Samsung Galaxy S3 repair problem

piglet25

I own a Samsung Galaxy S3 which suffered from sudden death syndrome. I contacted Samsung who said to return it and sent me the envelope in which to do so. I packed it up in their envelope, and added another four layers of bubble wrap to the phone to ensure it was protected, so it had eight layers each side in total as their envelope went around it twice. Today I receive a letter from them saying it is no longer covered under the warranty due to external damage - but they will repair the external damage for just under £250.
!!!!!!? There was nothing wrong with the phone, it was always used in a case and well looked after and now from the list of parts they say it needs it looks like someone has belted it with a sledgehammer! New screen and casing were just two of those listed.
Does anyone have any idea what I can do as there is no way I am going to pay that and I feel that they should take care of peoples belongings. I also question whether Royal mail are worth contacting as the phone was sent special delivery, although Samsung are the ones with the contract with Royal mail.
A cynic would say that they can't be bothered to repair a very well known and common software fault with their product and would prefer to fob customers off, but I would prefer to think that there would be a positive way forward.

pinkshoes

Where did you buy the phone from? How old is it?