381
Google might keep your Pixel during a repair if you're caught using non-OEM parts
(www.androidpolice.com)
this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2024
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More than likely the reason for this is because they are not sending the original device back.
They are probably pulling a used one that is in good shape from the shelf that is the same style, etc - shipping it to you as the replacement in order to save time and sending yours back to a repair center to be worked on if possible.
Or just junking it out right.
Which doesn't make it okay, of course.
They should either disclose longer turnaround times for people in those situations, charge (after authorization) for a non-warranty repair, or send the device back unrepairable if that's the case (which they do in some regions).
Why should they do that? If they decide it's a better use of their resources to swap the entire device than to repair the original and ship it back, why would you be opposed to that? You're getting an entire new device out of the deal and coming out ahead with new hardware (and possibly upgraded hardware, if there have been manufacturing revisions since your original purchase).
If it's a matter of your data, it should always be assumed that you will lose 100% of your data when you send a device in for repair, no matter what the repair is. There's always a chance that they need to replace a component containing the storage, that your device has to be reset to defaults after a part has been replaced anyway, or that it just straight-up gets physically lost in the mail. Backup before sending in anything for repairs. Why anybody would put an un-wiped phone in the mail in the first place, is beyond me.
Isn't the idea that they'd say "Sorry, your device isn't supported for our repairs, and we're unable to send anything back to you"? So the user gets nothing?
That's what Rossman would like you to believe, but that's not what actually happens. They send it back to you.
As pointed out under his video, American version of repair conditions say that they won't send back, while European that they will.
If that's the case, then that's fine.
Another article I came across suggested that Samsung would "destroy" the device, but nothing about Google doing that. I thought that that's what all the rage was about, but instead it might just be clickbait, lol
Came here to say this. Companies send refurbished devices out, they usually make it really clear that you should wipe your device and not expect to get data back exactly because once they receive the device and verify its condition within reason, they send a replacement. Nintendo, Apple, Pixel, Samsung have all done it to me.
Pixel is doing this because they can't send someone else a phone with a non-oem part. If they do in the US they take liability if it's a cheap Alibaba knockoff that does something stupid like make the battery explode. As screwed up as the US laws are, it's difficult to fault them for CYA.
Bottom line is, if the phone has a non-oem part they can't vouch for it, so they need to put your phone in the queue to get fixed is how it reads to me.