DualShock 4 rubber peeling

daz.rathbone · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:12

Hi all,

Apologies if there's another thread on this - I did a quick search and found nothing on here.

So after only a couple of weeks, last night the edge of the rubber (where it meets the edge of the plastic controller stick underneath) split and started to peel away. This is probably with about maybe 30hrs of use (I have 2 controllers and alternate them) - don't think that's heavy use really.

Seems to be quite a widely reported issue on the net, but just wondered if anyone on here had experienced the same yet?

Overall I love the PS4 and love the controller, but the rubber appears shoddy. Just trying to decide whether to call Amazon or Sony about this - any suggestions for fastest response/replacement?

Cheers

Psycho Sonny · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:17

official PS4 thread - issue already spoken about in there.

contact sony not the retailer so the manufacturer can notify production.

you can buy replacements on ebay for very cheap, but it means opening it up yourself, 20 thumbsticks for less than £10.

20 thumbsticks should last you at least a year

Tallunis · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:18

daz.rathbone said:
Hi all,

Apologies if there's another thread on this - I did a quick search and found nothing on here.

So after only a couple of weeks, last night the edge of the rubber (where it meets the edge of the plastic controller stick underneath) split and started to peel away. This is probably with about maybe 30hrs of use (I have 2 controllers and alternate them) - don't think that's heavy use really.

Seems to be quite a widely reported issue on the net, but just wondered if anyone on here had experienced the same yet?

Overall I love the PS4 and love the controller, but the rubber appears shoddy. Just trying to decide whether to call Amazon or Sony about this - any suggestions for fastest response/replacement?

Cheers

some people have been posting in the official thread with this problem i have done about 50hours with mine and its still like new

neoglow · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:22

Nvm, I'm being blind lol

daz.rathbone · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:24

Cheers - thought (like the PS4 failures thread) it should have it's own thread if it turns out to be a widespread issue. finding anything in that main thread is a bit of a nightmare

Cheers all - I'll dig the Sony phone number from the main thread and give them a call.

MoRT489 · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:25

Quite a lot of people have been reporting this, would be good to compile them all here (perhaps with batch/serial number and retailer where purchased) so someone can send the link to Sony complaints/manufacturing department.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:27

MoRT489 said:
Quite a lot of people have been reporting this, would be good to compile them all here (perhaps with batch/serial number and retailer where purchased) so someone can send the link to Sony complaints/manufacturing department.

don't think you should stick the serial number on a public forum

daz.rathbone · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:27

Yeah MoRT that makes sense - I'll update on here with my model/serial/batch details tonight.

daz.rathbone · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:40

Called Sony - guy was extremely helpful, but very suprised at the issue (I nicely suggested they look at the 100s of reports on the web

).

I have to send it into them, and they'll inspect/test within 2days and send me out a brand new one. I'd be a little miffed if I only had the one controller, but as I still have a spare I'll get it shipped to them and see what happens.

Nice friendly customer service though, quite impressed.
Will update the thread with what happens.

stellasuppa · 13 Dec 2013 at 12:54

my pad is also flaking around the rim of the left stick i only have 1 pad so i wont be sending of to sony. I would buy another pad but there expensive so will grab a few replacement sticks soon.I have used my pad about 45hours.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Dec 2013 at 13:27

£50 for a pad with crappy rubber is unacceptable.

play asia has them for £39 but long delivery time and you could get hit by customs if your unlucky but easier to avoid at this time of year i imagine.

daz.rathbone · 13 Dec 2013 at 13:52

Psycho Sonny said:
£50 for a pad with crappy rubber is unacceptable.

play asia has them for £39 but long delivery time and you could get hit by customs if your unlucky but easier to avoid at this time of year i imagine.

Agreed, must be a design flaw.

Not sure I'd be buying from PlayAsia though, especially with a risk of them having the same problem - returns would be painful.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Dec 2013 at 13:55

daz.rathbone said:
Agreed, must be a design flaw.

Not sure I'd be buying from PlayAsia though, especially with a risk of them having the same problem - returns would be painful.

you would deal with sony directly, but that is the cheapest place to buy from new.

imo your better off just getting covers (rubber bits which go over the thumbsticks) for a few quid from amazon or ebay.

that way if they wear down you buy another set, no need to open the controller up and fiddle about with it.

was just in case someone wanted to order another controller.

daz.rathbone · 19 Dec 2013 at 10:29

Hi all,

Thought I'd post a little update to this thread.
Sony agreed to replace controllers *if* I sent them back, however I decided against that. The day after I posted this thread, the other controller did exactly the same. Read more reports on the net, and the problem seems to becoming MUCH more widespread now - it's not mis-use, it's a design flaw either with the plastic underneath being too sharp, or the rubber being too soft/flimsy, or (more likely) both.

Anyway I've bought some replacement covers for a few quid.

I decided this morning to start an online chat with Amazon to see what they are willing to do. "Charlie" went and looked at my bundle order, then told me that unfortunately they could not offer replacements for the controller (no explanation give), but then asked me if I'd like a partial refund. Eagerly I said yes, that would be very nice, and a couple of minutes later Charlie stated they would issue me a 15% refund from my PS4 bundle price - equating to £70.50.

Just had email confirmation of that, along with the chat transcript. What a result. I'd recommend anyone else try this

That's paid for the replacement covers, and given me a free game (which is what the cash will be used for!!).

Quinnaay · 19 Dec 2013 at 10:50

daz.rathbone said:
Hi all,

Thought I'd post a little update to this thread.
Sony agreed to replace controllers *if* I sent them back, however I decided against that. The day after I posted this thread, the other controller did exactly the same. Read more reports on the net, and the problem seems to becoming MUCH more widespread now - it's not mis-use, it's a design flaw either with the plastic underneath being too sharp, or the rubber being too soft/flimsy, or (more likely) both.

Anyway I've bought some replacement covers for a few quid.

I decided this morning to start an online chat with Amazon to see what they are willing to do. "Charlie" went and looked at my bundle order, then told me that unfortunately they could not offer replacements for the controller (no explanation give), but then asked me if I'd like a partial refund. Eagerly I said yes, that would be very nice, and a couple of minutes later Charlie stated they would issue me a 15% refund from my PS4 bundle price - equating to £70.50.

Just had email confirmation of that, along with the chat transcript. What a result. I'd recommend anyone else try this That's paid for the replacement covers, and given me a free game (which is what the cash will be used for!!).

Thats insane lucky guy wish I ordered mine from Amazon

I've also got the covers and there fine.

oHUTCHYo · 19 Dec 2013 at 11:00

Didn't work for me

:

You're now connected to Gopi from Amazon.co.uk
Me

S4 controller rubber sticks are flaking and becoming sharp and aggravating, all from limited use, can you assist?
Gopi:Thank you for contacting Amazon.co.uk. My name is Gopi. May I know your name, please?
Me:Hi Gopi, my name is XXX
Gopi:Hello XXX
I am sorry that you have issues with the item.
In this case, we normally create the replacement. Unfortunately as the item is not in stock, we are unable to replace it.
So please return the item back to us for full refund.
Me:Thank you for the offer Gopi, I'd prefer not to return the item as I would like to use it over the Christmas period and the PS4 is currently out of stock everywhere.
Can Amazon not provide a replacement?
Gopi:As the item is not in stock with us, we are unable to replace it.
I request you to check our website regularly and once the item comes in stock, please contact us and we will replace it.
Me:Thank you Gopi.
Gopi:For reference, I will send you the chat transcript.

beachBOYken · 19 Dec 2013 at 11:01

Psycho Sonny said:
£50 for a pad with crappy rubber is unacceptable.

play asia has them for £39 but long delivery time and you could get hit by customs if your unlucky but easier to avoid at this time of year i imagine.

I remember getting a DS3 from them.

My ds4 left stick is starting to wear a little , but nothing to bad , I will contact Sony if it gets worse

Robert1986 · 19 Dec 2013 at 11:04

My left thumb stick has peeled from the button left. R1 starting to stick from the left side.

Unacceptable after a few weeks of use.

cHk4 · 19 Dec 2013 at 11:32

Mine started peeling, I'm not hard with the stick either. It's annoying me as my thumb slips now, I got some covered from amazon for £4.99 but they hurt my thumb after a hour. I've got a spare controller so I might send it off.

daz.rathbone · 19 Dec 2013 at 11:34

Maybe I got very lucky then. Here's the chat transcript:

Hello,

Here's a copy of the chat transcript you requested:

Initial Question: Hi. I have a problem with the controllers in the (launch-day) Playstation 4 that I bought from you.

Both of the Dualshock 4 controllers that came with my bundle have an issue where the rubber is split and peeling from the left thumbstick. There appears to be similar issue widespread, so I am guessing this is a design flaw, but not acceptable when I've only had maybe 20hrs of use from the controller.

Can I ask what Amazon can do to help please?

Thanks
Darren

10:11 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Hello, my name is Charlie.
10:11 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Hi Charlie
10:11 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): I apologise for the inconvenience the controllers have caused.
I'll be glad to assist you.
Could you please provide me the order number that you are contacting us about?

10:12 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Not your fault, it's Sony's

But i'd apprecaite help sorting it. Order # 203-xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx
10:13 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Thanks.
10:14 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Please give me a few moments to pull your order up.
10:14 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Sure
10:16 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Thanks for patiently waiting.
I have checked but it seems that we are unable to send you replacement controllers.
10:17 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Would you like to get a discount for the bundle price instead?
10:17 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Sorry I don't understand what you mean by discount? Refund?
10:17 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Yes.
A partial refund.
10:18 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Ok, that would be very nice thank you. I have also purchased (from Amazon) some covers which will hopefully help the issue until Sony decide what to do.
10:20 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): I will now issue a 70.50 GBP that equates to 15% off the price of the bundle.
10:20 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: superb, thank you very much for your help.
10:22 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): I'm glad I've helped.
I have sent you a confirmation email.
Please check your inbox.
10:22 AM(GMT) Darren Rathbone: Awesome - again thanks for your help, and have a great christmas.
10:23 AM(GMT) Charlie(CSA): Thank you for choosing Amazon Chat. Have a good day. We hope to see you again soon. Please click the "End Chat" link to close this window.
Merry Christmas