2,410 reviews
AI reviews summary
The overall sentiment for Phonebot is highly positive, with many customers praising the competitive pricing and the accurate "like new" condition of refurbished devices. However, a significant segment of reviewers reports a starkly different experience characterized by severe post-sale communication failures and protracted warranty disputes. While the majority of transactions are seamless, customers who encounter faulty hardware often face significant difficulty obtaining refunds or support.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Phonebot is a reliable choice for high-quality, affordable refurbished technology provided the device works perfectly out of the box. However, the business appears to struggle with a "dual-tier" service model where after-sales support is significantly less reliable than the initial sales process. Potential buyers should be aware that while the value is high, resolving a hardware fault may involve a difficult and lengthy communication process.
Orderd a phone cover but it was wrong size. Sent it back for a refund which was not given as packaging was opened. Still kept my cover. If you don't give refund, then it is still my cover. Show details
Excellent to deal with. Had just what I wanted at an amazing price. It was easy to manoeuvre around the website and there were a huge range of phones to choose from. Will definitely be back when I need to upgrade. Highly recommended! Show details
Website easy to navigate, product descriptions accurate and well priced. Delivery prompt. Can't really ask for much more! This was my first time using phonebot as I had previously used competitors, I'm likely to use phonebot again! Show details
Reviews with attachments
I just came across Phonebot when googling mobile phones and so glad I did! IMO a refurbished handset should be just as good as new, and they offer a 30 day change of mind and 12 month warranty. Communication was fantastic also. A+++ Show details
5 stars are not enough… t’s not, why? I’ll tell you why When Phonebot says it’s excellent condition, it is, always. This is the second time I have purchased from Phonebot and there are reasons why I chose them again. For example, buy from Rebaloo or others..l they say excellent condition. Well I spent hours cleaning and reseting an iPad Pro… Read more
as when it arrived it still had goo from a removed sticker. Same with a pair of Bose headphones still linked to the previous owner. Dirty laptops… and so on
Look humans, 14.,500,000 yes that many mobile devises are thrown away each day you filth.
Care for planet = 0
Not at Phonebot…
Their customer service is excellent, they assisted me with a damaged delivery label in record breaking time. And this time I got an iPad Pro. And it is absolutely immaculate, let me show you…
You see Phonebot not only supplies a quality, clean, like new product if it’s advertised that way, it’s others are in excellent condition regardless and you get warranty.And the service you are looking for. Don’t waste your time with others. Phonebot is #1.
You can tell they have thoroughly inspected and tested any products before resell.
And they are doing this planet a much needed service.
14.5 million… a day humans… and that’s just mobile devices.
It’s sickening,
Thank you so much Phonebot. I think I’m so satisfied this will be my first point in replacing any mobile device that needs it in the future permanently.
They really do give a d#mn.
Packaging is mostly cardboard, the products are well priced.
And for a planet that needs humans to look after it, it’s probably in tears that a corporation, finally actually cared to make profit from sustainability.
Well done Phonebot, if only others would follow your example.
On behalf of a planet that can’t speak words,
Thank you.
And that is why 5 stars are not enough,
Phonebot gets 6 because they look after our home.
I bought a refurbished iPhone 12 with new battery and looked like a new. I’ve checked everything on it and it was exactly as advertised and in perfect condition. Came in a proper package with a screen protector installed and a few new case. I couldn’t be more happy and satisfied with this purchase. Show details
I purchased a near new Samsung S25 Ultra. Very happy with the phone. The online description was spot on. Great service and delivery. I would definitely purchase from this company again. Thank you very much. Show details · 2
Great service and fair pricing. Both Dave and Ben are masters of what they do. 10/10 would recommend! Show details
I recently ordered an Apple Watch Series 6 GPS and cellular and it is perfect for good condition only downside battery was at 71% maximum capacity not bad. It’s still gets me for the day but overall awesome. Show details
I turned on the iPad I had received and it was fine, meaning in terms of appearance, everything was as requested when I bought it. It's still too early to comment on the performance of this iPad because I only bought it two or three days ago. It's just that the power cable doesn't charge well, and that doesn't have a case. I'll buy a new one for… Read more · 1
it. I finally received what I bought. I hope it works for me for a long time so I can add it to my future quotes.
Bought a refurbed iPad in near new condition. Fabulous product and in fantastic condition. Super quick postage and communication. Would highly recommend Show details · 1
Product received and works perfectly. I’ve always used ZAGG screen protectors. I rate them very highly. I’ve only given the store 3 stars because they offer free shipping but didn’t use the correct parcel so I had to pay $8.75 to receive my parcel from the post office as they’d not only charged me the difference between the missing postage cost but also a penalty. I don’t mind paying shipping but rather not have it sprung on me. Show details
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By far the WORST customer service experience I’ve ever had. If you are not located near to their physical location..DO NOT PURCHASE FROM HERE. Three phone calls (which ate just messages) have all gone unanswered. Emails take at least 2 business days for reply … so if you have an issue, you can forget about any attention to it ….AND you WILL have… Read more
an issue. I’ve had to pay another person to fix their rubbish product because it is impossible to speak to somebody OR get any kind of email conversation happening with these people. My purchase had a battery that was not even secured inside the case and also had glass underneath it which meant it rubbed through the battery and shorted it out …so not only is their customer service terrible but their product is faulty and useless. Go anywhere but here
Hi James, Thank you for taking the time to share your… Read more (+1 reply)
Brought a "Oppo A79 5g dual Sim" A1 CONDITION! Absolutely not what I received. I got sent an overseas single Sim variant with visual damage on both sides including the power button/fingerprint scanner. As a result the fingerprint sensor doesn't work so I asked for a refund... First they sent me a dodgy returns form that didn't work then I called… Read more
them to explain they asked me to send another email with the photos and they will send out a shipping label, still waiting. Now my other phone is completely gone and I am forced to use a faulty product or be left without a phone. Didn't honer their warranty, rude and arrogant to deal with not worth the price they're cheap for a reason don't even inspect their products
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to share your… Read more (+1 reply)
DO MOT BUY FROM HERE. I purchased a top grade iPhone 12 mini for my son for Christmas. The phone its self was in great condition. The battery was terrible. Phone was not useable. I contacted phone bot and am still waiting for a reply 2 months later. I have since had to pay $100 to get battery replaced as my son could not go without a phone for school ect. Still no reply from phone bot. Show details
Hi Ricky, we appreciate you sharing your experience, but… Read more
Purchased an iPhone 13, it stopped working within weeks, we were then ignored by customer service for weeks and when we finally got instructions to return it they took a month to get back to us and lied saying we had water damaged it. Completely untrue - if it had water damage then they sent it to us like that in the first place!! Looking online… Read more
they seem to do that to everyone to avoid warranties. Buyer beware, if you end up with a crappy second, no one from this business will help you. They will lie to avoid warranties and barely even reply to attempts of contact. Honestly, just dispute it with your bank because you will never get your money back from this business, they are LYING THEIFS !! $590 for a phone that didn't last 2 weeks. Avoid these people at all costs !!
Hi Benjamin, We disagree with your claims and we are… Read more
Advertised as starlight in colour with the correct light colour band pictured. However it came with a generic black band. Apparently what is pictured isn’t what you get. False adverting if you ask me. Buy beware. I would absolutely not order from them again. Other much better options to buy repurposed things from. Avoid these guys for sure.
Hi JJW, We’re really sorry to hear about this and we… Read more
Do not send to them for repairs or buy if you hope for after sale service. I paid for the last stage of phone repair on 5th November and still haven’t had any update that it is repaired and it is mid January. I originally bought this as an A grade phone from them in September but the volume button and front camera did not work properly, clearly they do not check all functions before sending out. Show details
Hi Jake, Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry… Read more (+1 reply)
Latest follow-ups
Everything seamless .. nervous about buying my first 2 nd hand phone but totally recommend it The Phone looked new arrived quickly works well and the genuine offer of backup help with clear pathways if needed was a decider .. Show details
Follow-up · Battery health good around 92 % New packaging including charger Felt like a new product Really happy it’s been a seamless process Big thanks !
Bought a used Xbox DVD and it was damaged. Sent an email to the support with the evidence and haven't received any response yet (more than a week now) I had to dispute the charge with my credit card to pursue my consumer rights!! Show details
Follow-up · Follow up: No one reached out or responded to the original email to the support. Still pending dispute with the bank.
Hi, We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you've… Read more
Disappointed this time – My Galaxy S9+ was a good phone, from Phonebot and lasted 5 years. This time, I opted for a Galaxy S23 Ultra from Phonebot which was used but like new. Had I searched a bit more, I would have found that I could get a brand new S23 Ultra with extras… Read more
on eBay for just $150 more. I am disappointed in the deal on this superceded phone. Next time, I'll be buying elsewhere.
Follow-up · Phone has worked flawlessly since I got it, and was in as new condition to begin with. Accessories were provided.
Find out how Phonebot compares to other Electronics & Computing Shops
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Positive reviews
Delivery time was good although as I was not home at the time of delivery, I had to pick it up at the local post office. Bit disappointed with the leather cover I ordered with the phone, I thought it looked like a wallet type in the picture I saw .
I've broken a lot of phones and always replace them at Phonebot--good prices, affordable, no fuss, the workers are nice enough, and they usually throw in a case and screen protector. 5/5, thank you guys Show details
The phone I got is fantastic, unfortunately I had to wait to be served and then had to go and came back to pick up the phone I was buying, lovely customer service but they need more staff Show details
Negative reviews
Super slow processing, missed the birthday it was for, then zero communication on order updates, I don't know if it is coming not coming getting refunded???? poor form, wish me luck on the refund process.
Hi, We're sincerely sorry to hear about your… Read more
What a joke! They sent me a faulty product that failed to even turn on. Then made me pay for return postage and delayed my refund. The entire process has taken more than a month. DO NOT RECOMMEND. WILL NOT BUY AGAIN. Show details
Average service and the product does not meet advertised description - NOT recommended! These days we're conditioned to expect online purchases to be shipped straight away... well don't expect that sort of service from Phonebot. Needed a new phone urgently - did not need them to take 2 days to send it out. Then the tracking link they provided… Read more
did not work. And when the phone arrived it was lucky that it was undamaged - lucky because it was sent in a hard cardboard box with ZERO padding or protection of any kind.
And the phone itself? It was meant to be "As New" condition, which they describe as "...rigorously tested and certified to original specifications... exceptional value alternative to brand new, identical performance..." Hardly! It booted up into Japanese, which was a surprise, but not as much as when I tried to set up fingerprint id and got the message "Can't use fingerprint sensor. Visit a repair provider or g.co/pixel/fingerprintunlock". On Googling it I discovered this means the screen has been replaced and they forgot to recalibrate the fingerprint sensor when it was done! And as for "original specifications... identical performance" - the battery life is like a 5 year old heavily used device (and why was it on 32% when received?). Not even close to what was advertised/claimed. After discussion with them they wanted me to send the phone back so they could 'investigate' - unfortunately I'm not in a position to do without my phone for however long that would take... perhaps their follow-up customer service is good, but I can't afford to be further severely inconvenienced to see if they can rectify problems that should never have occurred in the first place.
I've bought refurbished devices from other suppliers in the past, but Phonebot is the first sub-standard experience I've had.
Recent reviews
This the second or maybe 3rd product I've bought from Phonebot. This time it was the Google Pixel 10 Fold Pro. And as was the case with the Oppo Flip I bought a couple of years ago, the quality out of the box was brilliant, like new to look at, even though it was rated Very Good. I always recommend my friends to check out Phonebot to save money and the planet, even if it's one phone at time. Thank guys. Show details
Pretty good experience all round. I did try to contact support on WhatsApp but never heard from them, that was the only disappointing side. Phone is great, we ordered an A grade but it was pretty much a new phone. No noticeable damage, had a new screen protector on when it arrived, came with a nice case and a 3rd party usb charging cable. Battery life was great. Overall, happy with the product. Show details
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Hi, Thank you for your feedback, and we're delighted to… Read more