You might think that phones and parts sold by Chinese eBays Sellers are identical to the real thing. But before you buy anything, please read what I have to say.
Part 1
Section A, Rejected Inferiors or Chinese Reproductions
Sellers pay a cheaper price for inferior, defected, or discarded parts so that they sell it to you at a higher price. This issue is most prominent when you pay for the replacement housings. They might even be custom made replicas.
Defects of inferior or replica parts include:
*Screws don't fit properly
*Clips don't clip in properly
*Housings don't fit perfectly
*Pieces are too big or too small
*Embedded modules are missing
*The paint-job is inferior
Seller Issues Include:
*Seller sent the wrong color housing.
*When you receive the set, the color from part A (keypad-brown) does not match with the color from part B (housing-black).
*Visual representation does not always completely match the actual product.
Section B, Refurbished Parts
Summary
Sometimes sellers even use old parts and repaint them with a new color. You will notice hard-to-find scratches on them or hard-to-find signs of wear. If you pay for these, you paid for refurbished or restored housings and parts.
Defects of Refurbished Parts Include:
*Used parts and housings
*Custom painted when advertised as OEM painted
*Parts are not painted where not noticeable (such as the back of a battery cover)
Seller Issues Include:
They will not admit that the item is used unless you intimidate them
They will not admit that the item was a custom product unless you intimidate them
Please do not buy from these sellers.
*Take note that housings with pre-attached electronic pieces are a pain in the ass. Basically you have are screwed if the module is glued onto the original housing. To remove it, you have to be careful or else you will damage it. In my case, I had to cut off the glue that attached the LED flash module for the camera. Then I had to super glue it back to the new housing.
Then the housing didn't fit properly because the slots for the screws were not deep enough. So my housing wiggled. I had to solve this buy using shorter screws or buy shortening the real screw with a file.
Then a piece of the housing broke its snaps because the damn snaps didn't fit properly.
Then you will learn that only the inferior battery cover will fit with the inferior housing. The original battery cover will not fit in the housing at all because...sigh..the original cover is shorter.
I am telling you, these housings are defects either 1) discarded by OEM or 2) replicated by the Chinese or 3) sold as Refurbished but marketed as Never Used.
More stories about Chinese eBays are too come.
Part 2, I will be writing about buying genuine phones from Chinese sellers
seems that it is going to be available soon
on http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=199271
product description implies something differently
Description
Get your HTC Desire looking back at it's best with a new brown colour of battery cover.
The product colour is for illustration only, not showing the actual colour.
where coul I get a brown today, as mine is damaged. One pin broken so it doesnt hold good anymore.
Balos, did you order an new battery cover yet? I'm looking for one too, but in the Netherlands they are quite expensive, € 20,- plus € 10,- shipping costs. I couldn't find one on ebay. Are there people who ordered a less expensive one?
same problem here ...
I need a brow one and those idiot dont have it no where
my is cracked where the camera land is (only the clear part cover the lands )
PLS HELP
http://www.expansys-usa.com/d.aspx?i=199270
http://www.htcdirect.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_73&products_id=839
Anybody come across any sites that sell full housing yet in different colours? Galaxy S seems to be very popular where i live and would like mine to be different (not just with a case).
I.E. full red housing, full white housing, etc.
hi
I think it just will make your phone fat. I'm using invisible shield. Already have for half year and phone did not scratch at all. I know they're expensive but they worth every cent.
Yeah invisi sheilds are one of the best about IMHO and worth every penny.
Last phone i modded was a blackberry bold 9000, and made white before blackberry started producing other coloured ones. Hoping that someone will produce the same sort of full housing for this model at somepoint
Haven't seen one either.
There's always spray paint.
Just jking. Don't do it.
Hi.
I have oder this casing couple days ago:
http://www.exportprive.com/ultra-sl...se-samsung-galaxy-i9000-infinity-p-13255.html
And you have a lot of other types of cases and colors on this site.
I'll give you info about case when it arrives, but it looks good and solid.... But will see when it arrives
Don't forget to add lots of pics with a good camera in different light conditions when it arrives. A review would be great.
Lol at spray paint comment
Not after a hard case, i am seeking the housing. I do not want to add extra bulk to the phone (i have a hard case already and they are good if you are in conditions if you feel the phone maybe susseptible). The housing is the full housing of the phone so would be battery cover, screen surround etc.
Here is the housing but i am after different colours of these;
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/Samsung-i9000-Housing-p/smsng6087190.htm
well the good thing about me being korean background is that I get to access the market place in korea for the phone as it is very popular like iphone to the states it be safe to say sgs for the korean market and other after market accessory.
I am assuming you are after a battery cover^^?
Check these sites out I personally got a white battery cover and mine is the only white covered SGS^^!! As for purchase? enquire direct to website or get a korean friend^^;;; Make sure you add "h" in front of the addresses.
Carbon style
ttp://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=198876613&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000001&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=galaxy+s+battery+cover
leather style
ttp://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=196399284&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000001&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=galaxy+s+battery+cover
Original?
ttp://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=193662119&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000001&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=galaxy+s+battery+cover
Battery covers will be the path i have to go down if i cannot find the full housing. As you say you have a white battery cover you have half the phone in white. With a full housing the surround of the screen and walls of the phone would also be white.
Battery covers readily available on ebay as well mate but thanks for the share.
Hello guys,
does anybody know where i can buy a cheap black metal frame or a whole battery cover? I prefer non-ebay answers.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
froogle.com is your friend.
why are you against ebay?
i don't remember where i got my cover from. i think it was an ebay listing a "used" but like new item. believe it came out to around $12 shipped. indeed it's without a scratch or smudge and completely like new.
there's sellers on amazon as well. prices vary from the upper 10s to lower 20s.
here's one i found from froogle: http://www.amazon.com/SENSATION-BATTERY-COVER-HOUSING-FACEPLATE/dp/B0056JFPF0
new cover for $22.34 shipped
http://www.bonanza.com/listings/OEM...or-T-Mobile-Battery-BG58100-1520-mAh/82298163
obviously you can never be certain if it'll have scratches or smudges. that one comes with an oem 1520mah battery too for 22 shipped
http://www.ultasyo.com/products/57719/
or if you want a fatty so you can shove two batteries (or an extended), there's http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extended-Ba...3600mAh-Battery-only-/160814158882#vi-content
i just got one although not from that listing. there are two versions, with the original missing one of the contacts. the picture seems to show that it's the updated version but ymmv. it's not that great of a case, but I like it enough to be using it fulltime now. Don't have a case for it and don't really care too much. Having two batteries means actually respectable battery life and that's cool with me.
froogle search and find what you think suits you best.
http://www.all4cellular.com/product/htc-sensation-4g-battery-door-brown-gray-black.html
16.25 +2 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-OEM-HTC-S...e-Button-Sensation4G-/320883252259#vi-content
i think that's the one i got. it's listed as 1 or 2 or no scratches. luckily mine had none. the seller is called batterydoor if that gives you an idea of what he sells
Hi!
I just recently bought what was described as "store return" "near-new condition" Otterbox Defender case for Note 4 on eBay.
I already had a genuine one that got on Amazon, and just wanted to try a different color, but I didn't really want to pay the full price.
What I received looked like Otterbox case at first, but upon a closer look I noticed a few things:
1. The material used is quite different. The knockoff feels like cheap plastic and the outer layer feels stiffer and does not have a rubber feel. Not sure how that may affect its protective qualities.
2. The fit is not perfect and the edges are not well-rounded.
3. The little circle that shows the production date is not very well stamped - looks blurred.
4. And more importantly, there is no serial number. Genuine ones have a sticker on the inside of the shell with a serial number for warranty. This one didn't have any.
However, this knockoff is very well made (for a knock off, of course). If I didn't already have the original one, I would never knew this.
So, beware that apparently there are a lot of counterfeit Otterboxes sold as genuine ones, and not necessarily cheaper.
None of my otter boxes have come with a sticker ever. The stamp in product is so small I have to zoom I. With another camera to get a good shot.
BAD ASS NOTE 4
BACARDILIMON said:
None of my otter boxes have come with a sticker ever. The stamp in product is so small I have to zoom I. With another camera to get a good shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like Otterbox started to use serial number just recently and only Galaxy S5 and Note 4 cases have them.
Here is a counterfeit guide I found for different Otterbox cases with or without serial numbers: https://blog.stigmasearch.com/otterbox/
vponomarev said:
It looks like Otterbox started to use serial number just recently and only Galaxy S5 and Note 4 cases have them.
Here is a counterfeit guide I found for different Otterbox cases with or without serial numbers: https://blog.stigmasearch.com/otterbox/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will call Otterbox and find out and post. I have 2 for note4 defender and 1 commuter none have it.
BAD ASS NOTE 4
Online I would not buy an Otterbox case from anyone but directly from Amazon-not a 3rd party reseller on Amazon, Amazon themselves. Or if you believe in the motto "pay full retail and be proud" you could buy it directly from Otterbox's website.
No serial number = Fake.
SOLD American !
Spoke with otter box and they do not have stickers. They have imprinted circle with other boxers info. For the hell of it went to best buy to see what they had no sticker at all. I don't know where op got his info but it is incorrect
BAD ASS NOTE 4
BACARDILIMON said:
Spoke with otter box and they do not have stickers. They have imprinted circle with other boxers info. For the hell of it went to best buy to see what they had no sticker at all. I don't know where op got his info but it is incorrect
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Thanks for taking the time to speak with Otterbox.
And because you spoke with them, maybe you can enlighten all the proud owners of genuine Otterbox cases (specifically for Note 4), where can they find serial numbers, if not on stickers? Mine appears as a sticker on the inside of the inner shell (see attachment).
I don't know what kind of cases were you looking at when you went to Best Buy. As I mentioned above, not all Otterbox cases have serial numbers, because this was apparently introduced quite recently. But I would be very surprised if Best Buy was selling genuine Note 4 cases that don't have serial numbers.
If you look at the case you shown. See the tiny center circle.. It has a code number on it. Otter box said they have seen a ton of faked but they do not add serial numbers to case at all. It is only a code. They also said if you paid a low price then you should know it not real unless you buying a used case off someone's site.
BAD ASS NOTE 4
BACARDILIMON said:
If you look at the case you shown. See the tiny center circle.. It has a code number on it. Otter box said they have seen a ton of faked but they do not add serial numbers to case at all. It is only a code. They also said if you paid a low price then you should know it not real unless you buying a used case off someone's site.
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Click to collapse
I'm guessing the code in a circle you're talking about is the product code.
Here is the warranty form that asks for both product code and serial number:
https://www.otterbox.com/on/demandware.static/Sites-otterbox_us_v2-Site/Sites-otterbox_us_v2-Library/default/v1427700323043/pdfs/imageUploadWarrantyTemplate.pdf
As you can see the product code and the serial number are not the same. It also implies that not all cases have a serial number, but if they do it should appear on a sticker. Perhaps, whether or not this sticker is present depends on the particular case model and which device it is designed for. But from what I understand, atleast Defender series cases for Note 4 have serial numbers.
So either whoever you talked to was underinformed or you didn't get the full picture from that person, or worse.
felloffthetruck said:
No serial number = Fake.
I've got a new Dark Jade & Citron Green (stock Screen Protector Removed) direct from Otterbox that I would take $35. shipped for. Paid $69.90 plus shipping for it.
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The sticker with serial number is clearly visible in the same location as on mine. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry for the link formatting. I cannot post links as I am a new user.
3. The little circle that shows the production date is not very well stamped - looks blurred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is fake. Real ones are really sharp. Fake ones usually are blurred or not as indented in the case. See:
Real:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/otterbox-commuter-iphone-5-5s-counterfeit-real-case-front-a.jpg
Fake:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/otterbox-commuter-iphone-5-5s-counterfeit-real-case-front-b.jpg
4. And more importantly, there is no serial number. Genuine ones have a sticker on the inside of the shell with a serial number for warranty. This one didn't have any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only a few OtterBoxs have a serial number. Mostly new Samsung models. Apple models do not have a serial number. Even the new iPhone 6 plus lacks the serial number. See:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/how-to-find-the-serial-location-number-location-on-a-otterbox
Currently, no counterfeits have a serial number. So if yours has a serial number, it is real. If it does not have one, it does not mean it is fake. Only a few models(Samsung) have a serial number. Otterbox took down their serial number check after I pointed out to them it returned any value as true. That was four months ago. They have yet to fix the problem.
I predict within a year, all counterfeits will have a serial. A few years ago, Otter put a hologram on top of the packaging to stop counterfeits. Within a year, fakes started to have that hologram. Now that feature is useless.
I bought from Amazon, or Best Buy, it must be real:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not. It is a popular scam to buy from companies that accept returns for any reason, like AMZN, or BBY, and return a counterfeit one and sell the real one or keep it. Happens all the time. Customer return centers are not trained to inspect for authenticity for returns when the product is cheap.
Another scam that is popular is to buy a counterfeit Otter from China(around $5) and break the case. Since Otterbox only requires a picture for a return, a person can break a counterfeit, and get a real Otterbox in return. It is very profitable since OtterBoxs can retail for over $60 for some models.
Counterfeit OtterBoxs have become so good, it is hard to tell unless you have a side by side comparison. The iPod's are the best counterfeits I have seen. The round edges make it a perfect for counterfeiting. See this post. It is impossible to tell the two different if you did not have the retail case. If you had just bought the case, and not the package, you would be out of luck:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/otterbox/tell-counterfeit-otterbox-defender-ipod-touch-4
I made these guides to help people tell the difference. I should have the rest of the models up by the end of the month. It is expensive and time consuming to make these posts. So far I have bought over $1000 in real Otter cases to take pictures and $500 in counterfeits. Maybe I will open a museum one day. It is insane how close the counterfeits are to the real ones. It was not like this a few years ago. After all, counterfeiting is a national past time in China. A estimated 8% of their GDP is linked to counterfeiting. Take this story on how a whole city turned to a ghost town after authoritys went after counterfeiters:
businessinsider DOT com/china-cant-stop-the-production-and-sale-of-fake-goods-2012-8
In case you still cannot tell, please reply with as much pictures as possible and I will try to help you.
Please also note, the center box is the factory time stamp and the model. It is not the serial. The serial number is 11 characters/numbers long.
Kevin, what a great first post to start on XDA!
Thanks for your efforts to make those guides. I'm sure they will save a lot of people from frustration with counterfeits.
You're absolutely right, and as I mentioned at the top of this thread, the counterfeits are catching up so well, that if I wasn't able to do a side-by-side comparison between the real one with a serial number that I got from Amazon and a fake one that I got on eBay, I wouldn't be able to even start suspecting that I'm dealing with a fake one.
Kevin Hoda said:
Sorry for the link formatting. I cannot post links as I am a new user.
Yes, it is fake. Real ones are really sharp. Fake ones usually are blurred or not as indented in the case. See:
Real:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/otterbox-commuter-iphone-5-5s-counterfeit-real-case-front-a.jpg
Fake:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/otterbox-commuter-iphone-5-5s-counterfeit-real-case-front-b.jpg
Only a few OtterBoxs have a serial number. Mostly new Samsung models. Apple models do not have a serial number. Even the new iPhone 6 plus lacks the serial number. See:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/how-to-find-the-serial-location-number-location-on-a-otterbox
Currently, no counterfeits have a serial number. So if yours has a serial number, it is real. If it does not have one, it does not mean it is fake. Only a few models(Samsung) have a serial number. Otterbox took down their serial number check after I pointed out to them it returned any value as true. That was four months ago. They have yet to fix the problem.
I predict within a year, all counterfeits will have a serial. A few years ago, Otter put a hologram on top of the packaging to stop counterfeits. Within a year, fakes started to have that hologram. Now that feature is useless.
It does not. It is a popular scam to buy from companies that accept returns for any reason, like AMZN, or BBY, and return a counterfeit one and sell the real one or keep it. Happens all the time. Customer return centers are not trained to inspect for authenticity for returns when the product is cheap.
Another scam that is popular is to buy a counterfeit Otter from China(around $5) and break the case. Since Otterbox only requires a picture for a return, a person can break a counterfeit, and get a real Otterbox in return. It is very profitable since OtterBoxs can retail for over $60 for some models.
Counterfeit OtterBoxs have become so good, it is hard to tell unless you have a side by side comparison. The iPod's are the best counterfeits I have seen. The round edges make it a perfect for counterfeiting. See this post. It is impossible to tell the two different if you did not have the retail case. If you had just bought the case, and not the package, you would be out of luck:
blog DOT stigmasearch DOT com/otterbox/tell-counterfeit-otterbox-defender-ipod-touch-4
I made these guides to help people tell the difference. I should have the rest of the models up by the end of the month. It is expensive and time consuming to make these posts. So far I have bought over $1000 in real Otter cases to take pictures and $500 in counterfeits. Maybe I will open a museum one day. It is insane how close the counterfeits are to the real ones. It was not like this a few years ago. After all, counterfeiting is a national past time in China. A estimated 8% of their GDP is linked to counterfeiting. Take this story on how a whole city turned to a ghost town after authoritys went after counterfeiters:
businessinsider DOT com/china-cant-stop-the-production-and-sale-of-fake-goods-2012-8
In case you still cannot tell, please reply with as much pictures as possible and I will try to help you.
Please also note, the center box is the factory time stamp and the model. It is not the serial. The serial number is 11 characters/numbers long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice write up. All current Otterbox iPhone cases do have serial numbers inside.
mty msi said:
Online I would not buy an Otterbox case from anyone but directly from Amazon-not a 3rd party reseller on Amazon, Amazon themselves. Or if you believe in the motto "pay full retail and be proud" you could buy it directly from Otterbox's website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but by buying direct from OtterBox, I also know I'm getting the genuine item
lasoxfan said:
Yes, but by buying direct from OtterBox, I also know I'm getting the genuine item
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless Otterbox's return clerks can't tell the difference between a high quality knock off & their own.
Kevin posted after I did & I didn't realize the Otterbox counterfeiting was such a huge issue. I knew it was a big problem on eBay & 3rd party Amazon resellers but didn't realize the full extent of it. If I followed his & felloffthetruck's posts correctly at the present time Otterbox has no method of authentication on a lot of their cases. For some phones they have a serial # but not all of them.
You are absolutely correct that purchasing directly from Otterbox would be the best chance of getting the authentic product. I purchased Seidio products directly from their website and paid full retail (actually I had discounts from their emails) but the products were pure garbage. So maybe in the case of Otterbox it's a wise decision to purchase directly from them.