Can I replace a cell without the IMEI matching the box or receipt?

[AC Question]

Trying to replace cell, IMEI issue

Hey there, I know this sounds as fishy as it gets and I'm in no way trying to do anything illegal, which is why I'm asking on here first. But I just got an HTC desire 510 from a friend to whom I traded a dusty guitar for. Being without any sort of phone for months, never even owning my own smartphone, and not being able to afford one anytime soon I jumped at the deal. The catch is the screen is all kinds of cracked. Which I can deal with or get replaced but my friend said that there is a warranty on it still, and gave me a valid receipt and packaging with it. He claims that I can bring it back to Best Buy and get a brand new replacement. Trouble is I checked the IMEI # on the receipt, packaging, and in the phone's settings too. The IMEI inside the phone doesn't match the receipt/packaging. But I don't know anything about all these imei meid #'s.

My question is is what he says true? Am I able to return it? Im figuring an IMEI is like a serial code since it's the only identifying number on the receipt. I worry he may have given me his packaging/receipt from his new phone telling me it would work for this older one but I'm not sure. The packaging has a big sticker with matching IMEI MEID and whatnot. I don't want to walk into Best Buy and have them think i'm trying to rip them off or stole it and have them blacklist it (not sure if they can do that just saw some posts about blacklisted IMEI #'s).

I don't want cash, just the replacement if it's valid and if not I'll just pay to have the screen fixed. I'd rather that than loose the phone somehow, or is the worst they can do is just turn me away?

Apologies for the lengthy explaination, and advice/help would be much appreciated!

 

[belodion]

Welcome to AC.

Thinking it over in your head, would you say that this friend, or at least so-called friend, was an impeccably honourable and trustworthy person? Because I don't see how an unmatching receipt is going to be of any use at all. Can you even be sure that the phone you've been given is legitimate?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[aokusman]

Re: Trying to replace cell, IMEI issue

And you can't even return a broken phone to bestbuy, that at least you should know. Warranties don't cover accidents. Why did you friend not just return it himself if he could as he claimed. That should have rung a bell.

 

[Rhudien]

Re: Trying to replace cell, IMEI issue

Hi guys, this is the guest who posted the original question. I couldn't find a post button until I created an account seems. But I went into Best Buy earlier today with the receipt, packaging and phone.. and it worked! I got a brand new phone for absolutely free well other than my guitar that is lol. But no questions asked. He didn't even really examine the phone. He scanned the box, checked out the receipt and in 5 minutes I had a brand new version. Not sure if it was just a mistake on the workers behalf, or if I was wrong about the info. To be honest the friend I got it from I wouldn't exactly call trustworthy. And it did immediately enter my mind that there might be something off about it, and I asked the same question; why wouldn't he just return it with that receipt? And that's why I posted this in the first place. Well I'm pretty sure if they normally check the IMEI within the phone itself that I just got lucky with a lazy worker, or perhaps having all the stuff with receipt with a valid warranty was enough.

And you can't even return a broken phone to bestbuy, that at least you should know. Warranties don't cover accidents. Why did you friend not just return it himself if he could as he claimed. That should have rung a bell.

I have to ask.. what do you mean you can't return a broken phone to Best buy? Of course you can if you bought the warranty! And warranties don't cover accidents? What would the point of a warranty be!? Very rarely does someone break their phone on purpose, or does it malfunction due in complete part on the manufacturer. They have big ol panphlets describing their return policies with sections on broken phones. The receipt I had had a 30$ 1 year warranty on it, a GSP I believe it was. I sure wouldn't pay extra money that wouldn't protect my phone from falling in the toilet. xD

Well thanks for the responses guys. If anyone else has this issue just think; "what else can they do but say no?". That thought got my cracked screen resolved

Edit: I see now that I never mentioned specifically that the receipt had a paid for 1 year warranty. Sorry bout that. If you were thinking of the 14 day return policy on phones I can see why you would say it doesn't.cover accidents , but I'm not.positive if it does or not.