Vodafone locking iPhone 4 replacements

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#594196 12-Mar-2012 15:43

codyc1515:
johnr:
codyc1515:
dazaisme: In the process of doing this, I have done this before to no effect. I have tried restoring phone as a new phone as well with and without the sim card in it. If there was a jailbreak out I would cut my loses and hack the phone however no such luck. I am just confused as to why the two replacement phones that I have encountered aren't supported on the 2degrees network and yet every other iphone works on 2degrees with no problems.?

OK, so its the third phone so ask for a replacement under the CGA.

Why do you bring up the CGA when it's not even required?, Please go and read the CGA and understand it!

Clearly the phone is not being fixed, are you saying it is working?

As intended, yes. Despite the OP claiming that the phone is locked (despite being told by dozens of people that they are wrong), it is not. In fact, looking at the link Mauricio provided, which links to another handy Apple support article, no carrier in NZ locks iPhones or completes authorised unlocks (since they don't lock them).

OP, can you get the model number of your iPhone? This can be used to determine if it is in fact NZ new or if it's carrier locked to an overseas carrier (I assume Apple would replace with the same model phone if you send it back, regardless of whether you or Vodafone returned it). Not the one printed on the back, but the one that you see in the About screen.

codyc1515

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#594199 12-Mar-2012 15:47

Kyanar:
codyc1515: Clearly the phone is not being fixed, are you saying it is working?

As intended, yes. Despite the OP claiming that the phone is locked (despite being told by dozens of people that they are wrong), it is not. In fact, looking at the link Mauricio provided, which links to another handy Apple support article, no carrier in NZ locks iPhones or completes authorised unlocks (since they don't lock them).

OP, can you get the model number of your iPhone? This can be used to determine if it is in fact NZ new or if it's carrier locked to an overseas carrier (I assume Apple would replace with the same model phone if you send it back, regardless of whether you or Vodafone returned it). Not the one printed on the back, but the one that you see in the About screen.

If its not locked then what is it? The link that I provided has exactly the same message that the OP is getting which clearly states the the phone is locked. It is most certainly a mistake on Apples part.

LennonNZ

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#594207 12-Mar-2012 16:08

There is no physical difference between a USA iPhone or a NZ iPhone. Apple hold a list of iPhone serial numbers and when you activate it.. it will check the serial number and unlock (or lock it) it in various ways.

Basically apple doesn't know about the serial number of your iPhone to identify its a "NZ" iPhone.

If you search the internet its a common issue with replacement iPhones.

mike

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#594213 12-Mar-2012 16:25

Restore the iPhone, put in a Vodafone NZ SIM then use a USB cable to connect to iTunes (just as the message says you need a compatible SIM card from a supported carrier to activate iPhone).

Then use whatever SIM you like.

codyc1515

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#594220 12-Mar-2012 16:32

mike: Restore the iPhone, put in a Vodafone NZ SIM then use a USB cable to connect to iTunes (just as the message says you need a compatible SIM card from a supported carrier to activate iPhone).

Then use whatever SIM you like.

What this guy said OP ;)

dazaisme

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#594234 12-Mar-2012 16:50

Can't talk now but, apple say that when the replacement phone was given it would not have had the imei number linked properly. They are going to link the numbers again and this should fix the phone. I will post more when I find out exactly what is happening.

LennonNZ

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#594243 12-Mar-2012 17:01

Isn't that what I said :-)

The Database of IMEI wasn't updated

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

dazaisme

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#594297 12-Mar-2012 18:45

Bingo that is what you said.

dazaisme

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#594369 12-Mar-2012 22:19

So this is how I understand the problem has occured. When you receive a replacement iphone it is linked to the previous imei number of the owner, for some reason. If this process isn't done right (something about the numbers) it can make your phone behave in strange ways, i.e locking me out of specific carriers. As this phone is the 2nd replacement they have to go back to the last imei number and link it to the first number again. As I don't have the original imei number it could be a problem but the people at apple have been really good with trying to deal with the problem to date. They will fix it on their end then I will restore the phone and it should be good. Many thanks to those that suggested different methods. It was great being able to call apple and give them a concise account of the problem and the fix.

Many thanks again.

ajobbins

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#594745 13-Mar-2012 20:36

Ultimately tho, If Vodafone supply you with a 'locked' handset (Either new or a replacement), you have the right to return it and have it fixed under the CGA - not fit for purpose. You could also have a claim under the fair trading act (Does not function as advertised).

In either case, the onus is on the retailer to fix the problem. They can't pass the buck to the retailer or the service agent. They sold the phone, it's their problem to sort. CGA still applies if the device is sold (Eg, in your case you purchased a phone of someone else, so the rights under the CGA are transferred to you). Only case it wouldn't apply is if it was purchased for business use. But the FTA applies to anything.

Good to hear you are making progress with Apple, but in future - Vodafone are obliged to fix this

Twitter: ajobbins

dazaisme

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#594851 13-Mar-2012 23:01

Yeah, problem should be sorted over the next couple of days. Unfortunately Vodafone state that they never guarantee that the phone will work on 2 degrees. So their stance for the most part was, not our problem. What do you do when you are told in no uncertain terms "tough"?

ajobbins

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#594861 13-Mar-2012 23:10

dazaisme: Yeah, problem should be sorted over the next couple of days. Unfortunately Vodafone state that they never guarantee that the phone will work on 2 degrees. So their stance for the most part was, not our problem. What do you do when you are told in no uncertain terms "tough"?

Vodafone don't need to guarantee the phone will 'work' with another carrier - They do have to guarantee you the phone is not restricted from accessing any other carried by SIM lock - as they have sold you a phone they specifically state is 'unlocked'. 100% their problem.

If the phone didn't work because 2degrees used different frequencies, or there was some other hardware or network limitation that prevented the phone from working on the network sure, that wouldn't be their problem. In this case however, they provided a phone that had a software SIM lock when it shouldn't have.

While the root cause may have been a screw up by Apple or it's service provider, the law is very very clear on the fact it's the retailer who sold you the phone is responsible for sorting out any such problems.

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#594863 13-Mar-2012 23:18

ajobbins: Ultimately tho, If Vodafone supply you with a 'locked' handset (Either new or a replacement), you have the right to return it and have it fixed under the CGA - not fit for purpose. You could also have a claim under the fair trading act (Does not function as advertised).

In either case, the onus is on the retailer to fix the problem. They can't pass the buck to the retailer or the service agent. They sold the phone, it's their problem to sort. CGA still applies if the device is sold (Eg, in your case you purchased a phone of someone else, so the rights under the CGA are transferred to you). Only case it wouldn't apply is if it was purchased for business use. But the FTA applies to anything.

Good to hear you are making progress with Apple, but in future - Vodafone are obliged to fix this

The OP bought the iPhone from Trademe, the CGA doesn't cover auctions

ajobbins

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#594867 13-Mar-2012 23:29

Predated: The OP bought the iPhone from Trademe, the CGA doesn't cover auctions

Not necessarily true. I have plenty of experience in the matters above. Especially as the retailer would usually not know the method of resale. If the seller hands over the purchase receipt.... Again tho, the FTA could be called upon if need be.

"The CGA doesn’t apply to items sold by auction. What constitutes an “auction” is not defined in the Act, so it is unclear whether the CGA applies to items bought by bidding online."

http://www.trademe.co.nz/help/657/consumer-guarantees-act-1993

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Predated

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#594871 13-Mar-2012 23:35

ajobbins:
Predated: The OP bought the iPhone from Trademe, the CGA doesn't cover auctions

Not necessarily true. I have plenty of experience in the matters above. Especially as the retailer would usually not know the method of resale. If the seller hands over the purchase receipt.... Again tho, the FTA could be called upon if need be.

"The CGA doesn’t apply to items sold by auction. What constitutes an “auction” is not defined in the Act, so it is unclear whether the CGA applies to items bought by bidding online."

http://www.trademe.co.nz/help/657/consumer-guarantees-act-1993

Would it not then be a second hand sale from the trademe seller? in which case its up to the buyer to make sure the goods are up to standard?

I'm just asking as I'm looking to put a house load of stuff on trade-me for my parents and it would be nice to know that if we sell a vacuum cleaner on there and the buyer comes back we can just go "not my problem take it up with Smith City they are the real retailer"

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