Does anyone have any experience buying the HTC Desire from China?
I read that the Nexus One has been cloned. I see no official report that the HTC Desire has also been cloned, but I have noticed a lot of suppliers selling the Desire through Alibaba. I am wondering if these are clones too.
Today I bought an HTC Desire off eBay from China which is supposed to be brand new in the box.
It was rediculously cheap - 50-60% cheaper than the cost of an HTC Desire from a US seller.
Now I am worried it's a clone.
I have protection from eBay PayPal so I should be ok, but I am curious to hear what people think.
Also, does anyone know of a program which will read and tell me the hardware specifications of my HTC? I'm looking for one of those apps like Intel provides to give you the model and serial number of your processor on your PC. I figure this is one way of confirming whether I have a real HTC phone when it arrives.
Any link to the eBay auction?
The "clones" of these high end cellphones in China are pretty fake. They resemble the real ones, but one can easily tell the difference. They definitely don't run android, and run some variation of Linux that is skinned to look like iPhone/WinMo/Android.
Once you have it in hand, it would be very obvious to you whether it is fake, either from the hardware or from the software, so there is no need to use any software to check the hardware specification.
There is no Nexus One/Desire clones that runs real Android or equipped with Snapdragon. Again, if it is a fake, it will be VERY obvious.
Thanks for your reply.
Here is the link.
I will ask the seller to send me pics he took instead of the ones he copied.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260611334391&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
$170 US for a Desire!! from a zero feedback seller in China.....id never go near such.
I know.
I am betting on eBay and PayPal buyer protection to save me if needed.
giant_rider said:
I know.
I am betting on eBay and PayPal buyer protection to save me if needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Judging from the fact that the image is just ripped from some blog site and not even an HTC press release shot, combined with the sellers score: 0. So no sales or even any buys to the account...
I would be very surprised if this guy has even seen a Desire in person, forget you receiving one in the mail from this seller
Is it really worth the trouble?
I can tell you with no doubt, its a fake one! Because even in China, you won't get a real 2nd hand desire at that price.
-------------------------------------
Sent from my HTC Desire
Alex_w said:
Judging from the fact that the image is just ripped from some blog site and not even an HTC press release shot, combined with the sellers score: 0. So no sales or even any buys to the account...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This alone does not convince me.
When I sell items, I am lazy and rip images and descriptions from other listing.
However, add this to the fact that the seller has no scores...so maybe.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
If it's too good to be true, it definitely is.
Sent from my HTC Desire
Are you serious when you said you bought it? HTC desire for 170 unlocked..really?
Where I live, I can barely get a dumbphone unlocked for that money.
Well, the picture was taken from some blog and the spec were copied from HTC website. That page alone can't tell whether the phone is real or not.
But as I said before, those Chinese clones of high end phones look really fake, and those Chinese sellers are not trying to scam people into believe that they are real. There is a market for cheap look-alike phones in China, and that market is what those "clones" are for.
People, the $170 final price is the result of an AUCTION, not a buy-it-now price. My bet is that this phone is real, but the fact that the seller is from China, together with the fact that he has 0 feedback, making no one wanted to bid on it. I highly doubt that he will ship you the phone, given how low the final price is. He will probably make up an excuse not to ship you the phone (out of stock, wrong listing, blah blah blah), and then refund you (I you had paid already). If he did ship you the phone, you win. If he shipped you a super fake clone, Paypal will get your money back. The only thing you will lose is time.
I took a chance on a simular "deal" for a HD2 and I was sent a small pink noname brand(actually works, my woman loves it) and a FAKE Iphone 3G. Get you paypal refund info ready.
G
tsekh501 said:
Well, the picture was taken from some blog and the spec were copied from HTC website. That page alone can't tell whether the phone is real or not.
But as I said before, those Chinese clones of high end phones look really fake, and those Chinese sellers are not trying to scam people into believe that they are real. There is a market for cheap look-alike phones in China, and that market is what those "clones" are for.
People, the $170 final price is the result of an AUCTION, not a buy-it-now price. My bet is that this phone is real, but the fact that the seller is from China, together with the fact that he has 0 feedback, making no one wanted to bid on it. I highly doubt that he will ship you the phone, given how low the final price is. He will probably make up an excuse not to ship you the phone (out of stock, wrong listing, blah blah blah), and then refund you (I you had paid already). If he did ship you the phone, you win. If he shipped you a super fake clone, Paypal will get your money back. The only thing you will lose is time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same thoughts.
I will see what I do.
I have not paid yet and can back out if I like by cancelling my transaction before payment.
I emailed the seller and asked for real pictures, why he is selling, what the serial number is, etc. I will see if he answers.
Unfortunately the seller's English is pretty bad so communicating is difficult.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
HTC doesn't sell cellphones in China offically
ebay buyer protection isn't worth ****. I got screwed when buying a PDA a couple years ago. ebay contacted me and told me not to send payment as his account was suspended. Unfortunately, I already had and received a box with a small rock in it which weighed what the PDA should.
I got about $200 back from ebay but I paid the guy $600.
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD AND YOU'LL BE FINE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY.
Here are my golden rules for ebay, I hope this helps ....
NEVER buy a 'brand new' phone from ebay. You probably wont ever be able to return it, and might not have any kind of warranty.
Never buy anything from a seller with zero feedback. You simply cannot trust them if they do not have any reputation.
Never buy anything from China (unless you are sure about the seller).
st0kes said:
Here are my golden rules for ebay, I hope this helps ....
NEVER buy a 'brand new' phone from ebay. You probably wont ever be able to return it, and might not have any kind of warranty.
Never buy anything from a seller with zero feedback. You simply cannot trust them if they do not have any reputation.
Never buy anything from China (unless you are sure about the seller).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add to this list only buy form China if you think the money is worth the risk
But 170 bucks isnt worth it for me maby for you then take your chances
0 feedback seller from China...
I bought a while ago a Sony headset from China (was dead cheap so gave it a try), the seller had plenty of feedback and I eventually got the headphones. They looked so good, very real. But the sound... was worse than the cheapest pound store ones!! Funny thing is the seller disapperaed from Ebay straight after the paypal payment... no refund for the fakes. I def learned my lesson.
I have seen a lot of this fake seller in china, all of them have 0 feedback or some fake feedbacks. Usually the sell all phones they can in a short period of time, and after that you get nothing and they will delete their ebay account.
I hope this one is not like it
It's one of either two things.
You got scammed and will be sent nothing (Which is what i'm expecting)
Or
You're going to be sent a very very bad nexus one clone.
I want to get a new android device. I have fallen out of love with windows mobile. all the rom flashing.. the ORD flashing has left me STRUNG OUT!!
i have the AT&T Pure and my wife has the Tilt 2..
they are BOTH worth some bucks and could easily help fund our new android addiction!
so
where to sell them?!
i'm pretty sure no one on this forum wants "FOR SALE" threads..
so how about "where should i sell it?!"
ebay is a good place, but fees are high.
What prices you got on pure and tilt2.
eBay will get you the most exposure. You can also try the Marketplace forum on this website. Also Craislist, which will allow you to avoid shipping fees if you find a local buyer that can pickup. But neither the XDA Marketplace or Craiglist offer any type of protection from scammers.
I use ebay frequently. When buying, you take a risk, but when selling, I never ship untill payment has been recieved. I also always mention that It won't be shipped w/o payment in the item description. Actual pictures (and several) and good descriptions will get you the most interest and bids, in my experience.
Also, its a risk, but I generally seem to be able to sell things at a higher rate when I am starting at really low prices, as compared to when I have a starting bid close to what I actually want it to sell for. Your best bet is to search ebay for you phones, see how they are selling and what gets the best price.
I am looking to purchase one Tmobile failed me twice - PM me!!
Another eBay tip: Sellers with better ratings get more people looking at their auctions, more people bidding, and therefore better sell prices. If you don't use eBay much, or at all, you might consider having a family member or friend with more transactions under their belt to post the auction for you. Especially for an item like a phone, I would personally only buy from a seller with a very good rating, and with a decent number of transaction under their belt.
I'd be interested in either jsut the Pure or both of them together. Let me know shoot me a PM with how much you'd like to get for them.
Thanks,
CrimsonCadillac
Just want to update you, if you searching for original Samsung accessories, and more, like white housing. I just searched for MHL adapter and got to this German guy http://myworld.ebay.com/rb-sale-s/?_trksid=p4340.l2559
I actually hate, hate, the eBay searching engine, even if you use *global. ,if seller not specify your country on every item, and only on some, it's a big headache to find what you searching for, and eventually have to pay more, outside of eBay, I never got it, why sellers specify different cost on some country, I'm a seller to, but not use eBay as a job, so maybe I blame them for nothing, anyway just check his page, have some good stuff.
E15i said:
Just want to update you, if you searching for original Samsung accessories, and more, like white housing. I just searched for MHL adapter and got to this German guy http://myworld.ebay.com/rb-sale-s/?_trksid=p4340.l2559
I actually hate, hate, the eBay searching engine, even if you use *global. ,if seller not specify your country on every item, and only on some, it's a big headache to find what you searching for, and eventually have to pay more, outside of eBay, I never got it, why sellers specify different cost on some country, I'm a seller to, but not use eBay as a job, so maybe I blame them for nothing, anyway just check his page, have some good stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks for the heads up...
Yea I found this guy in the white housing thread since he sells them. And I was surprised too that he didnt show up in my searches since I was looking for global searches (while using ebay.ca) and he never came up but apparently he still ships worldwide.
Although I never bought from him because the prices get ridiculously high. But he still has good products though so I keep a look out at what he has to offer.
I popped into a couple Best Buys and Sprint stores in the last few days and nobody has cases yet. I don't like to buy things like cases online because I can't stand returns/exchanges involving shipping. I need to see it and feel it before I buy it. Anybody found them in local shops?
ComposMentis said:
I popped into a couple Best Buys and Sprint stores in the last few days and nobody has cases yet. I don't like to buy things like cases online because I can't stand returns/exchanges involving shipping. I need to see it and feel it before I buy it. Anybody found them in local shops?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked Radio Shack and they had nothing.
Best Buy has some but there crap!
Stay away from local retailers. They screw you. Bestbuy, Futureshop, and the carriers in Canada are selling the lowest quality available. Mostly the 's-line' style found on ebay for $2. Yet they think they should charge 30. I highly recommend Ebay or Amazon. Same cases just not exorbitant prices.
Hi All,
Can anyone point me in the direction of the most popular online or retail stores that sell mobile phone accessories in the US? I know there are plenty of amazon/eBay sites but I want a store or online store that sells a good selection of varied stuff from various different brands. Even if they're not huge companies I'd just like a selection of sellers who sell a good range of cases for the N5.
Any links or names of places would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Michael-j346 said:
Hi All,
Can anyone point me in the direction of the most popular online or retail stores that sell mobile phone accessories in the US? I know there are plenty of amazon/eBay sites but I want a store or online store that sells a good selection of varied stuff from various different brands. Even if they're not huge companies I'd just like a selection of sellers who sell a good range of cases for the N5.
Any links or names of places would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there too you can find out many...but can you please specify the location where you are based...???
For the outside retailer I prefer the Amzer store....as they have variety of products available at their store and their customer service is too impressive.....so you can find it in your city too.....may be they have retail outlet their....
Michael-j346 said:
Hi All,
Can anyone point me in the direction of the most popular online or retail stores that sell mobile phone accessories in the US? I know there are plenty of amazon/eBay sites but I want a store or online store that sells a good selection of varied stuff from various different brands. Even if they're not huge companies I'd just like a selection of sellers who sell a good range of cases for the N5.
Any links or names of places would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!
I have been using Amazon and eBay for all my recent purchases.
You can't go wrong with Amazon.com. Big selection, easy returns, free shipping ect...