Offerbank - Legit?

CharlotteElizabeth

Hello, I saw this site that has the Samsung Galaxy S5 for nearly £130 less than the likes of phone shops in the UK. I can't really find out much about them and don't want to lose my cash to a scam. There are good reviews on their site, but thats to be expected really.

Are they legit? I am not bothered about buying from abroad, as I think they are based in the US although not certain and I buy all sorts from there normally. They say that there is a 12 month UK warranty, but are they selling the real deal? I don't want to get shafted and waste all that money. If it is the real deal then I would be happy to save money and I know that things are cheaper in the US than the UK anyway.

Many Thanks

Charlotte

CKhalvashi

Quick Google suggests they're legit company.

My advice would be to pay with CC if over £100 (if £99.99, buy something for a fiver on top), as you're much better protected this way.

S75 also applies to foreign transactions.

CK

CharlotteElizabeth

Hello, Thanks for your reply!

I don't have a CC so would have to be by debit card.

The only thing I have read about the company is one person on MSE says that the phone is rooted - which I am not sure what that means, and that they aren't sure whether its real or not....

I phoned them up and a girl with a middle eastern accent - Dubai I assume answered and could tell me loads about the company and said that the phones were cheaper because they were an online store and they pass the savings on from the supplier. They have warehouses in UK, US, Canada and Dubai. I have read about Dubai being full of fake items and this is where the company is registered.

Do I risk buying it, and hope its not a fake? If it is indeed real, then I have saved £130. Or save up for another few months until I can afford the phone at £550 and go to carphone warehouse etc. I don't want a contract as I am convinced they cost you more in the long term and I love my PAYG deal.

MikeWhite

CharlotteElizabeth wrote: »

Hello, Thanks for your reply!

I phoned them up and a girl with a middle eastern accent - Dubai I assume answered and could tell me loads about the company and said that the phones were cheaper because they were an online store and they pass the savings on from the supplier. .

Those prices look to good to be true. Amazon are an online store, too. Their prices are nothing like the ones you are seeing. Grey imports for sure, with all that that implies...

CKhalvashi

Mike - be aware (and I should have mentioned this to OP), that whilst there will be no duty, there will be 20% VAT.

We can reclaim VAT on export as a company, but for a consumer on import, there's no way to claim this.

Factor it into your decision, and ask the direct question of it being customs cleared. If they imply they can send as 'gift', then walk away from the deal.

ETA: VAT would be £91 in UK from the price you gave, so it would be more expensive if not cleared already.

CK

grumbler

CharlotteElizabeth wrote: »

...The only thing I have read about the company is one person on MSE says that the phone is rooted - which I am not sure what that means, and that they aren't sure whether its real or not....

Rooting means installing a custom ROM (=OS) with fewer restrictions for the user - instead of the one installed by the manufacturer.
I can't imagine why on earth any legit company would do this with genuine new phones.

MikeWhite

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Mike - be aware (and I should have mentioned this to OP), that whilst there will be no duty, there will be 20% VAT.

We can reclaim VAT on export as a company, but for a consumer on import, there's no way to claim this.

Factor it into your decision, and ask the direct question of it being customs cleared. If they imply they can send as 'gift', then walk away from the deal.

ETA: VAT would be £91 in UK from the price you gave, so it would be more expensive if not cleared already.

CK

No longer to good to be true, then, and no longer a good price at all (IMO),

grumbler

Well, did they not say that "they had warehouse in UK"?
If so, what VAT are you talking about?

grumbler

CKhalvashi wrote: »

...My advice would be to pay with CC ... (if £99.99, buy something for a fiver on top), as you're much better protected this way.

S75 also applies to foreign transactions.

The law is plain; the £100 is for the cash value of a 'single item'

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

For a chargeback the min limit is £10 and for Mastercard only.

pepdavies

grumbler wrote: »

Rooting means installing a custom ROM (=OS) with fewer restrictions for the user - instead of the one installed by the manufacturer.
I can't imagine why on earth any legit company would do this with genuine new phones.

That isn't quite what rooting means, it's simply granting administration rights to system files, the stock rom can remain. I completely agree that there is no reason to sell genuine new phones in this state.

CharlotteElizabeth

Okay, a site to ignore?

I will wait a few months until I save up the extra and buy a phone in town rather than from abroad