• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Verizon Replacing with New Devices?

Namrak

Namrak

Android Expert
I had a very long chat with a CSR today who then escalated my call to a supervisor. I was having issues with my original device and the replacement they sent me, and was inquiring at what point they would send me a new device instead of the refurbs I'm constantly having trouble with. Anyways, the supervisor informed me that with many new devices (especially those manufactured by samsung), they send out NEW devices as replacements instead of certified like new. He said they do this for a period of 60 days after the device has been released as they have to build up refurb stock. I asked him how I would be able to verify this as I had already gotten my phone replaced once and it came in the standard box that all refurbs come in without a battery or back cover. In addition, the replacement came with a sticker on it that said "certified like new", and the sticker behind the battery did not look the same as the one on the device I had purchased new. He stated there is no way to verify the device is new because it is labeled as a refurb when in fact it is actually new until a point of 60 days when they start sending out genuine refurbs, Is this true? Or was he just trying to get me off the phone? Any way to verify this? Like maybe a broken seal or something?
 
I'd be good money the guy is full of crap.

It would be ridiculous for Verizon to pull brand new devices out of their boxes and put them in refurbished boxes just because they didn't have inventory of refurbs. That ends up limiting what they can do with their stock - they have to go through the labor of repacking boxes, and now they can't sell them as new without repacking AGAIN.

From a supply chain perspective, it makes no sense whatsoever. Nobody would be sad to receive a new replacement instead of a refurb.

It's not a confirmation, of course - maybe Verizon has some drunk managers running their supply chain - but as someone who has worked in that area, it's very likely not true.
 
personally I wouldn't believe him, I have to deal with VZW reps via the phone 10+ times a day, and one thing that is almost 100% true with all reps i've talked to is, all they care about is getting off the phone with you and onto the next call(I've had reps tell me that the nexus isn't a 4g device thats why i'm not getting 4g data and proceed to hang up). Also as for new phones, if they are sending you a new phone they would send it in the box it came in.

whats more than likely the case is someone returned their nexus right after purchase or after it getting shipped. EX: you buy a phone the sales rep rings out sale, 2 minutes later you decide you wanted a different color, that original phone has to be sent to warehouse as a used return, and can then become a CPO(certified pre-owned) essentially.
 
Thanks. Yeah at that point there's not much I can do besides tell him he wrong/lying which is pointless
 
You can always go here

Samsung

and put in your IMEI number from your phone and it will tell you when it was manufactured. I also got a certified like new the beginning of the month and it turned out to be new one as it was manufactured 12/23.
 
I was told by a reputable store rep that they do send out new replacements and pretty much same deal as OP was told on phone. Also they get some replacement "refurbs" on release day.
 
bjtcars said:
You can always go here

Samsung

and put in your IMEI number from your phone and it will tell you when it was manufactured. I also got a certified like new the beginning of the month and it turned out to be new one as it was manufactured 12/23.
Click to expand...


what is the normal expected turnaround time for devices to be returned and refurbished to he sent back out?
 
It all comes down to what supply they get when a device is first launched. Whenever a high-demand device is launched, they would replace with a new device within the first 30 days per Verizon's defective exchange policy. After that, you're at the mercy of what the warehouse has. If the warehouse hasn't recieved stock of "refurb" units, they will replace with a new device. Most of the time, if you're getting a new phone, you'll know it, as it'll come as a NEW phone, in a new box. That isn't to say that a phone in a CLNR box isn't a new phone either, though. Those, as Gallandof mentioned, would be someone calling and cancelling an order after it's been activated. Once a phone is activated on an account, it can't be resold as new, for warranty purposes, etc. So they would go back, get relabeled and then shipped out as a CLNR, when it is, for all purposes, still a new phone.

The rep was mostly BSing through it, in hopes of making you feel better about the phone he was about to send you.
 
bjtcars said:
You can always go here

Samsung

and put in your IMEI number from your phone and it will tell you when it was manufactured. I also got a certified like new the beginning of the month and it turned out to be new one as it was manufactured 12/23.
Click to expand...

That doesn't necessarily mean it was new. It could have been a device they had a problem with off the line, or a customer return and their wait time for refurbing devices was short, or it was returned and tested fine...
 
binary visions said:
That doesn't necessarily mean it was new. It could have been a device they had a problem with off the line, or a customer return and their wait time for refurbing devices was short, or it was returned and tested fine...
Click to expand...

Yes very true but considering the manufactured date versus when I received it and the condition of the phone I'd have to say it was a new one but I have no way to tell for sure. It works great so I'm happy with it and I hopefully wont have any problems with this one.
 
adrynalyne said:
It is quite simple to see if your replacement is a refurb.

*#*#786#*#* and check recondition status.

My recent "refurb" was a new device.

It won't work on many aosp roms, but does on stock.
Click to expand...

That's great mine is a new one and I was wondering where the I could view the call logs.
 
Mine came with a refurb sticker but is reporting as a new one that is awesome!

Thanks adrynalyne!!
 
adrynalyne said:
It is quite simple to see if your replacement is a refurb.

*#*#786#*#* and check recondition status.

My recent "refurb" was a new device.

It won't work on many aosp roms, but does on stock.
Click to expand...


thanks! My replacement was new also. Too bad it didn't work...
 
ymDroid said:
Has anyone actually gotten a refurb that says "refurb" or "yes"?
Click to expand...

I just received my replacement unit from Verizon and I'm also wondering if anyone has gotten a true refurb. Under "Reconditioned Status" mine says NO. Could it just be that they reset everything on the phone including all call logs and statuses?

I also checked the IMEI number from the Samsung website and mine was manufactured on 12/23/11.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom