Faulty Phone - Is Mobileciti Right in Telling Me to Deal with the Manufacturer?

I purchased a phone from Mobileciti earlier this month. It has some issues with storage- files disappearing and SD card slot working intermittently, but mostly not working. I've done a few full resets and the problem remains, so it seems like faulty hardware. No worries, it happens.

I contacted Mobileciti asking for a replacement, and they directed me to contact Oppo and do a warranty claim. Oppo quotes about a month for the whole process. I asked Mobileciti if they could do the replacement as per ACCC guidelines, rather than me dealing with Oppi and waiting a month. They responded saying that if they do it they'll essentially make the claim on my behalf and I'll need to wait even longer.

Is this the correct process? In the past when I've had similar problems so soon after purchase retailers have swapped out the device for me without having me wait for them to deal with the manufacturer. Have I just been lucky?

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Comments

  • +6

    The supplier of the product (in this case MobileCiti) is meant to be the first port of call for warranty purposes, but it sounds like they will not simply replace the phone on the spot with a new handset. They have the right to send the phone back to the manufacturer for assessment but that will take time.

    So, if Oppo are willing to deal with you directly and replace the phone, then I'd rather just deal with them (and cut out the middle man so that things happen quicker).

    • +1

      What about future claims? Also, if there's a major fault that requires a refund, do Oppo refund you? I wouldn't think so. It might be in OP's interest to deal with Mobileciti only.

      • +1

        OP is wanting a replacement in this case, but you do raise a valid point about future claims.

      • Seems like Mobileciti are doing their very best to pan me off to Oppo, though.

    • Yes, it seems easier to deal with Oppo rather than trying to get Mobileciti to issue a replacement.

  • +3

    To answer your titular question, no they aren't right.

    They are obligated in dealing with you in a reasonable timeframe. Is one month turnaround for quite a new phone reasonable? I wouldn't think so.

    You may have had better service from bigger stores due to them having better processes.

    • +2

      from bigger stores

      As someone who has done their stint in big retail
      It doesn’t change even if u go with a big chain store with heaps of stores around Australia :)

      I guess if you jump up and down at the manager they might maybe ring up a rep or something and get it expedited. But I would have thought being a specialist mobile dealer mobiciti would have avenues like this too.

      • In your experience is the way Mobileciti are handling things pretty normal?

        • +1

          Yes, it is normal and Mobileciti really would just submit the claim on your behalf. The worse part of it is that you now can only go to Mobileciti for updates on the progress and Mobileciti replies, "it's not back yet" and you have no other options.

    • +1

      Perhaps it's time to "jump up and down" as Jimothy Woningtons says. Not really my style though.

  • +1

    Have you try a different SD Card? Just to make sure it is defective in the first place.

    • Yeah, I tried a different SD card (not working),
      and put the original SD card in the PC (working). The internal storage also seems to be having issues.

      • In that case, I think OPPO can either fixed it or replaced it. If they can fixed it within a week, then let them do it. If not, they can authorise Mobiciti for a "Refund" if necessary.

        • Yeah, that's what I'm going to do. Unfortunately they ship with AusPost so it's going to take ages from Adelaide to their service centre in Sydney. Thanks mate.

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