What you need to know
- Best Buy is ending its program that allowed Geek Squad to refund Samsung phones with genuine Samsung parts.
- This means that customers can only repair Samsung devices like Best Buy if they have Geek Squad protection and are willing to pay more for replacement parts.
- Samsung users are left with few options at repair stores like uBreakiFix, and both iFixit and Best Buy no longer offer repairs.
Best Buy’s Geek Squad is reportedly closing its dedicated Samsung repair service in Best Buy stores, according to a recent report from The edge. Samsung’s Authorized Service Provider (ASP) program allows select Best Buy stores to repair phones with genuine Samsung parts, tools and training, allowing users to schedule an appointment online to have their phones repaired.
The news came from Geek Squad Reddit Thread, which indicated that Best Buy was canceling the program.
One of the thread’s users seemed taken aback by this, saying, “In my district, I was the only one disappointed because I really like doing Samsung repairs, while everyone else was happy.”
The user added that they enjoyed being the person fully trained to perform SASP repairs and didn’t quite understand why Best Buy went ahead with this move since the program was working so well in their location.
While other employees who were part of this program really wanted it to end and were surprised that this had not happened sooner.
“I ran Geek Squad for almost 3 years and we had Samsung repairs implemented like 6 months after I was there. We still hadn’t successfully completed a single repair when I left,” another user added.
The post further claims that Best Buy will now only repair a Samsung device purchased at Best Buy, and only for people who have a Geek Squad Complete Cell Phone Protection Insurance and replacing any parts inside the device would cost extra, which could range from $199 to $249.
In statements sent to The Verge, Samsung and Best Buy did not deny that they were going their separate ways.
“We are in discussions with Best Buy to determine how Samsung can best help our customers in the future,” read a statement from Samsung’s head of mobile customer service, Mario Renato de Castro, adding that Samsung has “more than 9,000 technicians certified by Samsung Mobile.” in the U.S. providing We Come to You walk-in, mail-in, and van services.”
Best Buy spokeswoman Katie Klister said the company is evaluating how best to help wireless customers with authorized service and repairs.
“We know how important it is to our customers that we are there to provide the right services and expertise for their technology, and we are currently working alongside Samsung,” Katie added.
According to multiple reports, Best Buy has removed the option to repair Samsung phones on its US website and only offers Apple repairs. That being said, some Best Buy employees were seen putting two and two together on Reddit about the end of the Samsung ASP program.
An employee confirmed 18 days ago: “It’s worth mentioning that Samsung also canceled its cell phone repair program with Geek Squad the other day with very little notice or information.”
Another Best Buy employee provided an internal screenshot to The Verge stating that “Samsung ASP is ending at all SASP locations,” directing them to return parts used to repair the devices.
With I fix it With it announcing in May that it would end its partnership with Samsung, which allowed it to distribute OEM parts and repair guides, and Best Buy now doing the same, it will become increasingly difficult to find authorized repair stores for when a Samsung device needs repair. People now have to turn to third party stores like uBreakiFixthe only ones that offer to repair Samsung devices.