Buy sealed Galaxy S25 Ultra for 900...

[quantumq]

Hello, everyone. I have been buying and selling on eBay for 20 years. My first question is: I want to buy a new Samsung S25 Ultra 512 Gb. They are priced at £910, but on pre-order, you can't buy them cheaper than £1400. How is this possible, and is it worth buying from someone who has 100% positives and has been on eBay for 10 years?

Thank you for all your replies

[m25jet]

To be honest I would strongly advise against buying a mobile phone from anybody on eBay, regardless of the seller's feedback score and how long he or she has been registered on the site.  If you really want a brand new Samsung S25 Ultra 512Gb mobile phone that badly then save up the money for it and buy it from a reputable High Street outlet that have been trading for longer than eBay have, and who also have a strong reputation to uphold.  By purchasing a new mobile phone that way you not only have the peace of mind of knowing that you're getting a decent phone that hasn't been used or stolen, but you'll also have a guarantee on it that lasts for far longer than thirty days from the date of purchase that eBay will grant you should you choose to buy your new mobile phone from a seller on eBay.

In view of the above I really can't see any advantages in buying a mobile phone on eBay, other than the fact that the purchase price may be cheaper, but then again, do you really want to take a chance on a phone that may prove to be stolen, and which, in any case, will only have a guarantee that lasts for thirty days?  As the old saying goes, if something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is...

[quantumq]

Thank you for your time and guidance m25jet )) . I think it's worth checking each time that the IMEI on the phone matches the one on the packaging . In this case the customer also provides the purchase receipt. Without this there is no manufacturer's guarantee.
I also think that you can check whether this particular IMEI is not stolen on the Samsung website.
But I have to think about this ...

[quantumq]

Another good practise , and important considerations:

Seller responisibilty: If buying a new phone, always ask the seller to provide the IMEI number to verify its status. 

[porte2425]

If it sounds to good to be true, then it usually is. ☠️

The account may have been compromised – more likely if they’ve only just started selling (again), and have many items priced too low. It will mean a hacker / crime ring is looking for a quick cash out. You will never see the item.

Most people also don’t realise that buying an item from eBay usually invalidates the manufacturer’s warranty. Only certain sellers (big companies who usually have their own websites as well) are included in the manufacturer’s approved resellers list. If the seller gives you the original receipt, or at least tells you the original date, price and retailer, then you may get away with a warranty claim.

[quantumq]

I will check it out and try to let you know if everything is ok because I contacted Samsung and found out that this particular phone is under warranty. So I will buy it.

[plpmr]

To sell pre-order they must be a registered business seller, if not walk away.

Presale listings must clearly state that they are "presale" in the title and description, and guarantee postage within 40 business days of purchase.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/listing-policies/presale-policy?id=4252&st=3&pos=1&query=Presal...

[plpmr]

How could they do that for a pre-order?

[beyourb3st]

I saw lots of them listed. I am glad I am a generation or two behind getting yesterdays highend tech for tomorrows prices. To me it isn't worth it and the only reason they get that money is because of people following fashion. 

The industry has pretty much run out of ideas now. 

Apple will go under. Again. 

[myriad*seller]

If they aren't a scam you may find they are being sent from overseas and will incur a 30% import VAT and duty fee which would bring them up to the full price anyway

If you don't pay the customs fees when they are demanded, you lose the phone and your money

Just wait until the phone is available in shops and buy one from somewhere you have consumer rights and a warranty to protect you 

[m25jet]

There have been some very good points made by the various people who have posted on this thread so far, but I've just thought of something that I forgot to mention earlier.

Although it can be tempting to just go out and buy the latest piece of tech if you really want it badly enough, if you already have a decent phone that is fully functional and compatible wtih the latest updates then try to hold off of buying that new phone for the time being, and wait until it's been around for a bit.  The longer it's available in the shops the greater your chances are of finding the phone for a cheaper overall price, as the various outlets that have it available for sale will all be competing with one another to beat their rivals' prices, thus increasing your chances of being able to find the phone being advertised for sale at a cheaper overall price.  If you wait long enough - ie:  until the next version of that phone you're after is about to launch and supersede the one that you currently want to buy - then the asking price will more than likely drop significantly owing to the fact that it's no longer the latest offering from that company, in which case you'll end up saving a considerable sum of money in the long run.  However, if you're the kind of person who likes to have the latest model of phone at all times, whatever the cost, then this possibility is unlikely to appeal to you.

If after considering everything that has been said so far you're still determined to get that phone as soon as possible then make sure that you buy it from a reputable outlet where you will receive a full guarantee on the phone and can take it back should something go wrong with it whilst it is still under guarantee.

[quantumq]

Good day .
I was a bit busy so I did not write back. But to the point.
I decided to take a chance and buy this phone.
First of all, thank you all for your hints, tips and suggestions.
Of course I spent some time to make sure that the phone is not on contract (the seller sent me a picture of the invoice for this phone where was the IMEI number) and the total amount paid for the phone.
I contacted Samsung support (I have an account there) and asked if this phone was repaired - it was not. I found out that it is under warranty from the date of purchase, which is listed on the invoice.

I also found out from CS that the phone is not in the stolen phone database.
Do not ask how long I fought with the service to get this information haha - it was not easy but I managed.
I am waiting for the phone to arrive today. The next thing I will do is record the opening of the package, check the seals on the box, and ensure that the IMEI number on the box matches the number on the phone.
I will try to let you know if this was a good choice, or if I was cheated.
Greetings from sunny Scotland 🙂

[quantumq]

The phone was delivered, pre-boxed. The IMEI number matched the one on the packaging, the phone is not stolen, nor has it ever been repaired, I also received the original invoice for its purchase from Samsung's UK distribution. What can I say... Thank you for all your critical comments and have a good evening.

[nomad2k3]

That won't be given usually, I have had people ask me for that and I won't send it as it can be used to clone a handset.

[nomad2k3]

The phone was released to carriers and website pre orders on Jan 31st 2025, it went on sale in physical stores on 11th Feb 25

[quantumq]

This time, the transaction was fair, and the phone was original from a seller with 100% positive comments.