Bitten by parallel import

Forums › Android › Bitten by parallel import

stevenz

2802 posts

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#193413 10-Mar-2016 10:42

The risk\reward of buying cheaper parallel import devices has finally bitten me, after going through several import devices, my current LG G4 has developed a fault where it is randomly rebooting every few minutes. It's even an acknowledged manufacturing fault by LG as per http://www.androidauthority.com/lg-admits-g4-bootloop-problem-hardware-fault-669603/

I've unsurprisingly had no response from Supero who I bought it from, so I sent the device to the NZ service agents "Fonefix". Also unsurprisingly, because it's a parallel import, they don't cover the manufacturers warranty, so they quoted me _$579_ to replace the faulty circuit board, the entire phone only cost me $100 more than that back in August, so needless to say I'm not bothering with it. That's iPhone repair price territory.

So, given that I've now got a $600+ brick, my parallel import savings over the years now equate to roughly zero. The price I pay for getting cheap gadgets unfortunately. Lesson learnt, so I'll be sticking with my el-cheapo emergency backup phone until such time as I can afford to buy something better from Spark themselves.

I'll continue trying to get hold of Supero, but I'm not holding my breath.

@KnightNZ

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2225 posts

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#1510423 10-Mar-2016 10:51

Hopefully you don't drop or lose it :P

I've had a good run historically but yes these days I prefer to pay a bit more upfront, if you shop around and time it right you can usually get close enough pricewise

Dairyxox

1594 posts

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#1510426 10-Mar-2016 10:59

Interesting. They've got such a good rating on price-whatSPamathingY, and won newcomer of the year on the same site.

I've been tossing up about buying an iPad from them, but will be wary now. Let us know how you get on.

sbiddle

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#1510427 10-Mar-2016 11:00

If you're not getting replies back from Supero lodging a disputes tribunal case could be worth it if you're got (from memory) $40 and the time to pursue it.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1510431 10-Mar-2016 11:06

If LG admits to the fault, surely there must be some kind of recall in place?

stevenz

2802 posts

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#1510438 10-Mar-2016 11:19

LG are supposedly doing a pretty much no-questions-asked repair according to that article, but apparently only if it's a locally purchased device. I think 2 Degrees were the only TelCo that officially sold them here, and they kept it all very quiet for some reason.

@KnightNZ

d3Xt3r

687 posts

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#1510439 10-Mar-2016 11:22

Don't quote me on this - but I believe LG will honor the warranty directly as long as you have your proof of purchase. I'd recommend giving them a call on 0800 LG CARE

gzt

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#1510464 10-Mar-2016 11:35

Edit: ^good.

Supero FAQ:

Q) Where are you based?

A) We have an agent in Auckland, New Zealand with our main base in Hong Kong. We do not have a physical store and are online only.

So is this even a parallel import?

or is it a direct import?

FAQ does not mention GST so maybe using this site you are direct importing.

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heavenlywild

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#1510465 10-Mar-2016 11:37

Dairyxox:

Interesting. They've got such a good rating on price-whatSPamathingY, and won newcomer of the year on the same site.

I've been tossing up about buying an iPad from them, but will be wary now. Let us know how you get on.

Apparently many of the feedback can be "bought" through manipulating the system. That is why you see so many of these new overseas-based companies with such good feedback.

Buying a Tesla? Use my Tesla referral link and we both get discounts and credits.

dafman

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#1510486 10-Mar-2016 12:00

Often on this site, when discussing gadget purchases, posters cite price savings from parallel importers. And I think, yeah, you are saving a little upfront, but what if something goes wrong ...

Different story for things like books etc, but electronics can, and do, fail.

sbiddle

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#1510497 10-Mar-2016 12:09

gzt: Edit: ^good.

Supero FAQ:

Q) Where are you based?

A) We have an agent in Auckland, New Zealand with our main base in Hong Kong. We do not have a physical store and are online only.

So is this even a parallel import?

or is it a direct import?

FAQ does not mention GST so maybe using this site you are direct importing.

If no GST was paid and the invoice didn't show a company name or GST invoice then the product wasn't a parallel import but merely a direct import.

Batman

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#1510506 10-Mar-2016 12:32

People always have two choices.

Buy something with support and warranty.
Buy something with no/poor/hassle/difficult support.

Whether imported or not is usually not the main factor.
Caveat emptor.

stevenz

2802 posts

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#1510519 10-Mar-2016 12:47

Which is essentially what I'd said.

I contacted Supero again and they've now responded with an RMA form to complete, so we shall see how we go.

@KnightNZ

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#1510535 10-Mar-2016 13:13

Did the service agent you sent it to open it up? If so I am guessing you could get accused of an unauthorized repair attempt if this is noticeable. Be interesting how this turns out for you. But for that sort of priced good, NZ buying is the way to go, especially as you likely had to pay gst and duty on it anyway.

nathan

5695 posts

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#1510540 10-Mar-2016 13:17

sbiddle:
gzt: Edit: ^good.

Supero FAQ:

Q) Where are you based?

A) We have an agent in Auckland, New Zealand with our main base in Hong Kong. We do not have a physical store and are online only.

So is this even a parallel import?

or is it a direct import?

FAQ does not mention GST so maybe using this site you are direct importing.

If no GST was paid and the invoice didn't show a company name or GST invoice then the product wasn't a parallel import but merely a direct import.

It seems these companies sell their products so cheap as they seem to have a way of getting them into NZ, past customs without paying GST

Nor will they obviously give you a GST invoice

gzt

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#1510555 10-Mar-2016 13:38

stevenz: Bitten by parallel import

It appears this is a direct import from an overseas based company rather than a parallel import by a New Zealand based company. Direct import does not equal parallel import.

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