Related
Hi guys, I just received a brand new Galaxy Note this morning from a 3rd party seller on Amazon. I have a quick question though. I'm kinda picky about getting factory sealed devices, and this was supposedly a new Note. But when I opened the UPS package and took out the box, there were seals on the top and bottom. Everything looked OK, but upon further inspection the top seal had actually been broken (and the box opened, I assume), and then a second seal was placed over the broken first one to give the appearance of a factory sealed device.
I called the seller, and he claimed that the distributor whom he got the Note from opened the box for whatever reason (I'm still unclear as to why) and then resealed it with a second sticker placed over the first. Personally, I've never heard of this being done to a factory sealed device, but then again, what do I know?
The Note does appear new, but the guy's story just seemed kinda weird to me. Does his explanation hold water with you guys?
Thanks in advance, and take care.
I would be suspicious...but that's my nature. Be sure the IMEI under the battery matches that on the box. If there's a talk time indicator that can't be reset, be sure the phone hasn't been used. It could be a previous customer return, etc. Who is the 3rd party seller? You may want to mention it to Amazon. "Legit" reason or not for opening it, new in box means new in box, not opened between Samsung and your house.
Call up the distributor and ask him........
Or get it replaced if you can........A sealed device should come sealed and there is no reason whatsoever for the distributor/seller to open the device.
Btw, I can relate to being picky about sealed devices......When I had went to the mobile shop to go get a Droid Razr , the guy told me the shop only had the display model available for sale - rest were all sold out.I got the Note-which came sealed , thankfully !
Beethoven9th said:
Hi guys, I just received a brand new Galaxy Note this morning from a 3rd party seller on Amazon. I have a quick question though. I'm kinda picky about getting factory sealed devices, and this was supposedly a new Note. But when I opened the UPS package and took out the box, there were seals on the top and bottom. Everything looked OK, but upon further inspection the top seal had actually been broken (and the box opened, I assume), and then a second seal was placed over the broken first one to give the appearance of a factory sealed device.
I called the seller, and he claimed that the distributor whom he got the Note from opened the box for whatever reason (I'm still unclear as to why) and then resealed it with a second sticker placed over the first. Personally, I've never heard of this being done to a factory sealed device, but then again, what do I know?
The Note does appear new, but the guy's story just seemed kinda weird to me. Does his explanation hold water with you guys?
Thanks in advance, and take care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing picky man. u spent money to buy a product and u deserve a right as a customer to be the first one to have ur hands on it, not someone who would replace the seal. check the talk time as the advice given above, and if you don't feel good abt it, get it replaced.
+1 on getting it replaced. You bought a new unopened device. The seal means just that. Return at expense of the company for not complying. its assumed you'd get a new device for the price.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
What kind of charger did it come with? Is it U.S.? (Your profile doesn't show your location...) If so, they may have opened it to put the charger in, as no Notes come with U.S. chargers since it hasn't been released here.
OP I ordered from amazon from oem shop and my phone box had the samsung seal already opened, however there was another orange seal on top of it. So it looks like they were opened at some point and then the reseller put another seal sticker on top of the original one.
I have no issues with my note so I'm not worried about it.
Same with mine. Done to check out product to ensure all pieces are there and work etc. No big deal imo but to each his own
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
inurb said:
OP I ordered from amazon from oem shop and my phone box had the samsung seal already opened, however there was another orange seal on top of it. So it looks like they were opened at some point and then the reseller put another seal sticker on top of the original one.
I have no issues with my note so I'm not worried about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here the orange seal still shows a samung seal and when the orange top layer on the seal is disturbed or removed a watermark showing VOID appears i believe they do this as to place the converter for the euro charger to american in the box but mines workin fine cept for heating up a bit
Got mine from "Global Mobiles" (Prime shipping overnight) and my seals were both in-tact.
A lot of distributors does this.
Either to add stuff to the package, to upgrade software or add configuration / special firmware.
If you check your warranty and that shows the correct start date, I'd just ignore the sticker.
-KJ
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
I'd send it back. New should be sealed.
Mine was sealed but had a USA adapter for the German plug in the amazon box (not in the sealed Note box).
Thanks to everyone!
Thanks to everyone who responded. I ended up sending my Note back at the seller's expense, and now I'm waiting for my refund once it's delivered. I had felt uncomfortable with the transaction because the seller kept giving me unusual answers to simple questions.
Anyway, it all worked out for the best (assuming my refund goes through) because I ended up getting a Note on eBay for $629!
Thanks again, guys, and Happy Holidays.
Upon reading this thread I rechecked my box, bought from OEM Shop, it indeed has a second seal, I guess to put in the wall plug converter. I'm not worried, since myphone works fine. It's probably smarter if they included the converter from the outside.
I even feel less secured buying from eBay since most of them are opened box unless explicitly stated as sealed.
Weird my box only had one seal period. the other side of the box didn't have a broken seal or a seal at all. Mine came from l2d2 and had the usa adapter in the box.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
I think that the first place to check if the device is really new or not is the battery connectors.
The battery side of those is often mate color and gets a bit shinier after insertion and rubbing with the main unit pins.
I guess this would be a good tell-tale of weither it s been turned on before or not.
I buy all my phones on the grey market here in China/Hong Kong, and this is the first place I check.
Also not sure about the note (will get one soon ), but the bottom of the SGS2, for example is shinny plastic that gets little scratches VERY easily, also could be a place to check
Hope this will help a little!
I bought my GNote from an Australian online seller after seeing a post on XDA about it being the worlds best price at $630 with post. Shopping Square. From Sydney it should take 2 days post (Aus Post is worlds fastest 80% of the time).
The site said it might take anything up to 10 days. It took 12 and came from Hong Kong with a German manual, european power supply and Australian converter plug.
The screen when loading the Market shows light and dark patches of gray. The box had both seals broken. I suspect its a used warranty return. If i had known then i would have kept my money to buy a definately new one for more or definately second hand for less. Aside from the suspicious uneven gray i cant see screen problems at any other times.
The site doesnt explicitely say the product is new. But phone shops selling new phones dont say that either. I will just have to love it how it is. Fast and getting faster when i fix software problems ;-)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
eksasol said:
Upon reading this thread I rechecked my box, bought from OEM Shop, it indeed has a second seal, I guess to put in the wall plug converter. I'm not worried, since myphone works fine. It's probably smarter if they included the converter from the outside.
I even feel less secured buying from eBay since most of them are opened box unless explicitly stated as sealed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OEM Shop seems like a good seller. I saw their listing and specifically asked them if the Note was factory sealed. They answered with an honest 'No' and stated that the seals are broken although the phones are still brand new, never been used. I appreciated the honest reply.
But the seller I ended up going through told me that their Note was indeed factory sealed, yet when I received it, the box had been opened (re: my original post). Chances are, the phone was probably OK, but I just don't like being told something that's less-than-true, especially when I'm throwing down this much money.
Anyway, I have since received my Note from the eBay seller, and I was happy to find that this Note was in fact factory sealed.
For those of you who have gone through the AT&T Warranty Replacement process, what condition did your refurbished phone come in?
I'm asking because I just received a replacement request and there are a bunch of scratches on the screen. I thought refurbished meant "like new" quality but just wanted to ask the others on the board to see what your experience was.
Thanks in advance.
thatpimp007 said:
For those of you who have gone through the AT&T Warranty Replacement process, what condition did your refurbished phone come in?
I'm asking because I just received a replacement request and there are a bunch of scratches on the screen. I thought refurbished meant "like new" quality but just wanted to ask the others on the board to see what your experience was.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've received replacements device's a few times. Every time I received one its in mint condition. I never saw even the tiniest of scratches anywhere on the device. You should definitely call the warranty department and let them know you want another device and explain to them why you are making the request.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yep I just got a Galaxy S 4 Active warranty refurb. It looks brand new.
That reminds me, I need to mail the old one off.
thatpimp007 said:
For those of you who have gone through the AT&T Warranty Replacement process, what condition did your refurbished phone come in?
I'm asking because I just received a replacement request and there are a bunch of scratches on the screen. I thought refurbished meant "like new" quality but just wanted to ask the others on the board to see what your experience was.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flawless condition. However, I only received the main phone: no battery, back or stylus. (I'm assuming that's normal)
thatpimp007 said:
For those of you who have gone through the AT&T Warranty Replacement process, what condition did your refurbished phone come in?
I'm asking because I just received a replacement request and there are a bunch of scratches on the screen. I thought refurbished meant "like new" quality but just wanted to ask the others on the board to see what your experience was.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My replacement was brand new. It came in a sealed box and the phone had the plastic on it and everything. I don't know if you have a deductible, but mine was $200 and for $200 I'd better get a brand new phone...
I loved the feeling and sound of pulling the screen protector off of a new phone.
I got 2 replacements phones the first one was in a box and in immaculate condition but had an issue with ram partition, they sent me a second phone that was wrapped up in plastic and had a couple of fine scratches on the screen.
Sent from my SM-G900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Refurbished phones should typically be in like-new condition. There should not be any scratches on it. Return it.
Thanks everyone. That's what I pretty much figured.
Called AT&T and complained. Another refurbished one is in the mail. Hopefully this one is in better condition.
Has anybody been able to successfully get a replacement with a phone that was rooted by towelroot?
redh0rse said:
Has anybody been able to successfully get a replacement with a phone that was rooted by towelroot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was able to root my replacement phone using TowelRoot and also install SS, just to make sure.
I'll have to Odin back to stock though before I send it back for the other replacement without scratches.
thatpimp007 said:
Yes, I was able to root my replacement phone using TowelRoot and also install SS, just to make sure.
I'll have to Odin back to stock though before I send it back for the other replacement without scratches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you plan on using odin to revert back to stock?
440bro said:
How do you plan on using odin to revert back to stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be wrong but I believe you can use @designgears one-click method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2619941
Or worst case scenario, just take it to Best Buy Samsung Center and have them do restore the phone for you.
thatpimp007 said:
I could be wrong but I believe you can use @designgears one-click method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2619941
Or worst case scenario, just take it to Best Buy Samsung Center and have them do restore the phone for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link you posted is to the leaked software ending with MLG. That is not official software and if any warranty department checks this you would instantly be voided.
Best buy would be your only hope.
440bro said:
The link you posted is to the leaked software ending with MLG. That is not official software and if any warranty department checks this you would instantly be voided.
Best buy would be your only hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good catch. Is there another way to revert to stock before sending back in?
thatpimp007 said:
Good catch. Is there another way to revert to stock before sending back in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can restore your nandroid backup to the stock slot. Remove any apps requiring root access. Remove safestrap, then un-root.
thatpimp007 said:
Or worst case scenario, just take it to Best Buy Samsung Center and have them do restore the phone for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spoke to my local Best Buy store associate yesterday and he said they'll do it if the phone was purchased there.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Went to the Bestbuy store and the Samsung reps helped me reflash to the stock firmware. No questions asked. I handed her the phone and she plugged it to her pc and flashed it without checking anything on my phone. Flashed only took like 5 minutes. I'm back to stock.
redh0rse said:
I spoke to my local Best Buy store associate yesterday and he said they'll do it if the phone was purchased there.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had a phone restored to stock by Best Buy before that wasn't purchase there.
I don't think they have a set policy. It just depends who you talk to and if they are cool or not.
redh0rse said:
Has anybody been able to successfully get a replacement with a phone that was rooted by towelroot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just bought a brand spanking new note 3 for my son and it had mj5. What was the luck of that.
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app
had my note 2 replaced and the replacement phone was not up to par for me. so i called and complained that my phone i was sending them was in better shape than the replacement. they said they would make sure i get a nice one. the 2nd one they sent me looked like a brand new phone. all the stickers on it and not a single mark anywhere, dont settle for crap that they send you. make sure you like it or keep sending them back
Hi,
I having some issues with the finger print sensor so they said they would exchange it out. I'm worried if I might get a referb unit. Anyway to tell if the new device is a referb or not?
nofroyo said:
Hi,
I having some issues with the finger print sensor so they said they would exchange it out. I'm worried if I might get a referb unit. Anyway to tell if the new device is a referb or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. ..great point. I'm paranoid about this stuff too...sneaky "" can pull it on you sometimes...
I would say to pay close attention to the metal silver part of the metal frame for any scratches. Also check the battery bay for scratches...
re: check if refurb
nofroyo said:
Hi,
I having some issues with the finger print sensor so they said they would exchange it out. I'm worried if I might get a referb unit. Anyway to tell if the new device is a referb or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy to tell if the phone is a refurb, all you need to do is download a
free app called "Phone Info" from the play store.
It will tell you if you have a refurb by clicking menu>refurbishment check.
This app will display just about all the information about your phone.
Here is the play store download link:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo
Check it out!
Good luck!
Did you ask them if you'll be getting a new phone or a refurbished phone?
They don't have refurbished units yet. Small window to exchange for a new one at the moment.
They typically send you everything on new phones (battery, earbuds, back cover) where on refurbs they just send the main phone portion with no accessories. At least this was my experience with the s4.
nofroyo said:
Hi,
I having some issues with the finger print sensor so they said they would exchange it out. I'm worried if I might get a referb unit. Anyway to tell if the new device is a referb or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they don't have any refurbs yet, they get some in after about 2 weeks, Samsung sends them replacement phones, they told me that when I dialed 611, but 3 weeks ago they didn't have any yet, so I went into a corporate store, and with my receipt, and it was within 14 days, I had it for only 4 days, they gave me a new unit, I gave them the box and never used any of the parts, so everything was still new, I have plenty of chargers and usb cables, so I don't touch the new stuff.
they did that with my note 3.. all the units I received, none were refurbished units, they were replacement units, and yes u can check with the phone info app..
We shall see. Mine will be here Monday.
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Just got my 2014 Note Pro 10.1 replaced, and was sure it was a refurb, but this confirmed it wasn't....even showed how many times the headphone and charger ports had been plugged into! Thanks!
pytyper483 said:
They typically send you everything on new phones (battery, earbuds, back cover) where on refurbs they just send the main phone portion with no accessories. At least this was my experience with the s4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always true. I received a brand new replacement unit and it was sent as phone-only.
Like someone else said, it's too early for them to have refurbs yet. Anyone who needs a replacement should hurry and get it now
Not sure how its proof that quantity of charges and headphones inputs means anything. Since I'm sure Samsung can flash the device to show zero when they refurbish them.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Is there anything that i should test with my note 4. So i can see which one not working if so that i can return it or exchange it
Hey,
Just wondering if anyone has come across any Nexus 6 deals lately? The 32GB model was $250 on Amazon a few months back, so something like that would be great!
Just shattered my screen, so I am wondering if it's just more economical to buy a new device...
Cheers,
Su
Sumanji said:
Hey,
Just wondering if anyone has come across any Nexus 6 deals lately? The 32GB model was $250 on Amazon a few months back, so something like that would be great!
Just shattered my screen, so I am wondering if it's just more economical to buy a new device...
Cheers,
Su
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your device with a shattered screen is a nexus 6.... right? If it still works, I would say to just keep it in it's shattered state. If not, I would get it fixed or if you can wait for this possibly HTC made nexus.
Yeah it's a Nexus 6... the touchscreen works, but there is a massive chunk of glass missing over the sensors in the top right. The screen turns off and doesn't turn back on when on a call, and it's also sort of dangerous.
I had my phone set up perfectly, and I don't really want to upgrade... so ideally, I would just like to do a Nandroid back of the broken phone and restore into onto a new device (my bootloader is luckily unlocked).
Cheers,
Su
Sumanji said:
Yeah it's a Nexus 6... the touchscreen works, but there is a massive chunk of glass missing over the sensors in the top right. The screen turns off and doesn't turn back on when on a call, and it's also sort of dangerous.
I had my phone set up perfectly, and I don't really want to upgrade... so ideally, I would just like to do a Nandroid back of the broken phone and restore into onto a new device (my bootloader is luckily unlocked).
Cheers,
Su
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're looking at replacing the entire device, why not just try replacing the screen first? Apparently your digitizer is still fine... I think you can get the glass replacement for ~$20 online. It may be a bit more difficult to just replace the glass, but it's doable.
Best case, you're out $20 and some time... Worst case, the new phone cost you an extra $20 and some time.
I just need a fully functional phone again, asap, but thanks for the suggestion. (Also, as mentioned the proximity sensor appears to be broken, and that's presumably not easily fixable).
Cheers,
Su
Check Swappa. You should be able to find something there.
On eBay the nexus 6 are very reasonable
Swappa. I have bought 2 from swappa. 200$
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Motorola will fix it for $175.
I recently brought a note 8 seal packed but when I started the phone it started directly without setup and was showing home screen.
I have concerns that it is used by someone or not.
Can anyone confirm if they had the same Issue.
I am from uae brought note 8 64 gb dual sim.
rockykv2 said:
I recently brought a note 8 seal packed but when I started the phone it started directly without setup and was showing home screen.
I have concerns that it is used by someone or not.
Can anyone confirm if they had the same Issue.
I am from uae brought note 8 64 gb dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the 256Gb dual SIM and that started up straight to the home screen too! I think it's how Nougat works?
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
I think because it is locked oem and the phone should activate in the same region I had note 7 n950fd from ebay seller and I got same thing than I sell it and I bought n950n and it has to setup and I got oem unlock
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Guys any way to check if this was used by some other person also or not..
rockykv2 said:
Guys any way to check if this was used by some other person also or not..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how to check, but I've had 3 Note 8s and they've all started up with the setup procedure. None have gone straight to the home screen.
rockykv2 said:
I recently brought a note 8 seal packed but when I started the phone it started directly without setup and was showing home screen.
I have concerns that it is used by someone or not.
Can anyone confirm if they had the same Issue.
I am from uae brought note 8 64 gb dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's definitely been opened before, and they went through setup and then re-sealed the phone.
Common practice here in Pakistan, probably happens in the UAE as well.
Where did you buy the phone from?
Have to put a local sim card in to unlock region lock.
Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Most likely opened by the reseller to insert region SIM and make a 5 minute call to unlock the phone. If you by from Clove in UK, they give you the option to allow them to perform this procedure.
Most likely, the reseller just skipped the Google/Samsung customization just to make the call. Who did you buy it from?
I brought from a local store person in uae..
But I have brought so many phone no one had this thing so is there any where to find our if this used by someone or reseller has just used it..
rockykv2 said:
But I have brought so many phone no one had this thing so is there any where to find our if this used by someone or reseller has just used it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it matter? Just factory reset the phone. Boot into download mode to see what the System shows as. If everything shows as Official, you should be good to go.
Did it have the front and back clear plastic film on the phone?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I got mine from Clove UK. They opened it, made a 5min call to lift the region lock, but they also reset the phone before shipping. Mine booted to the setup. In fact I couldn't 3ven tell they used the phone, not a single smudge on it anywhere. Only indication was the seal was broken & they even did than cleanly.
Was your seal broken? That's not something you can easily fake not being previously broken.
shouren04 said:
I got mine from Clove UK. They opened it, made a 5min call to lift the region lock, but they also reset the phone before shipping. Mine booted to the setup. In fact I couldn't 3ven tell they used the phone, not a single smudge on it anywhere. Only indication was the seal was broken & they even did than cleanly.
Was your seal broken? That's not something you can easily fake not being previously broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir seal was not broken phone was full packed box was in good condition..
rockykv2 said:
Guys any way to check if this was used by some other person also or not..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the phone has root, you can use the Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app to check for the Usage History (Headset Connect Counter, Charger Connect Counter, S-Pen Detach Counter).
Anyway you cal also use this app to check for the device's refurbishment (left-side menu > "Refurbishment Check").
vndnguyen said:
If the phone has root, you can use the Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app to check for the Usage History (Headset Connect Counter, Charger Connect Counter, S-Pen Detach Counter).
Anyway you cal also use this app to check for the device's refurbishment (left-side menu > "Refurbishment Check").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love that app, did you make it ?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Well it is showing original no charging time or anything else just general details..
Limeybastard said:
I love that app, did you make it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is.
Glad that you find it useful.
Just because on your initial boot up it goes to the home screen, doesn't mean that it was pre-owned or used. Here in Japan I went to the store (phone carrier) and got a new Samsung Galaxy Note 8 last week , and they asked what language I wanted, and my girlfriend said English. Due to my slow Japanese , I didn't realize that they were going to quickly set it up there. So, while they were putting in the SIM, which is standard practice at the store, they quickly set it to English.
Nothing else was done though, so as soon as I got home, I was able to update all of the apps etc.
(I'm still using the original protective plastic, until I get to one of my workplaces where it's pretty much dust free, before I put my own screen protector on.)
Like someone said here, you can do a factory reset if you really want to go through the setup yourself.
I really love this phone. First new device for me in 5 years! If I'm honest, I can't wait to get a flip case for it. Then it will feel more gripable in the hand. I'm just using the included plastic case for now. I've yet to see a Samsung case yet, but I've only been to 3 stores so far. :good:
I don't have that issue.