Hello, I've just bought 3x pretty expensive Samsung Phones - for myself and my family, it'll be one week today.
I'm planning on taking them back though as I called the Samsung - and they told me how to check the actual Manufacture Date. It turns out these 'brand new' phones were actually made way back at the start of April?
PLEASE don't post any 'snarky/joke' comments/posts - it just dilutes and reduces the number of actually useful replies you receive.
I'm genuinely trying to solve a problem here - not just talking about something meaningless.
For those who think this is a joke - the only reason we stopped using the last 3x phones I had bought the family - was because the software updates ran out.
All of a sudden all the apps started saying - 'you're X is too old - see you later'.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the phones in general - and just because of the lack of updates - we lost probably at least another 1-3 or more years we could have gotten out of the phones because we took extra care with them. And it was likely really only due to the phone companies wanting you to buy new phones - it wasn't a security/functionality thing. We only used basic apps and regular internet browsing. Everything worked just fine.
These were Samsung Galaxy S5's.
Now you might say - 'dude, that's ancient'… and if you're a fanboy or materialist who needs the latest phone every 6 months - then yeah it is!
However, when I looked into it - I had seen articles solely about how Samsung had shot themselves in the foot because they'd made such a useful/robust affordable phone with 'too much' longevity for a company who relies on making you buy more stuff every year or two.
That's the only reason it was killed off.
I don't have a monthly phone cap, I don't buy a new phone every few years - not everyone has cash to burn.
So they've been sitting in a warehouse somewhere with their batteries slowly draining bit by bit.
Also, it might not be stored properly, might be too hot or too humid etc… who knows.
It might have an older Hardware and/or Sofware version than one that was manufactured Today?
I'm concerned about that as you want the newest phone you can get.
More to the point, I've heard Samsung have said something to the effect of - they guarantee 4 (?) major updates in the life of the product.
Now if you buy a phone that was made today - you'll get 4 updates… but if I buy a phone that was made 7-8 months ago - that might require 1-2 major updates just to catch up to the phone that was made today. So does that mean I'll only have 2 major updates left for the life of my phone (compared to you with 4 left?)
Some of you might think that's not how it works - but no one really knows do they?
Even if the software thing wasn't a concern - it still seems super dodgy/fraudulent to give you such an old 'new' phone'!
Anyone got any advice on my rights here?
If they only have old phones - I might just want a full refund - then try to find somewhere else that has much newer ones….
But can I say that I have that right legally as it was kind of sold under false pretences (not exactly as advertised)?
I don't think the average person would expect a brand new phone to be 7-8 months old already!
Because I bought it at Harvey Norman, I feel like I have to swap them over on the spot with them as they might try to make it impossible to get a refund.
They might make it impossible to swap them over on the spot too… but those are the only two options i'll accept.
There is no way I am sending in a brand new phone less than a week old - could take 1-2 months if you're unlucky.
Now when I go back to the store where I bought it - is there any way that Harvey Norman, or Samsung chat support or someone at a Samsung Store (asked over the phone while I'm at Harvey Norman) can do to tell me the manufacture date of a new phone still in the box at the store? That way I can at least see what I'm getting?
Maybe they can do it from the serial/imei and other numbers printed on the box, or via info from the Store Computer system, or maybe they can contact Samsung or someone else?
The only other thing I can think of - is maybe they can check the Store computer and tell give me the newest stock they received and tell me that date?
If I get someone helpful - maybe they could do that, but if I get someone unhelpful they'll probably just lie and say they can't tell?
My dad suggested that maybe Australia gets lumped with all the old unsold stock from overseas…. he could be right?
We do have a tendency to get screwed over when it comes to retail.
BTW - is this a common issue with many other tech, computer, home appliances type items?
And how do you check other things/brands in advance or while at point of purchase to avoid this kind of ripoff?
Thank you for your help
You dont deserve the phone.