void seal broken on packaging of new phone

jazzy

I received my new phone today, unfortunately the void seal was broken on the box. The supplier informed me that they broke the seal to add the compulsory £5 credit to the phone and that the phone is new.
I am worried that the phone is a refurbished model because the price was so low.

So should I accept the phone? or is there a way to tell if it's a refurbished phone?

redux

That sounds a slightly odd explanation, as there are other ways to add credit.

Most so-called refurbished phones are actually virtually new, perhaps returns on the 14-day approval policy that some shops and networks have. Some dealers are a bit less scrupulous, or just careless, and let these out as new phones.

See if there are any phone numbers listed in the phonebook or call history, or saved photos or other files. Does it still have those little pieces of plastic over the screen or camera lens etc?

h901

check the phone for fingerprints

check the call timers if they are above 0:00:00 then its been used
although they could've been cleared so.. if its a sony ericsson

press this in the phone keypad

> * < < * < *

then go service tests and then to total call time
it'll show the actual call time which can't be cleared


and check total call time

jazzy

It's a samsung d900i, the polythene sticker is still on the screen but I think that they do that with refurbished phones? The battery was loose in the box not wrapped up in anything which seems unusual?

I had a refurbished phone before although it looked brand new, it was nothing but trouble. I don't want to end up with that problem again. I just cannot understand on why the void seal was broken unless it's a refurbished or returned phone?

I have not charged up the phone because I do not know on whether to send the phone back or not?

Bigmanny147

Im not sure if you have sorted out your issue, but some online companies register the phone and top up the phone before its shipped out. (hence breaking the seal to do so) If its refurbished this should have made clear to you before purchasing it. Its to do with the networks and selling their mobiles on pay as you go. By topping the phone up networks at least get you to use the top up. If the phone is working and with out any problems then I dont see why it would be a issue. Hope this helps.

gtz101

which company did you buy it from?

chuckley

why would that matter?? does the fone work?? the chip should be in a separate packet/envelope anyway...

gaming_guy

h901 wrote: »

check the phone for fingerprints

check the call timers if they are above 0:00:00 then its been used
although they could've been cleared so.. if its a sony ericsson

press this in the phone keypad

> * < < * < *

then go service tests and then to total call time
it'll show the actual call time which can't be cleared


and check total call time

well thats going to work on a samsung, isnt it? :rolleyes:

muffinhead

I bought a PAYG phone from the Phones4u website a year ago and the seal was broken but they did mention (when buying it) that they had to do this to apply the credit to the sim.

Scousebird_2

That's true-I used to work for them-they break the seals-don't work for them any more though!

Cerenia

T-mobile open boxes quite often to check the contents are all there as well from the warehouse.