Confirming OEM Unlocking is Available for Pixel 8 (G9BQD)?

de0u

hyperlink9 I was not only told by the seller that it the bootloader would be unlockable, but sold a f***ing DEMO unit. That's infuriating.

Indeed.

Maybe Swappa will waive the fee because it was a demo unit?

hyperlink9

de0u hoping so! I'm not letting them off easy, that's for sure. One of their introductory emails' subject was "No Junk, No Jerks on Swappa". Apparently I got to test that theory, but let's see how their customer service is now lol...

hyperlink9

23Sha-ger THANK YOU! I was wondering what the hell was wrong with this phone, and now I at least know I got scammed (or the seller did, and passed it on to me). Guess I'll just have to wait a bit for a new phone, but at least I'm in the return window. Much appreciated.

This post will at least serve as a reminder to check your IMEI with Google if the option is there. Anyone who comes across that, you can do so here:
https://store.google.com/us/repair?hl=en-US

grayway2

Selling a demo unit without telling the customer is really something gross.

Demo unit are for stores only. They are not for private use.

I never ordered on Swappa but they should authorize a return and give you a full refund for selling that shit.

hyperlink9

grayway2 curious, is there truth to this statement from the seller?
"We did check this with Google's website however them adding that additional line regarding the device being a demo unit only showed up within the last week. Google made some changes/upgrades to the website with the announcement of the Pixel 10. As this was listed and purchased about two weeks ago, Google's website had not yet shown this."

Because regardless, here's the problem as I see it: they became aware at some point that Google's site is 'now showing the demo status', and I had to reach out to them to confirm this fact with them. Swappa has the IMEIs of the devices sold as far as I know, or at least these sellers should be sending a follow-up email to their customers to check and see if their device is in fact a demo unit.

So no matter how one looks at this situation, there is a major problem here. They know at least one person got a demo phone. But after they were made aware, there is no energy being expended to make it right for anyone else who potentially got scammed. In fact, it wouldn't be a scam if they'd just do their due diligence.

This really is disgusting, and I will never shop with this company again.

23Sha-ger

hyperlink9
That sounds like a scam from the seller, not the site, a unit can't turn "demo" for no apparent reason.
There is a batch of demo units factory flashed in this mode. Just like a factory unlocked
phone can't become carrier locked "suddenly". Google didn't change anything on their site, pretty sure
all IMEIs from this batch will show as demo as well.

hyperlink9

23Sha-ger the fault I'm putting on the company is for not exercising any form of discipline, and for not understanding that if this happened to me, that it may be far more widespread than they're willing to acknowledge.

The proper thing for the company to do would be to send out a recall email to anyone who has purchased a Google Pixel device, telling them to check their IMEI with Google's database in order to tell if they have one of the demo units, but we all know they wouldn't do that, because it's easier to screw over the buyers than to actually do the responsible thing!

But yes, that's exactly what I'm wondering: did the seller just flat out lie to me, saying that it was only within the past week that Google added the "DEMO" tag to the identifier string for IMEI readouts? Because the Pixel 8 was released October 12, 2023; it doesn't at all seem likely Google would wait just shy of 2 years to relay that information to the public. It makes no sense at all, and is likely yet another lie they've been caught in; they just wanted to cover their asses with a despicable PR attempt.

grayway2

hyperlink9 the seller just flat out lie to me, saying that it was only within the past week that Google added the "DEMO" tag to the identifier string for IMEI readouts? Because the Pixel 8 was released October 12, 2023; it doesn't at all seem likely Google would wait just shy of 2 years to relay that information to the public.

The seller is probably lying. I don't think that Google added the demo tag just couple weeks ago . I think he knew.

Don't waist your time with the platform or the seller. Just get back your money and buy from somewhere like best buy.

hyperlink9

grayway2 Agreed on buying elsewhere, however I may see if this fits the bill for Louis Rossmann's Consumer Rights Wiki, and run it by Consumer Reports and the Better Business Bureau.

Imagine how much money these people are making by championing the motto "No Junk, No Jerks!", and telling people they'll have better luck here, than shopping on eBay, etc. when on a budget. As scummy of companies as eBay and PayPal may be, at least they actually protect buyers from fraudulent purchases!

BuffaloStance

@hyperlink9

I'm sorry this happened to you. The blame is certainly on the seller here and depending on the strength of their ultimate response, potentially Swappa as well. I have bought several items on their marketplace and have always had a good experience. But not unlike ebay, poor form from a seller can ruin everything.

It was my understanding that Swappa admins strictly enforce their rules and kept up with issues. But your situation is concerning. Please give us an update when you can re: any potential resolutions.

...and please don't let this deter you from your goal of GOS on a Pixel! It's everything that an Android phone should be and while usually a much simpler installation process, will still be worth the effort in the end.

hyperlink9

BuffaloStance well, the chief of staff at Swappa threatened to block my comments if I continued to say anything besides sending the tracking number for returning the demo phone. That was nice of them.

The seller has the ultimate blame, because they blatantly lied twice, saying that 'this change on Google's website happened within the past week, whereas your purchase was 2 weeks ago". The above Reddit post was from May of 2024, so that is complete BS! I can't believe the chief of staff watched that interaction unfold, and decided that blocking my comments was the only proper resolution.

They have agreed to a 'full' refund, however the seller skipped on shipping fees by wrapping the phone up in 3 USPS shipping bags with no hazardous materials label for the lithium ion battery in the phone. They offered to reimburse me for $6 for ground shipping, but it ended up being twice that cost, and I had to run to a local phone carrier to get the proper label for shipping. The situation just gets uglier the more I look at it!

Anyway, now I'm awaiting the refund, and I'll be sure to purchase a Pixel from another service. After all of this hassle, it better be worth it! Lol

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