Refurbished Mobiles guide - official forum discussion

Former_MSE_Nick

Hi all,

This is an official discussion thread for our new Refurbished Mobiles guide, and we'd love your feedback. Have you got any pointers on the guide you'd like to pass on, any success stories from following its tips, or any info that'd help other MoneySavers? If so, just click 'reply' to post.

Thanks for your help,

MSE Nick

jamieukonline

Excellent article.

Although it has a section at the bottom about rights etc, it doesn't mention one of the risks of buying a used or refurb phone:

That is the risk that the person who sold it/traded it in never owned it in the first place, or that it was part of a contract they have stopped paying. The phone can be blocked leaving a rather expensive brick.

I'd imagine the retailers suggested here would be of more help than buying a used phone on ebay, but it's worth noting this problem could occur months after the sale - with ebay there is nothing they can do to help if this happens.

newleaf

I ordered a refurbished iphone 5C this afternoon from Hot Bargain Phones, as mentioned in this week's MSE email and using the 20% discount code.
I haven't received any confirmation from them, nor does the order appear in my account. Their website doesn't fill me with confidence, I don't know, it just feels 'dodgy' somehow ...
I've emailed them. Has anyone used these people and have any feedback?
(I do have the paypal receipt, and paid by credit card, so if all goes belly up I should at least get my cash returned).

d123

Some of the prices at the Hot Bargain Phones are a rip off for a reconditioned phone, as an example the second hand iPhone 6 64GB is £569.95 while a brand new iPhone 6 64GB from Giffgaff is £579 with a £30 accessory voucher included.

Silk

newleaf wrote: »

I ordered a refurbished iphone 5C this afternoon from Hot Bargain Phones, as mentioned in this week's MSE email and using the 20% discount code.
I haven't received any confirmation from them, nor does the order appear in my account. Their website doesn't fill me with confidence, I don't know, it just feels 'dodgy' somehow ...
I've emailed them. Has anyone used these people and have any feedback?
(I do have the paypal receipt, and paid by credit card, so if all goes belly up I should at least get my cash returned).

I've not used them but they get shocking reviews on HUKD


https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/hot-bargain-phones


I've no time to check at the moment and not at work but the company Hot Bargain Phones Ltd is showing as dissolved which isn't a good sign :rotfl:
Needs checking out but the phone numbers seem the same ....perhaps do some digging before you let payment go through

newleaf

Thanks Silk. I think payment has already gone through, but it shouldn't be a problem to get it back eventually, whether from paypal or the credit card co. I will phone Hot Bargain Phones tomorrow and see how the land lies.
Not happy that this has gone out as a recommendation in Martin's email this week though, I hope this doesn't have an unhappy ending for anyone.

henryscat

newleaf wrote: »

I ordered a refurbished iphone 5C this afternoon from Hot Bargain Phones, as mentioned in this week's MSE email and using the 20% discount code.
I haven't received any confirmation from them, nor does the order appear in my account. Their website doesn't fill me with confidence, I don't know, it just feels 'dodgy' somehow ...
I've emailed them. Has anyone used these people and have any feedback?
(I do have the paypal receipt, and paid by credit card, so if all goes belly up I should at least get my cash returned).

I've done the same (but iphone 6 plus). Paid with paypal. No email conformation, nor is the order showing in 'order history'. I have contacted them via their website.

Lets see what happens....i would be interested to hear what they say when you phone them.

Silk

newleaf wrote: »

Thanks Silk. I think payment has already gone through, but it shouldn't be a problem to get it back eventually, whether from paypal or the credit card co. I will phone Hot Bargain Phones tomorrow and see how the land lies.
Not happy that this has gone out as a recommendation in Martin's email this week though, I hope this doesn't have an unhappy ending for anyone.

I can understand that but may be worrying over nothing, although the warning signs seem to be there.
I've had a bit of time and accessed through remote.
It seems a second Hot Bargain Phones Limited was started (Limited instead of LTD} 2014 same guy Mr Muhammad Sheikh

Depends on reason for dropping the first company I suppose ???
Also involved in Craft Bargain Corner Ltd and Bargain Phone Corner as mentioned by MSE
Whats a bit worrying is he's just started Lloyds Gadgets Ltd last month which seems to be selling the same stuff


Not one I'd be using from the signs and previous reviews

newleaf

Thanks, I'll update tomorrow when I've had chance to phone them.
I do hope I'm worrying about nothing!

d123

newleaf wrote: »

Not happy that this has gone out as a recommendation in Martin's email this week though, I hope this doesn't have an unhappy ending for anyone.

Problem is, how much is exactly Martin these days and how much is just MoneySupermarket.com using Martin as a figurehead and just selling their recommendations to the highest payer?

As I said, the prices aren't even all that cheap on some of what they sell.

eng3ecd

I'm in the same boat - purchased an iPhone 6 on the back of the newsletter yesterday morning and paid with paypal (I don't have a credit card). No confirmation email, order not showing in basket. I emailed them but no response yet and the phone was engaged all day yesterday. I'm extremely worried and can't afford to lose £400.

Does paypal offer protection? Should I contact them now?