A Timeline of Frustration

[GemmaGie]

For months, I'd been pushing myself. Long hours at work, late nights studying for school – it was a grind. But I had a goal: to reward myself for all that dedication. The perfect reward, I decided, would be the new Samsung S25 Ultra. It wasn't just a luxury; it was a necessity. My current phone was barely hanging on, and I needed a reliable device for all my professional and academic tasks. This phone was going to be my new companion, a tool to help me excel, and a symbol of my hard-earned progress.

On June 28, 2025, filled with anticipation, I finally placed the order through the Samsung Shop online. I chose the online store because I'd heard about their great offers and, crucially, their reputation for efficient shipping. I imagined the excitement of unboxing it, setting it up, and finally having a powerful device that could keep up with my demanding schedule. The promise of quick processing and delivery, as stated on their website, only fueled my optimism. This wasn't just a transaction; it was an investment in my future, a well-deserved treat after so much effort. Little did I know, this simple act of purchasing a phone would soon spiral into weeks of frustration, anxiety, and a profound sense of disappointment. The gift I bought for myself would become a source of constant stress, turning a moment of joy into an ongoing ordeal.

The initial promise of a 2-business-day preparation window quickly began to unravel:

• July 2, 2025: Just a few days in, my first check revealed the order status was "Preparing Order." A slight unease began to settle in.
• July 3, 2025: The status remained "Preparing Order." I reached out to Chat Support, only to be told the status was "Shipping Requested" and that standard delivery times would follow. This was the first hint of conflicting information, a pattern that would define this entire ordeal.
• July 4, 2025: A new twist. The online status changed to "Picked Up," and a promised delivery start date of July 10, 2025, was given. I was also vaguely informed that the delay might be due to unit availability. I personally spoke with Chat Support, receiving the same vague explanation. The confusion deepened.
• July 9, 2025: Still no phone. I asked Kuya John, the Samsung Store personnel who assisted with my online order, for an update. He was told by Chat Support that they were "just waiting for the courier." This was a direct contradiction to the earlier hint of a unit availability issue, and it felt like a deliberate misdirection.
• July 10, 2025 (The Promised Delivery Start Date): The day arrived, and instead of my phone, the order status inexplicably reverted back to "PREPARING ORDER." This was a punch to the gut. The frustration boiled over. How could a promised delivery date turn into a step backward?
• Since July 10th: I've been in a relentless cycle of sending emails almost daily, reaching out to Chat Support, and calling Phone Support. Each attempt has been met with apologies that feel hollow, and a complete failure to answer my core questions about why this is happening. 
• The revelation of a STOCKOUT only came later, making the previous "waiting for courier" excuses feel like a deliberate deception. I've been offered vouchers, which I've declined, because no compensation can truly mend the profound disappointment and the trauma of this experience. My mental health and mood are genuinely affected; the constant worry and the feeling of being unheard are taking a toll.

Now, I'm told the expected arrival is between July 14 and July 20. My patience is at its absolute limit. I desperately hope they do not stretch this to the 20th. This wasn't just a purchase; it was a gift, a reward for my hard work, and Samsung's actions have turned it into a source of immense stress. I shouldn't have trusted the Samsung Shop online; I should have just bought it from a physical store.