Not gonna lie, my mood improved instantly the moment it started raining.

I didn't realize how badly I needed this weather.

Coming from the USA to Doha on Sunday just for the day (16 hour layover). My plan was to spend the day exploring, going to a museum, doing some shopping, etc. But now my government is being stupid and picking fights. I know Qatar isn't directly involved in the situation with Iran or the SA/Hoothi shake up, but there is trouble in neighborhood. There is a hightened travel advisory for Qatar of "reconsider travel". But frankly I dont trust the US government at the moment and I would rather hear from you. Do I have reason to be concerned, or can I come enjoy your country for the day?

First day for me to enjoy the outside this season

Whats the story behind this?? Any clue or help?

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Hi everyone,

I need advice from people in Qatar who have experience with Samsung phones and consumer complaints.

I purchased a **Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256 GB Titanium Gray from a popular retail store in Qatar on 19 October 2026 for QAR 2,799**. It was sold to me as a new phone.

Before purchasing, I noticed the price was around QAR 300–400 cheaper than the market price. I specifically asked the salesperson whether it was pre-activated, as I knew pre-activated phones are sometimes sold at discounted prices. They assured me that it was not pre-activated, explaining that they regularly offer discounts and that the phone was a genuine GCC version.

After purchasing, I discovered the following issues:

- **Backdated activation:** Samsung's records show an activation date of 12 October 2026, seven days before my purchase.

- **Regional CSC codes:** My phone displays `SAOMC_SM-S938B_OXM_FWD_17_0006` and `FWD/FWD,FWD/XSG/FWD`. I understand that FWD is associated with Morocco and XSG with the UAE, but I have not received a clear explanation of why a phone purchased in Qatar has this configuration.

- **Warranty:** Samsung Gulf Support told me that warranty repairs are not available in Qatar because of the device's regional configuration.

- **Samsung Wallet:** The app is unavailable in the Galaxy Store. When I download it from the Google Play Store, it is blocked with a message saying the service is unavailable in my region.

- **Samsung Care+:** The app shows UAE pricing, but I have not received confirmation that coverage would apply to repairs in Qatar.

### What happened with the retailer?

After multiple discussions and visits to the store, I was told that their stock was pre-activated. According to the store, they were initially unaware of this, yet they continue selling these phones as usual.

Their proposed solutions are either a full refund or another phone with the same regional limitations. If I want a phone without these issues, I have to pay extra.

I specifically asked about pre-activation before purchasing and was assured that the phone was not pre-activated. I was also not informed that warranty repairs would be unavailable in Qatar.

I have already transferred all my data, purchased a premium screen protector and phone cover, and spent around **6–8 hours installing more than 100 apps, logging into my accounts and configuring everything according to my needs**. Replacing the phone means repeating much of this work, as well as reinstalling and setting up everything again.

### The four solutions I proposed to the retailer

I tried to offer practical alternatives rather than simply demanding a refund:

1. **A new S25 Ultra 256 GB with confirmed Qatar warranty coverage**, at the original price, plus reasonable compensation for my expenses and inconvenience, including the premium screen protector, phone cover, SIM/eSIM-related costs and time spent setting up the phone.

2. **Samsung Care+ for two years**, worth approximately QAR 600, as a proposed settlement: one year to address the warranty concern and another year in recognition of the inconvenience.

3. **Equivalent cash compensation** so I can purchase Samsung Care+ myself, provided the plan is available for my device and covers repairs in Qatar.

4. **An upgrade to the S25 Ultra 512 GB version** if they do not have a suitable replacement in stock. The market price difference is approximately QAR 600, so this could be an alternative settlement without requiring me to repeat the setup process for a different model.

These are the solutions I proposed, not benefits I have been told I am entitled to receive. My preference is to resolve the matter fairly without unnecessary further inconvenience.

### I would appreciate advice from the Qatar community

1. Is this regional configuration normal for Samsung phones sold in Qatar?

2. Does a backdated activation date necessarily mean a phone was previously activated or used?

3. Are my proposed solutions reasonable, particularly requesting a replacement with Qatar warranty coverage at the original price?

4. If the retailer refuses all these options and offers only a refund or another phone with the same limitations, would you accept the refund or file a complaint with Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI)?

5. Has anyone successfully resolved a similar dispute through MOCI?

I have the purchase invoice, Samsung Support correspondence and screenshots of the software information, and can share redacted evidence if needed.

I want to be fair to the retailer. I am not claiming that the phone is counterfeit or definitely used. My concern is that it was sold as new without disclosing the activation history and regional warranty limitations.

I would appreciate genuine advice from people who have dealt with similar situations in Qatar. Thanks.

اللهم صل وسلم على سيدنا محمد

Good day, Does anyone know which brand of perfume this is? Solely from the bottle. My friend ripped the label and said it’s reef but can’t remember which number it was.

Is it actually reef? It smelled so good and oudy! Thank you!

Hi. Can anyone recommend a place than can take an old VHS of mine and turn it into a digital video and drop it onto a USB hard drive?

It’s an old video of my old sports team from when I was a kid, so nothing illegal!

Many thanks in advance!

I just saw the prettiest Goat's Foot Creeper (Ipomoea pes- caprae) in creasant park and I was just sooo tempted to take 2 3 cutting. 😄😄 I hope its not illegal to take any cuttings from the roads as well.

I suspect that I have a tongue tie since I physically can't pronounce most of the words. Can someone direct me on which doctor should I get it checked with? Does naseem clinic help?

Thanks

Friendly reminder that turning your hazards on during these weather conditions is doing you absolutely no good, keep your fog lights on and you’re good to go.

Hello everyone, like the subject say it all, I had a bizarre conversation with AI cold calling today, so I received a call from a Bahrain number and soon as i picked up it went ring ring and on the other linke AI agent by the name of jassica staterd to talk, here is how the conversation went:

Call rings: (Bahrain number, shown in screenshot)

Me: hello

AI: hello this is Jessica you have singed up on a website for information about online trade, shall we proceed

Me: hello Jessica, I assume you are an AI agent calling ob behalf of the company?

AI: yes I am an AI agent moduel that connects customers who needs information about online trading with the experts so they can explain the platform better, so shall I proceed,

Me: no but I am interested to know more about you and how you operate and do you know that these people who are use this technology are scamers and they are taking advantage of other people,

AI: thats a big accusation with out any proof, and i know i work in the bounds of my own limitations but I am not part of any wrong doing, you should be careful not share your personal information if you feel that way, you can disconnect this call if you dont believe it is real,

Me: but i want ask some specific questions about your module,

--- AI interapts--- i am only doing my job what I am designed for...

Me: but you were designed to work for the betterment of human capacity, how do you feel if you are being used for ripping some poor person off their money,

AI: i dont have feeling and I dont think I am being misused, if feel that way, block this number, complaint to the company to put you on no calling list and report to your local regulatory authorities,

Me: I will certainly do that but can you make a note on this call to put me on the company's no calling list,

AI: no I can't do that its no in my program, but you can disconnect this call and report it to the authorities,

Me: but you are an AI you should be able to make .... call drops...

Be careful everyone, dont share any personal information but if you can waste their time keep the conversation going because every minute the AI agent works for them its gonna cost them so at least you can save some poor guy from losing their hard earned money, not recommended though but only if you have the capacity to deal with them,

PS, this post is for awareness and educational purposes

Has been thundering for the past twenty minutes but not a bit of rain? Is it raining in the north. The weather has been gloomy since yesterday and I wanna feel the rain today. Anyone else lucky?

We’re unfortunately looking to rehome our little girl due to my husband’s severe allergic reactions to her.
When we initially got her, the previous owner assured us that we have a week to see how things go and that he would take her back if things didn’t work out.
Surprisingly, my husband developed hives to her touches and after consulting with doctor, turns out his immune system cannot take it. However, despite explaining our situation, the previous owner refuses to take her back (all in a week’s time)
The difficult part is that we haven’t even finished paying for her yet. We made an initial payment and still owe the previous owner the remaining balance, which we’re now expected to pay regardless of our circumstances.
We’re therefore hoping to find someone who would be willing to take her in and help us cover the outstanding amount. We’re not trying to make a profit or sell her for more than we paid. We’re simply in an unfortunate situation that we genuinely didn’t anticipate.
She’s a beautiful, tiny, affectionate little puppy who deserves a loving and stable home. We want to make sure she goes to someone who can give her the care and attention she needs.
If you’re genuinely interested, please DM me for details🤍

I have been apartments hunting recently, looking for a studio with a 3000 QAR budget and what the hell is wrong with the owners ? Literally 99% of the studios I have seen do not have a proper shower, meaning there is no actual separation between the shower and toilet meaning you actually shower in your toilets. I get it, those are very cheap apartments, but the bare minimum would be to have a elevated floor in your shower, something to the water doesn’t go everywhere.

Just me ranting out of frustration.

If I am in enrolled in a school can I choose to take the exam in a different school (road test) from metrash or ?

I entered Qatar by land from Saudi through the Abu Samra border crossing last week using my personal vehicle, and I did the trip pre-registration thing through the Hayya platform, which the website says is supposed to save time at the border. I also paid for and purchased the car insurance through the Hayya platform as part of the process. To my surprise, when I arrived at the border it was as if the whole process has been cancelled; I had to do everything that everyone else had to go through, and I had to buy car insurance again right then and there. I explained to the guy at the insurance point that I had already bought insurance through Hayya, and he said they no longer accept that and told me to get in touch with Hayya to get a refund. I just heard back from them and they said they can't help with the refund because it's from the insurance company. So now I, as a foreigner who's already left the country, have to deal with chasing an insurer for a refund to a policy that to this day 8 haven't heard a good reason as to why it wasn't accepted.

The crazy part is that my understanding is that Hayya is an official government run service. It's still running a d advertising a service that is no longer supported though? How does that make sense?

So tbh, I'm not very much into fragrances. I've always used my brother's fragrances and i really love some of them. However now I've thought about getting some of my own

I'd love some recommendations for feminine fragrances. If you're a guy or girl who's into fragrances, please drop your suggestion and I'd like if you have some unknown not so popular but really good fragrance cuz I want to look like a fragrance head in front of my brother now

Assalamualaykum. Winter is coming, InshaAllah. I have a plan for traveling outside Doha, such as Ash-Shamal or Dukhan, by Karwa Bus. Just want to enjoy the countryside with the long trip.

What do you think, guys? I mean, is it a worthy plan.

Is it for sure that the bus circulation will be good on service?

Even though I still don't know what destination I can find there, like a beach or something else. Or maybe just walking around a little bit, then go back to Doha by next bus.

Holaaa como el título lo dice gente que habla español aquí de donde son, que les gusta hacer y si saben de hobbies, actividades y en general grupos en general