Help Help solving a mystery!

[Radiantone]

Ok, I'm new to all things android, luckily I have my DS who can help with much of it.

I just got my Captivate and in the gallery there is a picture already on the phone. When I click on the details it says for date taken "January 1, 2005 1202a.

How is this possible? I know the Captivate didn't come out till Spring 2010. I get a photo could be downloaded but the weirder thing is it's a pic of the inside of an A T and T store! one of their wall displays Is that not weird considering that's basically New Years Eve? Any chance the date stamp is messed up?

All of this considered I took the phone back wanting to make sure that I didn't get a used or refurbished phone. The sales rep said since it's in a Captivate orange box it's not refurbished, true? He dismissed the idea of exchanging the phone even though I only got it 3 days ago and haven't downloaded anything yet to make it personal.

Do you think I'm safe that this isn't a used phone? I could go back to see the mgr but he's in Disney for a week. Thanks for any insight.

 

[chicknlil]

I'd try calling up AT&T (via 611 on your phone) and explaining to them what you found, and your concerns. They may be more likely to be responsive.

 

[darkrequiem]

Oh my goodness! To me it does sound like you got a used phone, possibly the floor demo. The reason I say this is from your statement about the pics of inside the AT&T store. I don't how many weird photos I have seen people click off while demo these phones on the sales floor. The box issue I have never heard of, but I have never had a refurbished phone either. You can take the phone in an out of the box and no one would truly never know, just wipe it down. I would go back. Sounds like this sales rep was lacking in customer service skills. If he can't help you ask for someone else. You are giving them your business, they should in turn empathize with you. They should do what they need to do to put your mind at ease. I worked in retail and this was a mantra we were drilled with everyday. Good luck with this! Cheers

 

[The Shape]

You got sloppy seconds my friend!

 

[geeve420]

I ordered mine online reburbished and it came in an orange box, I think that guy doesn't know what he's talking about.

Geeve

 

[Radiantone]

Thanks all,that's what I feared.

I went back today to the associate that orig sold us the phones. The manager is on vacation until Saturday so I thought I would stop in and see if this could be rectified sooner. He thinks the pic is odd but also doesn't listen to my concerns about the phone acting laggy and not as sharp sometimes, like I'm making it up My husband got the same phone and his is fast with no lagging, jerky moves.

Anyway I think I found part of the problem with them not being all jazzed to exchange, they don't have anymore! He then said if I continued to have problems that I can try something else. I asked if they would just exchange for the same phone as that's what I want and that's when he said there aren't any he would need to "find" me one. Well that statement makes me really uneasy. I asked if he meant refurbished and he said no it would be new..but flat out, I don't trust them now.

I'm also thinking since the new model is here or about to be released it may be hard to find this model? Maybe that's why they're on sale?

Is there anyway to tell if it will be a new phone vs a used one if they do get another in? With lot number or something?

I have another A T and T store near me but problem is it's a regular store and this one we went to is a franchise, so I'm afraid another store may not be happy to help since they'll lose money.

Any tips on what I should look out for when I go back? Thanks you guys have all been awesome with your help.

 

[geeve420]

I personally would try another store. It's not your problem if they lose money, it's theirs that you are being screwed! You could try a factory reset and see if that helps you out as well, I just recently went through and hooked up to Odin and went back to 2.1 then Keised to 2.2 to releive some of the lag I was having.

Either way, I would go to another store first though. AT&T is AT&T regardless of franchise or corporate store. You could even call them as someone else suggested at 611 from your cell and talk to them.

Geeve

 

[Radiantone]

I personally would try another store. It's not your problem if they lose money, it's theirs that you are being screwed! You could try a factory reset and see if that helps you out as well, I just recently went through and hooked up to Odin and went back to 2.1 then Keised to 2.2 to releive some of the lag I was having.

Either way, I would go to another store first though. AT&T is AT&T regardless of franchise or corporate store. You could even call them as someone else suggested at 611 from your cell and talk to them.

Geeve

Thanks Geeve, I think I'm more confused than ever though. I started researching new vs refurb on this and other forums. Eventually I came upon all the info on the problem with the random shut off's from ones manufactured before Nov 6 2010. So I found out I have one from 8/24/11 which I would think is pretty good in terms of that.

Honestly the lagging and sometimes needing to touch a key more than once at times...maybe it's not worth getting a real lemon in the bunch if I try to exchange. Granted it's not as smooth precise feeling as my husband's phone *at times* but it's not unworkable when I read about how people have had to go to great lengths to fix problems.

I read about how the Captivate dropped to 149.95 in January and predicted if it dropped to 99.95 in a month or so that it would indicate a new one was on it's way giving the Captivate 1 year on the market...all that makes sense which makes me think that there are no "new" Captivates to be found, or if there are...it's going to be hard to track one down and how to know if that was is reliable.

It bugs me that the pic is there...it's just reallly weird, even downloaded from something else...Samsung has employees working NYE? If I could be sure that I could get a brand new one, after the problem Nov date I would definately do that, I thought I was buying a new phone that's what I should have...but now, after reading all that....I'm just scared I guess

Any other thoughts I'm still trying to figure out what to do, so any input is welcome and appreciated. Thanks

 

[Radiantone]

Still would like thoughts...but here's the latest. I was finally able to show my son the pic, he picked up on the fact it's an HTC inspire which wasn't out until 2011 so his take on it is that someone was messing around with the settings and that wasn't an actual time stamp.

He said even if it's a demo, that shouldn't matter overall, I would think demos are abused though, this doesn't have signs of that at all.

He said it's possible someone tested it out in store and decided not to get it so it was put back, I guess in that guess even if they open a box and person doesn't want it, it's technically not used I guess that's still new

When we were there and I saw the demo, the sales person offered to get one so I could get a true feel for it, so I guess it would be the same if I didn't want it...maybe that's the thing I can't imagine someone testing it out and not want it!

Like I said, I'm still gathering thoughts...I stilll don't know what to do.