Is My Locally Bought New LG Phone New or Used?

furyou on 06/03/2019 - 00:19

Bought an LG G7 locally. Full AU LG warranty. When I got the box I noticed the sticker seal had 2 layers. As if opened then a new one stuck on top. Shops shouldn't have spare stickers right?

Inside, the phone had 0% battery. I would later find the battery history to show it had been declining from 7 days ago. History doesn't show further back. Total usage 160hr. I guess this only shows the last time since it was factory reset?

In the box, I noticed the power adapter legs had fingerprints on the metal.
The G7 back looked like it had a slight gap for the back cover. Not sure if it's abnormal, but the top had a bit of dust trapped.

Otherwise looked new.

—

When turned on, it asked language like the usual android 1st setup? Didn't see anything unusual.
Set up as normal.

When turned on saw the software needed a Aug 2018 update. And a Sep update.

Plugged the imei

Manufacture date: June 09, 2018
Shipped from factory: June 23, 2018

So likely the phone's been sitting in the shop for 8mth, opened last week. Somehow turned on and returned to box, and battery slowly drained.

What are your thoughts? Is it a display unit? A refurb?

Tried the ##786# trick, doesn't work.
Looked for hidden RTN menu by nova launcher, couldn't find it.

Mobile LG Mobile Phone Android

Comments

  • p1 ama on 06/03/2019 - 00:30

    It depends on your definition of "new", it's almost definitely not new and sealed from the manufacturer, but it is new in the sense that it has never been sold to someone else before.

  • JimmyF on 06/03/2019 - 08:16
    +1

    So likely the phone's been sitting in the shop for 8mth, opened last week

    Stock sitting on a shelf for months is nothing new. Plus it might have been shipped via sea, so that ads a bit of time.

    Its also common for smaller stores to open and 'test' the units before selling to stop DOA units.

    Otherwise looked new.

    If you're happy with its cond and you get the full warranty period, then don't worry about it and move on, enjoy the phone!

    • Ozai on 06/03/2019 - 21:34

      I think its a bit sus if seals are broken.

      I personally would check with store to see what is going on for peace of mind!

      • furyou on 11/03/2019 - 11:48

        Wow, how many stores only sell samsung + iphone!
        Only found 1 G7. The edge wasn't completely flush, but not as much gap as mine. Within error? We'll wait an see.
        Mine can fit a thin business card in the gap.

  • altomic on 06/03/2019 - 09:39

    You've turn it on. It's now used.

    • furyou on 06/03/2019 - 15:41

      You're verry eloquent. I'd like to sell you all my used gear.

      • Ozai on 06/03/2019 - 21:31

        They are altomic not verry eloquent.

  • Cheeper on 06/03/2019 - 10:26

    Certainly seems odd. Have you spoken to the retailer about it?
    You paid for a "new" phone so that is what you should have received.
    If it is a refurbished or ex display version then that should have been disclosed and the price reduced accordingly.

    "Total usage 160hr." Isn't that the total screen on time?

    • furyou on 06/03/2019 - 14:09

      160hr ~ 7 days. I assume it was turned on 7 days ago for whatever reason before shipping to me.

      • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 14:52

        Retailers often test devices before sending out just to cut down on DOA and returns. Was that date before or after you ordered the unit?

        • furyou on 06/03/2019 - 15:27

          I ordered on the weekend. So it would be 2 days before I got it. They sent on Mon.
          The 7 days ago would be last Wed at 50% battery, but I don't know if that's just the graph cutoff or what.

          • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 15:41

            @furyou: Huh, the plot thickens. Because yeah that is weird then. I can't imagine a retailer just periodically checking stocked items for no reason even before an order comes in. Possibly could've been someone else who ordered - they checked - and the order was cancelled? But that's… a lesser possibility.

            • furyou on 06/03/2019 - 15:44

              @HighAndDry: Maybe they checked all stocks in preparation for a sale. Just before Mar 1

              • HighAndDry on 06/03/2019 - 15:45

                @furyou: Oh there was a sale? That actually makes more sense then - especially if they were expecting high demand, makes sense to check in advance, otherwise they'd be slow in sending out units.

                • furyou on 06/03/2019 - 15:50
                  +1

                  @HighAndDry: Now I just gotta compare the gap and see it's normal, before dunking it in the water I guess.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join