Mbk Iproducts Safe?

[MaxwellsDemon]

I'm in the market for a new iPhone and am wondering what's the deal with the MBK iPhones (and iPads and Galaxies and whatnot for that matter). How do they sell them for less?

Are they stolen? Gray market? Fakes? What should I look for/how do I know what I'm getting?

I'm not a thief, but if buying and supporting the stolen iPhone market can save me a few baht then I don't mind.

[nullx8]

probably imported from HK .. i bought in HK my iphone 4 .. 6000 Baht Cheaper then in the Thai iStudio.

registered it right in the shop with apple online ... to confirm it's real new and whatever ... no problem.

my favorite Mac dealer in Fortune does the same with Mac Spareparts ... (he is chinese .. fly regulary ot HK .. buy it there tax free and bring it instead of lagguage back to his shop

saves alot !

well there is no protection of buying a stolen device anywhere on this world.

[justsumhelp]

Buy from Apple's refurbished line if you want it now, wait a bit to get the new new one , as for buying from a Thai dealer.... most are good... but can you explain to them what the problem is an why you need it fixed under the warranty provided? oh wait mai khao jai apple care

[notbkk]

Bottom line: NO. You can never trust them.

My story: I bought my first 'new' iPhone in MBK at the 'official' iPhone shop in 2007. (They have since closed). It had an almost invisible protective screen cover which indicates that it was used. It had a software flaw that could never be fixed. I still have the phone.

Then, one month ago I bought a 'brand new' white iPhone 3GS 16GB at another shop there and jailbroke it to iOS 5.1.1. In order to UNLOCK my SIM, I had to find out in which country and company my model nr. was originally locked to. How surprised (or not!) was I to find out it was locked to a Korean Co and sold on the net by it's proud owner in the Philippines as a black iPhone! Yes, my new, beuatiful white phone used to be black and is totally second hand!

Having said all that, it was obviously refurbished very well as it looks brand new and I bought it for a reasonable price. And the service was good. But they all lie, and if you really want a new one, go get it at one of the service provider companies like DTAC, TRUE, etc. (Not sure how true it is, but my Thai colleague tells me one cannot even be 100% sure at these companies.)

[infernalman7]

Dude, there's no such thing as official iPhone shop. I guess you must have been fooled somehow... (no shops were legally and officially allowed to sell iPhones in Thailand until the very end of 2008 when the iPhone 3G was launched by True).

[lomatopo]

If you purchase on line from the apple Thailand store a new iPhone 4S/16 GB is 20,900 all in (includes VAT and free shipping). Orders may be fulfilled from Singapore.

http://store.apple.com/th/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4s

The same iPhone 4S/16 GB in an iStudio store is 22,450 all in.

Box shops in MBK sell the same iPohne 4S/16 GB for ~ 20,500 all in.

[notbkk]

@infernalman7: Dude, I know. Hence the inverted commas in 'official' iPhone shop.

.

[negreanu]

Bottom line: NO. You can never trust them.

Sounds like you did not really know or research what you are buying. MBK is fine to buy products along as you know what u want, what version, what software etc. Never had a problem in 5+ years.

[notbkk]

Bottom line: NO. You can never trust them.

Sounds like you did not really know or research what you are buying. MBK is fine to buy products along as you know what u want, what version, what software etc. Never had a problem in 5+ years.

Yes, I agree, when I bought the first phone in 2007, I was only in Thailand on holiday, and just trusted that if a shop is called 'iPhone Shop" with the Apple logo, everything should be legitimate. I didn't realise that intellectual property can be copied so blatantly and in the open. Of course I know now that here everything is possible. With the second phone last month I knew exactly what I wanted to buy; a brand new iPhone 3GS. Instead I got a very nice second hand one. The point is, they are deceitful. So, once again, MaxwellsDemon: No, MBK is not safe. But do not be put off. Just be aware. Personally, I love shopping there!

[GreenSnapper]

Not a iDevice, but a "new" camera, bought at a reputable chain store.

Later I found out that it was used and had already 600 pictures taken.

They may not all cheat you, but the rate is high and you cannot trust anybody. Buy your electronic stuff outside the country.

I buy iDevices only from the Apple webstore, shipped from Singapore or Shenzen, taxfree.