Complaint Review: SAMSUNG

I purchased a Samsung cellphone around eight months ago. Six months later the phone was unable to recharge the battery. I tried different chargers but no luck. I was able to charge my battery fine in a different phone (same model). Otherwise the phone was fully working with no problems. I called Samsung around 2 weeks ago. I was promptly issued a UPS shipping label. So far so good. To my disbelief, a week later I received the email below:

*************************************************************

Dear ******* *****,

Thank you for your patience. Your product was shipped on 09/18/2009 at 15:01 EST.

Service Ticket Number: 4003855467

Ship Company:

Tracking Number: ***********

 Serial number: A1000001806694

Please view additional information below for more details.

 Original Problem: Technical Inquiry

Power No Power

Up Problem found:

CORROSION, LIQUID DAMAGE BER -

ABUSE, NOT REPAIRABLE

Solution: BER BER (Beyond economical Repair)

Comments: An attempt was made to repair your phone which was liquid damaged. This repair was unsuccessful due to excessive corrosion, or the failure of related components. The factory warranty has been voided. If you have any additional questions, please call us at 1-888-987-4357 and reference

Ticket Number: 4003855467.

Thank you. Samsung Electronics America

***************************************************************
Needless to say I was furious. To deny repair is one thing, but to blatantly lie is outrageous. When I called back, the call was elevated to a supervisor, after a 45 minute waste of time with a cust representative. No one was willing to help. They kept telling me that the motherboard was completely corroded. When I told them that I will open up the returned phone and take pictures of the alleged corrosion, the supervisor claimed that there will be no sign of corrosion left, since quote "the tech must have cleaned it off". What a joke. I threaten to file a small claims court against them (which I fully intend to pursue.

My story is eerily similar to a previous post on this forum http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?threadID=347187

 Keep in mind that we are talking about the cheapest phone Samsung makes for Sprint, usually one  you get for free with a contract. I will try to mail letters to any corporate exec I possibly can.

If anyone had a similar experience and would like to share something helpful, please be free to do so.