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forum threadLivelyDeer6933 posted Today 01:45 AM
forum threadLivelyDeer6933 posted Today 01:45 AM

Samsung S26 Ultra - $250 Refund to Keep It Instead of Returning (Retention Refund - YMMV)

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Not your typical deal but posting this as a DP for anyone on the fence about keeping their S26 Ultra.

Contacted Samsung Order Support via chat to initiate a return on my S26 Ultra. Rep offered a $250 refund to keep the phone instead of returning it.

Didn't have to argue, didn't have to escalate. Just said I wanted to return it, confirmed the order, and the retention offer came within 2 minutes.

I could not upload the image of chat session but here you go.
https://imgur.com/a/0kGHWOQ

Steps:
1. Contact Samsung Order Support through their app or website chat (I used the Samsung app)

2. Tell them you'd like to return your S26 Ultra

3. Confirm the order details when asked

4. Wait for the retention offer — rep offered $250 back as a refund to keep the device

5. ???

6. Profit

Proof: (see attached screenshot of chat with rep Michellyn B.)

The rep said "As a valued customer, I can also offer you a $250 discount in the form of a refund to keep the product instead of returning it."

Important notes:

YMMV obviously. Retention offers depend on the rep, your account history, maybe the phase of the moon, who knows

You need to be within your return window for this to work

I did NOT have to ask for a supervisor or threaten anything. Literally just said I wanted to return it

If they don't offer it, you can always just... actually return it.

Not sure if this works on other S26 models. My datapoint (DP) is specifically for the Ultra 256GB at current rate. So give this a shot - or maybe willing to roll the dice on a trade in, or grab the $-150 credit + EDU & EPP discounts or whatever's Samsung is doing and then if you don't like it grab the $250 retention refund. YMMV

If anyone else tries this, drop your DPs below. Curious if they're doing this across the board or if I just got lucky. And if you really lucked out - leave a comment telling you what you've effectively paid for upgrading.

https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/galaxy-s26-ultra-512gb-unlocked-sku-sm-s... [samsung.com]
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Not your typical deal but posting this as a DP for anyone on the fence about keeping their S26 Ultra.

Contacted Samsung Order Support via chat to initiate a return on my S26 Ultra. Rep offered a $250 refund to keep the phone instead of returning it.

Didn't have to argue, didn't have to escalate. Just said I wanted to return it, confirmed the order, and the retention offer came within 2 minutes.

I could not upload the image of chat session but here you go.
https://imgur.com/a/0kGHWOQ

Steps:
1. Contact Samsung Order Support through their app or website chat (I used the Samsung app)

2. Tell them you'd like to return your S26 Ultra

3. Confirm the order details when asked

4. Wait for the retention offer — rep offered $250 back as a refund to keep the device

5. ???

6. Profit

Proof: (see attached screenshot of chat with rep Michellyn B.)

The rep said "As a valued customer, I can also offer you a $250 discount in the form of a refund to keep the product instead of returning it."

Important notes:

YMMV obviously. Retention offers depend on the rep, your account history, maybe the phase of the moon, who knows

You need to be within your return window for this to work

I did NOT have to ask for a supervisor or threaten anything. Literally just said I wanted to return it

If they don't offer it, you can always just... actually return it.

Not sure if this works on other S26 models. My datapoint (DP) is specifically for the Ultra 256GB at current rate. So give this a shot - or maybe willing to roll the dice on a trade in, or grab the $-150 credit + EDU & EPP discounts or whatever's Samsung is doing and then if you don't like it grab the $250 retention refund. YMMV

If anyone else tries this, drop your DPs below. Curious if they're doing this across the board or if I just got lucky. And if you really lucked out - leave a comment telling you what you've effectively paid for upgrading.

https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/galaxy-s26-ultra-512gb-unlocked-sku-sm-s... [samsung.com]

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8 Comments

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Today 01:46 AM
6,718 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
Quality-LearingToday 01:46 AM
6,718 Posts
If you were smart you would keep this quiet
1
2
1
Today 01:56 AM
3,791 Posts
Joined May 2015
WildflowerGuruToday 01:56 AM
3,791 Posts
Quote from Quality-Learing :
If you were smart you would keep this quiet
All phone manufacturers get a ton of returns. Especially Samsung. They are resold back through their own website and through well recognized third party liquidator box store online.

Those who do this will be unrecognized in the scheme of shear numbers.
Today 02:12 AM
4,295 Posts
Joined Feb 2011
iygToday 02:12 AM
4,295 Posts
YMMV. Tried it with s11 tab ultra but didn't get anything.
Original Poster
Today 02:18 AM
45 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
LivelyDeer6933
Original Poster
Today 02:18 AM
45 Posts
Quote from Quality-Learing :
If you were smart you would keep this quiet
I am not smart fortunately for you, blissfully ignorant. :-)
Last edited by LivelyDeer6933 March 16, 2026 at 07:36 PM.
Original Poster
Today 02:24 AM
45 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
LivelyDeer6933
Original Poster
Today 02:24 AM
45 Posts
I think a lot of this has to do with the display / eye strain issues people are having with S26 Ultra.

https://samsung.gadgethacks.com/n...yers-hurt/
Original Poster
Today 02:44 AM
45 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
LivelyDeer6933
Original Poster
Today 02:44 AM
45 Posts
edit: Updated Double Storage (512GB) - I found a link for double storage and included it on the main link - or here: https://www.samsung.com/us/smartp...48ulbexaa/
Today 03:06 AM
54 Posts
Joined Apr 2016
Deals_lover01Today 03:06 AM
54 Posts
What is the reason for returning what should I say
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Original Poster
Today 03:22 AM
45 Posts
Joined Dec 2020
LivelyDeer6933
Original Poster
Today 03:22 AM
45 Posts
Quote from Deals_lover01 :
What is the reason for returning what should I say
eye strain issues or fuzzy display (this is a real issue btw.) But you don't really need to give a reason, it's your right.

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