Received an Unexpected Refurbished iPhone 6S in The Mail from Apple

Ltimbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 21:11
Last edited 17/10/2016 - 13:19

UPDATE 2: 17/10 - Ok so Apple finally called back today and said AUSPOST were investigating. In the meantime they said they had no process to pickup and asked if i could drop off at an AUPOST shop. The offered me a apple cap or t-shirt as a means of thanks. I declined saying that Apple is multi billion dollar business I am sure they can figure out how to pickup a parcel from my home… heard of sendle, uber, fastway etc He said he will call back once they figure it out.

UPDATE: thanks for the votes peeps, happy to do the right thing. I called Apple this morning and logged it. The two differing people I spoke to said they have never heard of this happening before. They traced the IMEI to the intended user. I am now waiting on them to call me back regarding next steps as they weren't sure how best to handle it.

So fair dinkum today I unexpectedly received a refurbished iPhone 6s by AusPost courier. It had my name and correct address on it so I opened the box and inside was another sealed box with a standard non addressed Apple refurbished letter that everyone gets when they receive a replacement device… I know because I coincidentally received a replacement iPad just last week via an Apple partner store and got the exact same letter. Confused… I looked up the serial on the box and found that it was an iPhone 6s.

So all good you say, well the kicker is that underneath the label with my address I could see a second label which I revealed to show a different likely the intended recipient. I recently ordered 6 replacement power adaptors for my numerous Apple devices as per the Apple recall https://www.apple.com/au/support/ac-wallplug-adapter/ so I can only assume in the mass of my labels somehow mine got added to this other package as well.

My first thoughts were score! Followed by guilt for the intended recipient who is waiting for their phone. I then thought but Apple are rich and they'll just mark it as lost in the post and send that person another. I then read that a carrier can blacklist an IMEI as lost to prevent it from being activated. I also wondered if Apple would register the serial as lost and prevent it from being activated against an iTunes account.

So there is my moral dilemma. Please don't lynch me for debating what to do as I'm unemployed and could do with a new phone. Thoughts appreciated and voting below.

Poll Options expired

  • 31
    Keep it, screw Apple they are rich and will send another to the intended recipient
  • 55
    Be honest call Apple and let them know
General Discussion

Comments

  • ChillBro on 13/10/2016 - 21:13
    +55

    Can't believe the double standards; if it was Samsung pulling this stunt, they would be arrested for terrorism.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2016 - 21:28

    Did you have to do a signature on delivery for the 6s?

    • timbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 21:34

      Yes but I signed for my correct label and when I look up the connote ID on auspost tracking it says delivered at the same time I signed.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2016 - 21:48
        +1

        Yep best thing would be to contact Apple then, anything involving signature on delivery can be difficult to get away with, especially if you believe there was another intended recipient :)

  • iSamurai on 13/10/2016 - 21:29
    +58

    Let Apple know. But tell them they should come pick up or pay for the return postage.

    Earlier this year I bought a Garmin from 99 Bikes and it arrived promptly. I was really happy with it but a few days later another one showed up. I wondered why they'd send another one… it had my address correctly labelled and identically invoiced. Somehow the tracking number on the label was the same as the original label. Checked my CC and I was not charged twice. I had the same thought "score" but then I thought someone would probably lose his/her job over this… so I called them and told them about it. The guy on the phone was like "oh Sh!t"… and offered to pick up at my place later that day but I ended up dropping it back at their store myself.

    Anyway, my 2c is to send it back. People make mistakes and sometimes being nice and honest shows you're a good person.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2016 - 21:30
      +3

      +1 for your honesty

      • Savas on 13/10/2016 - 22:46
        +1

        +1

    • timbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 21:36
      +3

      Thanks yes this is probably the path I'll take. The only thing holding me back is that it is Apple who've made a lot of money out of me with my kids and it's a drop in the pond for their yearly profits.

      • iSamurai on 13/10/2016 - 21:50
        +8

        Yeah that's true, they're a multinational company who pay very little tax but you know you're doing the right thing :) the kids can also learn from this opportunity that honesty is a virtue.

        • timbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 21:58
          +18

          My 8 year old daughter understood the dilemma. In the end she said we should just open it and if it's a white one then keep it as apparently that's the best color ;)

        • Kangal on 15/10/2016 - 21:34
          +1

          @timbobjim:
          Get the red one…. red's always the faster colour ; )

        • Zondor on 16/10/2016 - 00:56

          @timbobjim: White Power

      • ozhunter on 13/10/2016 - 23:07
        +2

        Lol, you're the one giving them the money.

    • DARK KHAOS on 14/10/2016 - 20:09

      This is definitely the path to take with your local business etc.
      Also if you are ever payed twice for an invoice because they are your customer and they trust you and will admire your honesty.

      But for AAPL????

  • bargainslut on 13/10/2016 - 21:50
    +10

    You should really give it back, apple is really struggling financially;)

    • Wystri Warrick on 15/10/2016 - 21:13

      Lol, that put a smile on my face.

  • bobbified on 13/10/2016 - 22:34
    +4

    If you're scared of burning in hell, then you should call Apple and let them know you have their phone.

    However, it you're looking for a way keep it legally without feeling guilt, treat the phone as "unsolicited supplies".

    https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/businesses/fair-trading/door…

    You could write to them to let them know you don't want the item. If they don't collect it within a month, it's yours. Alternatively, if they don't seek to recover the item within three months, then it's also yours to keep.

    • timbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 22:48
      +2

      Thanks for the advice. This part is interesting "However, if the recipient advises the business in writing that they do not want the goods, then the recovery period is reduced to one month starting a day after the day the notice was given"

  • Savas on 13/10/2016 - 22:46
    +4

    Would be funny if you returned it and then found out someone sent it to you as a present

    • timbobjim on 13/10/2016 - 22:50
      +2

      It's clearly a refurbished replacement and underneath the address label was a blue Apple label with the differing details of the intended recipient.

  • avgbowlofpho on 13/10/2016 - 23:22
    -2

    You. Are one lucky bastard

    • Kangal on 15/10/2016 - 21:39

      But he's unemployed/unrich.

      I rather be employed than have an iPhone.
      In fact, I am employed and still don't have an iPhone, happy days!!

  • macamaca on 14/10/2016 - 00:16
    +3

    This is all part of an elaborate survey by Apple re the honesty of Australian consumers.

  • PJC on 14/10/2016 - 01:28
    +2

    Because Apple can and may block the IMEI, you may as well inform them.

  • havebeerbelywillsumo on 14/10/2016 - 01:46
    +5

    I'd say inform and say "pickup from my place, your choice, that or I keep it", you are not obliged to spend any time or money on the return IMO.

    I say this as

    (a) honesty, a diminishing virtue, should be your primary concern. And it's a good example for the kids. This case is only a tiny thing but in their formative years it can have an oversized impact. It may end up a vain crusade but what kind of adults do you want to see them become. May sound whacky but every little bit can help, things done years ago by parents can be remembered for no logical reason and be a huge influence.

    (b) how often do you hear that the firm lost nothing, they simply docked a worker that they decided was to blame. You can keep mum but perhaps a stocktake or similar will result in someone there paying for it.

  • Diji1 on 14/10/2016 - 02:55

    I'd just do nothing and wait.

  • garetz on 14/10/2016 - 03:01
    +2

    I will tell you 100% right now, as soon as the intended recipient reports they haven't received the item within the allotted time they were supposed to receive it, apple will block it soon after. You might as well return it, or you could keep it and sell it for parts, but you will never get any use out of it.

  • Randxyz123 on 14/10/2016 - 04:11
    +2

    You should return it. You won't be able to use it and if you sell it and it gets blocked then you could face stolen property charges.

    Just call them and say that you didn't know what it was , hence you signed for it but it's clearly not for you and ask what you should do.

  • voiletmay on 14/10/2016 - 07:21
    +1

    I once got a delivery of fitness shakes from TVSN, I had no interest in the product so rung them up and they were grateful and had a whole system of returning the wrongly delivered stock.

    Harder to return when the product is something great.

  • hogwarts on 14/10/2016 - 07:49
    +4

    I once got a replacement of a Fitbit because I broke mine and they confirmed it. They ended up sending me 2. Live chatted them and they said I could keep it.

  • straphlinger on 14/10/2016 - 08:14
    -5

    How about this.

    Forward the phone to the intended recipient.
    Yes it costs you a little bit, but let apple know what you've done and include a note for the intended recipient, wishing them well with their replacement phone.
    Nothing may come of it. (Except for the warm fuzzy feeling for going above and beyond.) Or you may luck in an Apple may recognize your efforts.

    • modsec802 on 14/10/2016 - 08:29
      +4

      I wouldn't recommend this because what if it's not really the intended recipient but another mistake? What if it's lost or damaged in transit?

  • The tiger on 14/10/2016 - 08:39
    +8

    Hi, I have an experience to share here. Long time ago I was a Colombo Plan scholarship holder studying at Perth. Once I was paid twice with my winter clothing allowance. Happy for the extra being a poor student , but felt guilty for being dishonest I approached my class lecturer and those local classmates for advice .All they said : mate, keep the extra , our government is rich. Still undecided I finally approached my training official who looked after overseas students affair. You know what he said : Oh boy ! Dont you give me headache .Keep that extra. You will give us more extra work. Honesty does pay.I walked away from his office Happily .So my advice is to inform Apple of their mistake, and perhaps being rich too hopefully they will say : hi mate , keep it for yourself ( avoiding all additional cost plus incoviences ). Good luck.

  • WT on 14/10/2016 - 12:54
    +1

    keep it and consider it "tax" that they already avoided

  • snook on 14/10/2016 - 14:36
    -3

    I would sell it on anon via gumtree and buy a new phone.

  • CYMA on 15/10/2016 - 15:15
    +4

    Good on you OP for doing the right thing. I literally am going through a similar experience this week.
    My package was delivered to a different person/address which they signed for and are now refusing to return to the delivery company.
    I was informed that the delivery company was getting the police involved but not really sure what's going to happen from here.

  • bargainhunter on 15/10/2016 - 16:57
    +1

    I metaphorically once experienced something similar though in my case it was literally an apple, a granny smith as I recall.

    As for your missing package, if it's something you purchased I'd contact the seller and request they fulfil their obligations. Let them sort out the other mess with the thief, the courier and the police.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join