N20U from Amazon... keep or nah?

[gray2018]

So recently, I got a mystic black Note 20 Ultra from Amazon for 486 dollars. Well, it came in not so "excellent," condition. Most of these imperfections will most likely not be visible once a case is thrown on. However, I still wasn't too thrilled that my new device came with some marks in the frame, worn off paint on the front edges of the screen, and a dirty speaker grill and charging port. I suppose it could easily probably be cleaned.

The seller has offered to give me a 45 dollar partial refund for the imperfections, therefore bringing the price of the down to 441, or I could exchange for another device. Or, I could just return altogether.

What would you guys do? Normally, I would probably just return.... But idk. 441 dollars with no trade in at all is really cheap for a Note 20 Ultra and a really good value considering this device was like almost 1300 dollars when it came out.

 

[gray2018]

Yes. Sold as Amazon renewed refurbished. Everything works.

 

[KWKSLVR]

That doesn't seem refurbished to me at all with that chip on the frame. There's an argument that issues could rear their ugly head on down the line. I guess it depends on how long you plan to keep it.

If it were me, I'd ask for a different device.

 

[gray2018]

Yeah, I think I'm going to try the exchange. It also seems like there is a very, very faint light ring around the hole punch which could be the beginning of that "glue glate," issue some N20 ultra devices have. Basically burn in.

I just hope the newer device they send me is in a bit better condition than this one. When I think refurbished, I think built to look brand new. This ain't it lol

 

[J Dubbs]

The charging port looks like it has corrosion in there from water... I wouldn't keep a device with possible water damage. Plus it looks like it's been rode hard and put away wet (pun intended) I've heard Amazon Renewed devices came in much nicer shape than that.... I personally wouldn't trust it. You should get what Amazon promises... and that ain't it :-\

 

[gray2018]

The charging port looks like it has corrosion in there from water... I wouldn't keep a device with possible water damage. Plus it looks like it's been rode hard and put away wet (pun intended) I've heard Amazon Renewed devices came in much nicer shape than that.... I personally wouldn't trust it. You should get what Amazon promises... and that ain't it :-\

Yeah, a lot of devices I've tried from Amazon have came in immaculate condition. First time ever trying this seller though.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I wouldn't trust that device. It looks too damaged for comfort (dents and corrosion). It looks like there is a reason why it's so cheap.

 

[gray2018]

Yeah, I am definitely not. The seller is going to provide me with an exchange. I am not really too confident with them though. If this one doesn't look good, I am just going to return it and look elsewhere. Amazon renewed sellers can sometimes be shoddy. I got a device recently that the charging port was defective and wouldn't hold a charge. Like, really, aren't you people SUPPOSED to be testing these to see if they actually work with no issues?

It would be awesome to have an actual amazon renewed quality note 20 ultra device for only 486 dollars. That's why I'm giving it a shot still. Lol.

There is a particular seller that I usually try to use named Chubbiestech and the devices I have gotten from them for the most part have always been in mint condition. But, they do not have the Note 20U currently and if they did, I am fairly certain it wouldn't be this cheap. Last time they did it was close to 600.

 

[gray2018]

I sent that phone back. And I think I'm done buying garbage from Amazon. I got another mystic black N20U from a different seller. This device was almost in even worse condition. Device had bad screen burn, scratching on the screen and also an extremely worn out looking charging port. This is anything but "excellent/like new," condition. Do people just wipe down the devices on here and say "oh, it's refurbished."? It's friggin ridiculous. Chubbiestech seems to be the only seller on there who doesn't sell devices that are dirty and all beat up, at least in my experience. People rave about how good Amazon renewed is, but I have only ever had negative experiences for the most part besides that particular seller.

I opted to pay a little bit more and purchased a "mint," condition mystic bronze N20U from Swappa with all the original accessories and a few other goodies like a case and extra s-pen. But, I haven't received it yet, so I guess time will tell if it is really in mint condition or not. I would rather just order the device from Samsung directly, but their website's junk and has a glitch in their system which doesn't allow me to place any more orders.

 

[TechNut79]

How good were the reviews for the person you bought from on swappa? They're supposed to be really good. But I guess things can happen.

 

[gray2018]

It was their personal phone and they have good reviews, but not a ton. The ones they do have are all positive though. The people in the reviews stated how accurate the description was in terms of condition.

Reviews sadly don't always mean everything. The seller I bought from on Amazon on recently, Cellmigo, has had like a million reviews with a 95% rating, and they still sent me garbage.

 

[TechNut79]

True, but I feel like swappa is better, for some reason. Good luck. I hope you get a mint phone.

 

[gray2018]

Thank you.

Heres a few shots of the recent garbage I got lol

 

[TechNut79]

Holy crap, that's horrible. That was sold as like new?

 

[gray2018]

Amazon keeps changing their stupid rating system. So I believe "refurbished like new," has turned into "refurbished excellent condition." Which is BS. Thats what this was sold as.

When I think of refurbished, I think of rebuilt to look new. Not worn out looking or just simply wiped down and cleaned.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Amazon keeps changing their stupid rating system. So I believe "refurbished like new," has turned into "refurbished excellent condition." Which is BS. Thats what this was sold as.

When I think of refurbished, I think of rebuilt to look new. Not worn out looking or just simply wiped down and cleaned.

Obviously, you can't buy only from Amazon itself if you're buying phones. I've lost all faith in anything from a 3rd party seller on Amazon. I'll only buy from Amazon itself, not from any 3rd party sellers.

 

[J Dubbs]

Obviously, you can't buy only from Amazon itself if you're buying phones. I've lost all faith in anything from a 3rd party seller on Amazon. I'll only buy from Amazon itself, not from any 3rd party sellers.

Same here... I learned through bad experiences not to trust 3rd party sellers on Amazon. My wife also had a questionable experience on Swappa. Honestly we only buy new on sale anymore, either from the manufacturer, a trusted place like B&H photo/video, or recently through our local Best Buy since they price match anyway, and we don't have to worry about our phones "disappearing" in transit

 

[gray2018]

Yeah I've only dealt with Swappa twice... One experience good, the other bad. Well, not bad, but questionable. My last experience wasn't too bad. The main thing I dislike about Swappa is how they essentially don't have much of a return policy compared to Amazon. At least all this garbage I got recently was able to be returned. If I got one of these and was stuck with them, I would have been pissed as hell. I think the general consensus though is that Swappa is generally better and more recommendable for buying devices.

And buying the devices from Amazon directly is more expensive. They currently have the N20U from Samsung certified pre-owned for almost 900 dollars still. Yeah no. I'm not paying 900 dollars for a two year old device. I think I'll take it from Swappa for 600 like I purchased recently and re-sell my current device to get a good chunk of my money back. That works for me. I refuse to finance/purchase any more devices from my carrier as I feel you get ripped off in the long term by how much you spend on it, especially with T-Mobile. I also prefer factory unlocked for bloatware purposes. Obviously you can't buy factory unlocked from a carrier.

 

[gray2018]

So recently, I ordered another device but this time on Swappa. The device was listed in mint condition and it was the sellers personal phone and swears she takes care of her phones, and yet, it came to me like this. Seriously, are people just flat out dumb? A phone with DEAD pixels or whatever this is is NOT mint condition. Sending the device back but unfortunately, I have to pay for shipping myself since she wouldn't send me a return label. I don't particularly care for having to pay for someone's mistake. Last time I ever use Swappa. At least with Amazon you get a 90 return policy.

I guess this is partially my fault as when I look closer now in the pictures, the spots are visible. But still, seriously? The only luck I have had long term purchasing used/refurbished devices is buying them directly from Samsung and unfortunately, that's not an option anymore for me. So frustrating as I really want a Note 20 Ultra in mint or good condition WITHOUT heavy wear. If I was able to get it from Samsung, none of these issues would occur.