Do I Accept a Refund on My Nexus 5?

Lashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 10:47
Last edited 23/04/2015 - 09:20

I've been the proud owner of a Nexus 5 (32GB) since February last year. Never been happier with a phone (though the unstoppable HTC HD2 came close). Then February this year, I noticed some micro cracks around the SIM card slot on the phone. Looks like it's actually a common issue for this model. I contacted Google, they were happy to RMA it without problem.

That's when the real problems started. I ordered the first replacement (a refurbished model) on Feb 24th. Received it, it had no mobile signal. Nada, zip, defective. Returned it, had another one sent out in March. Stuck power button, would reboot every 1-2 seconds. Returned it. Ordered another replacement which was supposed to have been dispatched April 13th. After not hearing anything, I contacted them today to find out that they are having issues sourcing inventory for the replacement.

As good will, they've said they'll refund the original shipping from last year ($20ish) but they have no ETA when a replacement will be available. They have also offered a full refund ($449) if I don't want to wait any longer. I'm tempted to take the money and grab a OnePlus One, but they don't officially sell in Oz yet and after all this I really want a local warranty.

TL;DR - Waiting on a third RMA from Google for my Nexus 5, low on stock, no ETA, offered full refund.

So Ozbargain, do I:
* Wait for a replacement from Google
* Take the money and buy something else

Note: I did suggest nicely that they should just send me a refurbed Nexus 6 after all the hassle, but I doubt they'll see it that way :)
Update: Yep, that's a negative on a Nexus 6. Didn't really expect it to work, but worth a shot.

Update 2: Thanks for all the advice fellow Ozbargainers. I've contacted Google this morning and asked them to start processing a full refund. ~$20 out of pocket to upgrade to an OnePlus One. Thanks for the advice all!

Poll Options

  • 1
    Wait for a replacement from Google
  • 46
    Take the money and buy something else (suggestions welcome!)
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Comments

  • Domingo on 22/04/2015 - 10:52

    I was looking at a Nexus 5, couldn't get one due to being sold out all the time. Got a OnePlus One instead - couldn't be happier.

    • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 11:10

      I'd grab one in a heart beat, it's just thought of having to deal with an international warranty that's putting me off.

      • Annoying Source on 22/04/2015 - 12:20
        +1

        Buy it from DWI.

        I ordered mine from DWI (October I think) and I had touch screen issues. After the Touch screen issues stopped me from doing day to day activities (it was annoying but usable up until this point). I contacted DWI on eBay and they gave me directions to their website and they RMA tool (Just a webpage). They requested I sent the phone to china for RMA purposes, I said no because I bought it from Australia I will return it to Australia, they then gave me an Australia address. Then after a few updates from their side (them receiving it, confirming the problem then returning it) I received my phone back, all in all it took a month but I got my phone back with a new screen.

        Now this is separate but my replacement started having the same issues but worse (about a day later after I received it), I followed this process all over again (about a month) but now I have a perfectly working One plus One with no issues at all.

        If you are going to buy the Oneplus One from anyone go with DWI, The RMA took a while but the process was pretty smooth and easy, Just a lot of back and forth of photos and describing the issues.

        tldr: Had to RMA my phone…Twice. Whole process took about 2 months (for two RMAs) but now I have a perfectly working Oneplus One. Same thing most likely won't happen to others.

        • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 12:30

          Oh wow, $489 with 12mths Oz warranty… this could be a winner. I'll have to see how long it will take for the refund to be applied by Google. Don't really want to buy a new phone until I've actually got the money back.

        • Annoying Source on 22/04/2015 - 13:01

          @ashanrath: Yeah I was worried as well when I ordered it but then I noticed on the eBay listing that they had a 12 month warranty and I bought it that night. To this day I have never regretted it, it is an amazing phone

        • Forfiet on 22/04/2015 - 14:15

          @Annoying Source: Same here! I originally used (still own tho) a Nexus 5 and upgraded to a Oneplus One last year and its been working great!

  • pyramid on 22/04/2015 - 10:54

    Grab your money before they change their mind.

    • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 11:01

      Problem is, what can I buy (in Oz) that is of the same of lower price with as good or better specs?

      • pyramid on 22/04/2015 - 11:05
        +1

        LG G2, Galaxy S IV/V(?), XPERIA Z2/Z3 also 1+1..

      • Richardc on 22/04/2015 - 11:07

        LG G2

      • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 11:09

        Interesting, I didn't realise that the G2 had dropped that much. It's pretty much the same specs as the N5 with a better camera. I'll have a look around XDA, but has anyone had any experience with custom ROMs on the G2? Any bootloader issues?

        • scrimshaw on 22/04/2015 - 11:12
          +1

          Buy the international D802, instead of the Aussie D802T. Easier time unlocking the bootloader.

          Also check out the Zenfone 2. Was posted some days ago.

      • bonezAU on 22/04/2015 - 13:33

        Even the LG G3 is $499 at Kogan… much better phone than the G2.

  • iChopstick on 22/04/2015 - 11:12

    Speaking of 1+1, received an email from them yesterday. You longer require an invite.

    Today we are bidding farewell to one of the most talked-about aspects of OnePlus: using invites to buy the OnePlus One.

    • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 11:15

      Still no shipping to Oz though, international warranty scares me off somewhat.

  • Paul Atreides on 22/04/2015 - 11:14

    take the money man, think of it as google loaning it out to you for 1 year for free, and now you have to return it

    no idea on whats a suitable replacement

  • ShamelessBargains on 22/04/2015 - 11:23

    Moto X 2nd Gen would be a fantastic alternative. Would cost a bit extra but it is an excellent phone running a clean skin of Android.

  • npc on 22/04/2015 - 11:42

    Wow, very similar story happened to me - ordered a replacement - 1st wouldn't switch on, 2nd constantly rebooted. Decided to leave my original Nexus 5 as it only had occasional wi-fi issues. Very disappointed in Google after this story.

    • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 12:06

      Yeah, sounds like LG has some major quality control issues with their repairs.

  • pernunz on 22/04/2015 - 12:16

    Take the money and buy an Xperia Z3 Compact.

  • dasher86 on 22/04/2015 - 12:20

    how do i get on this offer?
    you've had it for over a year and they are willing to give you your money back!
    Use the money to + more to upgrade to current gen or get an equivalent for less!

  • Randxyz123 on 22/04/2015 - 12:49
    +2

    Take the money!

    I'm impressed at their customer service

    • ashanrath on 22/04/2015 - 14:26

      Customer service yes, quality control no.

  • Zylam Marex on 22/04/2015 - 14:41

    Take the money, you're getting an awesome deal. Buy Moto X or G, maybe wait for N6 to drop in price or wait for Asus Zenphone 2.

  • swiggity swag on 22/04/2015 - 14:50

    Get a refund and then just buy the Nexus 6.

    • Gina Rinehart on 28/04/2015 - 03:28
      +1

      Nexus 6 is $870… Nearly twice as expensive as the N5 is. OP would be best taking the refund and buying something else like a One plus One or something.

  • srhardy on 23/04/2015 - 07:13

    make sure whatever you buy does LTE 700mhz as all networks are in the process of rolling it out..

    • ashanrath on 23/04/2015 - 08:31
      +1

      Doesn't do 700mhz, but does do 1800mhz which Telstra, Voda and Optus all run too.

  • ltjet on 23/04/2015 - 08:41

    Take the money… I'm up to my second replacement. This one has all sort of issues.

    Refurbed phones from LG seem to be rubbish and never fully working correctly again.

    • ashanrath on 23/04/2015 - 08:48

      Yeah I know exactly what you mean. It seems like they do the bare minimum of testing then ship it out. First one, no mobile signal. It turned on but I bet they never actually tested it with a SIM card. Second one, boot loop thanks to the faulty power switch. I bet they replaced the case or something, tested it, then put a new case on without checking they didn't screw it in the process.

  • ashanrath on 23/04/2015 - 09:20

    Thanks for all the advice fellow Ozbargainers. I've contacted Google this morning and asked them to start processing a full refund. ~$20 out of pocket to upgrade to an OnePlus One. Thanks for the advice all!

  • ashanrath on 24/04/2015 - 11:38

    And another unexpected delay - they need to refund to the original payment method… which is a closed credit card with the old bank. They need to process they payment, let it get rejected, then and only then will they manually refund it to a different card/account… :(

  • Unorthodox on 26/04/2015 - 21:08

    Did they have 0 stock of the nexus 5? :o

    • ashanrath on 26/04/2015 - 22:40
      +1

      Zero new, very low on refurbs.

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