Kogan iPhone 5s Bought from eBay Group Deal

Pattycakes on 02/07/2014 - 22:08
Last edited 02/07/2014 - 22:14

Hi,

Several things have come to my concerns with this purchase. in true ozbargain style, i snapped one up for $599 last week (the 16gb white 5s).
It arrived today, however when i turned it on, it did not show up with a 'hello, holla, welkommen etc' screen that a new apple product would show up. Is it a refurbished/used iphone? (if so i'm not happy >=()

Did anyone notice this too?

Also the charger is a hong-kong, did they state this, or was it implied that a non-compatible aus one would be given?

Is the warranty global for apple (meaning i can rock up to a store)? or incase something goes wrong, do i need to contact kogan directly? Are there any personal experiences with kogan warranty? what is the process /time like with kogan)

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Related Stores

eBay Australia
eBay Australia
Marketplace

Comments

  • MustResistPurchase on 02/07/2014 - 22:14
    +3

    Kogan reply with one email per day if you're lucky.

    Source: Bought a tablet that failed and a phone that failed from them.

  • cpho on 02/07/2014 - 22:34

    It sounds like it's been turned on before if it doesn't display the "hello" page. It should show that page regardless, being newly refurbished or brand new.

    Also, Kogan phones are mostly HK stock, so yes, it will only come with the Type A head.
    And no, Apple doesn't have global warranty, nor are you covered under ACL.
    This is the gamble you take when you buy grey stock.

    I've bought stuff and had issues before from Kogan HK, and the response time isn't good. Given your situation, that your phone isn't new, I'd say contact Kogan first, and if you don't get a reply by Friday, then lodge a Paypal dispute, that your goods weren't new.

  • MrT15 on 02/07/2014 - 22:46
    +1

    When you received did u see plastic wrap outside the box? if you received opened box which means used. or You can take the serial number of phone go to https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do. you will know when did the phone activate to look at Warranty Expire Date.

    • Pattycakes on 03/07/2014 - 15:23

      it was already activated! :(

  • mazda3 on 02/07/2014 - 23:26

    Hi , I'm really happy that you already received your phone which you bought it last week .
    I've purchased from same deal (iPhone 5s16g) as well ,but on ebay page they've advised that I will receive it btw 23july -31 July . I have contact kogan to send it by faster courier and I'm happy to pay extra cost as I'm going to holiday and will not return back by three month but they respond that they will not able to do it . that's the tribal customer service. Also they respond that they will need 5-10 business day to post it .
    I would appreciated if someone already receive his/her item can advise me how can I force to kogan to ship it ASAP even by paying extra cost . Sorry for all dictation mistakes
    Thanks in advance

    • botftw on 03/07/2014 - 00:01
      +1

      I believe OP is talking about a different deal. He bought his iPhone 5S for $599 while the one you're talking about was $549.

      • mazda3 on 03/07/2014 - 22:30

        Thanks for reply.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2014 - 00:21

    i bought one too iPhone 5s gold - now scared to hear your story I hope its not used as it's a gift

  • rvsure on 03/07/2014 - 09:01

    I bought a Samsung GS4 from them last year and it turned out to be already opened at the time of arrival. When I first switched on the phone it directly took me to the homepage without asking for initial setup. Also the camera didn't work. I returned it for full refund. I later bought the phone again from them though. To my surprise the later one I got was a brand new Oz stock.

  • Pattycakes on 03/07/2014 - 09:08

    Hi,

    I searched the warranty status @duyng91 told me to do and it gave me these results. (it looks like it was bought 1 month ago)

    Telephone Technical Support: Active
    Your product is eligible for complimentary telephone technical support during the first 90 days.
    Estimated Expiration Date: September 5, 2014
    More about complimentary support

    Contact Apple Support
    Repairs and Service Coverage: Active
    Your product is covered for eligible hardware repairs and service under Apple's Limited Warranty.
    Estimated Expiration Date: June 6, 2015

    There was wrapping around the box, but i don't think that should be an indicator whether it is new. Most companies can just buy a plastic wrapper and just rewrap after open and 'claim it is new'.

    So can i conclude it is a new iphone judging by the dates?

    • cpho on 03/07/2014 - 10:47
      +1

      Definately not new. Maybe it was a display model, or maybe they just turned it on to check it wouldn't be DOA.
      Try get in contact with them to see if you can get a discount :D
      Otherwise, if they refund you, you'll have to return the phone.

  • MrT15 on 03/07/2014 - 09:26

    Look at the Estimated Expiration Date: June 6, 2015 which means for Phone has been opened and activate on 6 June 2014.
    I don't think they sent you the brand new.
    I believe you can log in to ur paypal account and open the dispute so you can claim for full refunds back if you don't want the phone.Cheers

    • j1568 on 03/07/2014 - 11:09

      You can, but then the shipping back to them is on you, so you will be out of pocket for the shipping cost back to them unless they agree to cover that. eBay/Paypal buyer protection will only cover what you originally paid and not the shipping cost back to the seller. If you open a dispute, the seller can elect to choose for the buyer to return for full refund which is the amount paid but not the shipping cost back to them.

      • rvsure on 03/07/2014 - 12:21
        +1

        As far as I know for the items bought on Kogan website you have return the item to Kogan's office in Melbourne for inspection even though they are shipped from HK. I am not sure if it is different for items purchased on their eBay store.

        Also in my case they sent the shipping labels to return the item. All I had to do was to pack the item in the box and drop at nearby post office. The OP may first try to contact them on eBay before rising a dispute. The sellers on eBay definitely care about negative feedback on eBay so you may get a positive response from them.

        • Pattycakes on 03/07/2014 - 15:23

          thanks for responses.

          I am not sure what to do in this position. I would really like to know what the other people on Ozbargain received from their group deal buy with the iphone 5s.

          What do you guys think I should do? Should I email Ebay regardless?

          @cpho i doubt they would open it to check DOA as their was plastic covering around the box, unless kogan rewrapped it again. (They sold 500 phones, doubt they took the effort).

          I'm worried it is a 'refurbished phone' and may run into troubles later and have no local AU support!

        • j1568 on 03/07/2014 - 15:49

          Apple don't sell refurbished iphone from what I understand. Given that the warranty expiry date is 6 June 2015, I don't think your phone is refurbished. Just it has been activated by someone about a month ago. When Apple replaces a phone, the warranty details of your old iphone gets transfer over to the replacement phone.

          Is the plastic screen protector still on the phone when you got it? How's the condition of the phone like? Is it like brand new or are there signs of it being used before. You can also go to settings and check the mobile section to see whether the call time for the Lifetime is 0. If not, then it has been used before.

          If it like a new phone but just been activated, I would keep it. If it has been used, then I will contact Kogan to ask for replacement.

        • Big Cat on 09/07/2014 - 23:05
          +1

          @patrickwoo91:

          I received my 5c yesterday and 5s today (both were ordered last Monday Jun-30)
          Checked the IMEIs online and the 5c was unregistered, 5s was activated Jun-9, 2014.

          Looking back at the EBay listing, their ad says "All Apple iPhones sold at Kogan are network unlocked. In some cases, iPhones may already be registered with Apple to guarantee your phone is unlocked when you receive it."

          As they were honest about it, and the 5c was not registered, it would seem to me they are batch testing to make sure they were unlocked.

          Everything else inside the 5s box was fine - except for the fact there was no pin for the SIM card slot. Not sure why that is but it's a minor issue for me.

        • botftw on 09/07/2014 - 23:49

          @bkiat: Hey mate, I was just wondering when you got the email notification that your item left the warehouse? Because I only just received that email today and I also bought the 5S on June 30.

        • j1568 on 09/07/2014 - 23:52

          From another kogan post, a lot of the 5S is sourced from USA and it's been said that USA tend not to provide the pin. Also the network supported in the USA version is slightly different from the AUS version.

        • A3Australia on 10/07/2014 - 01:21

          @bkiat:

          I received my 5c yesterday and 5s today (both were ordered last Monday Jun-30)
          Checked the IMEIs online and the 5c was unregistered, 5s was activated Jun-9, 2014.

          I think you will find that the 5c is a HK/ASIA market model. While the 5s is a USA market model with the USA 'cube' style AC Charger (and no support for Australian LD-LTE 4Gplus).

          Most probably the 5s was first sold carrier locked, and was opened and activated to complete the unlocking process.

        • Big Cat on 10/07/2014 - 08:26

          @botftw:
          I got the email notification for the 5s on the Jul-7, 5c on Jul-8.
          Received the 5c on Jul-8, and the 5s on Jul-9. Once it gets past Hong Kong.Overnight on your tracking info, you'll probably get it one or 2 days after.
          I was quite happy with the shipping times. From the comments on the original ozbargain thread, I was expecting to receive the phones no earlier than August!

        • Big Cat on 10/07/2014 - 08:52

          @A3Australia:

          Are you sure there's no support for Australia 4G on the A1533?
          The Australia 4G network is 1800MHz and 3G on 850MHz (Telstra), both bands which are supported by the A1533. Kogan's ad also specifically stated "This device is compatible with Australia's 4G networks."
          I'm waiting for my replacement nano SIM to arrive before I try it out, fingers crossed I won't have to sell it on ebay!

        • A3Australia on 10/07/2014 - 12:34

          @bkiat:

          Are you sure there's no support for Australia 4G on the A1533?

          Well, I am sure that I never wrote that there was no support for Australian 4G with the A1533 model. If you take a look at my comments, I always mentioned the OPTUs LD-LTE at 2300 (2.3gHz) they call it 4Gplus.

          The Australia 4G network is 1800MHz and 3G on 850MHz (Telstra), both bands which are supported by the A1533. Kogan's ad also specifically stated "This device is compatible with Australia's 4G networks."

          But not all of Australia's LTE bands. A bit of a tricky statement from Kogan. It is compatible with Optus Telstra Voda networks and some of their 4G bands - just not the 2300 one that OPTUS is using as LD-LTE 4G plus.

          I'm waiting for my replacement nano SIM to arrive before I try it out, fingers crossed I won't have to sell it on ebay!

          What carrier are you with? It will support all at 4G - you just miss out on the OPTUS 4Gplus

        • Big Cat on 10/07/2014 - 18:46

          @A3Australia:

          I'm with Boost Mobile, which uses Telstra's 4G network, so fingers crossed, the A1533 will work on it.

        • botftw on 10/07/2014 - 19:38

          @bkiat: Haha thanks for letting me know all the details, I got really excited and was hoping for my package to come on Monday but when I got home I received it!

          Seriously, for an item coming from Hong Kong, this was really fast!

  • chocsyrup on 03/07/2014 - 18:13

    I think Kogan does say it might already be activated (on the listing, something about ensuring it's locked). I have requested one that has not been activated or opened…so fingers crossed :|

    • j1568 on 03/07/2014 - 18:36

      Yup, it's stated in their auction in very small print.

      "All Apple iPhones sold at Kogan are network unlocked. In some cases, iPhones may already be registered with Apple to guarantee your phone is unlocked when you receive it."

      I guess as the source the phones from different places, sometimes they need to unlock it.

  • akd on 07/07/2014 - 22:21

    I also got my phone 5s gold today. It was wrapped with plastic on both sides of phone and box like new . The warranty expiry day is 5 July 2015 instead of 07 July 2015. Otherwise happy with phone.

  • Bobioso on 07/07/2014 - 22:37

    How can you check if the phone is still associated with an Apple ID? They could remotely wipe it if it's still associated with an account. Had nothing but tumble with Kogan and their support.

  • mazda3 on 08/07/2014 - 00:05

    I got mine too today looks ok but apple website says Your product is covered for eligible hardware repairs and service under Apple's Limited Warranty.
    Estimated Expiration Date: June 11, 2015

    Also there is some page left open

  • mikelp on 08/07/2014 - 13:25

    I got mine too.And it looks brand new.Apple Website says it has not been activated.
    But my ipadmini still need to wait.

    • mikelp on 08/07/2014 - 13:28

      And Kogan sent a power adaptor to me so nice.

      • tychiang82 on 09/07/2014 - 19:38

        I know but if u look careful at the output… It's higher than the one that Apple gave…

        Will that pose any problems for the iphone battery long term?

        • A3Australia on 10/07/2014 - 01:24

          I know but if u look careful at the output… It's higher than the one that Apple gave…
          Will that pose any problems for the iphone battery long term?

          It is 2amp - the phone will draw what it needs, no problem.

        • Archi on 10/07/2014 - 09:16

          unless your that girl that got electrocuted while using her mobile and laptop whilst charging.

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/150619

        • A3Australia on 10/07/2014 - 12:39

          @Archi:

          unless your that girl that got electrocuted while using her mobile and laptop whilst charging.

          I don't understand. How are the two connected.

          The Kogan brand AC Charger supplied with the USA market 5s (and I understand also with the 5c from the Asian market) is Safety Certified for Australia.

  • bub181 on 09/07/2014 - 10:24

    Has anyone received an iPhone which they bought last weekend during the $550 deal?

    • bub181 on 09/07/2014 - 10:44

      Also what model of iPhone do you receive from Kogan? Is it the A1533 with the US 4G frequency bands? I had an Australian model A1530 which I sold to buy one from Kogan hoping it is the US A1533 model since I am moving to the US to live and I wanted 4G speeds on T-Mobile over there.

      • mikelp on 09/07/2014 - 15:57

        Yes,A1533 with a Verizon SIM card

        • bub181 on 09/07/2014 - 16:26

          That's great news Mike. Thanks for the info.

        • tychiang82 on 09/07/2014 - 19:37

          Does this phone have any issues? Given its a CDMA phone?

        • A3Australia on 10/07/2014 - 01:26

          @tychiang82:
          Does this phone have any issues? Given its a CDMA phone?

          It is not. Kogan is supplying the 5s A1533 GSM handset.

  • Archi on 10/07/2014 - 08:54

    Received 5S gold from kogan group buy for $549 today

    the box didn't have plastic shrink wrap on it and instead it has got 2 stickers reading "inspected by kogan"

    I ran the support link https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

    and show the warranty expiry to be 12 june 2015 which is 1 month out.

    phone looks new with all the plastic shields on it…

    powered the phone up and it displays the standard hello message in various languages and has about 20% power left on the battery indicator.

    can assume that this phone is new. just activated to unlock by kogan

    • bub181 on 10/07/2014 - 12:02

      Hi Archi,

      Did you also get the A1533 model with a Verizon sim card?

      Bub

      • Archi on 10/07/2014 - 12:07

        i got 2 of these phones from the deal.

        the other one arrived with shrink wrap like it was new …

        and both didn't have a sim card.

  • spy on 12/07/2014 - 00:38

    Error

  • j1568 on 15/07/2014 - 11:54

    Got mine yesterday and it has not been activated yet but it's the A1533 Verizon model.

  • eegos on 15/07/2014 - 21:39

    Got mine today
    Checked through the apple website
    And it said that the warranty until Jan 2015. It means that it has been activated from Jan 2014. Means its a used phone
    Did message them about how new is the phone
    Gonna wait for the result. I think gonna dispute it via Paypal
    How do you think guys?

    • A3Australia on 16/07/2014 - 02:02
      +1

      Got mine today
      Checked through the apple website
      And it said that the warranty until Jan 2015. It means that it has been activated from Jan 2014. Means its a used phone
      Did message them about how new is the phone

      You mean 'how old' is that phone.

      Gonna wait for the result. I think gonna dispute it via Paypal

      Why not ask them to exchange it for a new phone, as the listing stated, not one activated seven months ago.

      • j1568 on 16/07/2014 - 10:13

        A3, did you try asking them to change the A1533 to a A1530 model?

        • VerticallyIntegrated on 16/07/2014 - 16:01

          I received the A1533 and submitted a ticket on Saturday. Prompted them yesterday but still yet to receive a reply.

        • A3Australia on 17/07/2014 - 00:52

          A3, did you try asking them to change the A1533 to a A1530 model?

          Yes. They never reply.

  • VerticallyIntegrated on 17/07/2014 - 22:04

    I received a reply where they asked I go through troubleshooting my 4G 'issue'. Explained again the reason for the ticket and outlined my preferred resolution. Will see what response I get (when I get one)…

    • A3Australia on 18/07/2014 - 01:42

      when I get one

      If you get one.

      • VerticallyIntegrated on 18/07/2014 - 20:57

        I received another reply…..

        As you're the first customer to report this issue we believe there may be an issue with your handset. We'd like to get your headset in for assessment
        and if required repair.

        The Optus link you've provided does indeed state that their 4G Plus service is broadcast over 2300MHz, however this doesn't match up with the
        information Apple provides us.']

        Despite my (clear) description of the issue which links to both Optus and Apple, they seem to suggest it's a technical support problem.

        http://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/4gplus
        https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

        There are also instructions on how to return the unit with a clause suggesting if no fault found I am liable for shipping and technician fees.

        I have again clearly and concisely outlined the compatibility issue, re-quoting Apple's own LTE Support page which lists the band support of each models.

        I have mentioned for the third time my request for resolution as being a swap of models (A1533 to A1530). I have also asked they go beyond the technical support teams for guidance.

        I'm reluctant to ship the phone for 'assessment' until I can confirm the resolution request will be actioned.

        • A3Australia on 19/07/2014 - 01:31

          I received another reply…..
          "As you're the first customer to report this issue"

          Well, we know that is not true.

          Let us know what eventuates.

        • VerticallyIntegrated on 19/07/2014 - 17:05

          @A3Australia:

          Unfortunately we are unable to offer you that exact model, we do not offer customers a choice of specific model from any of our lineups.

          They also quoted the eBay ad stating 2300MHz is not listed, despite the ad also stating 'This device is compatible with Australia's 4G networks'.

          Advised the ad is misleading and at best incorrect.

        • j1568 on 19/07/2014 - 19:39

          @futurenow: you can say to them that their ebay said 2600 is available which is not on the A1533 model.

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Apple-iPhone-5s-16BG-UNLOCKED…?

  • j1568 on 29/07/2014 - 14:48

    Telstra and Optus are extending their 4G using the 700Mhz network. Wonder whether this 700Mhz is the same as the ones that the US iPhone supports. This might make the US iPhone better than getting the Australian version iPhone.

    http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/telstra-and-optus-…

    • j1568 on 29/07/2014 - 15:57

      Looks like different 700Mhz network between Australia and US, so the US iPhone won't benefit with Optus and Telstra 700Mhz network.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join