I've read through several threads on sync issues but all seem to have just the reverse of my problem.
I own an SGS2 and have sorted out an earlier issue of multiple contacts on my phone by first backing up all of my contacts on the handset into my SD card and then syncing with gmail and. once there I have been able to merge the duplicate contacts using the contacts action tool on gmail. Now I have 765 unique contacts on gmail and 1559 contacts on my handset. I tried deleting all my contacts on the handset and then syncing. The gmail account just deletes contacts it has too.
This is becoming annoying and I have been able to get back to status quo with the backed up contacts from SD card. Sorted contacts on gmail and multiple contacts on phone.
P.S:- It occurred to me to try importing contacts to a new google account, and then deleting the earlier two i.e. the contacts on the handset and the registered gmail account. But alas! The contacts are backed up fine but all photos of contacts do not backup.
Somebody help!!