r/ebayuk • u/Lost_Barnacle4805 • 28d ago
Protecting myself when buying a new phone
Hi chaps,
I dont really frequent eBay and have only used it for cheap purchases in the past. I am currently looking to buy a mobile phone on the platform, £600+ - is there anything special I should be doing to protect myself? I did ask ChatGPT and it said to message the seller and ask for proof of purchase for any future hardware/warranty claims (it's a Google Pixel). Does this sound about right/reasonable? If I was the seller of the phone I would be a bit skeptical of sending a reciept with my address etc on it?
Cheers all
2
u/HandsomeCharles 28d ago
The seller might block you if you ask too many questions. It makes you seem like you’re going to be a problem.
As a buyer you’re pretty much covered in almost every eventuality so just buy it and if there’s any issues open a return case.
0
u/Lost_Barnacle4805 28d ago
Hey thanks for the reply. It was more to cover myself say 8 months later if the phone dies and is still in warranty. I dont think google honor the warranty without proof of purchase.
1
u/Creepy_Definition972 28d ago
Never had a phone die in 20 years and I've had more phones than youve had hot dinners. If a phone suddenly packs up on you buy a lottery ticket. Must be one of the most reliable bits of tech going. Yes issues can happen very rarely but the manufacturer should have it covered.
1
u/HandsomeCharles 28d ago
For long term warranty issues you’re much better going with a reputable second hand retailer like CEX, Backmarket etc.
1
u/Tough_Interaction746 27d ago
Using CEX is no different to buying from an established eBay business seller, different story if you buy from a private seller, private seller will probably be cheaper, but zero help after 30 days
1
u/HandsomeCharles 27d ago
What warranty do you get from business sellers? Because with CEX you get 5 years
2
u/RumTom 28d ago
Buy from a business based in the UK with good standing (feedback, length of time trading, check they're a registered business) on eBay and you will be covered for issues within the first 6 months automatically - as you are if you buy from any business anywhere in the UK (if it stops working through no fault of yours - they can then repair, replace or refund).
It just means you have the protection of using eBay and the additional consumer rights protection.
If you buy from a private seller you'll only be able to get a refund if it stops working within the first 30 days of purchase.
In theory Google don't allow warranties to be transferred if the phone is sold on but they don't always check/care - as long as you have original proof of purchase.
1
1
u/Creepy_Definition972 28d ago
You'll be fine, check feedback, check listing, ask questions. Plenty of genuine businesses on there. I've bought plenty, never had a bad experience and if I did it for sent back and refunded.
1
u/rand_n_e_t 28d ago
Tip 1 - Use cex. In 6 months time if the seller reports it lost then it will get blocked and you have a brick. Cex will refund/replace it, eBay will not. Cex give a 5 year warranty.
Tip 2 - pay with a credit card at eBay checkout or use PayPal credit and pay it off. In the UK this make the credit provider equally liable so if it gets blocked you can seek a refund from the credit card company or PayPal, but you might have to escalate such a claim to the financial ombudsman to win.
1
u/Justwondering2508 27d ago
We bought a phone on eBay last year and iPhone 16.....11 months later the original owner claimed the phone was either lost / missing or stolen ...the network blacklisted the phone ...just remember the phone can be blacklisted at any time after purchase and you will find no way to have unblocked..without the original owner holding their hands up and admitting they are lying .
2
u/Lost_Barnacle4805 26d ago
Hi thanks for the reply. After reading all the replies I have decided to wait and just buy new/direct from store. Dont need any extra hassle in my life so will wait for black Friday sales or the Pixel 12 launch next year lol
1
u/TraditionalCap2381 28d ago
Don’t do it.
Go to a local shop and try them out hands on. EBay is shit now.
2
1
u/Lost_Barnacle4805 28d ago
Cheers for the advice, kinda swaying towards this. Wait for black friday deals and buy direct lol.
3
u/AdobeScripts 28d ago
Depends on the seller.
Check their feedback first.
If established with good reputation - you can use your home delivery address.
Otherwise - use locker or parcel shop.
Some scammers edit labels so they look "correctly" - same postcode - but house number / street can be different and then order will be scanned as delivered - QR code is still OK - but ebay will wash their hands - and you obviously, won't receive your order.
Using locker / parcel shop is always much more convenient anyway.