Problems with seller

[chikita_1]

Hello. I need help please. I bought a phone from a seller. The seller didn't declare that it was an overseas import. The phone is not 4G compatible and I requested a refund from the seller who refused to respond to my request or messages. Ebay doesn't want to help me either. What angers me is that the seller advertised a 24-month guarantee but changed it to 12 months when I enquired. I always select Australia only because I don't want to buy a phone from overseas. 12 months later, I found out the phone was in import and both the seller and Ebay said that they cannot help! What can I do? I paid over $700 for this phone. 

[twyngwyn]

1) selecting Australia only....that gets you, anyone who sells to Australia...maybe not local

2) a guarantee means nothing, unless they're an authorised seller

12 months down the track, you have nowhere to go.....did you pay by c/c? will your bank do a chargeback?

[davewil1964 · Accepted solution]

Why did it take you 12 months to realise it isn't 4G compatible?

Warranties are only enforceable through registered, authorised resellers of a product, which an import generally isn't.

You've done your dough

I bought my current phone 3 years ago from an authorised retailer. It cost $279

[sandypebbles]

You do not get to use something for 12 months and then get a refund

Even if it was an Australian seller without an overseas import, there is zero warranty if they are not an authorised seller

What can you do?  avoid buying something like a phone of any price from a random on ebay

The time limit for the MBG for an item not as described is 30 days, not a year

And if you didn’t know for a year what you bought, the seller may just as possibly been unaware what they sold

Was the phone in the original box?

Did you need an adaptor plug?

Didn’t anything in the phone settings indicate it was an overseas import?

[chikita_1]

I only phoned out a week ago that the phone is only 3G compatible when Telstra sent me a message. The phone came in an original box and I didn't need an adaptor plug. I took the phone to Telstra and the staff member looked into the settings and told me the phone was imported.

[chikita_1]

Because the phone is still working but when Telstra switch 3G off October 2024 the phone will no longer work. Telstra send me a text telling me that my phone is not 4G compatible. And yes, I learned my lesson, but the phone was in its original box. 

[chikita_1]

I paid via PayPal which doesn't help much. 

[sandypebbles]

Telstra were sending people messages a year ago about the 3G shut down, I had to replace my phone and bought from a real store on sale for $200

But buyers still do not get to keep and use anything for a year and then expect they can get a refund

Especially if you did not buy from an authorised seller, which is the only way you should even consider buying a phone on eBay, especially a $700 one

And there is also always the slim chance the staff member was just telling you this so they could sell you a phone from the store

[sugar249]

Are you sure that it is just not the message saying that you wont be able to make emergency calls, rather than not 4G compatible.