Buying a Xiaomi Mi5 from eBay

Lbb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 19:57

Hello Everyone,

I'm thinking of purchasing a Xiaomi Mi5 64Gb from Ebay to take advantage of the $20 off promotion.

The phone is priced from around $345 to over $500 on Ebay. The cheapest is DWI but their customer support confirmed the phone is flashed with Chinese ROM and buyer is responsible for the shipping cost to their oversea repair centre.

This was followed by Here2-buy, Ezoneshop and 7272wil. They are all around the $360 mark. Their customer support confirmed their phones are flashed with International ROM and they have local office to handle the warranty shipping to oversea repair centre. Buyer just needs to ship to their Sydney office.

I never bought a mobile phone from oversea or Ebay before and all the info I got from Paypal and EBay is that the maximum period I can make a claim is 180 days. Because all these sellers are not Australian companies the ACL does not apply so effectively the phone only has 6 months warranty.

Has anyone bought phones from Ebay or in particular from any of these sellers before? What is your experience with warranty claims?

PS just found out Here2-buy, Ezoneshop and 7272wil operate under the same local office.

Mobile Mobile Phone Xiaomi Android

Comments

  • urahara on 08/01/2017 - 20:09

    There are several other website which I would recommend and are better than ebay.
    If they item is being shipped from HK or China I would rather suggest geekbuying, banggood or Aliexpress.

    All of these are good and reliable and offer fast shipping with tracking via DHL.
    PS : I had ordered 2 phones recently from a deal on Aliexpress and they are on their way ;)
    Look for a bargain and njoyy.!!
    Cheers.

    • bb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 20:46

      Thanks, but after added Express shipping all these 3 sites are more expensive than ebay. Also, you still have the same dilemma about warranty.
      Some stores on Aliexpress don't offer express post, I wouldn't want my phone sitting in post/transit for 2 months.

      • urahara on 08/01/2017 - 20:50

        I just gave you suggestion over the options , if you feel ebay is cheaper obviously I'll suggest ebay then :)

  • mskeggs on 08/01/2017 - 21:03

    I am surprised that Ebay is offering an advantageous price, as their high fees usually make them uncompetitive.
    I guess I would choose one of the sellers with local warranty offices, but I don't think I have used any of them.
    I once made a warranty claim on a phone with Chinese seller. It took 2 months and some nagging emails but was ultimately successful.
    I imagine even with a local address for warranty you would be likely to have the same long wait to get warranty service on a Xiaomi phone.
    That said, I think my next phone will be a Xioami, as the value is very good.

    • bb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 21:38

      I am surprised to found ebay is cheaper as well. I know the local office probably just act as middle man to handle the warranty shipment but at least I don't need to pay exorbitant shipping cost to China/HK.

  • muzzy1907 on 08/01/2017 - 21:33

    I cannot comment regarding warranty since I haven't had the need as yet. However, I recently purchased a Mi Max from 7272wil recently. The experience was really great. I received the phone exactly on the day it was said to arrive (5th business day). Phone was sent by DHL, more than likely express since it was sent from HK. Really happy with the service and the phone. I think it's worth paying and extra 30 odd dollars for ebay/paypal peace of mind (+express DHL shipping), compared to say AliExpress.

    • bb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 21:39

      Did they provide you with tracking or shipping info?

      • muzzy1907 on 08/01/2017 - 21:44

        They keep you up to date with the shipping but no tracking number.
        Basically they followed up with an email that it's on its way (usually takes 1-3 days) etc.

        • muzzy1907 on 08/01/2017 - 22:01

          btw - what's this $20 off ebay deal? Couldn't find it.

        • bb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 22:28

          @muzzy1907: Targeted, it should show up at the end of your ebay summary if you got it plus email from ebay.

  • spiderdash on 08/01/2017 - 22:16
    +1

    Bought one from 7272wil, ordered on Friday 10 am and received the following Monday morning, the phone is working good. I bought the Rose color, paid $303 after 10% ebay Discount (the offer in Nov). The only issue was that it didn't have Australia in the regional settings, so had to select another country and then sync the time using the network operator.

    • bb_hunter on 08/01/2017 - 22:30

      Did you buy the 32Gb Mi5? Were you able to register your phone with Xiaomi?

      • spiderdash on 11/01/2017 - 10:09

        Yes, I did create the Xiaomi account on the mobile (if you mean that).

    • Humblefolk on 12/01/2017 - 22:43

      Did it have global rom installed? Or Chinese rom?

      • spiderdash on 13/01/2017 - 15:46

        Chinese, but do not see any crap apps etc

  • Dealsclaw on 09/01/2017 - 14:57

    can you please send me a link for cheapest mi5 black color. where i can buy?

    • bb_hunter on 10/01/2017 - 21:50

      PM you

    • Humblefolk on 12/01/2017 - 22:57

      Could I also ask for a link to cheapest black one with global rom if you found one. Thanks.

      • bb_hunter on 12/01/2017 - 23:06

        pm you

        • ifuggedxyz on 13/01/2017 - 00:31

          Mind sharing with me as well, bb-hunter? Thanks!

  • bb_hunter on 13/01/2017 - 11:12
    +1

    ok, since many of you ask about Mi5 I will share what I found so far.

    Ebay seems be cheaper than Aliexpress, Banggood, Geekbuying and Gearbest if you included express shipping.
    Some sellers on Aliexpress are chpear but most of them don't offer DHL or EMS express shipping and some of them are flashed with Chinese ROM.
    Ebay seller Here2buy and 7272wil confirmed with me on email their stock are International ROM.
    Ebay seller DWI confirmed their are Chinese ROM.

    Most if not all ebay sellers included express shipping in their price (but please confirm with whomever you want to buy from). Some of them have local office to handle warranty returns to oversea repairer but I am pretty sure the warranty is not done locally so there will be a lengthy wait.

    Link to Kimovil https://www.kimovil.com/en/where-to-buy-xiaomi-mi5-32gb
    ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601…

    • ifuggedxyz on 13/01/2017 - 13:40

      Thanks bb_hunter, much appreciated!

  • kjking on 14/01/2017 - 18:05

    hi hunter

    any difference between Chinese rom and international

    Do you mean no English language on Chinese rom?

    Please advise why you prefer international rom

    Can the Chinese rom using Google service?

    Thanks very much

    • bb_hunter on 15/01/2017 - 19:55
      +1

      Chinese ROM only has Chinese and English and the default keyboard is Chinese, no Google playstore plus it is loaded with lots of software and apps for the China market.
      International or Global ROM has all the languages that Xiaomi sells their product to, English (US), Bahasa Indonesia, Bahase Melayu, English (UK), Tiéng Viét, Thai and so on. The keyboard is the standard Google one, with also Pinyin available. Note that in Chinese version Pinyin cannot be disabled, while in Global version it can be enabled. Global version replaced all Chinese software or apps with Google ones.

      For more details read here http://en.miui.com/thread-46159-1-1.html

      PS 64Gb version has a faster clocked SD 820 CPU than the 32Gb.

      • kjking on 16/01/2017 - 21:12

        thanks heaps

        looks like Chinese rom can still use Google app after installed an Google installer app

      • kjking on 16/01/2017 - 21:13

        actually which one you bought？

        • bb_hunter on 16/01/2017 - 21:25

          haven't yet. Can't decide but most likely the gold 64Gb version. I want to buy from 7272wil but they blocked me because I asked too many questions, I only asked 2 questions about shipping, warranty and ROM etc but what I didn't know at the time was that seller can block buyer if they are deemed high risk of return or refund.

        • kjking on 16/01/2017 - 22:16

          just use new eBay account to buy
          i might get it from dwi

        • bb_hunter on 17/01/2017 - 10:05
          +1

          @kjking: I can use other account but then i can't use the $20 off.
          Be careful when buying from DWI, their stock are Chinese ROM and you have to send the phone oversea for warranty. They are not much cheaper than 7272wil, they just reduced their price.

        • kjking on 17/01/2017 - 10:57

          @bb_hunter: yes price dropped out，why colour black more expensive is any different?

        • bb_hunter on 17/01/2017 - 17:19
          +1

          @kjking:

          Don't know may be more trendy.

          I bought a Mi5S better than Mi5. See the deal here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/288000

        • kjking on 17/01/2017 - 22:23

          @bb_hunter: thanks, do you know no b28 means what, I am using optus and telstra as well

        • bb_hunter on 17/01/2017 - 23:01
          +1

          @kjking: Band 28, mainly used in rural area.

        • kjking on 18/01/2017 - 07:08

          @bb_hunter: mate,you're champion! Thanks

  • urahara on 17/01/2017 - 23:29

    Don't understand the hype behind Chinese rim
    Mi phones can be easily flashed with their international ROM and tutorials on YouTube are novice friendly.
    I'll rather do the first thing is getting rid of old ROM
    Indian ROM is equally good since they had to support Google play there as well

  • duodeta on 28/01/2017 - 15:21

    hey bb_hunter. did u buy your mi5? I'm at similar situ as you. mi 5 or 5s ? dwi or bangood?

    • bb_hunter on 29/01/2017 - 22:34

      Hi,

      I bought a Mi5s from banggood on the 17th and received on the 27th. Very nice phone especially the camera. takes a bit of time to set it up. The phone is flashed with Chinese rom but with all Google apps installed. Only problem so far is that it change back to its own installed kb and AV software and won't let me use Avast AV, Go keyboard. Also, time zone seems to default back to China. I will try this ROM for a little while before decide if flash to other ROM.

      • duodeta on 30/01/2017 - 00:57

        How much did it cost?wat color ? 3+32?3+64?4+32?4+128? any warranty from banggood ?

      • duodeta on 30/01/2017 - 00:57

        Thx man

  • G Wok on 07/04/2017 - 16:58

    what made you go for the mi5 in the end bb_hunter?

    • ComputerPC on 12/04/2017 - 13:40

      Waiting for my mi5s from Aliexpress.
      I must say I am using TPG on Vodafone network and do not require band28.
      Camera is great (from what I expected, camera sensor is great but software still a bit unoptimised)
      Snapdragon 821
      3GB ram ~~ feel enough for me
      64GB rom ~~ more than enough
      Usb type C ~~ for future
      Qc 3.0 ~~ 30 min > 60%

      Fingerprint sensor ~~not optimised yet
      OS seems not receive much support from Xiaomi for this version

      But the price is great through, from last sale Aliexpress just cost me $308 (not included 7% cash rewards - too rush to buy and forget)

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