C500 replaced with refurb?

[Guest xspyda]

Anyone had a C500 replaced by orange within 28 days of purchase? I say 28 days because this is the time in which they are supposed to replace the handset with a brand new one and not a refurbished set, or so I am told.

My first was returned due to a fault with the camera and despite their assurances that the replacement would be brand new, I am sure I have been given a refurb. Sure it came in a nice box with all the accessories and all looked as new until I got to the phone itself. Ill fitting casing means the buttons are very difficult to operate and the feel of the plastic is very different to the new ones supplied on contract or as an upgrade. I have tonight received my second replacement after complaining and this is exactly the same and feels very tacky compared to the second spv my other half uses on my account.

Tonight, sending a text, the zero button got stuck under the plastic casing. You cannot even force the button under the casing on a new one (not that you would want to)! This just shows that the casing on these 'new' replacements is some kind of after-market version.

Orange have again insisted that these are brand new and have denied that they are refurbished, stating that refurbs are only issued as a replacement after 28 days.

Anyone else had experience of this?

Seems to me that these 'new' replacements are in fact 14 day returns which have been re-cased and packaged as new.

Any thoughts ?

[Guest Raymo]

they are refurbished!

mines was

anyway

[Guest xspyda]

Well, my first two were ... they finally sent a new one at the third attempt!

Even got a message from O to say they are sorry about the 'mix up' and they are monitoring the situation!

... after admitting that these are not refurb phones, but in fact 14 day returns!

My advice to anyone in the same boat - keep complaining 'till they replace with a new one as they should do if you are within 28 days of upgrade / purchase date.