Need very urgent help on complex problem!

[mrdwee]

Hi all,

I live in Australia and I have just bought an iPhone 3GS from the US as a gift for my dad. I paid $18 for shipping charges. The phone turned out to be faulty and didn't work so I contacted the seller asking for a refund....The seller said I can have a refund or a replacement. The problem is that due to new restrictions I cannot mail the item back but I must use a private courier (because of the lithium battery). It's going to cost me around $140 and I bought the phone for $200!

Is there ANYTHING I can do? How did the seller get to send the item in the first place? This is the first time I've done a refund and need help. Can the seller be liable for my charges to send back?

[digital*ghost]

There must be many cargo planes arriving from Asia packed to the hilt with items containing lithium batteries, how many explosions have we heard about?

Make this one: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39582704/ns/travel-news/t/faa-warns-airlines-about-lithium-battery-dangers/?ns=travel-news#.ULgu-WfhcYI

"Since the early 1990s, there have been dozens of incidents of batteries igniting in flight or during cargo handling. But exactly what triggered many of the fires is not well understood."

So, not so much aexplosions as fires, and while often the specific cause of the fire is under debate, it's proven that lithium batteries will exacerbate the situation - both in terms of fueling the fire and posing greater risks for those trying to put it out.

[boggo58]

Thats not correct,  phone  Chargers can be 110v, 240v or even 500v, 

(thats why you can use 12v from a car )i't's the Output voltage that plugs into the phone it self which i think is around 5v? There really is no set voltage if you buy usa 110v items. If you check the voltages on usa products chargers  it usually says 110v to 220v, or something very similar. thats why if you buy USA electrical goods that require a charger it usually comes with a aussie adapter. Iv'e even seen people 'Twist' the pins to suit the aussie pwer points, something i wouldn't recomend.

  Also a battery for that iphone costs around $10, so maybe you could reimburse the bloke.

[boggo58]

You can send the phone and battery if you only use ground transport (snail mail)

[1sweetap6v8]

The phone should still be covered by manufacturers warranty

[***super_nova***]

The phone should still be covered by manufacturers warranty

Manufacturers do not cover eBay purchases.

[the_hawk*]

Manufacturers do not cover eBay purchases.

and a local dealer/agent will not touch a grey import