'New' iphone from Ebay: warranty and checks

Voyager2002

So I have just bought a new Iphone from Ebay, described as factory-sealed. From my reading on-line the warranty goes to the first person to use it, and so I should benefit from this. So please could someone confirm what I need to do once it arrives? My plan is to: 1. locate the serial number on the package and type that into the Apple website to check its status; 2. verify that the actual hardware has the same serial number -- will I be able to do this without inserting a SIM?

I am unsure whether to register and activate the phone straight away since I shall shortly be going to India for three months: it might be better to have a warranty there. However, would that prevent me from transferring it back to the UK once I return?

And if anything fails (for example, if the serial number does not correspond to a warranty), should I raise a dispute? It cost 200 pounds, which is a low price for a brand-new Iphone 5, so was I meant to understand anything from that?

Strider590

I would never buy a popular item like an iPhone on eBay. Far too many fakes around and well..... Just don't search Youtube for "fake iphone ebay".

If it's popular and/or fashionable, never buy from anyone other than a genuine retailer.

Sometimes the eBay ads can be deliberately misleading, the small sprint may say "this listing is for a calculator in an iPhone box".

This happened with this guy and his Nexus6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BLPzSKT6BY

Hope you get the genuine article that you ordered.

Voyager2002

OK, I did check the wording and pictures very carefully, as well as seller feedback. Oh well...

baby_frogmella

Voyager2002 wrote: »

OK, I did check the wording and pictures very carefully, as well as seller feedback. Oh well...

Ignore the doom-monger. I've bought a few brand new iphones over fleabay and never had a problem as I've i've always bought them off sellers with 100% feedback. As you did the same, you have nothing to worry about.

Voyager2002

baby_frogmella wrote: »

Ignore the doom-monger. I've bought a few brand new iphones over fleabay and never had a problem as I've i've always bought them off sellers with 100% feedback. As you did the same, you have nothing to worry about.

Good to hear that. What did you do on receiving them: are my plans in the OP sensible?

baby_frogmella

The first thing I've always done is pop in a sim & check the warranty status. I suggest you do the same for peace of mind.

enfield_freddy

make sure that the sim card is the same network as you intend using , as the phone may lock on the first use phone provider

boo_star

enfield_freddy wrote: »

make sure that the sim card is the same network as you intend using , as the phone may lock on the first use phone provider

It's possible but usually those iPhones are sold as "unwanted upgrades" and they tend to specify the network that it was bought from.