HN Vodafone Nokia 735 Deal: HN Removing SIM Packs from Packages and Reselling Them

easternculture on 24/12/2014 - 10:57
Last edited 24/12/2014 - 11:37

After i received my Nokia 735 yesterday, i noticed that the outer shrink wrap has been torn halfway and Sim pack taken out.

On examination, the package has a sticker on it saying

$30 PRE 4G VOICE NANO SIM

with the IMEI number on the phone on the outer sticker (applied by Voda)

Guy from Auburn HN Store called me and didn't deny removing the SIM packs.

So anyways, ive reported them to ACCC for misleading conduct and the police for theft. I encourage you all do the same for those who didn't receive the SIM pack.

I have kept my package intact for evidence.

Police Hotline to report crimes of theft - 131 444

ACCC complaint form - Recommended you take pics of the package if still intact and attach to complaint form

Earlier this year they already got fined $125000. I don't think they learned their lesson yet. I reckon they should get fined again

Mobile Mobile Phone Nokia Windows Phone

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Harvey Norman

Comments

  • Unorthodox on 24/12/2014 - 11:06
    +1

    The guy called you? Why would be do that? To brag?

    Complete idiot…

    • easternculture on 24/12/2014 - 11:11

      nope. After i had a live chat with HN, they said that the store would call me

      • Unorthodox on 24/12/2014 - 11:16
        +1

        Oh right right

        That makes more sense

  • No on 24/12/2014 - 11:23

    Out of curiosity what did the police say? It doesn't sound like something they would deal with at all.

  • daver on 24/12/2014 - 11:56

    Petty crims and common theft. I won't allow myself to shop there either.

  • nahi11 on 24/12/2014 - 12:27

    Best to contact Vodafone?
    I don't think they'd very happy at all.

    • easternculture on 24/12/2014 - 12:38
      +1

      Ive put in a request online to speak to the regional Manager

  • daver on 24/12/2014 - 13:03

    Further stock allocations to Auburn should be stopped and you a compensatory pack for diligent effort; at the least. Depending who it is. Would be pretty disappointing.

  • Unorthodox on 24/12/2014 - 13:08

    Have you contacted the store's manager? Or even head office?

    Geez… Did you notice him cut it open himself or see him take it to the back?

    If they had opened ALL of them beforehand… There's no way to hide that

  • Food on 24/12/2014 - 17:43
    +1

    Hmm this is interesting, keep us updated OP!

    Edit: For images sake, here is the phone with sim (not my image, from RobertM on the deal thread)

  • mskeggs on 24/12/2014 - 20:09
    +7

    Pretty dodgy, but I don't see the point in wasting police time over this.
    HN head office and Voda should handle it.

    • easternculture on 24/12/2014 - 21:35

      Its called theft and should be reported to authorities

      • isthisreally_me on 26/12/2014 - 10:36
        +7

        PEOPLE SHOULD NOT REPORT THE MISSING SIM TO THE POLICE.
        THE POLICE HAVE REAL CRIMES TO DEAL WITH, THAT THEIR TIME IS BETTER SPENT ON.
        NOT DEALING WITH SILLY REPORTS LIKE THIS WHERE POSTER HAS A GRIPE WITH THIS STORE.

        If anyone buys this and is unhappy the sim is missing and its stated on the box as being included, take it back to the store for a refund or ask for a discount equivalent to the sim cost and that should be it.

        • easternculture on 26/12/2014 - 14:23
          -4

          The way that these bundles are packed, is that they associate the SIM card number to the IMEI number of the phone.

          SO if the SIM goes in the wrong hands and god forbid something bad happens, they will track down the SIM via the IMEI number on the network

          Long story cut short, it may end up a big headache for you trying to explain that you never owned the SIM and trying to prove that HN took it out.

        • expertreader on 26/12/2014 - 19:16

          @easternculture: he will not get his name attached to the sim until he calls up and activates the sim. People sell sim on eBay all the time.

      • Almost Banned on 26/12/2014 - 11:35
        +4

        While I agree that it is not likely to be considered 'serious' and the police probably won't do anything about it, I do not agree that it should not be reported.
        It is theft, like EC said, at that is why the police exist.
        If you got burgled but they only took $20 would you say 'well, I won't bother reporting it because the cops have rapes and murders to deal with'?
        Of course not.
        Besides, there is no way that HN should be allowed to get away with this.
        Good for you EC.

  • iridiumstem on 24/12/2014 - 20:11

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsMKypvmB0

    I think I am witnessing the new low. Wow.

  • MrFunSocks on 24/12/2014 - 20:59

    I didn't receive the Vodafone sim with mine either, but since I would have thrown it out anyway it doesn't bother me. They saved me the effort of putting it in the bin, and I got the phone for $100 cheaper than the non-Vodafone model, so can't complain.

    • easternculture on 24/12/2014 - 22:05

      Look at how many orders came out of the store X $30 Sim packs = > $500

        • TtiGeR on 26/12/2014 - 01:42

          That sounds unreasonable. So everyone can go to the HN store and "steal" $499 of products without being charged by NSW Police since each individual theft is not over $500?

        • Almost Banned on 26/12/2014 - 11:37

          @TtiGeR: I think that's what we should all do - if only I lived in NSW.

  • Tech5 on 26/12/2014 - 00:10

    My experiences with ACCC have been good so far. Where they can't help, they escalate the case to the CTTT

      • Tech5 on 26/12/2014 - 11:12

        I checked my facts by underdoing that process. Best way to do so. When they escalate, what they do is send your case to the CTTT.

        I'm not sure what the facts are, but that is what happened to me 6 months ago.

        • Tech5 on 26/12/2014 - 11:42

          @ricomambo:

          Ahh okay, I see what you mean about the recommendation.

  • Cave Fire on 26/12/2014 - 10:26
    +1

    Pretty sure this falls under the legal principle of Invitation to treat. Having the product with it's sticker displayed, is an invitation for treat, the business can withdraw or edit their offer at any time. It could also be a stock issue, where they decided to make the prepaid bundles and then use this stock for the new deal without the sims. If someone is actually stealing the sims, then this is another matter.

  • BuuBox on 26/12/2014 - 10:32

    Was it advertised as including the Vodafone Starter Pack?

  • crysomemore on 26/12/2014 - 11:30

    Its likely it was a bundle that is no longer sold as a bundle, so separated to be sold as an individual phone. Not illegal, and not uncommon.

  • eneloop on 26/12/2014 - 16:48

    I think I may have to pay the Auburn store manager a visit

  • langitbiru on 26/12/2014 - 22:03
    +1

    the best thing you should do.. Complain it on their Facebook… gather people and spit all the bad things on their Facebook, stated clearly which branch… and show it all to the public, this will make them afraid… the more omplain on the same thing, the better it is, and the further they get afraid, attention it to HN head office via Facebook.

    Let the head office of HN know as well.. this way, the branch manager where you purchased will get pressure from this. and they will set you up ASAP…

  • sydneyunlocking on 28/12/2014 - 23:21

    @easternculture

    Was the product advertised as containing a $30 sim card pack?

    If not, what is the problem?

    It is likely that it used to contain a SIM card pack, and then Harvey Norman decided to reduce the price of the phone and take away the SIM card pack.

    If it was advertised (catalog, website etc) as containing a SIM card pack and if its not included, take it back for a full refund. It it was not advertised as containing a SIM card, you are clutching at straws.

    Harvey Norman have the best price in the Australian market on the Lumia 735. Surely you can get over an old sticker on the pack?

    • Ughhh on 31/12/2014 - 11:19
      +1

      No updates from EC, he's not deliberately avoiding the question right?

      • easternculture on 31/12/2014 - 12:08

        got a call from them today. Lets see what the outcome is

        • Ughhh on 31/12/2014 - 12:32

          You still haven't answered the question

          Was the product advertised as containing a $30 sim card pack?

        • easternculture on 31/12/2014 - 12:35

          @JLove:

          All the VF 735 stock come with a $30 SIM card based on product code HNOK735GVF when discussing this with store manager this morning

        • lgacb08 on 01/01/2015 - 11:56
          -2

          @easternculture: yeah, but HN advertised this on sale they did not mention anything about the sim pack. It's like when you buy a Canon L lens from digiDirect and found out they sold you the one in the white box, would you go to the police and report them stealing your 5DMkIII or 6D and sell them separately?

        • easternculture on 01/01/2015 - 16:09

          @lgacb08:

          As i said, after D/W the store manager, they should come with the $30 sim card. This is how they are packaged by Voda

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