Android/Google Nexus 4 rant

[1hot281]

Okay so I'd like to start off by saying: I'm far from a brand loyal fan boy of any one mobile device. Over the last decade I've owned Android devices, many BlackBerry devices, iPhones, and a couple Windows Mobile handsets... (Also had a Palm, but I'd like to just forget that ever happened...)

Anyway, I've been rocking the iPhone 4 for the last few years. It's been a good device. Never really felt the need to upgrade to the 4S, or the 5. Also haven't been too drawn to the latest crop of Android devices... At least, not enough to want to sign a 2-year contract or drop $800 off-contract.

So, I bought the new 2013 Nexus 7 tablet last week, and I'm very impressed with the latest Android... Enough to make me want to try an Android handset again. I proceeded to order the Nexus 4. Ponied up for the 16gig.

My Nexus 4 arrived yesterday... and it was frickin DOA. Straight out of the box. DEAD. Won't power on. Won't take a charge. It's a pretty paperweight. Google support had me do some tests, and while doing a hold of the power button and volume down key, the notification light blinks red/orange. Google says it is indeed a dead brick.

Now, I'm waiting to hear back from the Google support "specialist" that my case was forwarded to, who is supposed to begin the process to get my device replaced. God only knows how long that might take... I paid extra for the expedited shipping, and now it may be 16+ days until I get a working handset...

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if this had happened with an iPhone purchase, I could have walked in to the Apple store and left with a replacement, same day. Just sayin...

Wherever you may stand on the "iOS vs Android" software or hardware argument... I'd clearly say there is a definite winner in the "Apple vs Google" customer service and satisfaction department...

 

[BlackOutUT]

I'm a current Galaxy S3 owner and have loved it since day one. I'm also not sure what the policy is on your Nexus 7 but have you tried to go into your carrier store? I would think they would just swap it.

On a side note, people can say what they want about apple, I've had nothing but awesome experiences with their customer service. 3 times (2 iphones & 1 iPod) I had replaced on the spot with a new product, not refurbished. All 3 times I'd dropped in some form of water so the water changing thing was clearly pink. I was stunned all three times.

 

[Blown 89]

You sound like a spoiled child. Give Google a chance to make things right.

 

[Riddla]

You sound like a spoiled child. Give Google a chance to make things right.

+666
Shit happens

 

[rezarxt]

You sound like a spoiled child. Give Google a chance to make things right.

This. I would have thought google killed his children reading his post. Apple fanboy probably.

 

[BlueSnake01]

I'm a current Galaxy S3 owner and have loved it since day one. I'm also not sure what the policy is on your Nexus 7 but have you tried to go into your carrier store? I would think they would just swap it.

It wasnt the Nexus 7, it was the Nexus 4 that he is complaining about it. More than likely he bought it from Google, don't need to get it thru a carrier.

Im a big fan from Google and Android but… their customer service for the Nexus sucks ass. Plenty of people have complain about it before in the past, has nothing to do with their products just their Google support from all the Nexus.

 

[kevinatfms]

I'm a current Galaxy S3 owner and have loved it since day one. I'm also not sure what the policy is on your Nexus 7 but have you tried to go into your carrier store? I would think they would just swap it.

BINGO! why not just do that. Also, I have had 2 DOA iphone 4's from Verizon, so its not just google ****ing things up.

Be glad, some of us are still stuck with the icrap 4 for the next year...:bored:

 

[BlueSnake01]

BINGO! why not just do that. Also, I have had 2 DOA iphone 4's from Verizon, so its not just google ****ing things up.

Be glad, some of us are still stuck with the icrap 4 for the next year...:bored:

Once again, you DON'T need to get the Nexus 4 from the carrier (in fact, T-Mo is the only one that sells it under contract). If he bought it from Google, he has to deal with Google directly which unfortunately doesn't have a store……..yet……. Only way is by phone or e-mail.
Carriers have nothing to do with this.

 

[WireEater]

Really? They don't have stores to walk in like Apple, so that expectation alone should be enough for you to just deal with the situation and stop crying about it.

 

[l337]

Wherever you may stand on the "iOS vs Android" software or hardware argument... I'd clearly say there is a definite winner in the "Apple vs Google" customer service and satisfaction department...

Your frustration is misplaced.

You have a 'service' problem with how support works when you order online and receive something DoA through the Google Play store. You don't have an issue with Google/Android and to try and sway people from buying Android products is absurd.

Android is sold nearly everywhere. All tbe big and small carriers, and in BestBuy and other brick and mortars. Don't feel comfortable buying online, GO TO THE STORE.

Seriously. Your thread should be Buying Online Can Suck Sometimes

 

[Blown 89]

Android is sold nearly everywhere. All tbe big and small carriers, and in BestBuy and other brick and mortars. Don't feel comfortable buying online, GO TO THE STORE.[/B]

The Nexus 4 isn't sold everywhere. Google Play is the only way to get it.....anyone else that sells it does so at a very high premium. Best Buy for instance wants $600 for the phone which is a joke considering that it's $350 straight from Google. I suppose that's the point though....if you want a store to return it to expect to lube up and pay a premium.

 

[thomas91169]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if this had happened with an iPhone purchase, I could have walked in to the Apple store and left with a replacement, same day. Just sayin...

Had you purchased this item from Best Buy or such like you would an Apple product, and walked in with it DOA the same thing would have occurred, you wouldve gotten a working unit.

This is just the trouble with buying shit online. Its no different from TV sets to computer parts. If its DOA you gotta go through the steps to get it sent back/RMA'd.

And I highly doubt, if you bought an iPhone from the AT&T store online or apple store online, that you would be able to get it swapped in-store at the Apple store. Sure if you buy it there they would turn it on for you and make sure it works prior to seeing you walk out those doors.

 

[Carbd86GT]

Had you purchased this item from Best Buy or such like you would an Apple product, and walked in with it DOA the same thing would have occurred, you wouldve gotten a working unit.

This is just the trouble with buying shit online. Its no different from TV sets to computer parts. If its DOA you gotta go through the steps to get it sent back/RMA'd.

And I highly doubt, if you bought an iPhone from the AT&T store online or apple store online, that you would be able to get it swapped in-store at the Apple store. Sure if you buy it there they would turn it on for you and make sure it works prior to seeing you walk out those doors.

If you buy an iPhone online, you can get it swapped in store. Same goes for buying through AT&T or any other carrier. If you have a phone issue, you can go to an Apple store to get it taken care of. Just so everyone knows...

 

[1hot281]

If you missed it, I ordered the Nexus 4 because I was so pleased with my 4.3 JB experience on the Nexus 7. This post is not trying to sway anyone from buying an Android device.

Also, as BS as it is getting a completely dead device, yes, shit does indeed happen. I'm in no way saying this only happens with Android and/or Google devices.

My primary complaint is of the way Google handles the entire situation. At no point have I felt like they give a shit that they shipped a dead phone. At no point have I gotten the impression that they will ship out a second device quickly to make up for shipping a dead device in the first place.

When I received my Blackberry Curve way back when, and the track ball was unresponsive, RIM over-nighted a replacement. They even shipped it with a little empty box with pre-paid return postage for the defective device... and shipped a little collection of junk, like a Bluetooth headset, belt clip holster, car charger, blah blah blah... That's customer service. That, combined with a pleasing user experience with their devices, made me a repeat customer. Same can be said of Apple products. They will do on the spot in-store, or 2nd day air shipped replacements... pretty much no questions asked.

So, yes I may be acting like a spoiled brat, but i guess that is because i have been spoiled by companies with much much better customer service policies.

Side note: Anyone here have the Nexus 4? If so, how is it?

 

[oooooh snap]

it wouldn't of taken much for them to hold charge on a credit card and ship out a replacement w/ free overnight delivery, and a return shipping label.

i've had apple do something similar, while their store isn't too far from me.

 

[CobraBob]

When I had certain issues with my old iPhone 4S (Verizon), I would go to the Apple store for service. For the more routine stuff I'd go to the Verizon store.

I agree, though, that if you buy a phone online and there is an issue, you're going to have to return the phone with an RMA and wait for a replacement. Some companies will send a replacement out right away and hold your credit card number in the event they don't get the back phone back within a prescribed time period.

I had an awesome customer service experience with Electrolux (who owns Frigidaire) when I emailed Frigidaire that my 70 pt. 5 month old dehumidifier wasn't working like it the one it replaced (both were Frigidaire). I never asked for a refund. Just wanted to find out where it could be sent to check it out. Within an hour I got an email reply from Electrolux apologizing that I wasn't pleased with it (I paid $212.00). They wanted to do a buy-back if I agreed. Just send them the Serial Number tag, enclose the email, and they would send me a complete refund. No need to return the dehumidifier. Two weeks later I got the check. And I still have the dehumidifier as they told me not to return it. Just toss it or use it the way it is. Wow, talk about customer service!

 

[l337]

The Nexus 4 isn't sold everywhere. Google Play is the only way to get it.....anyone else that sells it does so at a very high premium. Best Buy for instance wants $600 for the phone which is a joke considering that it's $350 straight from Google. I suppose that's the point though....if you want a store to return it to expect to lube up and pay a premium.

This STILL has nothing to do with Android. Absolutely nada. You don't have to buy the Nexus 4 from just the Google Play store.

Your issue is with the Google Play customer service and their inability to assist you more quickly.

 

[Blown 89]

This thread reminds me about Loius CK's bit about non contributing zeros:

The Miracle of Flight, by Louis CK on Vimeo

 

[oooooh snap]

This thread reminds me about Loius CK's bit about non contributing zeros:

The Miracle of Flight, by Louis CK on Vimeo

lol that's still hysterical