Samsung Galaxy S3 - "No Service"

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amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#108952 10-Sep-2012 10:52

Hi

My mum got a new parallel imported Samsung Galaxy S3 from Fairbuy. She went to Vodafone to get her SIM card upgraded to a micro SIM, but they couldn't get the phone to connect to the network and said that it was probably locked to another provider. I checked with Fairbuy and they responded to my email immediately are pretty certain that all of their phones are factory unlocked, plus there was no provider logos or anything like that in the packaging or on the phone. They said to send the phone back to them.

I tested it with my 2° micro SIM and also got "No Service". Flight mode is off. The SIM cards are being read by the phone OK.

Under the network operator settings If you choose Search Networks it cancels searching almost immediately with no result. If you choose Select Automatically it says that it is "Registered on network".

Is there anyway to verify if the phone is locked/unlocked?

Any other suggestions on what to try before we send it back?

Thanks

tardtasticx

3075 posts

Uber Geek

#683746 10-Sep-2012 11:24

Don't suppose you've tried a factory reset? Have you tried it on Telecom just on the off chance perhaps?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#683750 10-Sep-2012 11:32

Sounds like the handset is SIM locked or faulty

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#683755 10-Sep-2012 11:35

tardtasticx: Don't suppose you've tried a factory reset? Have you tried it on Telecom just on the off chance perhaps?

Was going to try a factory reset just before sending it back since she has already set up a load of stuff on the phone and didn't want to do it again unless she really had to. Besides, the phone was in a factory resetted state out of the box and I doubt she'd done anything to upset the phone.

Don't know anyone on Telecom to try. The phone is quad band and supposed to support all networks.

The phone was in a French retail box. Dunno if that makes much of a difference?

Thanks

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#683756 10-Sep-2012 11:38

johnr: Sounds like the handset is SIM locked or faulty

Yes. Is there any sure way to check if it is SIM locked? Eg a code to dial into the phone? Would be good to eliminate that possibility.

Thanks

jeffnz

2870 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#683758 10-Sep-2012 11:48

*#7465625# try putting that into phone dialler as it should tell you if network locked

Galaxy S10

Garmin Fenix 5

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#683765 10-Sep-2012 11:53

jeffnz: *#7465625# try putting that into phone dialler as it should tell you if network locked

Great, thanks... I'll get her to try that.

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#683822 10-Sep-2012 13:22

Checked the lock status and there were no locks turned on.

Did a factory reset and that did not help.

So the phone is going back... must be faulty.

Thanks

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#684951 12-Sep-2012 13:54

I sent the phone back to Fair Buy.

They say the phone is faulty and they need to send it overseas to be repaired as it cannot be fixed locally. Could be a couple of weeks before they get it back they aay, then they've to to send it back down to Christchurch.

I've asked for them if they could please send me a replacement (since it only takes about 1 week for delivery) or a refund since my mum is heading off overseas in a couple of weeks time and may not be here to receive the repaired phone. The resaon for her getting the phone is to keep in contact during this trip.

Plus it was dead on arrival so should really be replaced... not sent back overseas to be fixed!

Will be interesting to see what their response is and how good their service is... I guess it may not always be wise to go for the cheapest price, though they have had pretty good reviews on PriceSpy.

maxlev

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#684966 12-Sep-2012 14:15

The phone was in a French retail box. Dunno if that makes much of a difference?

Thanks

My S3 from PBtech Frog spec and works perfect (Couleur Blanc: Parametre SFR)

amigo

161 posts

Master Geek

#691025 25-Sep-2012 11:32

The conclusion...

After explaining to Fairbuy that I needed the repaired phone sooner than two weeks they said they would send me another replacment that was due to come back to their office earlier, in about weeks time. Fortunately they did, as it took about a week and a half. to get to them.

I then asked them to please check that all the accessories, espcially the charger and cable were included with the replacment since I had sent everything back with the origina, and couldn't afford any delays. They said they would.

The replacement phone arrived yesterday. Looks like a completly new replacement... charger, cable, headphones.... but no battery!!

They were very appologetic and sent the battery by overnight courier.

All seems to be working fine on the replacment unit. Just in time as it gives me just enough time to set everything up and train my mum up on the essentials before she leaves for her two month holiday tomorrow morning!

Overall the Fairbuy customer serivce was excellent. They were prompt to respond to my emails and tried to be as helpful as they could in the circumstances. Was just a bit unfortunate to get a dud unit.

ibuksh

524 posts

Ultimate Geek

#691041 25-Sep-2012 11:47

amigo: The conclusion...

After explaining to Fairbuy that I needed the repaired phone sooner than two weeks they said they would send me another replacment that was due to come back to their office earlier, in about weeks time. Fortunately they did, as it took about a week and a half. to get to them.

I then asked them to please check that all the accessories, espcially the charger and cable were included with the replacment since I had sent everything back with the origina, and couldn't afford any delays. They said they would.

The replacement phone arrived yesterday. Looks like a completly new replacement... charger, cable, headphones.... but no battery!!

They were very appologetic and sent the battery by overnight courier.

All seems to be working fine on the replacment unit. Just in time as it gives me just enough time to set everything up and train my mum up on the essentials before she leaves for her two month holiday tomorrow morning!

Overall the Fairbuy customer serivce was excellent. They were prompt to respond to my emails and tried to be as helpful as they could in the circumstances. Was just a bit unfortunate to get a dud unit.

Thats a first I have heard of FairBuy to have excellent service.

I just cant remember in which forum / thread I had read it in here but someone said that they got a faulty / scratched handset from FairBuy and they were adamant that the customer did the damages and wouldnt replace or refund the money.

Good for you though.. you got it sorted out in time.. And yeah better not to go with the cheapest..