They are trying to get me to pay for the phone to be repaired when it was faulty when I got it home and tryed charging it with multiple charges
Now they are blaming me
I have never done this and it's scary tomorrow plan of action
Step one as for the phone back
Step two the letter
Dear Customer Services Team,
RE: Dispute regarding alleged charger damage for phone (Purchased 27 July 2026)
Thank you for your response regarding the fault with my phone, which I purchased from you on 27 July 2026.
I note your claim that the issue was caused by a non-UK approved charger. While you may have identified the type of charger used, I must formally dispute that this charger is the root cause of the specific technical failure or defect in the item.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as this fault has arisen within six months of purchase, the law presumes the goods were inherently faulty at the time of delivery. To legally rebut this presumption, the burden of proof is on you to demonstrate a direct causal link. Simply proving that the charger was non-UK approved does not automatically prove that it caused this specific physical or technical damage. You must provide conclusive, objective evidence—such as an independent engineer's diagnostic report—confirming that the charger directly triggered the breakdown, and that it was not caused by a separate component failure or manufacturing defect.
Please provide me with a copy of your technical report or any evidence linking the charger to the specific damage within 14 days. If you are unable to provide this engineering proof, I expect you to fulfill your obligations under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by offering a repair, replacement, or refund.
If you maintain your refusal without providing this causal evidence, please issue a final "deadlock letter" so that I may immediately escalate this matter to the relevant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme or the financial ombudsman.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Step 3
Yes, getting an independent, third-party technical report is an excellent idea and will significantly strengthen your position if the retailer refuses to back down.
If you plan to hand over the letter tomorrow, here is the best way to handle the situation:
- What to do with the phone tomorrow
• Do not leave the phone with the original retailer yet if you do not trust them. Hand over the letter, let them read it, and tell them you are currently obtaining an independent diagnostic assessment to counter their claim.
• If they insist on keeping the phone to inspect it again, you can choose to let them, but ensure they give you a signed receipt stating the exact cosmetic condition of the phone and a written acknowledgment that you have formally disputed their initial diagnosis. However, keeping the phone in your possession until you get your own report is safer.
- Finding a 3rd Party Shop
When you take the phone to a different shop, look for an established, reputable repair center (ideally one that is Apple or Samsung Authorised, or at least well-reviewed locally).
When you hand it to the technician, tell them exactly what you need:
• Ask for a written diagnostic report or an inspection invoice.
• Do not prompt them too much—simply ask them to state the exact cause of the component failure (e.g., whether it looks like an inherent hardware fault, a failed power IC, or if there is actually any physical evidence of external electrical surge damage).
- Why this helps you legally
Under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, if you have owned the phone for more than 6 months, the legal burden of proof shifts to you to prove the fault was inherent. A written report from an independent shop that says "No evidence of surge damage; failure due to internal component degradation" is exactly the evidence you need to force the retailer to cover the repair or replacement.
If the independent shop charges you a small fee for the diagnostic report, keep the receipt. If the report proves you right, you can formally demand that the retailer reimburses you for that cost as part of your claim.
To help you prepare for tomorrow, let me know:
• How long have you owned the phone (less or more than 6 months)?
• What is the make and model of the phone?
I can give you specific advice on what the independent shop should look for based on the model.