eBay Buying Trepidation Xiaomi Phone

I've bought things from sellers such as Gearbest online & things have worked out ok. I'm now heading towards eBay buying for a phone I would really like to have. I'm ok to use PayPal.

I found an ebay seller who is in Singapore, free shipping with a phone that I want.
Good reviews but only 790 items sold.
I've sent a couple of messages and they've responded in 24 hours. I'm ready to buy…I haven't found this Xiaomi phone at this price anywhere else and have been waiting for it, but am prepared to wait longer if I need to.

Would you buy in this circumstance?
(Should I post the eBay sellers name here?)

TIA

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Comments

  • +3

    Why not? What are you afraid of?
    I'd say go ahead. You have nothing to lose but time waiting for it to come from so far away.

    Don't forget to use the code P5OFF.

    • Thanks Sage.
      My concern is that I could lose my $, or receive a phone that's not what it's supposed to be and have the hassle of returns, communicating with an unknown (and new) seller that could take time and energy. While I don't want to buy in a b&m store, I don't want the crap that can happen with online sales…. Which is why I'm asking the experienced buyers on OzB servo have 'nouse' about these things :)

  • +1

    Unless the buyer is hacked i doubt someone is selling 800 items to scam someone .

  • +1

    Don't do it Eric

    • Why not Susan?

  • +1

    "I haven't found this Xiaomi phone at this price anywhere else and have been waiting for it, but am prepared to wait longer if I need to."

    check aliexpress you might get it slightly cheaper.
    just check what is the 2nd lowest price. if like $50-100 different from $300 phone then dont buy, if just couple then may be legit.
    check the review and what have they sold so far? now selling phone but previously selling underwear, then run away.

    just be realistic
    if squawk like a duck then it is a duck

    what phone?

    • Xiaomi Mi Max 2 128gb
      $307 (with ebay 5% discount it's $292)

      I emailed and asked them if it would work in Au as one of their reviews (don't know which phone) said their phone didn't work in Au…yet another review said that theirs did.). They responded:
      "Please rest assured that this phone can work properly in Australia, as it's international version."

      They had 128gb in the description, yet 64gb in another section. I emailed them and asked them to clarify. They said 128gb.

      They don't sell underwear…mainly phones, camera lenses etc.
      …Their website says it's sent from Melbourne, but they're in Sg. Is it a duck or not?

      AliExpress is US$299 + $13 shipping.

  • +1

    Double check the precise description first up.
    Xiaomi phone naming with some models can be very deceptive. For example a XRN5 can be exactly what it says and a factory global version… or one intended for the chinese market which has been flashed with another rom to appear as a global version…. or even one intended for the Indian market where XRN5 is totally different specs.
    Many people have ordered Xiaomi phones to later find they should have checked the advertised specs more closer.
    Xiaomis confusing product naming system causes this.
    As to the authenticity of the retailer you will have to trust ebay and paypal to have your back with that.
    If it is a hot deal from a small seller then I understand you not disclosing the deal here .. LOL

    • Thanks.
      I don't trust PayPal to have my back tho.
      I haven't had enough experience with eBay to feel comfortable or not.
      I remember the first time I ordered online from China. I wondered if it would turn up, if I had any recourse etc (there are horror stories. I have one with PayPal as I mentioned.)
      Is global the same as international version?

  • Interesting- just had a look at eBay for Xiaomi phones with B28 and there are loads of them. The ones posted at Ozbargain almost never have it unless you are prepared to pay $700. I don't get it- what's the story?

    • Maybe b28 and NFC is not a must have for everyone. They are never on my list of wants.

    • I'm curious what you searched to come to that conclusion. Xiaomi Phone B28 for example will give you hundreds of phones that don't actually have it.

      • I checked in the specs. "Loads" may be a slight exaggeration but I was surprised to find any, because the impression I got from Ozbargain is that Xiaomi had virtually given up on B28- post after post after post of phones without it.

        • Extra bands cost extra licensing fees with Qualcomm. Considering AU isn't their market there really is only Taiwan and South America left that use it.

          • @Clear: How much would that cost? Maybe $5. Can't be much to add one extra band to the dozens that are there.

            • @shaybisc: They're selling at near cost so they won't pay extra to appease a market they don't sell in or even support.

              • @Clear: What about Taiwan? Have they given up on the renegade province?

    • I thought the Special RN3 (Kate) was the only Xiaomi with band 28…?

      • +1

        Mi Mix 2S as well.

        • Thanks Clear. Nice phone (I just looked).

  • +1

    i got a Redmi Note 5 6gb/64gb delivered for just on $300 a month or two ago paid with paypal as i was a bit skeptical with the price had it delivered and phone has been fine first thing i done was checked it all out with cpu-z to make sure it was all the right specs.

    • +1

      Thanks.
      That's heart-warming. I'm glad it worked out..
      I'll go check what cpu-z is now (always learning 😊)

  • +1

    Interesting. I prefer eBay over individual websites.

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