Bought a dodgy iPhone - what can I do

[mashtaw]

Hello ebayers. I bought a phone for my daughter for Christmas - a refurbished iPhone. It came with a 12 month warranty. It was not working correctly when she opened it and started using it on Christmas day so we sent it back to the seller for a repair, as set out in the warranty conditions. It was eventually returned but seemingly had not been repaired as the same probems started again after a few days. I have resent it backand asked that it not be repaired and sent back to us as it was obviously not going to last. I indicated initially that I would like a replacement, but after they didn't bother to collect the item that I had sent via Express Post for nearly a week, asked for a refund so that I could go elsewhere. I haven't heard anything back. Can anyone offer advice on what I need to do. I don't want any more dodgy production from this seller  but rally need to get a phone ASAP but cannot replace it until I have been refunded.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[phorum_junkie*]

Most warranties on ebay are not worth the cyberspace they are typed on. Yhe only way you may have any comeback, and it may not be any good after this long, is if the seller is a registered Australian business with an ABN. If they are then you can try Fair Trade but I don't hold out much hope for you.

Are you saying you returned it by express post? I hope not as mobile phones have to be posted regular post with a road only sticker on them.

You could try a Paypal dispute but as you did not open a dispute as soon as you knew it was faulty you may be out of luck there.

Final try is if you funded the payment with a credit card then you can try a chargeback through your bank but you will need proof it was sent back to the seller.

[*tippy*toes*]

As it's more than 30 days since purchase, you can't use the eBay Money Back Guarantee, however you should be able to open an item not described dispute through PayPal. Before you open a dispute, sign up to PayPal's offer of free return postage (meaning they will pay the return postage cost), otherwise you will have to pay the return costs.

I can't say for sure if they will refund you, but it's your best chance at the moment. Make sure you save any correspondence between you and the seller as evidence if required by PayPal.

Is the seller a registered business? It will say on their feedback if they are a business seller. If they are and you have no luck with PayPal, you can ask for a refund. If they refuse, you can go to Fair Trading.

If you funded the payment with a credit card or Visa debit card (even through PayPal), you can initiate a chargeback as a last resort.

I'm guessing you bought a refurbished phone as the new ones were cost prohibitive? I often get junk mail from Australia Post and they nearly always have ads for refurbished iPhones. I think some of the phone companies do too, so worth checking them out. Like anything second hand, there is a risk of it not working right, as you have found out.

If you have any issues with any of the above, come back here and ask for more advice. There are plenty of very experienced members who should be able to help you with more suggestions than I gave.

Edit: I obviously type slower than PJ!!

[phorum_junkie*]

LOL Tippy, it isn't often that happens, I didn't think anyone typed slower than my seven minutes a word!