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Please state how having a matching box equals the phone being new? What if the phone was manufactured for the very first time, assembled for the first time, went through QA for the first time but didn't get put into retail packaging and was set aside for replacement purposes? Does that equate to "new" for you?

hurts resale value if you are selling it as an original and not refurbished. The phones info matches the original box when sold in retail packaging. If Apple is telling you it is a new phone then they should supply the matching box to go with it. So if you ever go to sell your replacement phone your original box is pretty much useless and you should not even include it in the ad. As with everything, original box is pretty important when selling stuff for max value.
 
Please state how having a matching box equals the phone being new? What if the phone was manufactured for the very first time, assembled for the first time, went through QA for the first time but didn't get put into retail packaging and was set aside for replacement purposes? Does that equate to "new" for you?

hurts resale value if you are selling it as an original and not refurbished. The phones info matches the original box when sold in retail packaging. If Apple is telling you it is a new phone then they should supply the matching box to go with it. So if you ever go to sell your replacement phone your original box is pretty much useless and you should not even include it in the ad. As with everything, original box is pretty important when selling stuff for max value.
I have sold about 10 used iPhones about 1/2 had original box with box IMEI matching device IMEI but the other 1/2 were warranty or AppleCare replacements and sold with the box their predecessor came in. They all sold for what you would expect given the condition of the phone. All the buyers cared about was the condition of the phone, if there was an original charger and if there was an original box but they didn't care if the IMEI on the box matched the IMEI of the device.
 
We've had this conversation before and I'm not sure why you insist on continuing to spread false information.

Apple's white box replacement iPhones are not Certified Refurbished as you can't even buy them on the online Apple Store. However, they do replace the battery and outer shell on their Certified Refurbished iPods and iPads, which you can purchase.



http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod



http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

People have gotten factory-induced "badly scratched" iPhone out of the retail box so your experience doesn't mean that a previous customer scratched it and they simply decided to repackage it.


Alright, this is a matter of picking your battles. I don't see any mention of iPhone above... just iPod and iPad. And there's still no official link to what's been done to the white box replacements. So basically what you're saying is rumor and speculation.

For those that have *new* iPhones with a defect and are okay with it being replaced with a *used* iPhone that may or may not have been gutted, go for it. I paid over $1000 for my iPhone. I wasn't willing to have it replaced for a 'new used' iPhone when I could just return it for a new one (i.e. retail box).

BTW, used is used. Anyone saying that a gutted iPhone, which is basically a device that was never meant to be taken apart, aside from replacing the screen, is the same as a new device, is being unrealistic.

----------

I'll let others who are more knowledgeable than I am to address as to the possible cause of this. However, there have been a few incidents where customers' brand new retail box iPhone 6 units accidentally activated while still at the factory and they of course arrived out of the box already activated and with some cycles on the battery. And of course those same people came here crying that they were sent a used iPhone in the retail box.

Dude, this is ridiculous now. You have an excuse for every single thing that people are claiming happening with their replacement phones.
Phones shipping from the factory that were accidentally activated and that have some cycles on them? Really? Would you happen to know how they magically charged themselves, five times?
Next we'll have 'some phones are accidentally shipped from the factory already setup, with accounts attached and photos saved.'
 
Alright, this is a matter of picking your battles. I don't see any mention of iPhone above... just iPod and iPad. And there's still no official link to what's been done to the white box replacements. So basically what you're saying is rumor and speculation.

For those that have *new* iPhones with a defect and are okay with it being replaced with a *used* iPhone that may or may not have been gutted, go for it. I paid over $1000 for my iPhone. I wasn't willing to have it replaced for a 'new used' iPhone when I could just return it for a new one (i.e. retail box).

BTW, used is used. Anyone saying that a gutted iPhone, which is basically a device that was never meant to be taken apart, aside from replacing the screen, is the same as a new device, is being unrealistic.

If you give Apple a call, their reps will tell you the same thing, that all replacement iPhones receive a new case, screen and battery. So much for "rumor and speculation."

You are free to return your defective iPhone for a full credit and purchase another retail box unit if you're within your 14-day return period. Beyond that, however, don't fool yourself into thinking your iPhone is still new when it is actually used. When you swap out your iPhone at the 2-, 5- or 11-month mark, you're actually exchanging a used iPhone for another used iPhone.

Nevertheless, many of us get our new iPhones around launch day and for the first couple months or so, all white box replacement iPhones are also new from factory (not enough time has passed nor they will have built up enough supply of returned iPhones to be gutted and retrofitted with a new shell and battery) so it isn't that big of a deal to most of us.
 
the fact that if your iPhone stops working properly, you can just make an appointment and walk-in within a day and get a replacement, working iPhone right there on the spot, no questions asked (within the 1 year warranty) is just awesome and unmatched from any other phone manufacturer, or electronics store for that matter...

does the Samsung Galaxy stores even do that? I wouldn't know...

and people are complaining about getting a refurb? seriously???
 
hurts resale value if you are selling it as an original and not refurbished. The phones info matches the original box when sold in retail packaging. If Apple is telling you it is a new phone then they should supply the matching box to go with it. So if you ever go to sell your replacement phone your original box is pretty much useless and you should not even include it in the ad. As with everything, original box is pretty important when selling stuff for max value.

Either you don't have much experience selling iPhones or you have no idea what you're talking about. By far the most important factor affecting the resale value is the condition of the iPhone. That the numbers match is the least important factor and isn't even inquired most of the time, at least on eBay.
 
Refubs and Replacement is different.
I got 2 GSX report for 2 iPhone.

IMEI: 013060005xxxxxxx
Serial: DQJHG00Uxxxxx
Model: IPHONE 4S/O2,32GB,BLK,REFURB-EURO

IMEI: 013264002xxxxx
Serial: DQGKF0Cxxxxx
Model: SVC,IPHONE 4,GSM,8GB,BLK,RPLCMNT-GBR

But this only display on iPhone 4S and older.
 
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