Buying a sim free phone on eBay?

Suja

Hi folks,

Just wondering if anyone knows is it safe to buy a sim free phone on eBay? I want a Nokia N82 and can get it for €250 from Singapore, unlocked, then whack my Vodafone sim in. Should I do it or is it dodgy??? Anybody bought from eBay?

Thanks!!!

x

paul.irl

Have you considered that you might have to pay customs on this??

I've bought plenty of phones on eBay Germany and never had issues. I guess check out the feedback of the seller and see what sort of items they usually sell.

Personally I'd have a bad feeling buying from Singapore. I mean, would you still have a warranty with the phone? With a phone sourced in the EU there are no issues but outside the EU?

A friend of mine buys stuff (model cars normally) and has bought some from Asian sellers. Apart from being caught to cough more cash by customs. he's never had any issues. Again, seller feedback is important here

kaimera

bought my last phone on ebay from the UK, unlocked and all. no probs.

Suja

What do you mean by customs?????

paul.irl

Customs as in duty, i.e. a tax when you import

Suja

Goes to show I don't have a clue about this stuff....I've bought memory cards and camera chargers from eBay before and never had any tax duty on those...are you saying customs might seize it when its posted here and demand I pay tax on it? Sorry if I sound really thick!

ardmacha

"Ebay" is a channel for various sellers, some of these are individuals selling their own phones, some large sellers. So it depends on the seller. Unless there is a large price saving, a European based seller will be more straightforward for the warranty as well as not having to pay possible VAT and duty. The Customs are clearly more likely to take the trouble to demand tax on a phone where they would get €80, than on a memoery card where there might get €4 tax.

For what it is worth I bought a phone via Ebay fro ECell in Britain, it was fine, although they were slow enough to dispatch it. They have N82 for around €250.

Suja

Ah okay now I'm a bit worried..the phone comes with a 12 month warranty...very reliable seller of mobile phones...I don't want to pay €80 to bloody customs though aargh! How likely is it to happen do you think? Thanks for the help guys

Tom Dunne

Suja wrote: »

Ah okay now I'm a bit worried..the phone comes with a 12 month warranty...very reliable seller of mobile phones...I don't want to pay €80 to bloody customs though aargh! How likely is it to happen do you think? Thanks for the help guys

It's very simple.

If you buy from within the EU, you will not be liable for customs/import duty.

If you buy from outside of the EU, you will.

And with the way the economy is going, you are almost certain to have a package stopped by customs. Oh, and anybody who tells you that a way around this is to mark the item as a gift is delusional, plain and simple. Customs people are not stupid.

As a side note, I've bought phones from eBay before (within the EU) and never had a problem.

Suja

Wow thanks a mill guys I didn't know all that, suppose I should have! Well I think I will try get one from the EU and save myself the worry and hassle....gona try ECell

Thanks again!:D

dohouch

Nokia U.K. were selling them a while back for £200