Getting a replacement 3gS tomorrow should I EXPECT refurb or new?

[Ericatomars]

Most likely a Refurb, to my understanding if you go into the store you get a better chance of getting a new one

 

[abhi]

Just to update everyone here, my new 3GS phone was having problem with incoming call, couldn't hear anything thru earpiece.

I went to apple store and they told me to wait 5-10 business days and told it will be in white box. I called the apple care next day asked the same question whether it is refurbished or brand new. Apple care told me my replacement phone will be repaired one with new parts and two times QC'd. I requested to speak with his manager. Got nice lady on the phone, she told me she is manager of corporate customer care.

I told her that this is 5 days old phone why I would have repaired phone? if my phone is 2-3 months old, no problem. I haven't even used it. I told her I would like to have brand new sealed box like I got it from AT&T. She said no problem, created my order and my new iphone (BRAND NEW) ships straight from china.

Here is the S.No: 859315xxxxx and tracking info..My old phone was having S.no: 84927xxxxx

Aug 3, 2009 2:59 AMAt dest sort facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 10:17 PMAt local FedEx facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 4:18 PMDeparted FedEx locationMEMPHIS, TNAug 2, 2009 12:12 AMArrived at FedEx locationOAKLAND, CAAug 1, 2009 7:17 PMDeparted FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 9:59 PMInt'l shipment releaseANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 12:55 PMArrived at FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 3:18 PMIn transitLANTAU ISLAND HKAug 1, 2009 10:32 AMLeft FedEx origin facilitySHENZHEN CNJul 31, 2009 7:03 PMShipment information sent to FedExAug 1, 2009 7:31 AMPicked upSHENZHEN CN

 

[uberamd]

Just to update everyone here, my new 3GS phone was having problem with incoming call, couldn't hear anything thru earpiece.

I went to apple store and they told me to wait 5-10 business days and told it will be in white box. I called the apple care next day asked the same question whether it is refurbished or brand new. Apple care told me my replacement phone will be repaired one with new parts and two times QC'd. I requested to speak with his manager. Got nice lady on the phone, she told me she is manager of corporate customer care.

I told her that this is 5 days old phone why I would have repaired phone? if my phone is 2-3 months old, no problem. I haven't even used it. I told her I would like to have brand new sealed box like I got it from AT&T. She said no problem, created my order and my new iphone (BRAND NEW) ships straight from china.

Here is the S.No: 859315xxxxx and tracking info..My old phone was having S.no: 84927xxxxx

Aug 3, 2009 2:59 AMAt dest sort facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 10:17 PMAt local FedEx facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 4:18 PMDeparted FedEx locationMEMPHIS, TNAug 2, 2009 12:12 AMArrived at FedEx locationOAKLAND, CAAug 1, 2009 7:17 PMDeparted FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 9:59 PMInt'l shipment releaseANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 12:55 PMArrived at FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 3:18 PMIn transitLANTAU ISLAND HKAug 1, 2009 10:32 AMLeft FedEx origin facilitySHENZHEN CNJul 31, 2009 7:03 PMShipment information sent to FedExAug 1, 2009 7:31 AMPicked upSHENZHEN CN

As far as quality goes the refurb would likely be in better working shape than the new phone as it has been personally reviewed by Apple before being distributed to you. Also, there is virtually no way to physically distinguish a refurb from a new product, at all. This was all in your head, and this just goes to prove how so many iPhone customers are total head cases. New or refurb, they both have the identical warranty, they look identical, and if I put a new one side by side with a refurb, nobody could tell me which is which. Its all in your head.

 

[iphonefreakz]

Refurb

 

[bjb.butler]

As far as quality goes the refurb would likely be in better working shape than the new phone as it has been personally reviewed by Apple before being distributed to you. Also, there is virtually no way to physically distinguish a refurb from a new product, at all. This was all in your head, and this just goes to prove how so many iPhone customers are total head cases. New or refurb, they both have the identical warranty, they look identical, and if I put a new one side by side with a refurb, nobody could tell me which is which. Its all in your head.

Exactly...

He paid over $200 for a NEW phone, why would he want to receive a refurbished one. Whether the refurb is just as good or just as flawless as a new one isn't the point. Its basically a principle of getting what you paid for, and in his case, its a new phone.

 

[Leafs]

I had to exchange my iphone a couple of days ago the lady said it was a brand new phone. But I got a 5K serial number so now I am worried😕

 

[bjb.butler]

I had to exchange my iphone a couple of days ago the lady said it was a brand new phone. But I got a 5K serial number so now I am worried😕

Did it come in a plain white box, or the retail 3GS box?

 

[Leafs]

Did it come in a plain white box, or the retail 3GS box?

it actually came in a small black box if im not mistaken (like it wasnt a normal iphone box (had iphone or something written in silver on the front of the box though) and I have a white iphone if that helps....) That or she put my phone in that for sure and I didnt get to see where she grabbed my now "new" phone from when she went into the back.

 

[bob13bob]

Refurb denial is a bit ridiculous. How do you know they break down the phone, test each individual component and put it back together. The cost of testing each component properly would exceed the value of the object.

BTW: something coming from apple/geniusbar/att does not count as good info. My genius bar rep never heard othe wi-fi problem with iphones when I took it in. Just because they are ignorant confidently, doesn't make them knowledgeable or smart.

Do you really think the gen tech guys get to witness what happens when a phone is refurbed? Thats like assuming a best buy geek squad guy knows what's wrong with your computer after playing with it for 15 minutes, impossible in many situations. To anyone who's actually fixed complex multi-component electronic equipment before, know's this is ridiculous.

Btw, both of my refurb replace receive in the last month have problems:
Calls straight voicmail, no rings. link > argued to get a instead of restore replacement
Music plays randomly after calls. (1st day after getting refurb replacement)