Ever bought a phone for cheap from 'foreign websites'? Tecobuy, OnBuy, Flowdeals, etc

Mishomeister

There is a number of websites (such as Tecobuy, OnBuy, Flowdeals, Eglobalcentral) that Google suggests where the phones can be bougth for about circa 25% cheaper than from the known companies in UK.

Below is the link that I gout from Google for those websites:

https://gb.flow-deals.com/gb/en/products/902593785.html

I have tried yo look at the negative reviews for those companies and the only neagite things there really are, the delivery problems etc but I deen no mention with there being any problems with the handsets themselves.

I am not only attracted by the price but also the fact that RAM on those phones, that appear to be coming from Hong Kong is 8GB as opposed to 6GB version sold in the UK.

The things I am worried are below:

1. Phone being completely counterfeit and not being really made by Samsung.

2. Because of it being Hong Kong version, it may not work or fully work in UK

3. Because of it being Hong Kong version Samsung may refuse to register it for warranty/guarantee.

Has anyone ever bought a phone from any of the above websites? What is your experience?

Thanks a lot

JJ_Egan

1 yes possible

2 HK version work UK some do depends upon firmware /modem .

3 100%  No UK warranty   return to HK for repairs .

Yes HK have differing models re ram /partition size , some smaller some bigger .

Updates  probably not .

stragglebod

If you're going to buy from a grey importer then you're probably best staying with the more established sites like gearbest or banggood. I've bought one phone from gearbest, took ages to arrive but other than that I got a very good phone very cheap.

mgfvvc

I've used eglobalcentral and TechInTheBasket.

Eglobalcentral list things as in stock when they aren't. They say they will keep you informed if there are stock issues, but I had to chase them to find out. When asked for a refund that was done promptly.

TechInTheBasket were fine. My first order had no issues. My second order was lost by the courier and they refunded me with no issues when they couldn't resupply what I wanted.
I haven't bought HK versions of phones. They have always been "global version".