Refurbished Samsung mobiles - General Questions and Answers

Hello all.
I was wondering if anyone here has tried out refurbished Samsung mobile.
Is there any kind of problems you encountered?
Would you recommend refurbished Samsung mobiles?

I did use one. The only thing was some screen burn-in. But everything else was just great. No heat, no drain, no issues.
Refurbished phones are phones sent back by warranty for a fault it faced, it gets repaired, the put back for sale.
If you are to buy a recent, refurbished device, my guess is that it won't have any problem, lately, certain tests are done to ensure the phone is fine before selling it.
But you should at least test the phone before buying, if you don't know how, consult a friend.
I definitely don't recommend refurbished phones even if they're a sun-glare copy of original.

Related

I am buying a nexus s...

I'm buying a nexus s from somebody I'm just wondering how I would go about if something is wrong with it (phone comes with box)... Do I call samsung and ask for a replacement? or would I just be stuck with the faulty phone?
well...if it's broken physically or bricked, no one will cover it. But if there's a hardware issue i think samsung has a manufacturer's warrenty, if not then you're boned.
Only thing I know that covers it is the Best Buy 10 dollar a month full coverage plan. So if they have that and are able to transfer it to you, I'm pretty sure you don't have a warrenty.
Ok cool I mean I'm not gonna buy a bricked phone or a physically broken one I just meant like an issue that I could miss at purchase time, since I hear that theres a few issues with this phone.
You could probably buy the squaretrade warranty even though you bought the phone used (I don't have experience with that).
Also, T-Mobile and other carriers have $7/mo insurance available on phones. I had that on my Nexus 1. $50 deductible, I think, but covers loss/theft too.

[Q] Replacement Dock and Tablet Despite Unlock?

Will Best Buy give me a replacement dock and tablet if I cite the dock malfunction despite my having unlocked the tablet?
I have a similar question here;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646723
I think we should be OK to unroot & wipe... **waits for confirmation!**
You unlocked the boatloader?
You've officially lost warranty.
Though, you can allways hope they wont notice..
but thats losing warranty with asus. not best buy, i doubt anyone at bestbuy is smart enough to know anything about it and best buys warranty doesnt say anything about stuff like that. simply, its broke, we replace..
Best Buy Warranty
This depends... if you didn't purchase an extended warranty through them they honor the terms of the manufacturer's warranty. How this is carried out varies from product to product and vendor to vendor. In some cases, the vendor agreement essentially replaces the item out right. In the worst form, the product gets sent back to a manufacturer's authorized service center. Sometimes this is the manufacturer and other times is a third party. I do agree that it is unlikely that anyone at the store level would notice the unlocked bootloader however it may get noticed at the service center.
If you purchased the extended warranty, then most likely the product will not be serviced and it will be replaced.
I will admit that it has been 2 years since I worked in the warranty fulfillment capacity with that company so things may have changed some. Either way I'm glad to have a real job. Hope this helps.
Meh. If they're anything like Walmart, they probably won't even turn it on. I returned 2 tablets to Walmart, and the only hassle I got was from taking the S/N sticker off the second one, and they still took it back.
Does the device say "unlocked" at boot? I just swapped my 16gb for a 32gb and they definitely turned it on to confirm it works.
If it doesn't say unlocked anywhere than I doubt they'd notice.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
The device does indeed say that it's unlocked at boot... Will Best Buy actually notice and know what to make of it?

[Q] Nexus 5 Warranty Replacement

Recently, my Nexus 5 has been acting up. The problem specifically is that when I plug it into the OEM charger (along with 3 other chargers that I've tried), it will only hold the charge. It will not charge past the battery% that it is sitting at. Sometimes, it even drains somehow. I've tried going back to stock, clearing my cache, and other troubleshooting steps that Google sent me.
After letting them know that I had no luck with getting the phone to charge properly, they tell me that they will provide a replacement (hold on credit card, blah blah blah) but that the replacement unit will be REFURBISHED and LIKE-NEW condition.. Is this how the Google warranty has always been? It does not sound right to me. I've only had the device for 8 months, and they offer me a refurbished replacement for a hardware-faulty phone?
Just looking for a quick answer and some peace of mind if someone could quickly clarify if their refurbished replacements are something regular and I shouldn't be worried about swapping out my phone for something in like-new condition.
They used to give new devices for rma. Now that the phone has been out for some time they only give refurbished ones for rma. So yes, it's normal.
alkajak said:
Recently, my Nexus 5 has been acting up. The problem specifically is that when I plug it into the OEM charger (along with 3 other chargers that I've tried), it will only hold the charge. It will not charge past the battery% that it is sitting at. Sometimes, it even drains somehow. I've tried going back to stock, clearing my cache, and other troubleshooting steps that Google sent me.
After letting them know that I had no luck with getting the phone to charge properly, they tell me that they will provide a replacement (hold on credit card, blah blah blah) but that the replacement unit will be REFURBISHED and LIKE-NEW condition.. Is this how the Google warranty has always been? It does not sound right to me. I've only had the device for 8 months, and they offer me a refurbished replacement for a hardware-faulty phone?
Just looking for a quick answer and some peace of mind if someone could quickly clarify if their refurbished replacements are something regular and I shouldn't be worried about swapping out my phone for something in like-new condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Google yesterday about my Nexus 5, but for a different issue with the SIM card. Same as you, "hold on credit card, blah blah blah" and then I received the email to see it was going to be a 'REFURBISHED and LIKE-NEW' unit. Knowing that the potential for abuse or misuse on a returned and refurbished unit is seemingly limitless I called them. The woman who I spoke with said that they just changed their policy 2 weeks ago and now they will all be refurbished units. They said that if I receive the refurbished unit and I don't like it, I can just send it back. They also said that if I receive a refurbished unit and it has problems after sever replacements I could go the route of returning it all together.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
I may stand alone when I say this, but how is getting a refurbished replacement for an 8 month old phone anything but fair? I can understand if it was a month old, but after 8 months your phone is thoroughly used. The refurbs are like new so you'll be getting a device that's in better condition than yours... I dunno, pick your battles I guess.
Refurbs are fine. They go back to LG and are put through the same QQ checks that new devices are. If housing or glass have any cracks or scratches they are replaced. The device will look brand new and they only way most people would be able to tell is because Google is telling you.
_MetalHead_ said:
I may stand alone when I say this, but how is getting a refurbished replacement for an 8 month old phone anything but fair? I can understand if it was a month old, but after 8 months your phone is thoroughly used. The refurbs are like new so you'll be getting a device that's in better condition than yours... I dunno, pick your battles I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, every other device you would get refurbs from the start. The fact that Google was replacing them with new devices for 8 months is the surprising part, not that they've now switched to the standard business practice as the device nears EOL. It's like complaining about Google cross shipping the replacements. they go above and beyond what is expected of them and people still find reasons to complain.
If you return a used product, you can expect a used (refurbished) product in return.
I RMA'd my device due to a faulty earpiece. It is a 7 month old phone, and the earpiece just simply started acting up.
The refurbished device that I received is nearly flawless, but at the charging port there are quite some scratches. It seems the previous owner would fumble the cable around without looking, trying to plug it in.
http://postimg.org/image/ikp2n1z07/
They are bad enough that I am attempting to return it and get another one. I understand that they are refurbished, but I dont one want that is in a worse condition that mine. I am super caring to my phone. I expect something similar than that.
I will update as to how it goes!
Thanks for the responses (excluding the slight opinionated hostility). I feel a bit more comfortable about a refurbished device since I haven't had issues with phones before. I was skeptical because I had my Galaxy Nexus for 3 years with zero issues, it was the best phone I've ever had, so I was really surprised that a battery could crap out after 8 months just like that. I'll probably be ordering mine soon since I don't think a full refund is possible, and quite frankly, the device is quite better than the SGS products.
Shadow89 said:
I RMA'd my device due to a faulty earpiece. It is a 7 month old phone, and the earpiece just simply started acting up.
The refurbished device that I received is nearly flawless, but at the charging port there are quite some scratches. It seems the previous owner would fumble the cable around without looking, trying to plug it in.
http://postimg.org/image/ikp2n1z07/
They are bad enough that I am attempting to return it and get another one. I understand that they are refurbished, but I dont one want that is in a worse condition that mine. I am super caring to my phone. I expect something similar than that.
I will update as to how it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That actually looks like they were using some sort of dock with their phone, hence the squarish imprint. Not the worst but I agree with you it shouldn't be in a worse condition then what you sent in, and that would not qualify as "as new" in most people's opinion.

Questions about refurbished unit.

Hey all,
I'm getting sent a replacement from Google due to my current device having a faulty power button. (It works whenever it feels like it)
Are the refurbished phones clean looking like new phones? I love the look of the phone itself and have had bad experiences with refurbs (HTC).
And since it's from the Google Store, it's still rootable?
I would assume yes it's still Rootable. The refurbished units are good but I notice there was two scratches on the edge of the housing with mine. I assume it was there due to a previous screen replacement.
Should still be rootable..
If the phone you sent them was a Google bought phone yes it is rootable. If you sent them a Verizon phone probably not.
I haven't gotten a refurbished Pixel. Luckily I haven't needed it, but I did get a refurbished Nexus 5X because it boot looped, and it looked brand new.
I just received a refurbished phone and I wouldn't have even been able to tell it wasn't brand new.
Thanks everyone for replying. I received my refurbished unit and like everyone said, it looked brand new! Only issue was that Sprint was unable to get it working on their Network. For some reason, the IMEI and the MEID were entirely different. I went through 4 techs before the last one informed me that those two numbers should only be off by one, and mine were entirely different. So, Google is sending me out another refurbished one.
Wish me luck. ?
Good luck. I am going on my 4th replacement. First 2 couldn't lock onto gps satellites and my current phone died while on a road trip. I haven't rooted or modded my device and use the chargers+cables I bought from Google. There are only 2 months left for the warranty and afraid I will have an 800 dollar brick after the warranty expires.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Motherboard faults, deliberate design?

With so many people needing to replace their motherboards, even in the Note Edge XDA forum and across other forums, well, everywhere, does anyone else think this could possibly be planned obsolescence on the part of Samsung?
Is it possible they have deliberately designed them to fail after a set period of time (This mostly occurs after the warranty period has ended) ?
I could understand if this was an issue due to numerous rom installs etc but it is also happening to people who have never rooted or flashed their phones.
I thought it was only happening to Note 4's but was thinking of buying a new Note Edge as I like the design and only want a phone with the stylus and a removable battery. So I had a look at the Note Edge forum on XDA. The same issue is happening with their phones too. I raised this issue with Samsung and when they advised it would cost me over $400 AU to replace the motherboard I was not impressed.
It would be more palatable to think it was an issue with the design of the phone but for it to almost always happen after the warranty period has expired... if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
o0o.paw said:
With so many people needing to replace their motherboards, even in the Note Edge XDA forum and across other forums, well, everywhere, does anyone else think this could possibly be planned obsolescence on the part of Samsung?
Is it possible they have deliberately designed them to fail after a set period of time (This mostly occurs after the warranty period has ended) ?
I could understand if this was an issue due to numerous rom installs etc but it is also happening to people who have never rooted or flashed their phones.
I thought it was only happening to Note 4's but was thinking of buying a new Note Edge as I like the design and only want a phone with the stylus and a removable battery. So I had a look at the Note Edge forum on XDA. The same issue is happening with their phones too. I raised this issue with Samsung and when they advised it would cost me over $400 AU to replace the motherboard I was not impressed.
It would be more palatable to think it was an issue with the design of the phone but for it to almost always happen after the warranty period has expired... if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I hate updates.
They usually add butt loads of bloatware and drive your phone nuts.
The harder it works, the faster it burns out.
o0o.paw said:
With so many people needing to replace their motherboards, even in the Note Edge XDA forum and across other forums, well, everywhere, does anyone else think this could possibly be planned obsolescence on the part of Samsung?
Is it possible they have deliberately designed them to fail after a set period of time (This mostly occurs after the warranty period has ended) ?
I could understand if this was an issue due to numerous rom installs etc but it is also happening to people who have never rooted or flashed their phones.
I thought it was only happening to Note 4's but was thinking of buying a new Note Edge as I like the design and only want a phone with the stylus and a removable battery. So I had a look at the Note Edge forum on XDA. The same issue is happening with their phones too. I raised this issue with Samsung and when they advised it would cost me over $400 AU to replace the motherboard I was not impressed.
It would be more palatable to think it was an issue with the design of the phone but for it to almost always happen after the warranty period has expired... if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bought the phone in late 2014. Still working fine and no issues on the MB side. Althogh i had to change the batteries 5-6 times during this period.
I received an update from Samsung. They've asked me to drop it off at a kiosk or service centre and the they will have a look at it so see if it is an issue with the motherboard (which it definitely is). If it is they "may provide me with a remedy". Not sure what that means but I am just happy they have said they will have a look at it
Thought I'd add, they know I bought the phone second hand so I wasn't sure if they'd even look at it. Really impressed with the service even if they don't repair it.
I just hope they don't offer me a newer Note, I just want my phone fixed. I'd hate a phone without a removable battery.
Keep Us Updated (or me), every detail. I know that its like pulling teeth to get a repair person to divulge details.... Would love to have a newer Note or even replacement.
My MB died due to too many apps 400+ and running very hot for 1 year. So be warned do not run it HOT. Replaced with new MB costing £150 in UK.
unimatrix725 said:
Keep Us Updated (or me), every detail. I know that its like pulling teeth to get a repair person to divulge details.... Would love to have a newer Note or even replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung did agree to replace the motherboard, the only issue I had was I had purchased the note second hand and didn't have proof of purchase. I'd taken it into the Samsung kiosk and they determined it was a motherboard issue. It had actually turned off and would only boot into the Samsung recovery when I took it in.
About a week before this I had to call an ambulance urgently and the phone froze three times. I had to keep taking the battery out. I finally got through. I pointed out to Samsung that a family member could have died from this. That may have swayed them a little but again as I had purchased it second hand they would not touch it. The guy at the kiosk said it was because it could have been stolen, so yeh on top of me freaking out because I was trying to call an ambulance they then made me feel like I was a thief. No it was not stolen, in fact I also have a note 4 that I bought brand new but I gave my daughter that one when her Sony phone died.
I ended up buying a Note Edge second hand again as a new one was going to take up to November to get here (unless I paid a stupid amount of money for delivery and even then it could have taken 4 weeks). I'll end up buying a new motherboard if this one dies too, hell I may even just order one when I have the money so I have it spare.
BTW the Note Edge is way more awesome than the Note 4.
I now have a new battery cover, a fake Samsung battery cover case thing and a few screen protectors on the way, I don't think they are glass and the glass ones on eBay are a rip off. I'll be able to charge the phone on my Samsung note 3 dock and the spare battery at the same time. When I have some spare $ I'll grab another spare battery (I like to have 3 batteries in case one starts to swell and die).
I would have taken this further due to not being able to call the ambulance but our consumer laws say that you must have proof of purchase, besides I'm visiting the hospital every day working full time and trying to do the family house work & cooking so I don't have enough time. I'm also still really shaken up by what happened so it's probably better that I let it go.

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