Related
Not sure if this is the right area to post this or if it been posted before, but was just wondering on other opinions of googles hidden costs when buying apps off the market.
Not sure if this only happens in certain countries but I am in the uk and when I buy an app that is priced in euro's there is a 'hidden' £1.50 charge applied to my card, so a $1 app really costs about £2.30. So if I buy 10 apps, google make £15 quid off me!
I feel this is totally unfair and am wondering of the legalities of not even warning about this charge when you buy the app?
And also it does not seem fair that google are making money off the hard work of developers, I know they get a share of the price but then they also get the extra 'card charge'.....the word ripoff springs to mind here!
I live in the states and I haven't experienced this, perhaps it has something to do with the conversion rate?
rosso22 said:
Not sure if this is the right area to post this or if it been posted before, but was just wondering on other opinions of googles hidden costs when buying apps off the market.
Not sure if this only happens in certain countries but I am in the uk and when I buy an app that is priced in euro's there is a 'hidden' £1.50 charge applied to my card, so a $1 app really costs about £2.30. So if I buy 10 apps, google make £15 quid off me!
I feel this is totally unfair and am wondering of the legalities of not even warning about this charge when you buy the app?
And also it does not seem fair that google are making money off the hard work of developers, I know they get a share of the price but then they also get the extra 'card charge'.....the word ripoff springs to mind here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is like that. Other people will confirm, but I guess it may be some thing with your credit card or bank, as I believe this does not happen to almost anyone.
antonio1475 said:
I don't think it is like that. Other people will confirm, but I guess it may be some thing with your credit card or bank, as I believe this does not happen to almost anyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it happens to me whenever I buy an app that is in euros, on two different bank cards with different banks, and the money goes to google as it says it on the statement next to the charge.
what I'm getting at is even if it does only happen to a small amount of people (or even just myself), does it make it any less unfair to not warn of this?
And some may say well just buy apps that are in £'s but then I would be missing out on a hell of a lot of apps
rosso22 said:
Well it happens to me whenever I buy an app that is in euros, on two different bank cards with different banks, and the money goes to google as it says it on the statement next to the charge.
what I'm getting at is even if it does only happen to a small amount of people (or even just myself), does it make it any less unfair to not warn of this?
And some may say well just buy apps that are in £'s but then I would be missing out on a hell of a lot of apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it just fits to your problem:
http://www.techeye.net/mobile/android-apps-conceal-hidden-charges
antonio1475 said:
I think it just fits to your problem:
http://www.techeye.net/mobile/android-apps-conceal-hidden-charges
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, explains a lot, I think google should definitely start showing the true price of apps before you buy them, and warn of any charges you may incur....Is it any wonder that people use cracked apps!
To be honest, I hadn't noticed that VAT wasn't included in the prices, I just presumed they had it set up so that your local VAT rate was included (wouldn't be hard to do).
As for the £1.50 charge, that's down to your bank to inform you of it, which I bet they did, but you (like the rest of us) just never got round to reading the small print in the bumf that came with our accounts.
dbzfanatic said:
I live in the states and I haven't experienced this, perhaps it has something to do with the conversion rate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Never seen such a thing. (Also in the states.)
dgalanter said:
Same here. Never seen such a thing. (Also in the states.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah probably a UK thing....they are always finding ways to sting us for more money here
It'll be your bank's handling charge for exchanging £ to €
The same as if you jumped on the ferry and bought a bottle of wine with your bank card rather than cash.
If you don't think your account should incur charges for non £ transactions (ie you're sure it says you won't be charged in your terms and conditions), then contact you bank and complain.
Demand the refund of £1.50 (was VAT added to the charge? I suspect it was so add an extra 20%) and £10 as compensation for their mistake.
xaccers said:
It'll be your bank's handling charge for exchanging £ to €
The same as if you jumped on the ferry and bought a bottle of wine with your bank card rather than cash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll just pay with with coins next time then eh?........now where's the coin slot on my phone?
And getting charges back from a UK bank......dont make me laugh
thanks for the info
rosso22 said:
I'll just pay with with coins next time then eh?........now where's the coin slot on my phone?
And getting charges back from a UK bank......dont make me laugh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Email the developer and ask if you can post them some dosh
If your terms and conditions state that there is no charge for foreign transactions, then under the banking rules you're entitiled to those charges back.
Quite often a polite phone call even when the charges are valid can result in them being refunded.
I've had overdraft charges refunded simply because I phoned up and had a bit of joke with the person in the call centre, they have a thankless job putting up with customers abusing them for mistakes the poor sods aren't responsible for, if you can make one of their's day, they can give in to resonable requests.
Like when O2 barred my phone without warning me because my bank screwed up my direct debit. 4 days after making a manual payment the bar still hadn't lifted, so I got through to a west indian woman and while she was looking into it I said "I just wanna use my phone" in a jokey way, she laughed and sorted it and credited me £15.
Maybe with Google's plan for a web based marketstore they'll be the option to add apps to your basket and pay in one go, so only 1 charge, doubt it though.
I still cannot believe they have not sorted this. The majority of UK debit cards will charge £1 - £1.50 for every transaction, meaning that I (and surely thousands of others) have completely avoided buying budget apps as it just makes them too expensive.
There has been some talk of a paypal or charge through your phone provider option, but no sign of either in the UK yet.
There are a couple of accounts and credit cards that don't charge a set fee, often credit cards have say a 2.5% charge on conversions that's perfectly acceptable for small purchases ... well a lot better than £1.50!
Another person from the states here, and i've never encountered something like this
lol, it's not a big deal. Although i did find out unexpectedly
I hope with carrier billing will come to the rest of the civilized world, until then you have to deal with your local financial laws and jump through hoops.
I have been getting similar. Frustrating and hard to get around without calling the bank to check their daily forex rate and having their list of card charges handy before calculating the actual price manually. Seems a PITB for a $2 app
Im from Mexico and I experienced something similar, I just bought one of the 10 cents Apps and I got the notification of two charges, both from Google, one for the 10 cents and one for $1 US. I know its not my bank, because I've used my card on a recent trip to the US and my bank didnt apply any extra charges, besides on the detail of the transaction it says GOOGLE GOOGLE.COM/CHCA US for the extra...
Any news from google on that?
$0.10 apps really only cost $0.10 for me in Canada
I'm thinking of using this app for simple transactions and was wondering if there were any drawbacks to using this app.
How does a person sign for the transaction on the app?
doowopmario said:
I'm thinking of using this app for simple transactions and was wondering if there were any drawbacks to using this app.
How does a person sign for the transaction on the app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this similar question about Square awhile back. I have since been using it for awhile and am more than satisfied.
Buyers sign the signature box with their finger or a stylus directly on the phone screen.
Only things I've found sort of irking contrary to other users results is I have some issues when swiping. At times it takes multiple swipes to get the card reader to read but eventually works. However, you always have the option of manually entering a card number although it'll cost you a few cents more per transaction.
Thread is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1335902&highlight=square
I've been using Square for a few weeks now, and it's great. I don't run a business or anything, but it's nice too have. Even for something simple like going out for lunch at work and then having coworkers pay me back via credit card, it works great.
I processed several thousand dollars worth of transactions at this year's seattle hempfest thanks to square without any issues aside from the previously noted swipe issues... sometimes you have to try several times. not a single hitch even with the huge volume of network traffic in the area during that weekend.
I'd recommend it. I think, without it, it would have been a much less profitable weekend. people were very impressed with how quick and easy it was and the fact that they could be given an OTA receipt immediately after purchasing.
I also like that you can use it on any smartphone with an aux port and the square app without any separate configuration or anything. it just works. very convenient.
if you weigh the convenience factor against the cost factor, I think it's definitely a powerful tool to have if you are a small business owner or someone like myself who occasionally does crafty type stuff to sell on the side. all the equipment you need to process transactions is a little piece of plastic that fits in your pocket? yeah, it's awesome.
The more I hear about this Square tech, the more interested I become. Seeing people who have stories about it's success on such a scale really makes it attractive.
Knowing virtually nothing about it - and my interest being more in how it works then actually using it - is there a cost to entry for an account or do you pay on a per-transaction basis?
All I know about it I've seen here in the MT4GS forums, and I'm sure a simple search would answer a lot of my questions...but no harm in seeing if others want to concentrate info about it here I guess.
If someone feels like going off on a rant about it, you've got at least one attentive reader
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using xda premium
Blue6IX said:
Knowing virtually nothing about it - and my interest being more in how it works then actually using it - is there a cost to entry for an account or do you pay on a per-transaction basis?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No cost for the account, and they even send you the card reader for free. The only cost is 2.75% per swipe. I don't use it for business stuff, but I've still found lots of uses for it. Everything from (like I said before) going out for lunch at work and paying for it myself, then having coworkers pay be back with their cards, to getting money for random stuff people owe me. For example, I sold an old computer monitor to a friend and he paid me with his card. Works like a charm.
So whether you do 1 transaction a month or a thousand, it's still the same flat fee per swipe.
I've never had a card swipe issue either, but I haven't done as many as those who run businesses with it. Works like a charm.
$2.75 cents per $100 for doing nothing but driving up your bank stock price with lies and then having me bail you out with taxes that can no longer go to my tuition and fees?
The tech is sweet. That 2.75% fee? Not so much.
If you want to charge a convenience fee to reclaim your 2.75% fee for completing the transaction, take the amount owed to you and divide it by .9725 (i.e. 1 - .0275).
For example, if someone pays you 20 bucks, you will only get $19.45 after the 2.75% fee is assessed. To make up for that, take 20 and divide by .9725 and you get $20.57 (rounded to the nearest hundredth).
Now when you charge $20.57 you will get back $20 after the 2.75% fee.
Hi this is my first post but have been avid follower of the site and had multitude of devices. Never felt a real passion as i have today to start a thread, today my nexus 5 died.
I have had my nexus 5 for just other 2 weeks now and for no apparent reason decided to die on me. Battery was fully charged had the phone in my pocket , took out to check it and nothing. My first thought was that maybe i didn't plug it properly and it hadn't charged, so stuck it on charge and nothing not led, no charge icon. left it for about an hour and completely nothing at all, tried everything power and volume buttons. Did a search on Google and couldn't find hardly any info on this sort of situation apart form one forum where a few people have had this issue and seems to be with 32gb version and they needed replacements.
Surely this sort of thing shouldn't be happening, clueless to what it could be, i did unlock, root, and install omni custom rom last night but all was working fine this morning untill it died of course.
Really i just wanted to make people aware of the problem and hear if anyone else has had this issue, or if anyone could shed some light as to what may have caused it.
Whats really ticked me off is Google customer service, i was given an rma and went through the the steps in the email to realize that they would hold the amount for this replacement on my debit card. So basically im buying a new phone and getting a refund when they receive my faulty handset. So now i have no phone and im £350 short for at least 14 days. This is ludicrous im being put out through no fault of my own, not everyone has £350 lying around spare. I understand that Google are covering there arses in-case they don't get the faulty handset back but please you send my a faulty handset and im the one who has jump through hoops and be put out.
Forum with same problem
productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/nexus/lI6A3fA8bvw/UdpnyaSL2Z4J
Did you try going into recovery and just wipe everything and try again? Or can you at least get to the boot loader?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Was your pocket wet or was it humid out? My Nexus 4 was what u described
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Dragn4rce said:
Did you try going into recovery and just wipe everything and try again? Or can you at least get to the boot loader?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No cant get into bootloder can not do anything.
dicecuber said:
Was your pocket wet or was it humid out? My Nexus 4 was what u described
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no pocket was perfectly dry.
The phone has been on charge overnight now and still nothing, i notice that if its on charge or you push any buttons, there is clicking notice in the handset, but you have to hold the handset to your ear to hear it what is that.
dicecuber said:
Whats really ticked me off is Google customer service, i was given an rma and went through the the steps in the email to realize that they would hold the amount for this replacement on my debit card. So basically im buying a new phone and getting a refund when they receive my faulty handset. So now i have no phone and im £350 short for at least 14 days. This is ludicrous im being put out through no fault of my own, not everyone has £350 lying around spare. I understand that Google are covering there arses in-case they don't get the faulty handset back but please you send my a faulty handset and im the one who has jump through hoops and be put out.
Forum with same problem
productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/nexus/lI6A3fA8bvw/UdpnyaSL2Z4J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why does it tick you off? Why should Google be on the hook for $350? So many unscrupulous people out there, it's a normal business practice.
If you want to spare the $350, then send the phone into LG Warranty repair. They won't send you a loaner, but your phone will be repaired for no cost to you under their warranty.
Here is where you still complain its not fair because you won't have a phone then, and Google should still give you everything for free until you return your phone....
I think that it might be battery problem. And do use any cover on it? Because some covers can cover your power button and press it.
And also might be stuck power button.
PaisanNYC said:
Why does it tick you off? Why should Google be on the hook for $350? So many unscrupulous people out there, it's a normal business practice.
If you want to spare the $350, then send the phone into LG Warranty repair. They won't send you a loaner, but your phone will be repaired for no cost to you under their warranty.
Here is where you still complain its not fair because you won't have a phone then, and Google should still give you everything for free until you return your phone....[/QUOTE
Why does it tick me off! you my friend are either ignorant or stupid. It is my Statutory right here in the UK to be sold a product that is fit for purpose. From the sales of good act
1979F4048B
Repair or replacement of the goods
(1)If section 48A above applies, the buyer may require the seller—
(a)to repair the goods, or
(b)to replace the goods.
(2)If the buyer requires the seller to repair or replace the goods, the seller must—
(a)repair or, as the case may be, replace the goods within a reasonable time but without causing significant inconvenience to the buyer;
(b)bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so (including in particular the cost of any labour, materials or postage).
So trying to find £350 pound is a bit of an inconvenience for me, maybe not you as clearly that's nothing to you but for the normal working class id say that was a bit of inconvenience.
Why would i not complain im not a multi billion pound company who can afford to be £700 out of pocket with nothing to show for it. i haven't asked for anything for free all im asking for is to have what a paid for, a working phone.
Yea there are unscrupulous people out there but that's not all of us, i remember the day when company's looked after there customers because they were the ones that made them there profit.
Thanks for your 2 pence anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
burton900 said:
PaisanNYC said:
Why does it tick you off? Why should Google be on the hook for $350? So many unscrupulous people out there, it's a normal business practice.
If you want to spare the $350, then send the phone into LG Warranty repair. They won't send you a loaner, but your phone will be repaired for no cost to you under their warranty.
Here is where you still complain its not fair because you won't have a phone then, and Google should still give you everything for free until you return your phone....[/QUOTE
Why does it tick me off! you my friend are either ignorant or stupid. It is my Statutory right here in the UK to be sold a product that is fit for purpose. From the sales of good act
1979F4048B
Repair or replacement of the goods
(1)If section 48A above applies, the buyer may require the seller—
(a)to repair the goods, or
(b)to replace the goods.
(2)If the buyer requires the seller to repair or replace the goods, the seller must—
(a)repair or, as the case may be, replace the goods within a reasonable time but without causing significant inconvenience to the buyer;
(b)bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so (including in particular the cost of any labour, materials or postage).
So trying to find £350 pound is a bit of an inconvenience for me, maybe not you as clearly that's nothing to you but for the normal working class id say that was a bit of inconvenience.
Why would i not complain im not a multi billion pound company who can afford to be £700 out of pocket with nothing to show for it. i haven't asked for anything for free all im asking for is to have what a paid for, a working phone.
Yea there are unscrupulous people out there but that's not all of us, i remember the day when company's looked after there customers because they were the ones that made them there profit.
Thanks for your 2 pence anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention (I believe) it's technically illegal under the Sale of Goods act as it applies to faulty goods too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a job
Why does it tick me off! you my friend are either ignorant or stupid. It is my Statutory right here in the UK to be sold a product that is fit for purpose. From the sales of good act
I see nothing wrong with googles policy.
Get a part time job maybe if you can't afford them freezing the $349 on your card for two weeks.
I felt for you when reading about your phone problem.
But after reading your whining posts about googles policy well thats life in the big city.
trsix said:
Why does it tick me off! you my friend are either ignorant or stupid. It is my Statutory right here in the UK to be sold a product that is fit for purpose. From the sales of good act
I see nothing wrong with googles policy.
Get a part time job maybe if you can't afford them freezing the $349 on your card for two weeks.
I felt for you when reading about your phone problem.
But after reading your whining posts about googles policy well thats life in the big city.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Google could do is send a pre-paid bag out and NOT send a replacement phone and once they receive the faulty they then send a new one. OK, you're without a phone for a day or so but it would mean no one is out of pocket and Google don't lose out as they get the original back first. We do this at my company and it works just fine
I find it hard to believe you Americans think that Google's policy is fair? I work full time but would still find it an inconvenience that a device I bought in good faith died and I have to fund a replacement first before I can get the replacement. Not everyone has £350 available as disposable cash, I certainly don't as everything I earn is budgeted for and ear marked for bills, rent, etc. A shop wouldn't ask you to do this and neither should a mail order purchase.
I'm not bashing Google as a company, just their returns policy
I get what you are saying but I don't think you are understanding what is happening. If you want an RMA they hold the money on your card because they are sending you a brand new device. You are 100% able to send the phone in to LG for free to have it replaced under warranty because it is faulty. You have an option that does not cost you any money. You are taking the option that does.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
By the way they don't actually charge you any money for the replacement they simply authorize in case you don't send them back a phone. Also you can keep your phone on until you get the replacement and then you can send them back your faulty one.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
$$$
EddyOS said:
What Google could do is send a pre-paid bag out and NOT send a replacement phone and once they receive the faulty they then send a new one. OK, you're without a phone for a day or so but it would mean no one is out of pocket and Google don't lose out as they get the original back first. We do this at my company and it works just fine
I find it hard to believe you Americans think that Google's policy is fair? I work full time but would still find it an inconvenience that a device I bought in good faith died and I have to fund a replacement first before I can get the replacement. Not everyone has £350 available as disposable cash, I certainly don't as everything I earn is budgeted for and ear marked for bills, rent, etc. A shop wouldn't ask you to do this and neither should a mail order purchase.
I'm not bashing Google as a company, just their returns policy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If funds were that tight I wouldn't be buying a $349. Phone to start with.
trsix said:
If funds were that tight I wouldn't be buying a $349. Phone to start with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just a piss poor response to a valid point. I can afford the phone, and I will be buying on on Friday as it happens, I was saying I don't have an ADDITIONAL £350 lying about. If it went wrong I'd expect it to be repaired/replaced at no cost within the warranty. I can live without a phone for a day or so so Google should provide the RMA package WITHOUT sending a new phone and once they receive the faulty one they send a new one. HTC do this. Everyone would be happy. Google could easily do this but choose not to and this is why I think their RMA procedure is poor.
2423485358
trsix said:
Why does it tick me off! you my friend are either ignorant or stupid. It is my Statutory right here in the UK to be sold a product that is fit for purpose. From the sales of good act
I see nothing wrong with googles policy.
Get a part time job maybe if you can't afford them freezing the $349 on your card for two weeks.
I felt for you when reading about your phone problem.
But after reading your whining posts about googles policy well that's life in the big city.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry im not a middle aged man, living at home with my parents, with nothing better to spend my money on. Im to busy living in the real world working and providing a good life for my family.What was the reason you commented on this post again? An let me remind you its £349 that's $570 to you.
I Agree that it would be better process to be able to send your device back for an exchange, not only would you not be out of pocket but would be a faster process. I think you would find that is a more normal business practice, at least here in UK. You don't have to re buy a product if you want an exchange it at any other mail order company Maybe this guy works for google and has so much spare cash because he is keeping hold everyone's money for 14 days.
joshnichols189 said:
I get what you are saying but I don't think you are understanding what is happening. If you want an RMA they hold the money on your card because they are sending you a brand new device. You are 100% able to send the phone in to LG for free to have it replaced under warranty because it is faulty. You have an option that does not cost you any money. You are taking the option that does.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was unaware of this option and was never made aware of it otherwise i would have done so.
atticusmas said:
By the way they don't actually charge you any money for the replacement they simply authorize in case you don't send them back a phone. Also you can keep your phone on until you get the replacement and then you can send them back your faulty one.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im well aware of the technicality of how they hold the funds but it is as good as being charged as you have no access to that money. That was what i was trying to get at,
trsix said:
If funds were that tight I wouldn't be buying a $349. Phone to start with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Is it not the point Google are trying to make by making available a high spec device at an affordable price.
2.Being able to spare £350 and being able to spare £700 is bit of a difference don't you think.
3,I think your missing point its not so much about being able to spare the cash as it is the fact you give a company your business and when things go wrong you expect to be treated as a valued customer. I never asked for a special treatment or the world for that matter, i just wanted an easy, inconvenient way of replacing faulty goods.
I experienced the same issue last night. Charged my phone up and it was fine. Put it in my pocket, took it out a couple hours later and it was off. Haven't been able to turn it on since. No water damage, and I've never dropped it. I'm going through the RMA process now.
joshnichols189 said:
I get what you are saying but I don't think you are understanding what is happening. If you want an RMA they hold the money on your card because they are sending you a brand new device. You are 100% able to send the phone in to LG for free to have it replaced under warranty because it is faulty. You have an option that does not cost you any money. You are taking the option that does.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is completely bull****. I spent two hours on the phone with LG, Google, and LG+Google support managers trying to get a repair on an *in warranty* nexus 4, (they stated that this same policy applies to the Nexus 5) instead of a RMA through Google. LG will NOT do in-warranty service, if you send a Nexus that was bought through google play to LG they treat it as an out-of-warranty repair no matter what. (Yes, I am very aware that this policy is illegal, I tried explaining that to the person they transferred me to in LG legal, they said to try my luck with small-claims). To get your money back after they bill you the out of warranty price for your in warranty repair you have either have to go to small-claims court or try to get your bank to reverse the charge. Its a total bull**** policy that is, in fact, illegal, but until someone actually sues them over it, nothing is going to change. I ended up just biting the bullet on the normal RMA since I've got a Nexus 5 anyway.
LG will not accept in-warranty repairs for Google Play purchased Nexus devices, they require you to go through Google, no exceptions. I really wish it weren't true, but a conference call with LG and Google Play support managers resulted in my beating my head against a wall on exactly this issue.
atticusmas said:
By the way they don't actually charge you any money for the replacement they simply authorize in case you don't send them back a phone. Also you can keep your phone on until you get the replacement and then you can send them back your faulty one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been a while since I used a debit card, but I remember my bank actually did prevent me from spending funds that were pre-authorized. Yes, the money was still mine, but it's set aside and I wasn't able to touch it until the preauth expired. Can be very inconvenient when cash is tight.
thread topic
This thread is soo off topic now.
Mod Edit: Xda is not the place to do business of any kind. Thread closed.
Why should we pay for review units? You say you'll be placing a refund, but why not just send out the review units without payment.
daLareid said:
Why should we pay for review units? You say you'll be placing a refund, but why not just send out the review units without payment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree,
pointless
Furthermore, this is the Note 9 forum! Not S9/SO+
The seller is looking for Amazon sales guys.
If he just sends out the unit, there is no guarantee that the people who hes sent them to will post a review but at least if they purchase then there is a record on Amazon of a sale which will also help him build his business.
He says they are offering them for free, but then why is he mentioning a refund via PayPal?
Ive been screwed by things like this before. Ordered something I didnt really need, went to go post a review so they would give me the money back, and Amazon blocked reviews, so I did not get my money back.
Gargamel198024 said:
Ive been screwed by things like this before. Ordered something I didnt really need, went to go post a review so they would give me the money back, and Amazon blocked reviews, so I did not get my money back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah,I'd steer clear of this:
JMHO,the whole thing is disingenuous.
While technically they may be within the rules on Amazon,it's just semantics,they're seeking favorable reviews in exchange for goods vs. an honest/unsolicited opinion.
For relatively inexpensive items,reviews are worthless,as this paid endorsement tactic is used ad nauseam.
Amazon tries to keep it to a minimum,but,I imagine it's virtually impossible to stop it altogether.
KOLIOSIS said:
Yeah,I'd steer clear of this:
JMHO,the whole thing is disingenuous.
While technically they may be within the rules on Amazon,it's just semantics,they're seeking favorable reviews in exchange for goods vs. an honest/unsolicited opinion.
For relatively inexpensive items,reviews are worthless,as this paid endorsement tactic is used ad nauseam.
Amazon tries to keep it to a minimum,but,I imagine it's virtually impossible to stop it altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got in contact with the OP and received an email directly from Choetech regarding the free review unit. I placed the order and provided them with my Amazon order number and they sent me my refund via PayPal within 24 hours. I definitely understand the hesitation but what do you have to loose? If they were to stiff you after placing the order you could just send it back to Amazon for free and get refunded.
Any-who I now have a Free USB C to HDMI cable that I will take to work and use my Note9's DeX with.
BigMosely said:
I got in contact with the OP and received an email directly from Choetech regarding the free review unit. I placed the order and provided them with my Amazon order number and they sent me my refund via PayPal within 24 hours. I definitely understand the hesitation but what do you have to loose? If they were to stiff you after placing the order you could just send it back to Amazon for free and get refunded.
Any-who I now have a Free USB C to HDMI cable that I will take to work and use my Note9's DeX with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem isn't with getting free gear, it's the whole thing of Choetech circumventing the rating/review process.
Why not just have a drawing/contest, something with a smidgen of appearing to be on the up & up?
The fact that they're working around the payments is proof that they are expecting a favorable review in exchange for freebies. Not the best way to instill confidence in their product ratings....
If they were so confident in their products, they wouldn't be resorting to this tactic, they'd let legitimate buyers input their own unsolicited reviews without any quid pro quo, or, appearance of it.
I know they're not the only ones that use this tactic, but, since they went as far as starting a thread on the subject, I went ahead & posted my 2¢ on the subject.
Sent from my SM-N960U using XDA Labs
KOLIOSIS said:
My problem isn't with getting free gear, it's the whole thing of Choetech circumventing the rating/review process.
Why not just have a drawing/contest, something with a smidgen of appearing to be on the up & up?
The fact that they're working around the payments is proof that they are expecting a favorable review in exchange for freebies. Not the best way to instill confidence in their product ratings....
If they were so confident in their products, they wouldn't be resorting to this tactic, they'd let legitimate buyers input their own unsolicited reviews without any quid pro quo, or, appearance of it.
I know they're not the only ones that use this tactic, but, since they went as far as starting a thread on the subject, I went ahead & posted my 2¢ on the subject.
Sent from my SM-N960U using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, feels a tad dirty. They make decent stuff though. I've gotten a few Choetech things over the years and it's always been quality stuff. I actually have one of their USB-C to HDMI adapters and it works great.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
bjhill2112 said:
Yeah, feels a tad dirty. They make decent stuff though. I've gotten a few Choetech things over the years and it's always been quality stuff. I actually have one of their USB-C to HDMI adapters and it works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the sad part about this,it's unnecessary.
I did a bit of Googling on the company & AFAICT,they can get by on the merits/quality of products alone w/o the quid pro quo.
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the forums who hasn't heard of Choetech,I think they'd do better to have a sponsored article here @ XDA on occasion,if they feel they need to further market to the membership here.
It'd likely reach a wider audience & have have an equal if not better bang-for-the buck vs the quid pro quo in the OP w/o the baggage.
So I bought a S22 Ultra off Facebook marketplace for $900 I did an imei check with my carrier and confirmed it wasn't stolen or anything of that nature and we set it up on my account in store with the guy present and confirmed it worked. Fast forward a week I wake up to a nice message on my phone that Samsung has blocked my device due to incomplete trade in and that I need to contact Samsung to fix it. Cant use the phone at all. I have a $900 paper weight. Does anyone know of a bypass for this? Will rooting it give me the ability to get around this?
That's a new one to me. Sorry can't help, post a photo of the message the phone is showing.
The reason that happened is probably because the guy purcahased the phone from Samsung with a Trade-in discount. He did not send his phone in as part of the agreement. Then they tried to bill his card for the amount of the Trade-in and it didn't go through for whatever reason. After that they blocked his phone which you purchased from him. He most likely hated the phone kept his old phone and now you are screwed until you contact Samsung and resolve it. They specifically state on the Trade-in info they send you with the shipping label that if you don't send them the Trade-in phone within 2 weeeks the new phone will be locked out. The other reason they do that is if it's reported stolen. So your only two options are 1) Contact Samsung or 2) Throw it in the trash.
i think its unlikely, you could try to flash a new firmware with unbranded csc , im not saying that WILL fix it, but it wont do u any harm to try if your not planning on seeking help from samsung, i would recommend trying to fake an imei in an efs and load that, i couldnt advise you how though im afraid
That's the new way, they allow multiple trade in devices so the scumbag will select devices with the highest trade in to bring down the purchase price to the lowest possible level and sell it on arrival making hundreds in profits. Possibly the only way to avoid this would be to remove any samsung stuff BEFORE they initiate a lockdown.
We can't have nice things because of this and if it keeps up I see (Samsung) wanting to put a full purchase price hold at time of purchase and then release it when they get the trade ins. :-(
thats why i like to pre order and buy my devices for cash, no waiting and you know your phone is bnib
cpufrost said:
That's the new way, they allow multiple trade in devices so the scumbag will select devices with the highest trade in to bring down the purchase price to the lowest possible level and sell it on arrival making hundreds in profits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read about this somewhere just recently. The bad guys are sure creative in figuring out how to game the system. Around here we have to be very careful of FB Marketplace. Sometimes it seems there are way more sketchy stolen items on it than legitimate items.
The other thing is you probably should get a screenshot of the persons drivers license when making a purchase for such a large amount of money. That way the Police know where they live and they got a photo as well. If the seller is not willing to provide that info to you then stay away. I am not gonna send somebody $900 on the internet and just hope they willl send me what they promised without fully checking them out first.
Nobody would accept that. They can simply say don't buy it then. How would he now you wouldn't be a dodgy guy and use his driving licence for scams? The safest way of this kind of trade in risks is to request the purchasing invoice where you could see if it was purchased with trade in option. If the seller doesn't provide it then i would recommend not to buy the phone for the first 3 months of phone's releasing date when trade in would have been completed already.
Always a risk when you guy items from individuals. The one thing for sure, if the deal is too good to be true, it usually is sketchy.
Paul_Deemer said:
The reason that happened is probably because the guy purcahased the phone from Samsung with a Trade-in discount. He did not send his phone in as part of the agreement. Then they tried to bill his card for the amount of the Trade-in and it didn't go through for whatever reason. After that they blocked his phone which you purchased from him. He most likely hated the phone kept his old phone and now you are screwed until you contact Samsung and resolve it. They specifically state on the Trade-in info they send you with the shipping label that if you don't send them the Trade-in phone within 2 weeeks the new phone will be locked out. The other reason they do that is if it's reported stolen. So your only two options are 1) Contact Samsung or 2) Throw it in the trash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the most likely reason, and the only thing you can do is to contact Samsung. You could offer to pay the trade in value discount that was applied at the time of purchase, but that could be up to £570 (here in the UK) as that was the top tier (S21Ultra) trade in if I remember rightly.
I think there must of been some genuine trade in purchase, as a valid IMEI number is required at the time of ordering the new phone....Unless there is a way of generating IMEI numbers I'm not aware of.
I would contact Samsung before doing anything else with the phone, as I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung have locked the phone through Knox or something.
That phone is locked via knox. Nothing you can do unless you contact samsung and give them proof of your transaction then from there it's either they will help you or wont care at all.
That's samsungs fault at first. Here in Turkey, you pay full price. After they receive trade-in device they refund discount amount to you. This is the only way to stop such thing.
rroyy said:
That's samsungs fault at first. Here in Turkey, you pay full price. After they receive trade-in device they refund discount amount to you. This is the only way to stop such thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, and too, because of folks not playing nice and taking advantage of others, they will wind up doing the same thing here in USA. At the very least placing a merchant hold for the full device price on the method of payment and releasing it upon successful redemption of trade in value.
Samsung locked the wrong phone. They should be locking the new phone. Call them
Will_T said:
I read about this somewhere just recently. The bad guys are sure creative in figuring out how to game the system. Around here we have to be very careful of FB Marketplace. Sometimes it seems there are way more sketchy stolen items on it than legitimate items.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with you, FB\Meta is a mess.
I've had nothing but stellar results selling and buying using Swappa. They are pretty stringent with phone condition and both buyers and sellers.
My favorite transaction was about 4 yrs ago when I dropped a very well protected Nexus 6 just wrong while waiting on a lift, and the screen broke. If it were newer I would have replaced the screen, but 10 minutes into a business meeting I found a replacement for $150 in my city on Swappa. I pinged the seller and he was sitting across the street from me. When I got out of the meeting 30 minutes later, I walked across the street and he handed me the like brand new phone in box and waited for me to boot up! All pre-checked IMEI on Swappa for free to ensure not stolen, etc.
armst433 said:
Samsung locked the wrong phone. They should be locking the new phone. Call them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an S22U. It is the new phone....
I'm hoping OP updates us, I wanna know whats going on with this rather strange story.
Parzival__ said:
So I bought a S22 Ultra off Facebook marketplace for $900 I did an imei check with my carrier and confirmed it wasn't stolen or anything of that nature and we set it up on my account in store with the guy present and confirmed it worked. Fast forward a week I wake up to a nice message on my phone that Samsung has blocked my device due to incomplete trade in and that I need to contact Samsung to fix it. Cant use the phone at all. I have a $900 paper weight. Does anyone know of a bypass for this? Will rooting it give me the ability to get around this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the phone turns on? it comes in wi-fi where are the wi-fi networks? if you get high is there a bar? if it exists write www.youtube.com done do glue in the copy bar open Youtube go to click and see Youtube Terms of Service in the bar write this E-FRP site addresses appear and there is e-frp click open and see for Samsung and other functions for you you are interested in ftp and test account or Samsung it would be better to have another phone active go to Youtube and in the bar write e-frp for Samsung because there are several steps. Good luck
Paul_Deemer said:
The other thing is you probably should get a screenshot of the persons drivers license when making a purchase for such a large amount of money. That way the Police know where they live and they got a photo as well. If the seller is not willing to provide that info to you then stay away. I am not gonna send somebody $900 on the internet and just hope they willl send me what they promised without fully checking them out first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the crazy part is it was a in person purchase. Dude met me at spectrum mobile and they verified it was unlocked and would work and that's when the transaction happened.