Apple accused of selling refurbished iPhones as new in China

Apple may be facing yet another lawsuit, but this one does not involve patents or location-sharing. The Cupertino company is being sued by six Beijing residents who claim Apple sold them a refurbished iPhone as new.

These six customers bought their phones at both Apple Stores and at authorized retailers in the Beijing area. Two customers checked their warranty terms and were shocked to discover the warranty was less than the standard year. They returned to the store and were not satisfied when the sales people offered only to replace their phones and not any extra compensation.

The disgruntled pair contacted lawyer Wang Hai, a consumer advocate known for fighting against counterfeit goods. They were quickly joined by four other customers who had a similar experience with their iPhones. Wang Hai is inviting other customers with a receipt to join the lawsuit. The affected customers are asking for twice the price they originally paid for the phone, full payment of their legal fees and an apology from Apple.

Though it's hard to believe, this practice may be occurring in Beijing and other parts of China. A report from the Guangzhou Daily suggests refurbished iPhones are being sold in stores throughout the region. Presumably against Apple policy, employees are reportedly cleaning up display models and returned phones and re-selling them as new.

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Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7572675.html

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Apple may be facing yet another lawsuit, but this one does not involve patents or location-sharing. The Cupertino company is being...

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Bernie -

i am station most months of the year for the past 5 years in china, and that's why i don't buy high-value items, not just electronics, in china. people involved in service sector here are totally forcked-up. the culture and mentality here is of short-sighted self interest. you can always know you will be short-changed if you trust the local sellers.

August 18 2011 at 11:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bernie -

i am station most of the year for the past 5 years in china, and that's why i don't buy high-value items, not just electronics, in china. people involved in service sector here are totally forcked-up. the people's culture and mentality here is of short-sighted self interest. you can always know you will be short-changed if you trust the chinese sellers.

August 18 2011 at 11:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Richard Stovall

If this is happening, it's not legit. When Apple refurbs a device they change the serial number. If it were an Apple refurb, it would not be registered.

August 18 2011 at 12:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

waitWHAT

Are they SURE these were legit Apple stores/resellers and not one of the dozens (if not hundreds) knockoffs posing as one?

August 18 2011 at 12:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Roberto

I'd normally be unsimpathetic to Chinese Apple customers, since they are at the top of the inhumane human food chain that is China, but these Chinese stores seem to be systematically defrauding their customers, too busy to check their warranties in between the Neiman Marcus and Prada shopping sprees.

August 18 2011 at 12:07 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

balnlikejdub

hey china zip it up..you counterfeit everything

August 18 2011 at 11:24 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

Tom Craft

What's stupid is this:

"They returned to the store and were not satisfied when the sales people offered only to replace their phones and not any extra compensation."

What the hell extra compensation do you feel you are owed?? They offered to give you a new phone, it would be reasonable to open it and check the warranty in front of the rep, and then you are done. End of story.

August 18 2011 at 11:22 AM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Reply