Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL; Dr.
- Google says it won’t return a device if it has non-OEM parts.
- This condition is just another in a growing number of anti-consumer practices
Last week, Samsung was embroiled in a controversy of its own making when it was revealed that the company was forcing independent repair shops to rip off customers who had devices with non-OEM parts installed. Now Google has also landed in hot water for similar anti-consumer behavior.
Like many other phone manufacturers, Google has a self-repair program for servicing your damaged or malfunctioning Pixel device. As its support page explains, there are options to get repair tools, manuals and certified parts so you can fix your Pixel like new. Owners can also choose to simply send their device in to have it professionally repaired.
Since replacement parts can be expensive, some DIYers choose to use parts from third-party suppliers. But if you go this route, you might want to avoid sending your device to Google if there’s a problem you don’t have the skills to fix yourself.
Apparently, this rule came into effect on July 19, 2023, as noted on the site. Imagine sending the phone you depend on for repair, only to not have it returned to you. This revelation isn’t exactly a great look for the Pixel maker, and it’s led to some stinging reactions online.
One Reddit user says, “Google really hates their customers when those customers don’t keep their wallets open and directed by the greedy hands of Google.” Another user says: “This is crazy. They really don’t want us to own anything anymore. They want to control everything we own and dictate our lives.” Meanwhile, one YouTube commenter says:
Imagine a world where if you bought a car and it broke down because it needed to be replaced, and then you took it to the dealership for another unrelated issue, they would not only not do the repair you requested, but then recall it and they would remove the vehicle. This is why the right to repair is so important, because if you cannot modify or repair your device as you see fit, it ceases to be your property.
This behavior is not unique to Google either; Samsung and Apple also engage in similar anti-consumer behavior. For example, in the Samsung report mentioned earlier, it was found that Samsung requires independent repair shops to disassemble a customer’s product if it has a non-OEM part.
Overall, this just shows that the current state of self-repair is not looking great. At this point, these programs seem to be more for show than anything else. We’ve reached out to Google for comment and we’ll update this article accordingly.
#Google #phone #send #repair #nonOEM #parts
Image Source : www.androidauthority.com
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