Trade in stolen

[qnet]

I got my refund for my Galaxy Tab S7+ tablet so that's a relief. Both tracking numbers for phone & tablet were printed on same receipt. It doesn't show the weight on the receipt, but shows the weight and dimensions of both devices when tracked. Someone had to weigh and measure them, I'm assuming the lady I dropped the items off with.

 

[Darth Mo]

I did the early pre-order from Verizon and they're giving $1000 for the trade of my S21U plus an assitional $100 through some promo. I feel like the box size and mailing address (Return Center something or another) gives an idea of what's in the box.

I'm going to put that box in a larger box with some weight. I don't want to have to go back and forth with Verizon over $1000 if the phone comes up missing.

 

[EMGSM]

I just got a email from Samsung saying they received an empty box. I'm going by the Fedex location I dropped it off at. Has anyone had this happen before? I know some phones have been stolen before, but haven't heard about the trade ins.

It's crazy how someone at Fedex or along the way can just take something out of the box, reseal it I presume. I've contacted Samsung and they said they would investigate, but I'm not sure what they can do about it.

It's happened to me before so sorry to hear this happen to someone else.

 

[Annie_M]

I've had them ask me what I'm shipping and I refuse to tell them. This year seems bad for thefts. I don't understand because they can't use the phone can they? Once it's reported stolen. I also take videos of me putting my trade in into the box and I also video when I drop off to FedEx or UPS I just ask their permission to video and they don't usually care.

I hate that this happens and it's a sad commentary on what this world is coming to. I agree that photographing or taking videos when putting the device in the box is a very good idea. Insuring the package is a good idea as well.

 

[Katrina White1]

I think one's only recourse is having a receipt and showing the weight of the package. And even then, who knows what was in the box?

Unless the video shows you from packing all the way to drop off, it really doesn't prove anything other than you packed an item. What happened after?

The annual preorder and trade in process used to be so fun for me. This year with all the thefts, lost packages and inconsistent shipping information...yeah. Idk about next year. I may go back to in person at the store.

 

[qnet]

I got two contradictory emails form Samsung. One stating that the chargeback could not be canceled since they received an empty box, and another saying there wouldn't be a chargeback. I then got a call confirming that they will not be charging back the trade in.

I'm happy this worked out, but wondered what happened, or if they found out who took it. Thanks again to the Samsung rep I spoke with, whoever you are.

 

[Mr Segundus]

So you had an issue as well?

I sold all my phones on Swappa before, but I've had good luck with just trading them the past few years. Selling on Swappa is a risk also, because you don't know who you're selling to, or what lie they may tell, and give you a bad rating. I guess this was bound to happen to me sooner or later, with as many phones I purchase and trade in. Never had this issue before.

Like you, I thought nothing of it, but it's strange I had a weird feeling after the FedEx lady asked me what I was shipping. Hate to blame her because she may not have had anything to do with it.

The Samsung rep was really helpful. I guess they have video of them unboxing a empty box, but she said she believed I shipped the phone, and they were going to investigate it.

I once sold a brand new, sealed iPhone XS Max 512GB phone on Swappa and someone with zero rating purchased it for full price. I shipped it out to New York City and the guy immediately wrote me and told me the phone box was empty. Of course Swappa immediately took the buyer's side and accused me of cheating the buyer. Little did they know I took a video of the iPhone XS Max box, showing that it was in its original sealed iPhone box, then placed it in the shipping box. I then recorded the IMEI of the phone and gave that to Swappa as well. Luckily they saw someone in NYC activated and used the phone and PayPal took my side and released the funds. But it was a month-long ordeal and I'll never deal with that again. If I have tech I want to use to trade in, I'll go in-store to Best Buy and trade it in, even if it's for lesser value than what I could get selling it. I don't want to deal with that crap anymore.

 

[Katrina White1]

Luckily they saw someone in NYC activated and used the phone and PayPal took my side and released the funds. But it was a month-long ordeal and I'll never deal with that again. If I have tech I want to use to trade in, I'll go in-store to Best Buy and trade it in, even if it's for lesser value than what I could get selling it. I don't want to deal with that crap anymore.

Im glad that worked out for you. Do you know if it was the purchaser that had activated the phone?

 

[Gary02468]

Unless the video shows you from packing all the way to drop off, it really doesn't prove anything other than you packed an item. What happened after?

That's a good point, but one thing a video (or even photos) can do is rule out the possibility that someone accidentally omitted the phone, or failed to seal the box. With the photos and video, a person either shipped the phone properly or is attempting overt fraud/theft, but nothing in between.

 

[qnet]

It's certainly a risk any way you go, unless you go into the store. I'll think about this the next time, and will definitely film myself boxing the phone up, if I decide to participate in the trade-in program next time around.

 

[Mike Dee]

I think one's only recourse is having a receipt and showing the weight of the package. And even then, who knows what was in the box?

Unless the video shows you from packing all the way to drop off, it really doesn't prove anything other than you packed an item. What happened after?

The annual preorder and trade in process used to be so fun for me. This year with all the thefts, lost packages and inconsistent shipping information...yeah. Idk about next year. I may go back to in person at the store.

Yeah, the video doesn't prove anything

 

[s2kdriver80]

Years ago, when I traded in my Note 8, they claimed the screen was scratched up and emailed me pics to "prove" it. All of the phones that I've ever had were kept in pristine condition throughout my ownership, so I know the damage wasn't from me. I told them it must have been someone in the receiving department in beast mode or an employee having a bad day opening the box in a fit of rage. I asked them if they had video footage of the unboxing; all of a sudden I'm good. Like you couldn't review the footage first before accusing me of damage? Lol.

 

[s2kdriver80]

I guess the only way to really prove that you actually sent the phone in is to start the camera rolling at the FedEx store. Box it up there, hand it to the employee, and get the receipt all in one video take.

 

[bhatech]

FedEx at it's best, trade in still not delivered when it was supposed to be delivered on March 1st.

My S22 Ultra case was supposed to be delivered today but it's still somewhere in Wyoming. And the tab S8 Ultra cases are on the way and I'm sure it'll be delayed as well

FWIW, when they ship FedEx 2 day I have no issues and it's always delivered on time. It's the FedEx ground (home) that seems to cause major issues for me and I have zero control to choose shipping since there was no option to select shipping option while ordering.

 

[The_Woo]

This is crazy! I hope it all gets squared away for those that got stolen.

My S22U delivers Monday. The Fed Ex guy doesn't know it yet, but he'll be part of my live unboxing video done by my front door while being recorded by my Ring security camera. I already set up the set....Just in case I need proof.....lol

 

[qnet]

FedEx at it's best, trade in still not delivered when it was supposed to be delivered on March 1st.

My S22 Ultra case was supposed to be delivered today but it's still somewhere in Wyoming. And the tab S8 Ultra cases are on the way and I'm sure it'll be delayed as well

FWIW, when they ship FedEx 2 day I have no issues and it's always delivered on time. It's the FedEx ground (home) that seems to cause major issues for me and I have zero control to choose shipping since there was no option to select shipping option while ordering.View attachment 342613

That's messed up. I hope they get it straightened out. Years back when they started the trade-in programs, I avoided it and relied solely on selling them on my own. With the rising cost of these phones, it's hard to not try it out, but we're taking a chance as seen.

 

[KPMcClave]

FedEx at it's best, trade in still not delivered when it was supposed to be delivered on March 1st.

My S22 Ultra case was supposed to be delivered today but it's still somewhere in Wyoming. And the tab S8 Ultra cases are on the way and I'm sure it'll be delayed as well

FWIW, when they ship FedEx 2 day I have no issues and it's always delivered on time. It's the FedEx ground (home) that seems to cause major issues for me and I have zero control to choose shipping since there was no option to select shipping option while ordering.View attachment 342613

I was told by FedEx customer service that the Fedex Ground delievries are done by independent contractors. They have commonly left packages on my driveway in front of the overhead doors. It's a good thing I'm a nerd and track shipments so closely, or someone would've certainly backed out over something...probably more than once.

 

[kryan424]

When I traded in my S21U for N20U, I did it through Samsung and they claimed I sent them an empty box. Fed ex and Samsung both said there was nothing they could do. I basically lost the money I spent on that phone and the $700 trade in value they were gonna give. I will never trade in through Samsung again. Though after reading through the comments, I feel like the Fed ex lady did ask me what I was shipping so the phone might not have ever left my town.

 

[Blues Fan]

When I traded in my S21U for N20U, I did it through Samsung and they claimed I sent them an empty box. Fed ex and Samsung both said there was nothing they could do. I basically lost the money I spent on that phone and the $700 trade in value they were gonna give. I will never trade in through Samsung again. Though after reading through the comments, I feel like the Fed ex lady did ask me what I was shipping so the phone might not have ever left my town.

The shipping place I use is a small, locally owned shipping center which is authorized for Fedex, UPS, and USPS. It's mostly old men and women working there and never have an issue. Did you go to a fedex hub to ship or one of those authorized places?

 

[jlangner]

When I traded in my S21U for N20U, I did it through Samsung and they claimed I sent them an empty box. Fed ex and Samsung both said there was nothing they could do. I basically lost the money I spent on that phone and the $700 trade in value they were gonna give. I will never trade in through Samsung again. Though after reading through the comments, I feel like the Fed ex lady did ask me what I was shipping so the phone might not have ever left my town.

IMO, Samsung should have insurance on them since they paid shipping then they can just file a claim as stolen. I traded in a Active Watch last year and to this day the tracking still shows pending. Only entry was when I dropped off. Samsung didn't question anything in this case.