I have read some negative experiences with CarlCare online that I wonder why the company has refused to change its ways. Many of the negative experiences are with their Opebi branch in Lagos. Below is my own experience with CarlCare, Uyo Service Center, No 18 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This post is not intended to ridicule the company or discourage genuine warranty holders from using CarlCare. I am sharing this because other people need to know what to expect with CarlCare and for the company to get its acts right. The experience below happened this month (August 2017).


At first, my device (Tecno PhonePad II) touch screen stopped responding on its own just a few months after I bought it from Konga (it was still under warranty). I took it to CarlCare, Uyo Center, and I expected that it would be fixed free of charge based on my warranty. On getting there, a plump, saucy and impatient lady called Grace examined the device and said I have to pay 15k for repairs because she could see some specks of sand between the screen guard and the LCD (which wasn't cracked in any way). The sand must have been stuck there when my screen guard was fixed. I even told them to remove the screen guard so that the sand would leave but they refused.

I was filled with utter dismay. I tried to stand my ground but the lady insisted that what happened was physical damage (even though I know NOTHING damaged the device physically). So I had no other choice than to pay the 15k (I couldn't take it elsewhere in Uyo because there are no other genuine Tecno repairers around that I know of, apart from the untrusted and untested road-side technicians). I had to get the money and pay.

After paying the 15k, I was told to come back for the phone in a week. I returned to pick the phone and truly the screen seemed changed. Fast forward a few weeks after the said change, my phone suddenly stopped charging. I tried several chargers and it didn't work. The chargers all worked in different phones but not mine. I knew the problem was from CarlCare because they were the only ones that have opened the phone so far.

I took the device back to CarlCare Service Center, Uyo. This time I was welcomed by the anti-customer face of Innocent, one of their male staff. Innocent is not someone anyone should put in front of customers at all. He examined the phone after I told him it stopped charging and that I had repaired it there before. I was billed N400. I paid N1000 and they didn't have complete change so I was owed N400 (I never got the balance). Innocent asked me to return the next day for the phone.

So I returned the next day and was asked to come the day after. I did so and was asked to come by Friday (this happened on Wednesday). I returned there on Friday and was told that my phone has been sent to Port Harcourt for repairs because they couldn't do it (which I suspected as a lie to buy themselves more time). I was yet again asked to return the next week. I was not supposed to remain in Uyo beyond that week but I stayed behind because of the device. I returned on the day they stipulated and this time I met Grace, the plump female worker. She said that my device is taking too long to repair (after Innocent said the week before that it was sent to Port Harcourt) and that they want to swap it with a new device for me. My goodness! I was elated! I never knew she kept a whole lot about the said swap from me.

I brought my receipt as Grace requested and she said that she would apply for the swap. I was asked to return the next day. When I got there on the next appointed day, I was then told the truth about the swap. Grace (the CarlCare worker) said that I have to choose between L9 and L8 Lite and PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. Firstly, both of these devices were far lower than Tecno PhonePad II both in price and functions. Secondly, my choice was limited to ONLY both devices (even though I wanted other choices). Seeing that I had no other choice, I settled for the L9 which was higher than L8 Lite.

Grace then made it more complicated by saying that I have to pay another N13,000 for the swap difference. My PhonePad II was bought at 40k last year, the price is currently 55k in Slot. L9 is sold at 36k everywhere. So I wondered why I should pay a difference of 13k? She said the money covered both the swap and the failed attempt to repair my previous phone's damaged board. I was disappointed again. It should be noted that I didn't have any other phone to access the internet with at this point and I was basically frustrated with everything.

So I had to pay another 13k to complete the said swap for a LOWER ranking device without even 4G (which my previous phone had). After payment, I was told to wait or to go and return because their server was down. I collected Grace's number so that I could call her to know the updates but she didn't pick up all through except once when she said she would check and never returned the call or picked up again. I even sent a text but had no response.

I had to return to CarlCare office again that day to know the update. Immediately Grace and Innocent (CarlCare workers) saw me, they seemed uncomfortable. I smelt something fishy. I was asked to wait yet again. Probably frustrated by my own frustration and impending anger, Grace went in and brought a Tecno L9 device in the following conditions:

1. No pack or carton
2. No accessories, including charger
3. No receipt for the new device
4. Device looked more refurbished than new
5. She declined to help me setup the phone and insisted I do it on my own (WHY?)
6. My N400 initial change wasn't returned
7. I didn't even get a printout for the transaction

I had no other choice than to accept the phone. I took it knowing that it was the only choice I had (she had said its either this or I pay for a new board amounting to over N20k). I have the new device with me now and I am not happy with its performance so far but I have no other choice, CarlCare made sure of that.

This is an experience I wouldn't want another to have. I have resolved to avoid anything that takes me to CarlCare at all costs and if something should ever take me there, I will take ice and fire along with me and give them a terribly cold hell. I advise everyone to avoid CarlCare, and in fact, if you can, Tecno products entirely (I have another Tecno 8H wasting away in my room because CarlCare couldn't repair it - barely a year after I bought it). I have seen a number of Tecno flagship devices go bad "all of a sudden" without any hope for repairs and even if they can be repaired, it'll be at exorbitant costs. Their swap deals are no better (run away from them if you can).

Read more reviews of CarlCare here: https://www.reviewnaija.com/reviews/carlcare-centre-ikeja

That Was A Nasty Experience

(I couldn't take it elsewhere in Uyo because there are no other genuine Tecno repairers around that I know of, apart from the untrusted and untested road-side technicians).

Next time you are in a place you are not conversant with make friends and ask questions because I know of Techno sales and repairs shop on oron road by plaza and barracks road by plaza

subtlemee:
(I couldn't take it elsewhere in Uyo because there are no other genuine Tecno repairers around that I know of, apart from the untrusted and untested road-side technicians).

Next time you are in a place you are not conversant with make friends and ask questions because I know of Techno sales and repairs shop on oron road by plaza and barracks road by plaza

That was the mistake I made. I zeroed in on CarlCare without making further enquiries. Thanks for the other shops you've mentioned. At least, others who may view this thread can patronise them and whenever I am in need of repairs and I happen to be in Uyo, I will certainly keep them in mind.

I wonder where they get their staffs. Had bad experience with the branch at Ikeja too.

I guess they scammed you.
Lalasticlala, see this ooo.

Bro sorry for the nasty experience.

It might interest you to note that these same Can'tCare officials invade the social media space like NL and OverHype all these substandard YunOS powered devices.

This action lead many astray with tons of false information, inaccurate device specs and later dashed expectations from the consumer.

what a bad experience.

I won't gift my enemy a tecno product. The company na embodiment of fraud.


Op I advise you to sell that new phone they gave you before you start spending unnecessary money on it. Save up and buy a better brand.

Those things don't work well in Nigeria. Just like food ordering in Nigeria, them go use hunger kill you if you wait for them. Call them at 7am, tell them you need the food at 11:30am, they'll bring the food at 3:30pm. Rubish!

Op na your fillage fifu de pursue you. You dey, just de fall mugu for dose two utebe Whar appun to sending a mail directly to konga?

I trust my Lagosians Those okryo no go finish de 1st sen10s before the lagosian go shout down heaven If you never go Lagos, chai, I pirri you for dis kain tin

Ok

Hmmm...

Lengthy article but totally worth the read.. now to advise ya all.

When they tell u guys to buy Samsung or iphone device u people will reject. See what you faced now.. now sum up all your expenses plus time and see if it is not enough for a good device from those aforementioned brands.

I had similar experience with a Gionee F103 pro with the gionee shop in benin. Took almost 2 whole months to fix the the screen.. when they finally did the mouth piece was not working.

See I advice anybody just stay away from all this companies that have made naija their junkyard.. e.g techno, gionee, infinix, and the likes.

On other notes I get brandnew iphone 7 plus for sale o

Please, who has that picture of a rich dapper nigga in white brocade pointing and giving orders to a police man? A car was packed at the background of what looks like an entrance to a hotel.

It's a popular picture

Welcome to customer care in Nigeria...

Thats a terrible experience

I hate buying stuff online, next time go to reputable shops pay cash or pos then ask them about warranty incase any problem. Make sure the place is close to where you stay, if anything happens to the phone take it to them and they will repair it without any issue. Na their problems if they spoil the fone cos they will replace it for you free of charge. Talking from experience

GrandMufti:
I won't gift my enemy a tecno product. The company na embodiment of fraud.


Op I advise you to sell that new phone they gave you before you start spending unnecessary money on it. Save up and buy a better brand.

The grandmaster has spoken.
OP, I advice you heed to this advice

After booking space all I hav to say is Chinko na CHINKO EVEN IF DEM REPACKAGE AM

k

Geoni products the best in town

And im about to go to their office in Abuja on Monday oh, imagine I bought Tecno WX3 in less than a month the ear piece is no more working except I put in in speaker or I use ear piece.... I was there yesterday, they said I should drop the phone and come back I two days, I couldn't drop it as I'm not with any other phone, so I promise to go and give them on Monday. With this experience if the OP now, I'm discourage going there again oooh.

Bro you're just an anologue being.. Disgraceful both you and carlcare criminals..

Btw Techno no be phone..

That bad of tecno

This is a very terrible experience!! You should share it on all social media platforms, an attractive headline centered on the failure and crooked ways of carlcare will make this go viral. U'd be surprised they would call you back for compensation. Pls keep sharing this! They need to be taught a lesson.

Brooke60:
I wonder where they get their staffs. Had bad experience with the branch at Ikeja too.

I guess they scammed you.
Lalasticlala, see this ooo.

pls we shd not keep quiet on this

And the funny thing is that Naira land Tecno marketers will give you calcare as the reason you should buy Tecno instead of Xiaomi. Tecno is under powered and over priced and calcare is technically useless.


They will soon contact you for compensation just to save face

Guy na u dull, all I saw was I had no other choice, u don see where people dey get choice? I can't have u as a friend and not lash u with my tongue. u were totally cheated and trampled on. If Na me I go show them werey, u dash dem balance, u pay more for lower device. Guy u no b Nigerian or e b like say change dey ur hand wella. Yr right is ur right, if dem one try rubbish with u threaten them say u go carry their case online with proof. Abeggi no tell us say dem do u strong thing, Na u cause am