Box opened upon receipt

familyfitz

Bought a mobile in Tesco yesterday. Wanted to check firmware on the Samsung Tocco Lite but assistant said they weren't allowed to open box.
Got home and put bag down in living room - phone for daughters birthday next month so didn't rush to look at it.

Today I got the box out the bag and opened up the phone - only after doing it, it clicked that the original seal on the box was broken and it had a plastic sticker across it to 'seal' the box. Then looked at what the original seal says and it is of course, don't accept if broken.

So, does this mean the phone has been used? How do I prove that it was like that when I got it? (wish I had taken pic but didn't really register at time). I know Tesco accept phones back for whatever reason up to 28days after purchase even if used so might I have got one like that? Incidentally the sim card was in the phone.

Where do I stand on this?

macman

familyfitz wrote: »

Bought a mobile in Tesco yesterday. Wanted to check firmware on the Samsung Tocco Lite but assistant said they weren't allowed to open box.
Got home and put bag down in living room - phone for daughters birthday next month so didn't rush to look at it.

Today I got the box out the bag and opened up the phone - only after doing it, it clicked that the original seal on the box was broken and it had a plastic sticker across it to 'seal' the box. Then looked at what the original seal says and it is of course, don't accept if broken.

So, does this mean the phone has been used? How do I prove that it was like that when I got it? (wish I had taken pic but didn't really register at time). I know Tesco accept phones back for whatever reason up to 28days after purchase even if used so might I have got one like that? Incidentally the sim card was in the phone.

Where do I stand on this?

Look in the phone logs to see if it has been used? But of course they may have done a factory reset.

familyfitz

Tried phoning them tonight but obviously too late to man the phone department.

Unless they can show me everyone in stock is same, will argue that not taking chance and want one without the original label sliced open. The assistant actually said he wasn't allowed to break the seal.

If only I could remember his name - I know who it isn't as spoke to the other person earlier in the day and then when turning up to the shop actually exchange conversation as to this other person not being there.

OneADay

Being a large retailer like Tesco, I think they won't quibble if you lodge a formal complaint (if they refuse to agree with your assertion that its been opened prior to you having it).

I would not use the phone till you have had it back in store in front of them.

familyfitz

All I did today (before realising the above) was take out the sim and switch on the phone to try to locate the firmware (O2 phones from CPW supposedly drop calls whereas O2 ones from O2 shop don't and someone - not on here- posted firmware versions). As Tesco mobile piggy back onto O2 network was keen to find out. Had it on for about 5 mins (failing to find info I wanted!) then realised the above and put it all back together.

Will phone first thing and hopefully sort it out tomorrow.

Thanks for comments.

bubblegumcola

I think all the boxes are like this at Tesco. We bought our daughter a mobile from Tesco for her birthday and my hubby made the supervisor get another one that didn't have the seal broken. I'm sure all the seals on the boxes were broken. My hubby wasn't happy as he thought he had been sold a duff phone that someone had returned. I think they put security tags in all the boxes when they come in, maybe thats why the boxes have had their seals broken? I'm sure thats the excuse they came up with for us. Turned out the phone we got had never been used so I think they Tesco weren't fobbing us off after all. It does make a mockery of the whole 'DO NOT ACCEPT IF SEAL BROKEN' on the box.

Give Tesco a call and put your mind at rest or go in with the phone and the box and explain that you want reassurance its a brand new phone.

familyfitz

Thanks bubblegumcola. As I said earlier, the assistant said they weren't allowed to break the seal hence I couldn't check the actual phone to see which version of firmware was on it. As he said it, with box in hand, he hesitated and now I realise probably why i.e. saw seal was broken. Wish I had followed it up by looking more closely especially as I saw him hesitate.

I have to say there was no security devise inside box - half expected it to go off when leaving the store (had paid at the phone centre).

Will phone tho first thing and see what they say. Do you remember if the sim was already in the phone? Call me suspicious but the packaging of the software CD was quite 'scruffy'!!!! sorry, really should get a grip...but do like to make sure I get the best possible.

familyfitz

Took phone back today - not a problem to refund but gave me full amount in cash rather than cash plus £10 voucher used to purchase it originally and dont think she took the 500 clubcard points back either

Then I purchased same phone (but a sealed box) this time using their new offer £20 off phone when spending £30 or more on shopping (toilet rolls and stuff for the freezer quickly bought)

So phone cost me £109.97 - £20 = £89.97
£89.97 - £10 (value of original voucher off mobile phones courtesy of another thread on here) = £79.97
£79.97 - £20 clubcard deals value of points awarded previously)= £59.97

Oh, and the points this purchase.

All in all very happy and hope all will be fine with phone now.
Thank you Mr T - happy I have a brand new phone now and a little bonus too in saving an extra £40 over the £99.97 paid on Sunday (with the £10 voucher on top).