Consumer complains that SingTel sells used phones
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Consumer complains that SingTel sells used phones
Friday March 30, 10:17 PM
SINGAPORE: One unhappy consumer complained that she was sold a used phone at a SingTel retail shop.
SingTel said their phones come from manufacturers and consumers need to check the product when making a purchase.
Just because it comes in a new box does not mean it is a new phone - which was what private banker Ivy Ling found out when she left the SingTel Hello! shop without checking her phone.
She said: "While I was loading my contacts list, I went to the message section and in the message section, I noticed a lot of SMS messages to a lady called Sharon.
"The lady actually told me that she lost her phone in a cab. That brings me further to query whether I've been sold a used and stolen phone."
Channel NewsAsia was unable to contact Sharon to confirm if she really had lost her phone.
But the news team verified that the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number on the phone matched that on the box.
Ms Ling said: "I went personally to the Hello! shop to inform them of this thing and they told me that they'll consider this as a faulty phone, and will replace it with a brand new phone."
Responding to our queries, SingTel said: "Hello! shops only sell brand new phones. All handsets that we sell come directly from the manufacturer and IMEI numbers are checked before they are put on sale."
SingTel is currently investigating the matter.
SingTel added that consumers need to check their phones thoroughly before leaving the shop to ensure that problems are resolved at the time of sale.
Last year, there were over 4,500 cases of mobile phone theft.
- CNA/so
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070330/5/singapore267484.html
Amazing...
First Ribena, then Singtel. What's next? -
probably the supplier?
if not, its the trade-ined phones that they had and re-sell it to ppl. -
yeah could be. it's so embarrasing for them..Originally posted by Y_Shun:probably the supplier?
if not, its the trade-ined phones that they had and re-sell it to ppl. -
I remember somewhere in Singtel sites state that trade-in phones are being sold off as well. But whether they are re-packaged, I'm unsure.
If they are being re-packaged and sold, then it's no wonder.
Anyway, it's not the first time such things happen to Singtel. Singtel got a lot of weird things happening.
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not new liao...last time I had to go back to a certain shop with red umbrella to change my faulty phone...the sales guy took out a boxed phone...then when powered on..got a non-default pic at start-up..when I asked for yet another set...he give me excuses like he is only allowed to change 1 time...in the end...I talked to his supervisor and we settled that if he open a new box and start-up pic is the same as the original boxed set...I have to take the original one...in the end the 2nd boxed set is not the same...so LL have to give me the 2nd boxed set.when I was about to go...gave me excuses like box from supplier...supplier's problem...etc....Originally posted by joshuax:Amazing... First Ribena, then Singtel. What's next?
got another time also with the red umbrella shop...different branch...same thing...phone got problem...go back 1-to-1 exchange...new replacement came with messages in the phone...also gave supplier's fault as excuse.had to change again.
eventually...I came to the conclusion that boxed set from there with plastic covering intact...might not be new set.
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Wow.. This type of thing can happen ... Next time must be carefully when buying phone...
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Taking note...sheesh.
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See, thats what happens if you buy phones from singtel.
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Not very supriseing
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dats y dun think go singtel shop means 100% safe one.
its the same. -
It happend in china, it can happne in singapore too. why not.
phones that are traded in, sold to second hand shops, stolen.....etc. It can go back to manufactureres.
So the manufacturers give away those old phones to staff? i dont think so.
They can keep the parts inside, well, perhaps need to do some cleaning. And then give it a brand new casing, brand new key pads, put in a brand new box. Give it a serial number as if it's a brand new phone.
Then it will be supplied to the shops.
p.s. For that particular customer, if she got the very same phone from singtel, but the memory of any sms/pics/contacts are all erased, she wont be able to tell if it is a used phone. Box is new, casing dont have a single slight scratch, memory emptied. all types of serial number are matched. How can you tell? So those who thought they are holding a brand new phone, can they be 100% sure? -
wah damn it. my n70 is from that red umbrella shop leh. the 3 n70s in my family also!
scarli is used handsets.
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wat red umbrella shop?
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wah, they employ ppl to steal/kope hps and then re-sell ah? -
Low cost high turnover theory mah...Originally posted by UrAdog: wah, they employ ppl to steal/kope hps and then re-sell ah? 
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woo steady. we sgforum ppl also go start a new company la. can kope dao wad thing jiu sell wad thing
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Originally posted by joshuax:
This is not a surprise. I used to work in an electronic manufacturing co in SG. They were sub-contracted to manufacture a certain brand phone [canadian brand]. We do get returns from the canadian side...to do some rework, renewal etc. One of the items to do is to remove the original IMEI number and reload with a new, unused IMEI. We then re-packaged this phone....and hey, presto!! we have a "BRAND NEW" phone!!!!
[b]Consumer complains that SingTel sells used phones
Friday March 30, 10:17 PM
But the news team verified that the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number on the phone matched that on the box.[/b] But we must also erase off any information that is inside the memory chip. This is to ensure no trace of the former owner life is present. 
This is a SOP in the mobile phone manufacturing facility. I guess all phone manufacturers practice this. The problem with this one is someone was sleeping on the job and forgot to follow the proper SOP, or perhaps on purpose so as to give the brand a bad name?? I really don't know....heheheh!! You decide!! -
I was quite shocked when i heard about the news...
I think is sabotage...By inside personnel..Could be from both sides....
The manufacturer or Hello...High chance is The seller.... -
I usually reject the phone even if there's a hairline scratch at the batt area. Always scrutinise the phone, take your time.
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am i a victim?
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Change to green pipe or yellow sun.
Cheers.
CK -
I think my M1 phone also used.
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even if the phone they sell u is new, the battery might not be new. happens to me. when i bought me new handphone that time, i was surprised how come the so-called "new" battery which they gave me have power inside it? upon closer inspection, the battery don't looks new either.
sigh... -
TSK.
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i went to the one @ compass point, 2 years in a row, buy 1 N3230 and 1 Motorola V3x, both faulty. dunno if its the same case or not.. and til now nokia couldn't fix it, i threw the phone one side, v3x.. they changed phone and stuff but still cannot fix it, lazy to go down anytime soon. si bei sianz