Don't mail your fire-prone Samsung, Canada Post says

CTV Ottawa: Returning your Samsung phone CTV’s Consumer Reporter Michael O’Byrne with the advice for Galaxy 7 users, and how to return them to Samsung.

Canadians hoping to return their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to the manufacturer better not try to mail them, Canada Post says.

“Following potential safety concerns raised by the manufacturer, Canada Post will not be accepting Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Devices for delivery,” Canada Post said in a service alert issued Oct. 12.

Lithium-ion batteries in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 devices were identified as a “potential fire hazard” by Health Canada, after reported cases of more than 100 batteries catching fire in the U.S., and one in Canada.

Earlier this week, Samsung announced it would discontinue sales and production of the Note 7.

Samsung Canada outlined a return process for its Galaxy Note 7 phones which went into effect Thursday.

Samsung Canada has asked all customers to immediately power down their devices and stop using them. Customers who bought their phones in stores can return them to the point of purchase, where they can be exchanged for a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge phone or a full refund. The company said it will email details regarding the return process to Canadian customers who purchased the phones online.

In the U.S., online customers have been shipped return kits for damaged, defective lithium- ion batteries. The kit is made up of a thermally insulated package and several boxes placed inside each other. It also includes a pair of gloves, presumably for placing the phone inside of the provided static shield. The kits are “forbidden for transport by air” but come with pre-paid shipping.

Samsung said the global recall of an estimated 2.5 million devices and the product’s discontinuation will cost the company at least US$5.3 billion.

For more information, Canadian customers can contact 1-855-747-6520.