Should I return my 5?

[anon(4718837)]

I just upgraded from my 4 to the 5 on Dec 9th. I went and got a replacement at the Apple store on the 14th. It came in a white box and when I asked the genius if it was a refurb he said no and assured me it was a brand new phone. The phone looks great. I'm not sure if it really is new or a refurb.

But should I return the phone and go to best buy and get it for 50 bucks cheaper or keep this one? I'm happy with this phone and the only thing that isn't cool is the serial number on the phone and the one on the box no longer match. What if I wanted to sell the phone later down the road. Would it be a big deal if they didn't match?

 

[asuperstarr]

I would keep the phone. When people buy use phones the are buying the phone and not the box

 

[BreakingKayfabe]

If you wanna save $50, go ahead and do it.

 

[Jagss]

If you bought it from the apple store you couldve went in and had it exchanged instead of going to the genius bar. apple gives you 30 days to return or exchange an iphone, i did an exchange for a brand new one right out the box.

 

[anon(4718837)]

Well I just called and talked to a specialist. He said that since I came in and got a replacement I might not even be able to get my money back. I never knew that and they never explained that to me when I got the replacement. The guy on the phone said I would just have to come in and see a genius about the whole situation.

I'm grateful that they gave me a replacement but I slightly feel kinda robbed now since I possibly have a 300 dollar refurb.

 

[anon(4698833)]

Make...up...your...own...mind.

 

[cpc12]

Sean always with the kind words. Keep it. Don't give best buy the business.

 

[9thWonder]

i don't understand. you say you upgraded. That should be a brand new phone. the serials should all match. That right there would have me in the store saying this isn't the phone from the box, fix it.

You keep saying replacement. Did you're 4 get broken and you went in for a replacement? In that case they don't owe you a new phone. But if you went into a store, paid the cost of a brand new phone as part of your 2 year upgrade the phone should be new with a matching box, and you didn't get all that. Personally, i'd go into the store you got it from and sort out what you got. I see in the post above it looks like you went to best buy. I've never bought a phone there so i don't know all they do or how they work but, me i'd never have walked out the door without being sure.

i have no clue if they can do this but maybe you can call your carrier and see if that number phone has been activated before. If it was you'd know it was refurbished. If not you that may mean nothing. Maybe they give it a new serial when it's refurbbed. i don't know. That's the only thoughts i got.

 

[Amy wineBerry]

i don't understand. you say you upgraded. That should be a brand new phone. the serials should all match. That right there would have me in the store saying this isn't the phone from the box, fix it.

You keep saying replacement. Did you're 4 get broken and you went in for a replacement? In that case they don't owe you a new phone. But if you went into a store, paid the cost of a brand new phone as part of your 2 year upgrade the phone should be new with a matching box, and you didn't get all that. Personally, i'd go into the store you got it from and sort out what you got. I see in the post above it looks like you went to best buy. I've never bought a phone there so i don't know all they do or how they work but, me i'd never have walked out the door without being sure.

i have no clue if they can do this but maybe you can call your carrier and see if that number phone has been activated before. If it was you'd know it was refurbished. If not you that may mean nothing. Maybe they give it a new serial when it's refurbbed. i don't know. That's the only thoughts i got.

I think the OP upgraded on Dec 9 by going from the 4 to the 5. On Dec 14, the OP had to get the 5 replaced for whatever reason. The concern is that he may have a refurbished phone. The OP is upset because if the phone was bought from Apple, then the device could have been returned and swapped for a new one. However, instead, the OP went though the Genius Bar. Now, the 5's serial number does not match the one on the box. (I only understand this because I was in a similar position back when the devices first released and my carrier didn't have any more in stock to swap out.)

OP, it's okay that the 5 is a replacement unit. When you go to sell, just explain that you received a new replacement from Apple. You can also disclose that you were told that the phone is new and not a refurb. Try not to let it bother you too badly.

There is nothing you can really do. I had a similar thing happen with me. I wanted to get the 5 back from Apple and just send it back to my old carrier and return to my 4S. (There were issues provisioning any 5 with my profile on the network.) However, the devices are boxes up and shipped out to wherever every night or whatever so I couldn't get it back.

Also, I don't think there is any way you can return the device and get your money back because you don't have the original device.

 

[Garz]

Once you do a warranty swap, your a owner. You must exchange for a retail unit box through retail. Not through the Genius Bar.

 

[Garz]

If you bought it from the apple store you couldve went in and had it exchanged instead of going to the genius bar. apple gives you 30 days to return or exchange an iphone, i did an exchange for a brand new one right out the box.

All carriers are 14 days now.

 

[Amy wineBerry]

All carriers are 14 days now.

But that's if you buy through the carriers. Getting the iPhone directly from Apple (for your carrier) gives you the 30 day return policy.

 

[eve6er69]

Not iPhone wise but carrier wise when I have had to return a damaged phone in the given 14-30 day period they have always given me another brand new in box phone.
May be different with apple but from my understanding that warranty warrants a brand new replacement. After that period it goes to refurbs.


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[Garz]

But that's if you buy through the carriers. Getting the iPhone directly from Apple (for your carrier) gives you the 30 day return policy.

Yes yes your right. I forgot about that.

 

[Garz]

Not iPhone wise but carrier wise when I have had to return a damaged phone in the given 14-30 day period they have always given me another brand new in box phone.
May be different with apple but from my understanding that warranty warrants a brand new replacement. After that period it goes to refurbs.


Sent using Tapatalk

Yes it's new if they went through retail for swap. If you go through Genius Bar, it's a warranty unit. But they went through genius bar. Usually still new but can be refurbed.

 

[anon(3733516)]

Even if you get it at best buy, the sales tax is more than the actual phone.

 

[xlipstickandbruisesx]

Best Buy taxes the full retail so you won't be saving anything.

 

[eve6er69]

Yes it's new if they went through retail for swap. If you go through Genius Bar, it's a warranty unit. But they went through genius bar. Usually still new but can be refurbed.

gotcha. should be a little more clear in return policy since its a different experience than any other smartphone. lol

 

[Garz]

gotcha. should be a little more clear in return policy since its a different experience than any other smartphone. lol

It's going to be the same elsewhere. You swap a BB via warranty dept at Att instead of retail and now you can't return for refund. If somebody is going to do a "warranty exchange", they honestly should ask if they can return a "warranty device" for refund.

 

[RescueEMT911]

Best Buy taxes the full retail so you won't be saving anything.

I am confused, if you purchase an Iphone 5 from Best Buy under a 2 year contract for the $149.00, they actually charge tax on the full retail price of the phone ($649.00)? I am just curious how Best Buy works with the $149.00 2 year contract Iphone 5.