Can I use IMEI to prove that 'Brand New' Phone is not Brand New?

MayhemVC on 17/09/2018 - 22:37

I bought a phone on eBay that was advertised as 'Brand New'.
When I received the phone it was clear that it had been repackaged and resealed.
The insides of the box and several components had dirt/wear marks, the charger was non-standards and there was an extra plastic sleeve that you often get with cheap Chinese phones (this was not a cheap Chinese phone).
I have the phone's IMEI on the box (I don't actually know if the IMEI on the box and that of the phone match as I haven't turned on the phone).

I used the website IMEI.info to do a bit of investigation on the phone.
It appears that it is not blacklisted, however, it did have this bit of information:

Time GSM (talk/stand-by): 26 / 456 hrs. (19.0d)

Would this be irrefutable evidence that the phone was not brand new?
19 days seems a bit long for factory testing.
Can I trust this Time GSM number?

Thanks.

Mobile

Comments

  • cauilfield on 17/09/2018 - 22:43
    +2

    talk/stand-by means the max talk and standby time from a single charge as dictated by the vendor;

    • MayhemVC on 17/09/2018 - 22:44

      Ahhh, thanks for that. Is there a way to determine if the phone has been previously used?

      • cauilfield on 20/10/2018 - 09:42

        not by the IMEI unfortnately

  • Hybroid on 17/09/2018 - 22:44

    Not sure a third party site means very much and that's the standard expected talk/standby time for a Pixel. Take photos of the used component and submit a Resolution Center case. If you paid by Paypal then you should be covered for a full refund.

    • MayhemVC on 17/09/2018 - 22:47

      Yeah, have taken photos and started the refund process (thankfully I paid using PayPal). Just wondering though if it is possible to see if the phone has been used/connected to network using IMEI or something else.

      And yes, it's a Pixel!

      • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2018 - 10:16

        Nah its not possible.

  • salmon123 on 18/09/2018 - 09:32

    Yeah - telco's can easily check if it's been used on their network (even with a foreign sim card) that use just used for roaming in Australia.

    Convincing them to do so is another story…

  • slipperypete on 18/09/2018 - 11:04

    was this a private sale or a store?

    Getting sick of the dodgy shops on ebay

    • MayhemVC on 18/09/2018 - 19:18
      +1

      Was store on eBay.
      I'm getting a full refund but it's just very disappointing and I now have a phone cover that I can't use :)

      • slipperypete on 18/09/2018 - 20:07

        glad u got a refund at least

  • 87percent on 18/09/2018 - 12:22

    just lodge a paypal case and move on

    • MayhemVC on 18/09/2018 - 19:19
      +2

      I have (before I posted this), I'm getting the refund.
      I was just wondering from a technical aspect.
      Sorry for trying to learn something, I'll make sure I get your full written permission before asking my next question.
      Evidently, from the first response, I'm not knowledgeable in this area.

  • Strahany on 18/09/2018 - 20:54

    Apple products require an "activation" when first used, so they are logged. Android doesn't have any such feature, although some manufacturers might implement a similar system of their own.

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