Samsung Mexico will block phones purchased on the gray market

Update, Tuesday, October 10, 5:25 p.m.: Samsung Mexico has confirmed that it will begin blocking purchased devices starting October 11th. Victims may receive 30% coupon when purchasing a terminal distributed through authorized channels. We reproduce his statement in full below:

“At Samsung Mexico, we are committed to safety and compliance with local regulations in each of the countries where we operate. Starting October 11, we will begin to block those smartphones that come from the gray market and that were activated as of October-September. 21, 2023 in Mexico. For users whose smartphones are locked, we are offering a 30% discount coupon that can be redeemed on our official website www.samsung.com/mx or on the Samsung Shop app available for Android devices. The code will be valid until December 31, 2023″

Samsung

Original message:

In mid-September, we told you that Samsung Mexico was sending out warning notices to devices purchased on the gray market. These reports mentioned that the terminal did not comply with Mexican regulations. However, now it seems that the manufacturer is going to follow in the same footsteps as Motorola and ZTE. That is, block any smartphone which was acquired in this way.

Carlos Wassan, youtuber Mexican, general via X (Twitter) a screenshot of the notification he received on his Samsung phone today: “Your device does not comply with Mexican regulations, so will be disabled from October 11. We invite you to back up your information.”

The publication certainly causes great concern among owners of Samsung smartphones obtained on the gray market. Many took to the company’s official Twitter account to demand an explanation. While their answers don’t go deep into the issue of blocking, they do share a link to Samsung’s official website.

The above-mentioned website explains in detail why Samsung equipment is purchased on the gray market. do not comply with numerous rules set by Mexican authorities.

“Currently, there are various online stores where you can buy smartphones, tablets, accessories and other electronic devices. There are many options. It is in this sense that the Federal Agency for Consumer Protection (Profeco) has published a series of recommendations regarding the risks associated with purchasing electronic equipment or devices through unofficial channels,” the site begins.

Subsequently they explain that this Profeco which determines that while Samsung devices obtained from the gray market are produced legally, they are imported into the country “in violation of legal procedures, such as lack of warranty and technical specifications, product certification and labeling of official Mexican standards and others.” others” and add:

“Products will be similarly affected as they will not perform optimally, in addition to not having spare parts available, and may pose a risk to the health and safety of consumers.”

To prevent future owners of Samsung smartphones from being disappointed, the company recommends check for label NOM024. Another way to check whether a product meets regulations is to simply Make sure the warranty is valid in Mexico.. As you probably know, one of the disadvantages of buying devices on the gray market is the lack of a warranty within the country.

Without a doubt we are faced with controversial situation which will cause a huge debate in Mexico. Samsung has a significant market share in this country, so there will be many victims. After all, the gray market has become the best option to find smartphones at attractive prices.