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Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
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Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.

Original Post
garya505e (52 ) View Listings
garya505e
(1 of 8)
Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 16, 2012 09:04 AM

I'm looking for a new phone on eBay, and I see a lot of complaints about sellers selling phones as new, when in reality they are refurbs or carrier returns (buyer's remorse or dissatisfaction returns to carrier).  How do you know if what they are selling is really new (i.e. "old new stock" or overstock)?  I've sent them messages asking for detail on this but they usually reply without really answering, or don't reply at all.  Some times they sort of dance around the question like they don't want to really answer.
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Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.

(7 Replies / 1,119 Views)
garya505e (52 ) View Listings
garya505e
Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 16, 2012 09:04 AM

I'm looking for a new phone on eBay, and I see a lot of complaints about sellers selling phones as new, when in reality they are refurbs or carrier returns (buyer's remorse or dissatisfaction returns to carrier).  How do you know if what they are selling is really new (i.e. "old new stock" or overstock)?  I've sent them messages asking for detail on this but they usually reply without really answering, or don't reply at all.  Some times they sort of dance around the question like they don't want to really answer.
Last Post
Sep 17, 2012 08:42 AM
by tzudhonym (1356 ) View Listings
garya505e (52 ) View Listings
garya505e
(1 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 17, 2012 09:45 AM

OK, so no replies yet. I've been digging into this a little.

 

What I can figure out so far, is that some sellers are selling the following as "new" phones:

1. Customer satisfaction returns - like all those phones that people return under the 15-day or 30-day satisfaction guarantees.

2. Refurbs - Phones that are actually refurbed after being traded in for new phones.

3. Used -  Used phones that look really good and could pass for "new" if you don't know better.

4. Overstock - This is the stuff sitting on the shelf when the carrier decides to discontinue the phone.

5. Warranty replacements - These are the "white box" phones that the carriers give you when yours stops working and is still under warranty.

 

The last two are the ones you want, if you want to buy "new".

 

I believe that eBay sellers buy these wireless carriers or wholesalers in large lots and don't actually know exactly what is in the lot.

 

 

 

 

 
gporpc (6545 ) View Listings
gporpc
(2 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 17, 2012 07:55 PM

The categories are

New

New, other

and refurbed

seller referbed

and

used

 

 

New means

Sealed and never used, you have to be carefull here

Some new are never sealed....

 

I just bought 4 Straightalk, various models all from one seller

All were in

New, sealed category

and I know all Straightalks are in a blister pack in a box.

Hence meaning sealed..

Blister packs are sealed like they are going to the moon and back

you can easily lose a finger opening it if not careful.

...

 

I have filed a SNAD complaint on 3 with eBay.

All of those 3 were opened.

1 had number on it going back one year

Another numbers back to October 2011.

1 more opened....

 

What are these sellers thinking?

 

 

 

 


Almost daily I dine at Jack in the Box Once a week at the China Buffet Once a week at Hometown Buffet

A George Jones song "What my woman can't do can't be done"

"I am watching you"

gporpc (6545 ) View Listings
gporpc
(3 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 17, 2012 07:58 PM
garya505e wrote:

I'm looking for a new phone on eBay, and I see a lot of complaints about sellers selling phones as new, when in reality they are refurbs or carrier returns (buyer's remorse or dissatisfaction returns to carrier).  How do you know if what they are selling is really new (i.e. "old new stock" or overstock)?  I've sent them messages asking for detail on this but they usually reply without really answering, or don't reply at all.  Some times they sort of dance around the question like they don't want to really answer.

 

 

RE:

and I see a lot of complaints about sellers selling phones as new, when in reality they are refurbs or carrier returns (buyer's remorse or dissatisfaction returns to carrier)

 

 

Stay away from those sellers.

At the least make sure it is in the

New, sealed

Category...

Also ask the seller, do not assume they are telling the truth.....

Some that should be in the

New, other

category are not, you can tell by reading the description many times that the are not

New, sealed.

 


Almost daily I dine at Jack in the Box Once a week at the China Buffet Once a week at Hometown Buffet

A George Jones song "What my woman can't do can't be done"

"I am watching you"

garya505e (52 ) View Listings
garya505e
(4 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
May 17, 2012 09:49 PM

Yeah, I've been asking and I get some interesting replies, like when they say "just read the listing".  I'm thinking, yes I know what it says and I know they're lying, that's why I'm asking to get it on record.
clarriet (44 ) View Listings
clarriet
(5 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
Jun 7, 2012 02:52 AM

Hi - I bought a "brand new" iPhone 3 in Dec 2011 for my son.  The phone arrived and my son was delighted.  After a couple of months the home button started to play up, then the on/off button.  We took the phone to apple to have it repaired and we have been told that it was bought in Manchester in 2010 and had had a non-apple part fitted therefore they won't touch it!  I have contacted the seller but no reply and ebay/paypal won't help as it is past 45 days.  My advice would be NEVER buy a phone via ebay.  Does anyone know what I can do now?  thanks
greg46815 (70 ) View Listings
greg46815
(6 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
Sep 15, 2012 05:52 AM

I've been searching for a GOOD Used phone of a certain make and model.  I am surprised of how many sellers claim they only used it a week, a month, or 2-3 months, and yet they do not have the manual.  Some don't even have the charger.  If the phone is that new, why don't they have the manual?  Personally, I think it's a sign they are lying about how new a phone is.  So I tend to ignore those sellers.  I don't know how many of you have experienced this, but I really believe they aren't being truthful.
tzudhonym (1356 ) View Listings
tzudhonym
(7 of 7)
Re: Cell phones on eBay - when "new" is not really new.
Sep 17, 2012 08:42 AM
clarriet wrote:

Hi - I bought a "brand new" iPhone 3 in Dec 2011 for my son.  The phone arrived and my son was delighted.  After a couple of months the home button started to play up, then the on/off button.  We took the phone to apple to have it repaired and we have been told that it was bought in Manchester in 2010 and had had a non-apple part fitted therefore they won't touch it!  I have contacted the seller but no reply and ebay/paypal won't help as it is past 45 days.  My advice would be NEVER buy a phone via ebay.  Does anyone know what I can do now? thanks

 

For an item purchased nearly 2 years ago?  Nothing.

 

The only thing you could have done since it was a couple of months before you experienced problems was to file a credit card chargeback (if you funded the purchase with a credit card).
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