Database Users

How can I tell if a vibrant is refurbished?

I had to get my vibrant replaced (which is another awful, long story) and my new Vibrant is arriving soon. I have a feeling it's going to be refurbished. How can I tell?

jamesey10 said:
I had to get my vibrant replaced (which is another awful, long story) and my new Vibrant is arriving soon. I have a feeling it's going to be refurbished. How can I tell?
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Its going to be refurbished

Probably a refurb. Have you been reading the forums? Plenty of people getting swaps for no reason..
Sent from my SGH-T959

Aren't sellers normally required to identify a refurb? Look for a sticker when you open up the back.

The box
usually they come in a different non printed box. And, the yare supposed to disclose if the unit is refrub look inside behind the battery... etc
Also look at the terms of your replacement insurance in the contract. It usually will have some disclosure LIKE: we will replace with like kind new or equal.... or something like that That is contract-eeze for Refrub

They all come in a white box. That doesn't mean it's a refurbished phone or not. The stickers are usually slightly different too.

jamesey10 said:
I had to get my vibrant replaced (which is another awful, long story) and my new Vibrant is arriving soon. I have a feeling it's going to be refurbished. How can I tell?
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it will be a refurb unless you are within your 14days.

jamesey10 said:
I had to get my vibrant replaced (which is another awful, long story) and my new Vibrant is arriving soon. I have a feeling it's going to be refurbished. How can I tell?
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A buddy of mine is also waiting on a replacement phone. They told him it was on back order and would not be able to give him a ship date. Did they tell you the same thing?

cubanito1967 said:
A buddy of mine is also waiting on a replacement phone. They told him it was on back order and would not be able to give him a ship date. Did they tell you the same thing?
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yeah. i ordered a replacement on oct 12. The latest info i have from tmobile is that it will arrive on oct 25

why wouldn't it be a refurb?
refurbs have a bad rap

mr2t32 said:
it will be a refurb unless you are within your 14days.
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Thats not totally true. This phone is constantly backordered so they have no choice but to send out new phones in those situations. Maybe its diff fot tmobile.
If anything happened and I wanted a new phone i'd just report it lost and get one from asurion. I got two mew ones in a row from them.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

refurbs are fun! if you replace your phone alot, on the 3rd time, you are eligible for a different phone. my HD2 was borked as bawls. got it replaced with refurbs, which still didn't fix anything, and now I have my shiny new vibrant having phone insurance is great
EDIT: i had my vibrant replaced already and it was a refurb, but still works just fine

i have a replacement, and i dont care if its refurb. or not. fact is it works better then 1st one i had, and as long as its a samoled screen and all specs work what difference does it make? besides once its rooted with one click lag fix the phone is blazingly fast

I got my replaced and now its still perfect after 1 month.

Getting a refurb is bad for factory warranty purposes. That is why lots of people don't like them. Manufacturers track manufacture dates by IMEI, so you can't lie to them. Buying a phone now and getting a refurb from July is bad.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Get N4 from RMA stock.

So from what I understand Google has a stash of N4s set aside for RMA purposes, what if I was to RMA my current N4, but not actually return it. I know they will just charge me for a new one if I don't return the current one, but is that all, i.e. no black listing the IMEI #.

jakejm79 said:
So from what I understand Google has a stash of N4s set aside for RMA purposes, what if I was to RMA my current N4, but not actually return it. I know they will just charge me for a new one if I don't return the current one, but is that all, i.e. no black listing the IMEI #.
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Lol, people are even waiting on their RMA's that have legitimate reasons.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

True, but least then I don't have to watch the play store.

Lol I still have my RMA N4 sealed up and ready to go back on Monday.

Hi, I'm k0nane. You might know me as k0nane.
Don't be a douche, and don't be an idiot. If you tried that, you'd be screwing over those waiting for legitimate RMAs, and would likely get charged LG's sticker price, which is higher than Google sells it for (as evidence by prices in UK retailers). Wait in line like everyone else.

k0nane said:
Hi, I'm k0nane. You might know me as k0nane.
Don't be a douche, and don't be an idiot. If you tried that, you'd be screwing over those waiting for legitimate RMAs, and would likely get charged LG's sticker price, which is higher than Google sells it for (as evidence by prices in UK retailers). Wait in line like everyone else.
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No he wouldn't. Google places a $349 (for the 16gb) authorization hold on your account until they get the replacement back. I know this because I still have the auth hold on my account, my replacement arrived on Friday and the RMA is sealed and waiting to get sent back on Monday.

Friend of mine offered me 300 for my Nexus 4 that I am sending back due to dirt stuck under the screen. I plainly told him no. I am sending it back first thing Monday morning when my RMA replacement arrives.
I don't feel like jerking Google around.

I'm screwing no one, google screwed me when they only managed to process one of the many units I tried to order on launch day, had they processed what I wanted I wouldn't be doing this.

jakejm79 said:
I'm screwing no one, google screwed me when they only managed to process one of the many units I tried to order on launch day, had they processed what I wanted I wouldn't be doing this.
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You should be lucky that you even received one of your orders. A bunch of users on here still don't have their Nexus 4's. We should be thankful for what we have.

FatalityBoyZahy said:
You should be lucky that you even received one of your orders. A bunch of users on here still don't have their Nexus 4's. We should be thankful for what we have.
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I was, on Thursday

RMA

I got my 6p replaced. How can I tell if it's a new device or a used device. It came in packaging just like a new device. I've never got a replacement Fromm Google before so I'm not sure what their protocol is for packaging a used or refurbished device. Thanks to anyone who may help

Since the 6P is basically brand new to market, I would image the RMA phones are brand new phones, not refurbs.
treIII said:
I got my 6p replaced. How can I tell if it's a new device or a used device. It came in packaging just like a new device. I've never got a replacement Fromm Google before so I'm not sure what their protocol is for packaging a used or refurbished device. Thanks to anyone who may help
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ripv2 said:
Since the 6P is basically brand new to market, I would image the RMA phones are brand new phones, not refurbs.
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But how would I know? I want to know for sure. But thanks.

I guess by simply asking support directly, they would tell you whether they are brand new phones or refurbs. Other than doing that, I don't specifically know.
treIII said:
But how would I know? I want to know for sure. But thanks.
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ripv2 said:
I guess by simply asking support directly, they would tell you whether they are brand new phones or refurbs. Other than doing that, I don't specifically know.
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I asked before they sent the phone. They said it would be a refurbished. But it came in new packaging that's what is puzzling me. So if someone had replaced their 6p I thought maybe they'd be able to chime in. Thanks

Out of curiosity what made you RMA the phone to begin with?

Unfortunately, it is most likely refurbished, especially because they actually told you that!
They are cleaned, fixed and repackaged to look like new but I'm sure they are not. The RMAs seem to ship from a different location (my new phone shipped from Mira Loma, CA very close to where I live but my two RMAs shipped from Illinois). I received 2 replacements, the original had a yellow screen (but I wish I'd just kept it), first RMA device I got actually had a fingerprint on the screen and a scratch on the bezel and the radio was all jacked up (couldn't make calls). The second RMA was much better but still not perfect (has a scratch or abraision on the glass/plastic surround between the metal body and the display). I ended up keeping the second one and just using a case with it.
Sort of pisses me off that they would send a defective device to begin with then replace with a refurb. Didn't I pay for a brand new working device?

bigdave79 said:
Unfortunately, it is most likely refurbished, especially because they actually told you that!
They are cleaned, fixed and repackaged to look like new but I'm sure they are not. The RMAs seem to ship from a different location (my new phone shipped from Mira Loma, CA very close to where I live but my two RMAs shipped from Illinois). I received 2 replacements, the original had a yellow screen (but I wish I'd just kept it), first RMA device I got actually had a fingerprint on the screen and a scratch on the bezel and the radio was all jacked up (couldn't make calls). The second RMA was much better but still not perfect (has a scratch or abraision on the glass/plastic surround between the metal body and the display). I ended up keeping the second one and just using a case with it.
Sort of pisses me off that they would send a defective device to begin with then replace with a refurb. Didn't I pay for a brand new working device?
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Well that's not good. I got my phone Monday that I ordered on Dec 28th and it shipped from Illinois. They wouldn't dare sell a RMA'ed phone as new would they? I'd be pissed because my display has pretty bad viewing angles, but the color is outstanding now that I calibrated it on Franco's kernel with auditiur.
It looks brand new and was packed as such. Doesn't have a blemish on it. Who knows.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

So the way to tell is when you went to order your replacement, it says on the order page if the phone will be refurbished or not. This is how it was with the nexus 6. Normally, the first year the phone is it, google only uses new phones as replacements. After the year when they get s build up of refurbs, they start to use those.
This is what I have gathered from all the replacements I and several others have done on devices dating back to the n4.

treIII said:
But how would I know? I want to know for sure. But thanks.
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If they told you it would be a refurbished phone why would you question it?
Sent from a 128th Legion Stormtrooper 6P

[hfm] said:
If they told you it would be a refurbished phone why would you question it?
Sent from a 128th Legion Stormtrooper 6P
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Because it came in new packaging. Also I spoke to a Google supervisor today and they are not and will not send anyone a refurbished phone until after one year of the purchase date. I sent back the phone they sent me as I thought something was wrong with my camera. Turned out the phone I received took pictures identical to what I have. This camera isn't as good in low light as the hype on the internet and for some reason and its noted on the web my son's 5x takes better pictures. Hands down. This has been tested against 3 nexus 6ps. Though I must say there has only been his 5x to compare them to. There are certain low light though not close to dark situations in my home that this phone struggles with color, and noise that puzzles me. My son's 5x does not. Colors are true to life and the noise is much lower with his 5 x. And this is verified by putting the pictures on a computer and checking them. This is my favorite phone of all time and takes excellent photos. If a person uses what controls the camera app has to decide whether to flash or use hdr etc.. then pictures can be a lot better than just using hdr automatic though it does well 90% of the time. Love my 6p.

treIII said:
Because it came in new packaging. Also I spoke to a Google supervisor today and they are not and will not send anyone a refurbished phone until after one year of the purchase date. I sent back the phone they sent me as I thought something was wrong with my camera. Turned out the phone I received took pictures identical to what I have. This camera isn't as good in low light as the hype on the internet and for some reason and its noted on the web my son's 5x takes better pictures. Hands down. This has been tested against 3 nexus 6ps. Though I must say there has only been his 5x to compare them to. There are certain low light though not close to dark situations in my home that this phone struggles with color, and noise that puzzles me. My son's 5x does not. Colors are true to life and the noise is much lower with his 5 x. And this is verified by putting the pictures on a computer and checking them. This is my favorite phone of all time and takes excellent photos. If a person uses what controls the camera app has to decide whether to flash or use hdr etc.. then pictures can be a lot better than just using hdr automatic though it does well 90% of the time. Love my 6p.
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This is exactly what I just said

Replacement questions

So Google are sending me a replacement 6P because my headphone jack has issues. I have few questions. They say they won't charge me as long as the device is like nice condition.. I am pretty sure my 6P will have one or two scratches on it. Are they likely to charge me? Does anyone else have any experience with warranty claims?

Bump

Well like they said it depends on the condition, are the scratches bad enough they ruin any parts of the phone ? take a pic and upload it might help us to aid you

The replacement they sent me is more scuffed up than mine and has the same damn faults. I have owned the phone for 2 months, can I get a refund?

gman88667733 said:
The replacement they sent me is more scuffed up than mine and has the same damn faults. I have owned the phone for 2 months, can I get a refund?
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You'd have to ask them.

Heisenberg said:
You'd have to ask them.
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My issue has appeared twice which seems very rare.. The crackling sound of audio when headphones are connected

gman88667733 said:
My issue has appeared twice which seems very rare.. The crackling sound of audio when headphones are connected
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you know that the odds that two random devices built in different dates having the exact issue on the same person is very low right?
Can you test those headphones in 2-3-4-5 different devices and replicate?
My FF camera went bad on my launch unit, i got a new 6P overnighted to me.
BTW, they wont charge you unless you have damaged the device like breaking the screen, or bent it in half.

Anyone wondering.. Google sent me the refurb by accident, they are meant to send a brand new one and are now sending me out a new one. Let's hope this is scratch/fault free..
They refurb they sent was older than my original 6P which was made in November, this was made in early October. Not good

Bright white line down the screen, 3rd XL

This is now my 3rd replacement which is due tomorrow, the first had charging issues, the second crashing apps and charging issues, the third after about 7 days use this horrible bright white line just appeared on the screen out of nowhere today, i'm now expecting my fourth replacement tomorrow, i'm about to give up on the XL if this next one isn't right, I've never had to send a new phone back at all, here's some examples.

I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Ady1976 said:
This is now my 3rd replacement which is due tomorrow, the first had charging issues, the second crashing apps and charging issues, the third after about 7 days use this horrible bright white line just appeared on the screen out of nowhere today, i'm now expecting my fourth replacement tomorrow, i'm about to give up on the XL if this next one isn't right, I've never had to send a new phone back at all, here's some examples.
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That's a bummer. I had issues with my Nexus 6P and Google was very good about making sure things were right. Even after two years they gave me a full refund.
Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my Pixel XL 2

browniegirl said:
I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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I'm starting to lose hope, even if i did get what seemed to be a good one that lasted a few months who knows when these lines might appear again out of nowhere, I really didn't want to have to deal with this constant rma cycle, I'm wasting so much time keep setting a new device up it's demoralising.

jasondowning85 said:
That's a bummer. I had issues with my Nexus 6P and Google was very good about making sure things were right. Even after two years they gave me a full refund.
Fortunately, I haven't had any problems with my Pixel XL 2
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That's one device i never had an issue with the 6p loved it, Google do seem to be dealing effectively by keep sending me a new one but if they run out of stock and i still can't get a fault free device I'm going to have to ask for a refund

Ady1976 said:
That's one device i never had an issue with the 6p loved it, Google do seem to be dealing effectively by keep sending me a new one but if they run out of stock and i still can't get a fault free device I'm going to have to ask for a refund
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Are they sending you refurb units or new? If refurbs, I would demand a new one. It's a $1,000 phone and no more than 6 months old?

jasondowning85 said:
Are they sending you refurb units or new? If refurbs, I would demand a new one. It's a $1,000 phone and no more than 6 months old?
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it's a new one they're sending, i'm concerned as to what is the time frame I've got before I can say just give me a full refund as it's not fit for use ?

browniegirl said:
I'm on phone #8, welcome to the club. Had to pick up another device to deal with my sanity being almost gone dealing with rma's
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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Phone 7 here but it is perfect months in now!

Ady1976 said:
it's a new one they're sending, i'm concerned as to what is the time frame I've got before I can say just give me a full refund as it's not fit for use ?
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It depends upon the area, if they have refurbs your getting a refurb. Even the new is a "new" in a refurb box. Also, they won't give you a refund.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I can't believe so many people have had to swap so many times. I'm 5 months in with phone #1 and no issues at all.

browniegirl said:
It depends upon the area, if they have refurbs your getting a refurb. Even the new is a "new" in a refurb box. Also, they won't give you a refund.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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No these are brand new sealed, I'm in the uk, they said it's not a service centre repair or refurb as it was purchased from the Google store, incidentally the first 2 i had over the course since nov when i pre ordered none of them had any issues with the screen, just this later batch of mine which was manufactured on the 16th nov shipped on the 20th.

jimv1983 said:
I can't believe so many people have had to swap so many times. I'm 5 months in with phone #1 and no issues at all.
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I'll be honest mate I've never had to rma a single phone I've purchased over the last 10 years + this is a first, I've been unlucky it seems, although it also seems I'm not alone.

Just to update on this I watched this video https://youtu.be/upLTjUzrRxw a similar issue to him excep he didn't have the line until he pressed a certain part of the screen, I've now been able to remove the line by pressing a certain part of the screen near the bottom near the home button, it has now vanished, i can get it to reappear briefly by pressing the screen again in a certain area, but now it's off, I've told Google if it arrives back to them like this don't think there is nothing wrong with it, there must be some short or damaged connection behind the screen somewhere, I'm still keeping the new one which arrives today.

Facing the same issue
Even I had this experience. But in my case the bright white line was on the left of the phone. I'll let you know that my phone's screen has been cracked since the last 9 months and it had been working perfectly fine until one afternoon when I kept it in my bag and it had the thick line on it. I cannot diagnose if it's a software or hardware issue. I'm going for a screen replacement. But in the meantime can anyone help me to know if it is a software or hardware issue?

Namanv said:
Even I had this experience. But in my case the bright white line was on the left of the phone. I'll let you know that my phone's screen has been cracked since the last 9 months and it had been working perfectly fine until one afternoon when I kept it in my bag and it had the thick line on it. I cannot diagnose if it's a software or hardware issue. I'm going for a screen replacement. But in the meantime can anyone help me to know if it is a software or hardware issue?
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My replacement which I've had for nearly a year now is perfect and defect free, whites are white like they should be and no hardware defects, I'm sorry to say it sounds like a hardware issue, if you can firmly press all parts if the screen and sometimes it disappears it's a connection issue but it's very difficult to pin point where the exact loose connection is, if your getting a new and digitizer that may remove the issue.

I can press all parts of the screen perfectly..even where the line is located. Thats what made me think that it is a software bug. Also the line is far brighter than even the highest brightness settings on the phone. I'll have it replaced and I will respond here soon

Namanv said:
I can press all parts of the screen perfectly..even where the line is located. Thats what made me think that it is a software bug. Also the line is far brighter than even the highest brightness settings on the phone. I'll have it replaced and I will respond here soon
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Yes that's how mine was the line was extremely bright like that pixel line was on full brightness, no problem, loving the pixel 2 xl my best phone so far, will upgrade to the 4 xl if they get rid of that fugly notch on the 3 xl, Good luck with your screen mate.