Develop Bugs

Are there any refurbished HTC desire sold as new ??

Hi,
I am currently travelling at Hongkong, here in Mongkok district of Hongkong, there are hundreds of shops selling mobile phones at 'quite cheap' prices.
I just bought a HTC desire, it was sealed with plastic, and the storekeeper said that it was a HTC desire with HK warranty. For HKD 4100.
I wanted to buy 2 units, one for my sister. But the store only has 1. So I went to a store next door, and the storekeeper said what I just bought must have been a 'refurbished' one. He said the normal price in HK should be around HKD4250 - HKD4300.
Question is, Are there really any method to check whether this new phone I just bought isn't a refurbished one? or a second hand sold as a new unit ? seeing me as a foreigner, they would think I am easier to trick.
Blackberry units, at least, has its own call/data meter, which is unresettable, so I could easily know whether the unit was new or not..

here is the photo of the phone in the store
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if you take the back cover off there are two screws at the top right and bottom right that should have "Void" stickers on... not sure if there is anything else you can check, software is guarenteed to be reset, maybe check for signs of wear on the screws while your there..

from what I heard, the store would go as far as replacing a new outer case for it.
I didn't see any signs of wear on the screws though...
Are there really no method by software to know whether this phone has ever been used before (call/data) ?

if there is no way of telling, whats that point in finding out?

Syn3rgetic said:
if there is no way of telling, whats that point in finding out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because there is no way of telling just by looking from the cases and screws, now I am asking whether there are methods to find out by software/system ? something like a call/data meter which is un-reset-able. are there any?

I have been in Hong Kong last week myself and bought my Desire there.
The best price that was offered to me was at Tsim Sha Tsui at a shop right opposite of the mosque in a corner store on Nathan street. They asked for 3500 HK$ and I could bargain them down to 3100. After I agreed they told me they would need to unlock the phone and I should not make any updates afterwards. I did not like that and got my money back right away. They explained to me that these cheap offers are imports from the US. They need to unlock them since they are branded, that is why they are that cheap.
For 4100 you should get a regular unbranded and unlocked phone.
If you're unsure, as was I, go to Fortress - they might be a bit more expensive (I paid 4450 HK$) but you get a proper guarantee plus an 8 GB memory card add-on and they put on a display protection right in the store. Not to forget the good feeling about having avoided to be fooled ... ;-)

One thing that just popped up in my mind:
Why don't you just call HTC support and ask them? I called them course I had some questions and they registered me as a customer. They would immediately be able to tell where the phone comes from and how old it is - or if the IMEI is a fake. You could even tell them a fa- ehm I mean they do not check if your name is really your name...

Big problems with HTC warranty return

Here is what my Desire is doing:
It's under warranty, so I contacted HTC Tuesday. They recommended sending it in. They filled out the 'tick sheet' wrong, their error. I need it corrected to continue. Five phone calls and 15 emails later, I now have the correct paperwork, but they are refusing to cover shipping to their repair center. They blame UPS for not operating here in Jersey. That's between UPS and HTC. My contract is with HTC, I'm holding them responsible.
The warranty (Section 9c, yeah, I save and read everthing) agrees they will cover it. I can use Royal Mail, obviously. Getting the device in for repair is not the issue.
Has anyone had problems with HTC in getting your device repaired?
What did you do to resolve it?
I like the Desire, and I'll probably buy another HTC in the future. I have 4 from them so far, but this is my first problem and it's not going very well.

You should inform HTC that they have a responsibility for shipping regardless of who operates in a particular country. Other than that, if it's still in warranty you can take it back to where you purchased it from (or notify your mobile network of the fault). They hold ultimate legal responsibility for getting a repair (unless you waived them when you signed a contract). I remember when Amazon insisted that I use my warranty with the manufacturer (who also wasn't willing to pay for shipping) and then sent Amazon, that as a seller, my contract of exchange was with them and that they should provide a replacement. In the end, they didn't want the faulty item back and just sent me a new one.

Good point kabads,
I've sent the seller (Amazon) an email asking them to handle this from here. I found this gem on an OFT website
"The trader must sort out your problem, not the manufacturer
Remember, if you are entitled to a refund, replacement, repair or compensation, it is the trader who must sort out your problem. The trader cannot tell you to go back to the manufacturer or to claim through a guarantee or warranty."
It seems that HTC is the logical choice to handle this, but they are dragging their feet. The warranty people can't fix a mistake on the returns form once they email it. They supposedly 'escalated' the issue after email number 16 and agreed to arrange a courier to pick up. Now, no response for 2 days. I'm done babysitting them and forcing each step of the process. I think they are used to doing this and having a certain percentage of people give up and go away.
** BOOM, Update!
Amazon has already written back while I was typing this post. Full refund, no problem. Contrast this with HTC's shambolic response this far. I'll order a replacement and I'm done with these morons.
Now I have the problem of choosing a replacement. Do I gamble on HTC again, or go with a competitor? I guess it doesn't matter much so long as I order from Amazon again.

I know its odd, but I would still get a HTC, it is really bad customer service true, but the phones are really good. Just use Amazon to return the phone, I think having a broken desire is a bit of bad luck to have to return it.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

I would go for a nexus s, I would love direct google love and the specs are very good. I dont know how long u could wait, but the dual core phones are just around corner, thats the way to go in my opinion.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Yep dual cores are nearly here although HTC wont be getting them until toward the end if the year supposedly. But on the other hand I probably wouldn't be able to go without a phone for long so I'd get either another HTC or maybe a nexus s because of the higher spec, glad you got your refund some companies are really stubbern GO AMAZON !
Sent from my HTC Desire

MFW dealing with HTC:
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-vs-
MFW dealing with Amazon:
But seriously folks, I'm back using my trusty G1. I'll definitely order the next one from Amazon. They don't have the Nexus S, or I'd order one today. They no longer have the original Desire in AMOLED, like the one I'm returning. Amazon's selection of Android phones is fewer than usual right now for some reason. Maybe newer ones are coming soon. Looks like it's wait and see for now.

They have the Desire S, might be worth a look
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HTC-Desire-Free-Mobile-Phone/dp/B004NNU9YM
And Nexus One is there, just not direct from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GOOGLE-Nexus-One/dp/B00332YPHQ

[Q] Unique Problem With SGH-T989 Galaxy S II! Need Expert Advice!

I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S II T989 off of craigslist. It was described as Brand New, and came with box and all original accessories, etc. Still had screen protectors and everything on it, so i assumed i would have no problems. I am using AT&T and wanting to unlock it so that i wouldn't have to switch carriers. I paid a pretty reputable website 25$ for the unlock code, which i received and entered as directed.
I attempted to enter my SIM and i get an invalid SIM message. I called Samsung to figure it out and they had me send them the phone. They received it and inspected it to ensure nothing was wrong. They then tested the IMEI which came back as a black-listed phone, but would not disclose the reason.
So t-mobile will offer me no help what so ever, nor will samsung. I try calling the *#7465625# number to test if the phone is unlocked, but i get an error message stating "The process com.android.phone has stopped unexpectedly" and i have only one option which is force quit. I used the factory reset option a couple times to see if this helped at all, and got nothing.
I only have experience with iphones, so i really know nothing about the android OS. I've heard a lot about "rooting" and such for the unlock but it's like a whole different language for me. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. This phone has just been sitting in my drawer for the past month because i have absolutely no idea what to do.

Sounds to me like you may have bought a phone that someone perhaps filled an insurance claim on. I know I had a phone taken once and filed a claim on it and got a new one, eventually got the old one back and when a friend took it in it was taken on the spot. This may or may not be the case.

Yup sounds like someone bought a phone, Reported it lost,Kept the replacement, and sold you the stolen one. The same thing happened to me about a year ago with a HTC G2 from craigslist. You could try rooting (really not as scary as it seems) putting a new ROM then try to unlock again
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

That is what i'm assuming the case is. I've heard of friends and such running into the problem, but never thought i would fall victim to it.
Do you know where i might be able to find a rooting guide for a complete noob like myself? Step by step in depth kind of stuff? Would the fact that the phone is blacklisted cause me to get the error i'm getting whenever i try to test the unlock? Is it possible to unlock the phone for another GSM carrier even though it is blacklisted with t-mobile.

Explore all the options of getting your money back. If no good, you can always try to get someone to chqnge the imei for you, beware tho, its same illegal as changing vin plate on a car. Theoretically noone will help you, but practically, there are plenty shops selling nintendo cardridges with 100 original games in one...
Sent from my ST18i using XDA

You cannot ask on here how to fix this problem. It is against the rules, and illegal. This thread will be closed.. Just saying.
Ebay it with bad efs in the title, sell for parts, will probably get a coupe hundred for it. Don't buy a phone off frauds list unless you meet them at the retail store and have the number ran. At least then if they report it stolen you have some record of the transaction and may be able to get it UN black listed. Crappy situation that is for sure.
Sent from my SGH-T989D using xda premium

As stated, the course of action you were proposing is illegal and therefore discussing it on the forum will not be tolerated.
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[Q] IMEI lost after update to 4.2.2

hello,
there is a problem being reported in lately by Grand users which is losing the IMEI of their device after updating to 4.2.2. Other users reported that they lost the ability to call although there is network coverage after having a 94 mb update.
How to solve it?

pic
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Unfortunately I've got the same problem
And also my friend, the problem is very widespread in Syria: (

I am in Syria facing the same problem, and unfortunately all my attempted to solve it failed until now. Tomorrow I will take the phone to repair center

same problem here in egypt after installing OTA update have 2 devices with the same problem
my devices were bought from saudia arabia

iI took the mobile to repair center today. They directly know the problem, said it need 2 days and cost 8000SYP (150SYP=1$ today)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

developers!!!!!!!!!
hi
can any developer tell us what to do? is there any way to repair the device?

This is what might have happened to me too. But since I didn't check my imei before update I cannot be 100 percent sure. Besides my phone is country locked. Will not work outside middle east.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

It's happened to me too,
You need Box to repair it,
Cost me 4000 SP and 2 hours to repair.
.

please LoRd4LoL explain more. what is the Box, how to get it, and how to repair
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Salehd1979 said:
please LoRd4LoL explain more. what is the Box, how to get it, and how to repair
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really I don't know what it is exactly, he told me he will use "Box" and it's hardware tool so i Google it and I guess it's something like this :"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0NVnaWTVK0" please if someone know more tell us
I have more info about software, So I tried to backup EFS "before give up and send it to him" from my Grand and restore it at my friend Grand "the broken one" by this way i clone all MAC addressees and IMEI to the broken Grand but it didn't work, all I have that I cloned everything except IMEI still 000000000, Don't try it coz it's not working in our situation .
So I gave it to him and he repair it in 2 hours
If you need his location PM me.
Good lock.

Today the samsung repaire center (Mobinet) called me, I have another problem in the mobile the usb port is falty, the repaire center said they do not have usb port as spare part so they can not fixed the mobile. they ask me to get it back. so i took it back
However, I asked another shop if he can repaire it (the shop name is class1) and he said he can do it. so I took the mobile to him. He said for imei it cost 2000 SYP and for the usb port he need to check it
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Salehd1979 said:
Today the samsung repaire center (Mobinet) called me, I have another problem in the mobile the usb port is falty, the repaire center said they do not have usb port as spare part so they can not fixed the mobile. they ask me to get it back. so i took it back
However, I asked another shop if he can repaire it (the shop name is class1) and he said he can do it. so I took the mobile to him. He said for imei it cost 2000 SYP and for the usb port he need to check it
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the same problem and install android 4.1.2 the IEMI come back and i install new update for android 4.2.2 for other country version and the mobile come back

I get the mobile back. it cost me 3500SYP to repair the imei and change usb port
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

My new *safe* note 7 has a bad IMEI

EDIT: See post #5. Samsung has multiple IMEI checkers for different countries, my google search led me to the wrong one.
Original Post starts here:
So I have a brand new, Verizon note 7, box has the black square, green battery icon.
After the reports this weekend, I thought "eh, I'll check". Using Samsung's IMEI check, it returns a message
Hold your horses.
It's either that the IMEI you entered is incorrect or device you are using might not be safe to use. If the latter is true and the device you have was obtained thru our Voluntary Replacement Program, power down your device and contact our Customer Service hotline at +63(2)422-2111 so we can sort things out as soon as possible.
If you have not yet availed of our Voluntary Replacement Program, we advise you to IMMEDIATELY POWER DOWN your Note7 device and get in touch with the entity from which you have obtained it so you could be assisted in getting a replacement unit or a different unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, that's not good. I guess I'm exchanging it later today for an S7 Edge now.
(Curiously, when I called Samsung just now they said it wasn't on the list of recalled phones, and that mine was safe to use... so left hand not knowing what the right is doing?)

I would trust the green battery icon and black square over the imei checker.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just goes to show how screwed Samsung has things when it comes to instilling trust with their customers when it matters most.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

The imei checker actually allows for an option that you DO have an exchanged Note yet it is still a bad one? What if this is a new feature that indicates there will be another, limited recall?

update, turns out I may have used the wrong IMEI checker. the one I used was the first hit in google for my search:
http://www.samsung.com/ph/note7imeichecker/ and I read "/ph" as "phone".
The checker at http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ one says that my phone is safe.
So...strange. If I were in the Philippines this phone is bad, in the US it's safe?

notefreak said:
The imei checker actually allows for an option that you DO have an exchanged Note yet it is still a bad one? What if this is a new feature that indicates there will be another, limited recall?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol! So it does. Just tried mine for a laugh.
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Sent from my SM-N930W8 using Tapatalk

Maybe you got that error then because it's checking for a IMEI code that's linked with the Philippines but you're putting in a code that is for USA models and therefore is coming back as an incorrect IMEI hence the error message "It's either that the IMEI you entered is incorrect...". So most likely just that and not a screw up with the checker lol.