Caveat Emptor-Are You Getting A New Smartphone?
Something happened to me recently at a well-known cell phone carrier’s store (shall remain nameless) that really made me angry. I intended to purchase a new smartphone for business use and I had decided to purchase an HTC Incredible LTE. This was the simplest device for me to use and it met my business and social media needs. Unfortunately for me, the store I had gone to was fresh out and I asked them to contact another store within 25 miles. I wanted that phone today!
To my luck, they were able to find a device in San Diego and I just needed to go to that particular store to purchase it. I asked if the item was brand new and unopened. I was told it was brand new in box and was ready for my purchase. Needless to say, I was excited to pick up a new tech toy so I proceeded as planned.
When I had arrived and asked for the product that was being held for me, I was surprised at the condition. The box was opened and the phone was out of its packaging; even the protective film that was on the screen was removed from the phone box. The charger had been unraveled and the manuals were misplaced. (The sales rep wouldn’t say missing) The clerk assured me that the phone was new and unused.
I asked if I can look at the device. If you go into menu and settings in any android phone you can check various things. Go into the power/battery settings of the phone. You have the option to see if the phone battery has been used and what particular application or system function it was used for. In this instance I saw that the battery had been used in the last 7 days. Several apps were downloaded and a test call was made. This phone was either a demo or a returned product that did not meet my criteria. Outraged at his blatant lies just to get the sale, I returned the device to the guy and advised that next time he hard reset the phone before he sells the product as “new”. I probably would have bought the phone if he were upfront and let me know what the true issue was; old customer didn’t want or demo model. To try and fool me thinking that this product was brand new is an insult. This just doesn’t hold true with smartphones but with anything you purchase. If it’s an open item ask for a discount. It’s your right as a shopper since you aren’t getting something brand new. Don’t pay full retail for something that could have possibly been used and abused. Buyer Beware!
About the Author
