With summer approaching, many are considering replacing large home appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators. Consumer interest is at an all-time high, especially with the recent news of Samsung Electronics' unprecedented refund promotion. This event, which returns a whopping 20% of the payment amount in 'Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates', is a golden opportunity to significantly ease financial burdens.
However, misinformation is spreading rapidly across internet communities and social media, requiring special attention. The most common misconception is the illusion that "you can get the 20% refund even if you buy from open markets like Coupang or 11st." To cut to the chase, this is not true. To avoid missing out on this massive benefit, you must clearly understand the exact conditions of the event, the designated purchasing channels, and the refund process.
This article provides a comprehensive summary of everything you need to know before purchasing your home appliances, including how to accurately apply for the ongoing 'With the People, Samsung Electronics Appreciation Festival', the differences between open markets and official channels, and how to receive and use Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates.
1. The Biggest Misconception: Coupang and General Open Markets Are Not Eligible for the 20% Refund
When buying home appliances, many people use comprehensive online shopping malls like Coupang (for its Rocket Installation), Naver Shopping, 11st, or Gmarket due to fast delivery and credit card discount benefits. While this might be an excellent choice normally, you need to pause before hitting the buy button during this 20% refund promotion period.
This event is a special promotion designed to revitalize the local economy and boost domestic demand. Benefits are only applied to payments made through Samsung Electronics' official online and offline channels. In other words, even if you purchase an eligible model (TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, etc.) at other online malls like Coupang, or other comprehensive appliance stores like Himart or ET Land, you will not receive a single penny of the 20% Onnuri Gift Certificate refund.
The 5 to 10% instant credit card discounts offered by open markets might seem cheaper right now. However, receiving 20% of the payment amount back as a gift certificate—which can be used exactly like cash—after purchasing from an official channel is almost always much more advantageous in terms of final perceived cost. Therefore, checking if the seller is an official channel designated by Samsung Electronics is the first essential step to fully enjoying this benefit.
2. Key Summary of the 'With the People, Samsung Electronics Appreciation Festival'
To prevent consumer confusion, here is a clear summary of the official overview and core benefits of this event. Please check the schedule and conditions carefully.
- Event Name: With the People, Samsung Electronics Appreciation Festival
- Event Period: Monday, June 8, 2026 ~ Sunday, July 5, 2026 (4 weeks total)
- Basic Benefit: 20% of the payment amount refunded as a 'Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate' when purchasing eligible home appliances from official channels during the event period.
- Additional Benefit (Uniformed Public Servants): Uniformed public servants dedicated to national safety, such as military personnel, police, firefighters, and correctional officers, can receive an additional 10% on top of the basic 20% upon identity verification, offering up to a 30% refund.
- Mandatory Purchasing Channels (Eligible for Refund):
- Online: Samsung Electronics Official Website (Samsung.com)
- Offline: Nationwide Samsung Store Direct Branches and Official Agencies
Benefits are provided only for orders where payment and delivery (installation) are completed within the period. If you are planning a purchase for moving or marriage, it is highly recommended to finalize your payment early, allowing ample time for the delivery schedule.
3. Eligible Major Home Appliance Lineups (TVs, Refrigerators, Washers, Air Conditioners)
This event does not aim to clear out unpopular inventory; it focuses on four major home appliances that are essential to daily life. Premium lineups equipped with the latest AI technology in each category are also included, making this the optimal time to acquire high-end products you may have hesitated to buy due to price.
- Samsung Smart TVs (Neo QLED, OLED, etc.): TVs, the centerpiece of the home, are seeing huge popularity in 75-inch and 85-inch or larger models, following the "bigger is better" trend. Purchasing the latest high-definition TV with AI upscaling during this period offers both visual satisfaction and the economic satisfaction of a 20% refund.
- Bespoke Refrigerators: Bespoke refrigerators, often called the completion of kitchen interior design, are also eligible. The latest models feature AI custom energy-saving functions that learn user patterns. While initial costs are high, applying the 20% refund allows you to bring a premium refrigerator into your kitchen at a perceived price similar to a mid-to-low-tier model.
- All-in-One Washer-Dryers & Washer/Dryer Sets: Now is the right time to buy the latest all-in-one washer-dryers—the hottest topic in the appliance market that handles washing and drying at once—or washer/dryer set models. You can get innovative products that drastically reduce laundry room space and chore time at a reasonable price.
- Wind-Free Air Conditioners (Stand, Wall-Mounted, Window): June, right before the intense heat and monsoon season begins, is the absolute deadline for buying air conditioners. Wait times for installation grow exponentially in July. Buying a highly efficient Wind-Free air conditioner during this event ensures both a comfortable summer and a lucrative refund.
(Note: Specific eligible models must be verified in advance at Samsung.com or a physical Samsung Store. Certain super-discounted models or small appliances may be excluded.)
4. Perceived Cost Simulation: Open Market (Coupang) vs. Official Channel (Samsung.com)
For those wondering, "Is it really cheaper to pay full price on the official website and get 20% back, rather than getting an instant discount at an open market?", here is an easy-to-understand hypothetical simulation.
(Assumption) Purchasing a Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator with a release price of 3,000,000 KRW
[Option A] Purchasing at an Open Market like Coupang
- Basic Selling Price: 2,900,000 KRW (Open market's own discount applied)
- Instant Credit Card Discount (Assuming approx. 10%): -290,000 KRW
- Final Payment Amount (Perceived Cost): 2,610,000 KRW
- Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate Refund: Not Applicable
[Option B] Purchasing at Samsung.com (Official Website)
- Basic Selling Price: 3,000,000 KRW (Full price payment)
- Final Payment Amount: 3,000,000 KRW
- Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate 20% Refund: +600,000 KRW issued (Cash-equivalent asset)
- Actual Final Perceived Cost (Payment - Gift Certificate Benefit): 2,400,000 KRW
As shown above, rather than lowering the payment amount itself via instant discounts at an open market, [Option B] is practically 210,000 KRW more profitable. You get 20% of the payment amount (a massive 600,000 KRW in this case) back as a gift certificate that acts like cash. Since gift certificates can be fully spent on daily living expenses like groceries, dining out, and gas, they hold the exact same value as a cash discount.
5. The Exact Process to Claim the 20% Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate
If you successfully purchased a product at an offline Samsung Store or online at Samsung.com, the gift certificate is not issued automatically just by sitting still. The buyer must manually apply for the refund. Here is the exact process to receive your gift certificate without missing out.
- Complete Purchase and Installation: Pay for an eligible model at Samsung.com or a Samsung Store and have it delivered and installed at your home.
- Prepare Proof of Purchase: Take clear photos of your payment receipt (credit card slip) and the unique serial number of the installed appliance.
- Access the Samsung.com Refund Application Page: Go to the official Samsung Electronics website (Samsung.com) and click the 'Appreciation Festival' banner on the main page to go to the event page.
- Enter Information and Submit Documents: Accurately fill out the event application form with buyer information (name, contact, etc.), purchased model name, and serial number, and upload the prepared receipt photos.
- Application Complete and Awaiting Approval: Once submitted, Samsung Electronics will review the documents. If everything is correct, the benefit will be granted under your name according to the designated payment schedule.
6. How to Smartly Use Your 'Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate' & App Setup
Many people think of paper certificates used in traditional markets when they hear "Onnuri Gift Certificate," but what is issued through this benefit is a 'Digital (Rechargeable Card Type) Onnuri Gift Certificate'. It is an incredibly convenient system where you can enjoy the benefits using your usual physical credit/debit card without carrying paper.
If you received a notification or text message that your refund has been approved, please set up your smartphone in the following order.
[Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate App Installation and Card Registration]
- Download the Dedicated App: Open the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone), search for 'Onnuri Gift Certificate' (온누리상품권), and download the official application.
- Sign Up and Verify Identity: Launch the app and sign up by verifying your mobile phone under your name.
- Check Refund Amount: If the refund process was completed normally, you can see the 20% amount (e.g., 600,000 KRW) provided by Samsung Electronics charged in the balance inquiry menu on the app's main screen.
- Link Payment Card (Most Important): Go to the 'Register Card' menu at the bottom of the app and register the actual credit or debit card number you carry in your wallet. (Most commercial banks and credit card companies can be registered).
[Actual Usage and Tips] Now, everything is ready. Just visit traditional markets, neighborhood commercial districts, or local merchants (restaurants, butcher shops, fruit stores, pharmacies, etc., with the Onnuri Gift Certificate merchant logo) and simply swipe the physical card you just registered in the app.
You don't even need to tell the clerk, "I'll pay with an Onnuri Gift Certificate." Systematically, when a payment occurs with that card at a merchant, it is not billed to your credit card statement but is automatically deducted first from your balance in the Onnuri Gift Certificate app (the Samsung refund amount). If your gift certificate balance is insufficient, only the remaining amount is charged normally to your card, making it very intuitive. You can easily search for available merchants by looking at the map around you through the 'Find Merchant' menu in the app.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Before Purchasing Home Appliances
Finally, here are the most confusing and frequently asked questions by consumers, summarized in a Q&A format.
Q1. I already paid for an air conditioner on Coupang, and it's scheduled for installation tomorrow. Should I cancel it now? A1. You need to carefully compare the payment amount and benefits. If Coupang's final payment is over 20% cheaper than Samsung.com's full price, there is no need to cancel. However, if the price difference is only around 5~10%, it is financially much more advantageous to cancel the Coupang payment (free returns are usually available before installation) and buy from an official channel to get the 20% Onnuri Gift Certificate.
Q2. Can I use the refunded Onnuri Gift Certificate at large supermarkets like E-mart or Homeplus? A2. Unfortunately, no. Because Onnuri Gift Certificates are issued to revitalize small business owners and traditional markets, their use is restricted at large supermarkets, department stores, and large franchise direct stores. Instead, they can be widely used in neighborhood commercial areas like local supermarkets, agricultural/livestock/marine product stores, academies, hospitals, and pharmacies, making them excellent for covering food and living expenses.
Q3. I want to buy an appliance for my parents' house. Can I pay with my card but receive the benefit under my parents' name? A3. No, you cannot. To prevent fraudulent claims, the name of the 'buyer (payer)' of the home appliance and the person receiving the Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate through the refund application must exactly match. Therefore, if you want your parents to receive the gift certificate, you must use a card or account under their name from the payment stage.
Q4. What documents are needed to get the 30% benefit for uniformed public servants? A4. You must go through a separate public servant verification process on the Samsung.com event page. They may require a copy of your public servant ID or a certificate of employment as an uploaded file to prove your profession, so those eligible should take pictures of these documents in advance.
Q5. Is the 20% given unconditionally regardless of the purchase amount? Is there a limit? A5. In the case of government subsidies or large-scale promotions, there is often a maximum refund limit per person (e.g., max 1 million KRW, 2 million KRW, etc.). For customers buying multiple appliances at once for marriage or moving, please make sure to check the individual 'maximum payment limit' on Samsung.com's detailed precautions page before paying.
Closing Thoughts
This is a large-scale home appliance purchase support benefit that hasn't been seen in a long time. Since home appliances are high-involvement products used for at least 5 to 10 years once purchased, your choice of the initial purchasing channel determines the overall cost-effectiveness. Rather than mindlessly adding items to an open market shopping cart for convenience, we highly recommend carefully comparing the conditions of the official Samsung Electronics website (Samsung.com) and offline Samsung Stores as guided today. Through a smart channel choice and the 20% Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate refund benefit, we hope you complete a smart home appliance shopping experience that lowers household burdens and raises your quality of life.