they are investigating the matter and are in direct contact with Alina to offer a full refund. DPD, on the other hand, mentioned that their focus is on locating the missing parcel. Alina expressed her frustration, stating, “It’s so unprofessional. My whole life I’ve had Samsung, and I just want to turn to Apple now.” She highlighted the stress this incident has caused her and the time wasted dealing with it.
According to Alina, Samsung requested proof that she had packaged the phone, but she did not have any photos of the boxed device. Despite filing complaints with both DPD and Samsung, Alina claimed that Samsung refused to process her refund until she returned the device. The tech giant alleged that they found no evidence of tampering with the package and rejected her claim for a refund, accusing her of theft in the process.
Upon being pressed for a statement, a Samsung spokesperson mentioned that they are committed to providing a high standard of customer experience and are actively investigating the issue with their delivery partner. They assured that once the investigation is completed, appropriate action would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed that a crime report for theft had been lodged, with investigations ongoing.
The case of Alina Damian-Cretu serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough documentation and transparency in return processes. It also sheds light on the challenges consumers may face when dealing with disputes over returned items. The involvement of law enforcement underscores the seriousness of the situation, indicating the need for a swift and fair resolution for all parties involved.