eBay Seller listed AU Stock of a Phone, sent me a Grey Import in its place

Hi Gang,

Ebay Seller has listed AU Stock of a Phone, sent me a grey import instead.

I recorded the unboxing to ensure they can not lie and say they sent me the correct phone and I switched it. With this they have said to send them the phone to the address.

Should I be waiting till I receive the refund before I send the phone back? Should I have to pay for postage for this seller trying to scam me?

Thanks guys would really appreciate your knowledge/experience on this matter.

Edit:

Here's the unboxing video I did [unplanned]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFVYdk1cTEQ

Update 12/11/2017-

Rang Samsung who confirmed the IMEI is not AU, it is indeed UAE and will not be covered by Manufacturers warranty as listed in the Ebay Ad.

Still have not received second phone, but have prompted them that I would much prefer just my refund now given the circumstances of the first phone which I purchased before the one I have received.

Related Stores

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Comments

  • Did you use Paypal for payment?

    • I used Paypal - paypal says I have to go through the ebay resolution page. Seller has taken their time getting around to responding with the 'send it to our address'.

      • +1

        I recently has an issue on eBay, they will have a date by which if a resolution hasn't been reached they will step in, this happened and I sent them a msg and it was all sorted.

        • Thanks Yamai

        • +5

          @SpotTheOzzie: dont worry
          if ebay sellers try to screw you they will end up getting screwed by the resolution process

          lost count of how many $$$hundreds of dollars of free shit ive gotten cause the ebay seller was idiotic and greedy

          i personally think the ebay resolution process is better than the paypal one

        • @SpotTheOzzie: it will take some time, but between the eBay resolution process and the PayPal one you’ll definitely come out on top. Just keep chipping away.

      • The seller has to organize the return as the item is not as described. Get the funds for the shipment, ship the item and wait for refund. Document the packaging and shipment with tracking. You should be fine.

    • hi guys heres a video that i conveniently made showing that i am fully aware of receiving a grey import prior to purchase

      anyhow make sure you smack that like and subscribe button after the video and if you have any questions or comments make sure to post below!

      peace out

  • +17

    How exactly was it worded?

    Australian stock could mean that the stock is in Australia and ready to ship.

    • +8

      The item model number on the Ad page has the Australian Model number: SM-G950FZDAXSA. I PM'd to confirm for them to send me this model before they posted. It also has Manufacturers Warranty on the ad - I rang Samsung and they confirmed it's not because It's the UAE version (Dual sim). I don't believe there was ever an intention to send me the AU Model nor do they have it in stock. Probably swindling

      Side note I purchased two (1 x midnight black and 1 x orchid gray) have only received one phone.

      • Australian consumer guarantee still applies whether or not Samsung covers the item. You can claim the guarantee from the retailer.

        • +8

          Might be correct technically, but you'd likely to practically have a hard time finding the seller again by the time you need to make the claim

        • @berry580:

          My girlfriend who I bought the other phone for drops her phone everyday. It was really important that we get AU warranty - as Berry mentioned chasing up the retailer for warranty would have been tedious and unlikely hence why I really wanted the AU warranty

        • +23

          @SpotTheOzzie: dropping your phone isn't covered by warranty. That's probably an argument for buying a cheaper grey market phone if anything.

        • +1

          @omgitzrick:

          I'll let her know that. Thanks

        • +1

          @SpotTheOzzie: As someone who drops and smashes phones a lot since having kids (and also, bloody women's clothes either have no pockets or ones that are ridiculously shallow), I would suggest getting a drop-proof case, mine is ugly as sin with big orange bumpers, and also a self-healing screen protector. Much much cheaper, I haven't smashed a phone once since doing this.

        • @MissG:

          Thanks @MissG will be doing that this week :)

        • +1

          @omgitzrick: That said, Samsung Australia won't repair the screen if it's a grey import, they want nothing to do with it. Local stock they'll repair for <$300

        • +1

          @MissG:

          For people who have a tendency to drop their phones, I suggest buying your phones using the Amex Essential Card to get free smartphone screen insurance: "Smartphone Screen Insurance for screen repairs if you accidentally break your Smartphone screen. We will reimburse you for the cost of the screen repair up to $500 with a 10% excess per claim".

          I made a claim online with no hassle. My phone was purchased on my Amex card through eBay and PayPal.

    • +9

      "AUSTRALIAN STOCK AUSTRALIAN WARRANTY FAST SHIPPING AUSTRALIAN OWN & OPERATED" listed on the Ebay page.

      • Just confirming since that video I have called Samsung and they told me the phone IMEI is UAE and they will not service my phone in Australia if an issue arises.

  • +1

    go through paypal

    • I used Paypal - paypal says I have to go through the ebay resolution page. Seller has taken their time getting around to responding with the 'send it to our address'.

      • +1

        you mean you opened paypal claim , then paypal close your case, ask you to go through ebay resolution centre ?

        • If you make a purchase through paypal on ebay when you go to make a refund this message is prompted when clicking on the transaction via paypal.

          Need help?
          If you have problems with an eBay transaction or want help settling a dispute with an eBay seller, go to the eBay Resolution Centre. You should attempt to resolve issues directly with the seller whenever possible.

          Maybe there's a side area which will allow me to make a paypal claim but when I click on the transaction this is all I can see. Let me know if I've mixed it up.

      • eBay and PayPal try to give you the run-around.

        I've found many Cellphone items on eBay that are either not new, or not in Australia, even though they claim to be.

        eBay does not card when you report it to them.

  • Can you provide the item number?

    • +1

      Ebay Item No: 322814866485

  • +1

    I recorded the unboxing to ensure they can not lie and say they sent me the correct phone

    If you don't even have the confidence or trust in receiving the same product you ordered from this seller, then why risk it? Order from reputable sources or at least read the feedback others have left for the seller

    • +9

      Why did I choose to record it? Because despite the fact the ebay seller has over 99% positive feedback for over 5,000 items there was 38 negative reviews which made me suspicious - better to be safe than sorry. Glad I did.

      • +12

        Here is the negative feedback for this seller

        False advertising, NOT Aus stock. Terrible communication. Do not recommend! Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8", 64GB, 4GB, 4G) [AUS Stock Seller] UNLOCKED (#322814866485)
        I am really disappointed with the product. Got wrong model and UAE version. Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8", 64GB, 4GB, 4G) [AUS Stock Seller] UNLOCKED (#322814866485)

        These are two I have found which clearly should've gave you a warning sign.

        • +4

          Bingo.

        • +3

          Take positive ebay feedback with a grain of salt.

          Most people leave feedback based on shipping time. "Product arrived fast! A++ Seller!"

          Or they simply have no clue whether or not what they're buying is a genuine product or not. A lot of the time, you can't even tell until a few months of owning. I once bought a "genuine" samsung battery from an aussie seller, almost 100% positive feedback - battery looked IDENTICAL to my original. However within a couple of months the battery life had degraded to an unusable level. The were only a few reviews that claimed the batteries weren't genuine.

    • +1

      Yeah this seems fishy - OP would've had to be recording ALL his unboxings to have done this, because he couldn't have known it was grey import at the start.

      Which raises the question: did OP already know/suspect, from either the seller, or the price, or something else, that it was a grey import?

      OP?

      • Why did I choose to record it? Because despite the fact the ebay seller has over 99% positive feedback for over 5,000 items there was 38 negative reviews which made me suspicious - better to be safe than sorry. Glad I did.

        • +3

          Fair enough. Started commenting before your earlier comment was posted.

          Don't send it back, just open a claim with eBay and Paypal.

        • @0blivion:

          Thanks mate :)

          All G - so hyped up man. Just wanted the phone. One of the 38 neg remarks stated that - the S8 they received was the UAE version. I put it down to a one off and possibly a mix up. Gave someone with 99% Positive the benefit of the doubt considering.

      • +5

        I thought recording unboxing goods is pretty common ? - i do it for nearly all electronic items over a set limit no matter who the seller is as they could have been damaged in the post

        • +2

          Same here.

        • @josetann:

          I mean I do it on every item I unbox an item of significant value. This is the only one that reached youtube because it was not as the item described.

  • +8

    Do NOT send anything back to the seller…

    Read info from the Ebay link below and lodge a request with Ebay for "An item isn't received or it isn't significantly as described in the listing.", under their 'money back guarantee' process.

    http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.…

    Let Ebay & PayPal deal with the seller. Once they investigate and if they find in your favor, they will then instruct as to how / when / where to send the item back to and arrange refund.

    Damn dodgy listings. This from the seller page:

    "AUSTRALIAN STOCKAUSTRALIAN WARRANTYFAST SHIPPINGAUSTRALIAN OWN & OPERATED"
    And then:
    "Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct"

    Their disclaimer doesn't mean anything. If they listed 'Australian Stock', and sent you overseas stock, Ebay/Paypal should find in your favor.

    • Thank you very much this is the answer I was looking for.

      I guess I have to wait to the 16th Nov before ebay will step in - on a side not it's the sellers responsibility for the cost. I wonder how they work this out.

      When an item is returned
      The buyer is responsible for returning the item.
      The buyer must return the item in the same condition in which it was received.
      The seller is required to accept the return at their specified return address.
      The cost of return postage is the seller's responsibility.
      Signature confirmation is required for returns of items with a total cost of $750 or more.
      The seller pays for any customs charges on the returned item.

      • +4

        https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/returns

        Make sure to use a registered / tracked service when returning goods.

        • +1

          Absolutely do this. I've had a disgruntled seller play the "I never received it" card and I lost the item, and the return postage cost.

      • Normally whe you go through the return process they should send you prepaid post info which you can contact ebay about if they dont after a time frame - but imo just eat the cost its like $20 for registered post with signature and that's way better than being stuck with the phone.

        • And you can claim that back too via paypal’s free return shipping coverage if you’ve signed up for it

        • I've demanded they sent me a return postage label in the past as I couldn't get a straight answer on whether they would refund insurance.

          Item ended up lost in the post. Auspost give you $50 for an uninsured list item. Seller said they never received it and eBay were telling me that as the seller never received it, they couldn't refund me. I called them and said thet if the seller wanted protection against lost items THEY should have paid for insurance. I didn't buy the post label so it couldn't be my fault. They agreed and refunded me.

          All because the seller reneged on their offer of a $10 discount for a scratched item (was a winch rope and fairlead so I didn't really mind that it was scratched). Ended up costing them $180 + return postage cos they acted like a greedy scumbag.

          Re: $50 auspost refund, that is only issued to the sender. Because the seller was being smart and changed my surname to a soft swear word on the return postage label, I happily said "sorry, I'd be able to get you at least $50 back, but I don't have any ID with that name".

  • +1

    False advertising, NOT Aus stock. Terrible communication. Do not recommend! Buyer: e***0 ( 86Blue star icon for feedback score in between 50 to 99) During past month Feedback conversation
    Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8", 64GB, 4GB, 4G) [AUS Stock Seller] UNLOCKED (#322814866485)

    I am really disappointed with the product. Got wrong model and UAE version  Buyer: .***n ( 40Yellow star icon for feedback score in between 10 to 49)   During past month   Feedback conversation
    Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8", 64GB, 4GB, 4G) [AUS Stock Seller] UNLOCKED (#322814866485)    AU $1,029.00    View Item    
    

    Pretty clear that you were not the only one.

  • I want to avoid anyone else falling for the same issue. If I uploaded the video of me unboxing the item with the ad and responses onto my Youtube could I get done for defamation. My understanding of defamation is that if the source is 100% truth - not opinion then I would not have any issues and can not be sued.

    • -2

      Leave it be, why complicate things for yourself?

      • +2

        It sucks that they are doing this. There are probably a lot of people who didn't look at the model walking around with it thinking it's AU stock but isn't. I just hate when this happens and someone writing a review comment is one thing, but showing the evidence is another.

    • Don't add a link to a video, your feedback will just get removed

  • -4

    yeah dont send but raise dispute first. just follow what ebay/paypal asked you, dont follow what seller says.
    if you lucky you can keep the item and get full refund :D

  • I'm trying to link the listing. What I'm i doing wrong?

    • +1

      it's picking up an affiliate link - perhaps through google search?

      • Thanks.

        Op, did you pay duty and gst?

        • According the the invoice I paid GST. What's the significance out curiousity?

        • @SpotTheOzzie:

          Just wanted to confirm that this item was shipped from a local location in Australia.

        • @whooah1979:

          Gotcha!

    • All the rover.ebay.com links contains eBay's own tracking, and our system identified them as affiliate links. To avoid being unpublished, you can paste the link in browser to redirect to the item's URL.

      • +1

        thanks for explaining.

  • +2

    As advised above please let Ebay & PayPal deal with the seller.

    On side note- Did you paid $1238 or even 20% off on this transaction? I am surprised because both MobileCiti and JbHifi are selling this phone for $988. Why someone will spend big amount on eBay for no or small savings. It was a big risk.Lesson for me is - eBay should be for $100 things except when I know it is reputed seller like Goodguys, Mobileciti etc.

    • +1

      ~750 for AU Stock*** bought in before they price jacked, which they did at 10:30am.

  • +6

    I cant believe you paid 990 for Samsung S8. You can get it for 988 from harveyNorman, Jbhifi and other brick and Mortar stores.

    • +4

      949 * 80%. I got in before they buffered the price during PREEZY so it was ~750 for AU Stock***

      • +1

        That makes sense.

  • -4

    silly

  • +1

    Thanks for the info OP. I wont be buying from these guys! I hope you get your money back!

  • +4

    These guys are Skyphonez located at
    463 Hume Hwy, Yagoona NSW 2199
    Ph: 0287648033

    • Called them during 9-5 no one picks up.

    • You mean LIEphones.

      • +7

        I'm not far. I can go pay them a visit if you want.

        Feel like smashing heads at the minute

  • +1

    My-phonez sure is shifty! One of the iPhones I bought from him on ebay was already opened! Apple records indicate it was activated prior to being shipped to me. Damn I should have spoken up when this had happened!

  • I wouldn't of purchased any phones of this seller in the first place judging by his feedback.
    I'd raise a Paypal case, ship the phone back to the seller via registered post and insurance. Take a few photos of the packaged item etc just for keep sake. Return postage will more than likely be out of pocket, however at least you can take your money elsewhere after you get your refund.
    Try mobileciti next time around, i hear they are quite reputable.

    • +1

      99% with over 5000 transactions isn’t good enough for you? If you’ve signed up for it paypal will cover the return cost up to $45

      • Didn't know Paypal was still honouring free returns, thought it was up until last Dec. I guess I was wrong on that one…
        Still doesn't change my mind on not purchasing off these guys though when you're comparing feedback with sellers such as mobileciti with over 90000 sales. As mentioned above, some of the negs were a dead give away that the seller was selling non AU imported stock. That's just me though, I'd rather spend a little more knowing I'm covered rather than dealing with headaches afterwards in the case that anything goes sour.

  • -6

    Posted the video to youtube of me unboxing as proof:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFVYdk1cTEQ

    • Unplanned unboxing, eh?

      • +2

        I'm a live streamer - I didn't need to do anything different production wise to do what I do day-to-day to record the video I did.

        Infact it would have been more effort not to record the way I did it.

    • +8

      "Better monetize this video and stuff multiple ads in while it gets a lot of sympathy views from OzBargain"

      I can appreciate you needing/wanting to monetize it, but shoving multiple ads just see your proof was unnecessary.

  • I had a similar experience as you OP…
    But was told to pay shipping and 15% restocking fee… So I kept it… Since v30 was taking too long to release.

    The note 8 itself is great, dual sim 128gb, everything 100% zero flaws, the only thing I can't use is Samsung pay but I can use android pay instead.

    Grey import is superior to the au 64gb model, dual sim you can use 1 sim for calling and a 2nd sim for data if necessary, and internal storage is bigger.

    • +2

      The problem is samsung give 0 warranty on imports.
      if the screen has dead pixel you are stuck with it

      • I don't think dead pixels are covered by warranty in the first place… Unless there are many and mostly towards the middle of the screen.

    • You were told to pay restocking fee? And you accepted that. I would be denzil in Man On Fire if they tried that on with me

      • Was, could've just rejected it on delivery but was already reached the same city and I've been looking forward to it.
        Thought it'd take 1-2 days to arrive since it's located in the same city but it ended up taking 5 from hk, was pissed off cause I couldve bought it from other sellers that were already from hk and not pay the premium thinking it's from AU

        • It is significantly not as described. You can open a case and win within 45 days of receiving it.. Even if you used it.

  • +1

    AU stock they probably meant it was stock on hand in Aus not necessarily AU model, dodgy I know!
    They do shifty things on eBay but for some reason it still doesnt deter me lol

    Get a refund with PayPal?
    And no im not watching your nearly hour long video lol

    • +2

      AU stock
      AU model

      You're right. Australian stock and Australian model have two completely different meanings. This item was shipped from a local location in Australia, which makes it Australian stock. However, is is an overseas model.

    • +3

      Yeah but they posted the Australian model's MPN (manufacturer's part number) so item not as described.

      They charge ~$750 for the phone in the UAE so the price seems right at first glance but it was actually after a 20% off code.

  • +2

    Would like to share my own experience with you.
    Purchased 4 hair dryers on Ebay claiming they are AU Stock and located in AU.
    When the items arrived,they are with Chinese plug.
    Requested for returns ,they sent me an address located in China.
    Ebay stepped in,and refunded to me and don't need to send back the items .

    • woww free phones, anyone ready to take a risk, bought it, claimed as UAE (which is true) and got a free phone

    • Wow. Honestly I just wanted to get myself an AU S8 for a good price so I can start live stream for the weekend on my youtube. Since I don't have anytime I'm just going to buy them from JB Hi-Fi right now.

      I'm WAYYY more than happy to give them the phone back, I just want my money to be returned.

      • +1

        That's correct..
        As long as they cover the postage to China,becox the hair dryer are just taking up spaces..

        • Wouldn't be worth it for them in this case ay. Good point.

    • Is this the Chinese plug that's the Australian plug but upside down? The same happened to me for about $350 worth of aquarium products!! Shipped from Sydney but sent from HK using a freight forwarder AusPost tracking number. The products work so not sure what to do…

  • welcome to ebay

  • +3

    I watched the first few mins of ur vid. The fact that you had to make a unboxing video showing the package and even the tracking number proved that you never trusted this seller from day one.

    Why bought then, just to save $200? Well u knew the risk, now hopefully u will be able resolve this.

    • +1

      They still have over 99% feedback after 5000 ratings. There's a risk is buying anything from ebay mate and I tried to negate it by messaging them before sending the item to ensure they knew what was up. At least other people won't be deceived now.

      As an ozbargainer I'm always going to try and get the best price, that's why we're here champ.

  • +1

    S.56 of Aus consumer law: items must match description. Go through Paypal/Ebay dispute resolution first. Buyers usually have to pay for return postage if it isn't super $$$. Use tracking/registered post so seller cannot dispute that you sent it back. If the seller has an ABN, your state/territory fair trading body may also be able to help, if the Paypal/Ebay dispute resolution fails.

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