Phonebot Reviews

Name: Phonebot
Address: Shop A 289 Broadway reservoir, Melbourne
Rating: 4.60

4.6 Rating 3,658 Reviews

91 %

of reviewers recommend Phonebot

About Phonebot:

Established in 2012, Phonebot is a market leader in sustainable technology products. Our aim is to reduce carbon footprint by reusing or recycling technology products. From acquiring a gently used product, our team of highly qualified technicians grades and refurbishes each device and only the most delicately used are on sold to consumers in our shops & online. Devices that do not meet the criteria are then either exported for overseas use or used as parts elsewhere.

Hundreds of positive customer testimonials on various review platforms testify our commitment to providing excellent customer service and after sales support. Our team of geeks based in Melbourne are reachable 9am to 9pm AEST via Messenger app for any troubleshooting or sales related queries.

With 2 convenient locations in Melbourne, our trained staff is busy assisting customers make sustainable and Affordable repair choices every day of the week.

Our focus is refurbished ,gently used (second hand), ex-demo, change of mind and corporate buy back devices.

Visit Website

Phone:

0394626936

Email:

support@phonebot.com.au

Location:

Shop A 289 Broadway reservoir
Melbourne
3073

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Phonebot 5 star review on 5th April 2024

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

Filter: Rated 1 None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“I wouldn't even give you half a star nor recommend you to anyone first you send me a faulty phone the the replacement is missing half its software then wouldn't fix it because it got damaged in transit which they state voids warranty and its not stated in theirs warranty guidelines then proceeded to send the phone back damaged and still missing half the software”

Helpful Report

We understand your concerns, but based on the information available, we want to clarify a few key points. Firstly, at the time of initiating the return, there was no mention of any physical damage. If there were any issues, they should have been reported upfront so we could have guided you accordingly. Unfortunately, finding such a condition of the returned item voids the warranty and everything associated with it. Because we strive to assist our customers within reasonable limits, and we cannot take responsibility for damage that was not present at the time of shipment. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at support@phonebot.com.au Best regards, Shazz CX Manager – Phonebot

“ipad is in good condiition the issue was not having charger cable and providing just a charger head. Is diffuclt finding the older chargers. basically i have ipad the i cant even charge no shop sells it.”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. We have emailed you regarding the tracking and delivery status of the charger that has been sent to you separately. We truly regret the hassle and appreciate your patience while this matter is being resolved. If there’s anything further we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out on support@phonebot.com.au Best Regards, Shary Rizwee. CX Manager - Phonebot

“An extremely poor customer experience from start to finish dealing with Phonebot which I thought I'd share to try and save someone from going through the same experience I have. To start with, it was extrmemely slow postage and I was sent a scratched iPad Pro when I paid for ‘Like New’ condition. They didn’t respond to my emails regarding the issue upon receipt of the unit. I had to call them multiple times after weeks of no reply to my emails. When they finally answered the call they offered to send me a replacement unit after offering compensation for the scratched screen. I was satisfied with the offer of a replacement of the same unit assuming it would be in the condition I paid for. But after no reply for a further 2 weeks after I had paid $50 to courier it back to them (at my own expense) they advised they wouldn’t replace it. They advised that this was a 'change of mind' decision when clearly they had sent me a scratched and sub-par unit. Do yourself a favour and buy a new one to avoid a painful experience dealing with Phonebot online, they are useless. I recommend avoiding this company at all costs as they cannot be trusted; while their pricing might seem attractive, the reality is that their devices are not as described and their customer service falls well short of satisfactory.”

Helpful Report

Hi James, Thank you for your feedback and for keeping us informed throughout this process. We appreciate your patience and the effort you've taken to return the item. I want to clarify a couple of points regarding the situation: The "Grade C" label you noticed on the iPad is part of our internal stock management system and does not reflect the actual condition of the product sent to you. This label is used to track inventory for internal purposes – not the quality of the device itself. We apologize for the confusion this may have caused. Regarding the shipping cost you mentioned, I’d like to note that the return was initiated under a change of mind, not due to a confirmed fault with the device. If the product had been deemed faulty, we would have arranged and covered the return shipping and replacement process entirely. Since the return was voluntary, the associated shipping cost was a result of your own decision. That said, we’re glad to hear you are happy to proceed with the replacement. As you are already in communication with our team, we’ll ensure you are guided through the next steps, and the replacement unit will be dispatched at the earliest possible time. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager – Phonebot

“Mistake on delivery. Very poor communication. No more follow ups after taking accountability from the error, despite my emails to remind them of the issue.”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

Dear Customer, We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused and for the unreasonable amount of time this matter has taken to resolve. This is not the level of service we strive to provide, and we truly regret the frustration it has caused. To ensure this is promptly resolved, we will now proceed with sending you a replacement. Please accept our sincerest apologies for the delay and give us the opportunity to make this right for you. Additionally, you will be contacted by both phone and email before the end of the day to provide you with an update and ensure your concerns are addressed. Thank you for your patience, and we sincerely regret any frustration caused. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further concerns. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager – Phonebot

“DO NOT PURCHASE FROM PHONEBOT Deceptive practises, terrible service, incompetent. Here is my experience with PHONEBOT PHONEBOT sold me 3 Homepods without OEM or similar making them unusable. These plugs are included as standard by Apple. PHONEBOT do not indicate that they will not be provided. PHONEBOT takes days to reply to aftersales support requests. When contacted they insinuated this not including the required plugs was an oversight rather than standard practise. I find this hard to believe, all three Homepods were missing plugs. They offer replacement plugs to be shipped from their ‘supplier’. Their ‘supplier’ is eBay drop shipping generic Chinese parts that takes weeks to turn up. When delivered they delivered 2 short USB C cables rather than the 3 USB C wall plugs. After contacting them regarding this latest issue they have not responded. It is January 2nd 2025, my initial order November 29th 2024. My recourse at this point is to contact my credit card company, contact any regulatory agency that my penalise PHONEBOT and to leave warnings to other potential customers. My opinion is, DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM PHONEBOT EVER.”

Helpful Report

Dear Customer, Thank you for your feedback and for bringing this matter to our attention. I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the missing plugs and the frustration that followed. We’ve arranged for 20W Type-C AU charging bricks that are fully compatible with your HomePods to be sent to you. I understand this situation should have been handled more efficiently, and I appreciate your patience as we work to resolve it. We’re also reviewing our internal processes to ensure better quality control and prevent similar issues in the future. Your experience has helped us identify areas for improvement, and we value the opportunity to make this right. If there’s anything else I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager – Phonebot

“0 Stars - do not buy from this seller the items are inferior and customer service will make up information to ensure your warranty is voided. I purchased an Apple Watch Nike Series 6 and within a week it was broken due to water damage after wearing it in the shower, my Series 3 I wore swimming for years and never an issue. Absolutely unhelpful and unacceptable, I have just spent $337 and I have nothing to show for it.”

Helpful Report

Thank you for your feedback, Ryan. We initially considered making an exception for your case; however, upon further review, we found significant evidence of liquid damage in your Apple Watch Series 6. This, combined with the manufacturer’s guidelines stating that water resistance naturally degrades over time, especially in older or refurbished models, made it clear that proceeding with a refund or replacement would be against our principles. We sincerely apologize for raising your expectations earlier and hope you can understand that our hands are tied in this matter. As a goodwill gesture, we’ve offered a discount for future purchases, and your watch will be safely returned to you with a tracking number provided upon dispatch. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us directly. Kind regards, Shazz CX Manager - Phonebot

“Not trustworthy; don't get same item and no good follow-up by customer service”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

Hi Shailendra, We truly apologize for the inconvenience caused and any confusion with your order. As per the details I have, you should have received a notification via the same communication channel we’ve been in touch through, confirming that your replacement band is on its way. Our team will also personally follow up with you tomorrow to ensure everything is resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding.Thank you for allowing us to make this right. If you need any further assistance, please contact us at support@phonebot.com.au. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager - Phonebot

“I asked to get a price for My samsung s24 plus and when I got the phone back I noticed they have taken off my protective glass that I paid ed 60 dollars for... I told them and they said they'll put one on... I get back home I watched him for 5 minutes applying the screen protection and it was all a play it ended up being a paper thin sticker”

Helpful Report

Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We regret to hear that you were left with this impression. However, it’s important to clarify that you initially agreed to sell your phone to us, but later decided to take it back, stating that you would return at a later time. As part of the evaluation process, the tempered glass had to be removed with your approval, as it’s standard for us to inspect the phone properly. That said, we’re truly sorry if this process has affected your experience or caused any inconvenience. If you would like, we’d be happy to send you another tempered glass to make up for it. Please let us know by replying here, as it’s always our priority to ensure our customers have a positive experience with us. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager – Phonebot support@phonebot.com.au

“9/9 Received iPhone XS $402, had not been reset & on making phone calls people could not hear me unless it was on speaker - returned phone and asked for an upgrade to iPhone 12 mini, which I was told I could do that for extra $70, however they were advertised for $429 on website. I was notified the return phone was received back to Phonebot 16/9 and when I asked when my upgrade phone would be sent I was told 24-48 hrs to dispatch. Still no notification of my payment for upgrade phone, no notification for dispatch of upgrade and emails requesting answers over the passed 2 days have not received a reply. 20/9 I received an email asking to revise my review: the only reply I receive is because I give a 1 star rating. I had not received any replies to my emails and had left a message yesterday for Shazz to call me back to get answers/update and no return phone call. My issue has not been resolved as I haven’t received my upgrade phone and I have no answer as to why I had to pay a total of $472 for an upgrade phone when it was advertised for $429.”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

Dear Deb, Thank you for sharing your concerns. We apologize sincerely for the hassle you experienced with your iPhone XS purchase and return. As a customer-centric business, we prioritized accommodating your requests. We upgraded you to an iPhone 12 mini, honored the price difference, and your A$20 refund will be done maximum in 24 hours from now. We have sent you the tracking details twice, and upon checking again, your parcel is scheduled for delivery tomorrow, according to Australia Post. We value transparency and customer satisfaction. Thank you for your patience. We hope you'll enjoy your new iPhone 12 mini. Best regards, Phonebot Team

“battery drained within the hour of full recharge”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

Dear Amanda, Thank you for your feedback. We noticed that you’ve shared your concerns here instead of contacting us through our usual customer service channels, such as phone, email, or chat, where we're always ready to assist. However, we see that our team has already tried to reach out to you and even spoken with you briefly, though the call wasn’t completed successfully. Additionally, we've followed up with an email to ensure we can assist you fully. As a customer-centric business, we are committed to resolving this for you swiftly. Please respond to our email or reach out directly, and we’ll make sure to address the battery issue, whether through troubleshooting, repair, or a replacement. If you need any further assistance, please contact us at support@phonebot.com.au. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager - Phonebot

“Not here to destroy a business. Recently had my first experience buying from this company. I bought a 'like new' Galaxy Fold 5 after reading the customer reviews. Chose this over other Grades of same model and happy to pay a little more for it as it was the only Fold 5 that comes with freebies worth $58 while all others come with only $29 freebies. Upon purchased, got automated email that states that. When I received the phone, I found only $29 worth of freebies. Checked the invoice and found they amended it to $29 worth of freebies. Emailed Phonebot, they refused to honour what was advertised, saying they would never advertise $58 freebies for Fold 5. I showed them the email confirming my purchase comes with $58 of freebies, they argued it could be a transposition error, not their fault. $29 is not much, but to advertised one (which customer accepted) and later changed it single handedly is unethical and wrong. I leave the review here so would-be buyers are aware.”

Helpful Report

(Reservoir, 3073) -

Hi Kelvin, Thank you for sharing your feedback and for bringing this matter to our attention. We apologize for any confusion regarding the value of the freebies associated with your order. Our intention is always to provide accurate information, but we will be happy to honor you too. As a customer-centered business, we value your experience and are happy to make things right. Please feel free to reach out to us by replying to our email and we would be more than willing to provide the additional accessories to meet your expectations. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to resolving this for you. If you need any further assistance, please contact us at support@phonebot.com.au. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager - Phonebot

“customer support I ordered and recieved a refurblished apple ultra watch , however it did not operate as indicated in their promotion.after 2 days i contacted them and returned the item. however after recieving a reply to my return complaint i have emailed their support team requesting information about any repairs or replacement. however to date i have not recieved any updated information. for a company whom reliies on a good customer experperience i find this diturbing”

Helpful Report

We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by the lack of communication regarding your return. We strive to provide timely and transparent support, and it’s concerning to hear that this wasn’t your experience. Please be assured that we are currently inspecting the returned item, and we will update you by the end of the working day today. If you need any further assistance, please contact us at support@phonebot.com.au. Best regards, Shazz CX Manager - Phonebot

“Did not recieve item. Will do a credit card charge back if they do not resolve.”

Helpful Report

Thank you for bringing your concern to our attention. We are sorry to hear about the issue you encountered with your recent order. However, upon reviewing your order details, we found that your parcel was successfully delivered to the BELLEVUE HILL LPO on Mon 15 Apr at 8.52 am. According to our records, the parcel has been awaiting collection for the past 10 days. Please note that the tracking number for your parcel was shared with you via email. If you require the tracking number again, please email us at support@phonebot.com.au. We kindly urge you to collect your parcel from the delivery center at your earliest convenience. Failure to do so may result in its return to us. While we understand your frustration, we recommend against starting a dispute with your bank just yet. Let's keep the bank disputes for the real dramas in life - like when Netflix asks if you're still watching after the fifth consecutive episode. We're here to assist you and resolve this matter promptly. For any assistance or further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We will also be reaching out to you via phone to ensure this matter is resolved promptly. Best regards, Team Phonebot

“Re: Phonebot Customer Feedback Order (#150668) received this order 3-4-24, but incorrect case was sent with phone. have had emails from Andy and Simon but no resolution as yet?”

Helpful Report

Dear John Dawson, We're truly sorry to hear about the inconvenience you've experienced with your order. We understand the importance of receiving the correct items, even if they are complimentary accessories. Our team is dedicated to resolving this issue promptly and ensuring your satisfaction. Rest assured, a replacement cover has been selected as per your preference and will be shipped out within the next 2 days. Thank you for your understanding and patience. We value your feedback and strive to provide excellent service to all our customers. Best Regards, Team Phonebot

“Terrible customer service. Never answer the phones. Take your money and tell you the iPad will be repaired in 48 hours (2 weeks out of warranty) 1 month later and still no iPad. No one returns messages or emails. Zero care is given. We will be elsewhere. Can recommend Rebelo.”

Helpful Report

Dear Matthew, First and foremost, please accept our sincerest apologies for the unsatisfactory experience you've had with our service. We deeply regret any inconvenience or frustration this may have caused you. There are instances where unforeseen complications arise during the inspection phase, leading to longer turnaround times. Unfortunately, your iPad presented multiple underlying issues that required thorough attention and, regrettably, the parts needed for repair were not readily available, necessitating the involvement of a third-party repair service. However, we understand that this does not excuse the delays and lack of communication you experienced during the repair process. We strive to maintain open lines of communication with all our customers and aim to respond to emails within a day. Additionally, if for any reason an email response is delayed, our standard protocol is to follow up with a phone call to ensure that you are kept informed every step of the way. And we believe that the same protocol was followed with you too. In light of the inconvenience and frustration you've experienced, we would like to offer you a $30 discount on your next purchase as a gesture of goodwill. We hope this demonstrates our commitment to rectifying the situation and regaining your trust. If you have any further concerns or require assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We're here to help in any way we can. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Best Regards, Team Phonebot

“I purchased a Surface Pro 7 but unfortunately the charger was faulty. I called several times, sent emails, send photos and movies showing the problem (i.e. a lot of work on my part). They promised several times to send a replacement but that still has not happened. It has been more than 2 weeks now and still I cannot use this device. They sound great, very friendly, but actions speak louder than words and I am disappointed.”

Helpful Report

Dear Robert, We sincerely apologize for the delay in delivering your replacement charger. We understand the inconvenience this has caused. We've actively followed up with our supplier and according to the latest update, it's on track to reach you within the next 2-3 days. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If there's anything more we can do or if you have additional concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us directly. Thank you for your understanding. Best Regards, Team Phonebot

“There was a large amount of debris under the volume and power buttons. As well as a poor battery life that only lasts about 1 minute before dying again. I would like a full refund if the product price.”

Helpful Report

We appreciate your feedback and regret any inconvenience you've encountered with our service. We apologize for the issues you've described regarding debris and battery life. It's essential to note that reaching out to us directly would have allowed us to address these concerns promptly. Unfortunately, your device is now outside the 1-year warranty period, limiting our ability to provide a refund or conduct any free workmanship on your item. To better assist you and resolve any lingering issues, please reach out to us via email at support@phonebot.com.au. We are committed to making things right and ensuring your complete satisfaction. Best Regards, Team Phonebot

“Look the best way to deal with this review is to say... You get what you pay for!! Buyer beware. Remember if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.. enough said! They asked me to revise my review.. I have and same result!”

Helpful Report

Dear Matthew, We want to express our gratitude for your initial communication and your subsequent review. Your concerns are important to us, and we regret any inconvenience you may have experienced. I'd like to bring to your attention that our commitment to customer satisfaction extends to prompt responses and assistance. As evidenced by our swift responses to your emails and the provision of tracking information upon your request, we are dedicated to addressing your queries promptly. We understand that sometimes challenges arise, and we want to assure you that your satisfaction is our top priority. If there are any specific issues you'd like us to address or if you have additional concerns, we kindly encourage you to reach out to our customer service team directly. We are here to assist you and ensure a positive resolution. To facilitate a more detailed and personalized assistance, please reply to the last email you received from us via support@phonebot.com.au, outlining any specific grievances you are facing, such as the scratchy screen, issues with the tempered glass, or concerns about the battery performance. Sharing additional details will help us better understand your situation and tailor our support to meet your needs. Your feedback is invaluable, and we appreciate your honesty. We kindly request the opportunity to work together to address your concerns and make things right for you. Our aim is to exceed your expectations, and we are committed to achieving that. Thank you for choosing us, and we genuinely hope to have the chance to improve your experience with our products and services. Warm regards, Best Regards.

“Dont use this company. Worst after purchase support and dodgy phones. Purchased a Samsung Galaxy s21 Plus like New and within 3 months started having issues. Returned phone and thats when I lost trust in the company. Worst customer service I have experinced. No communication though out the entire warranty service period. Had to contact them to find out what was happening. Was told people would call me back several times but no one ever did. When they finally fixed the phone and returned it, the phone wasnt registering on the network, even though they supposedly tested it. Had to return it back to them. The antenna wasnt connected. The first thing you think a mobile phone repairer would test a mobile PHONE, is to see if it could make calls!! Battery was also getting to 5% then dying immediately. Was told by there technician this is "normal". I have owned several galaxy phones and all have discharged down through the numbers. Looked itup and it is a known issue with new Samsungs where the battery isn't seated properly and needs to fixed by an authorised dealer. Now going through ACC to get a refund.”

Helpful Report

I trust this message finds you in good health. We extend our sincere apologies for the challenges you've faced with your Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus purchased from us. Your feedback is crucial to us, and we are committed to addressing your concerns in a prompt and professional manner. Upon receiving your device for repair, we encountered some unforeseen complications that required additional attention. We appreciate your understanding during this process. It has come to our attention that you experienced communication lapses during the warranty service period, and for that, we sincerely apologize. Regarding the issue with the network registration and battery performance, we acknowledge the inconvenience this has caused you. Our technicians have thoroughly investigated these matters, and we understand the importance of a fully functional device. The antenna oversight was an unfortunate error on our part, and we take full responsibility for this lapse in our testing process. The team decided to send you the device back so that you can try using it and in case you want to keep it you can go for that and in case you didn't want to keep that then it contained your activational details like your Samsung ID and the stuff, And it was best to get all the data cleaned out by you. We understand that you have chosen to involve the ACCC in your case, and we respect your decision to seek mediation through this channel. We would like to assure you that our commitment to resolving this matter is unwavering. While we firmly believe that the solutions we were offering were fair and comprehensive, we acknowledge your right to pursue alternative avenues for resolution. We are more than willing to participate in any mediation process facilitated by the ACCC, where we can present our case transparently and work towards a resolution that meets your expectations. Your satisfaction is of paramount importance to us, and we remain dedicated to addressing your concerns through open communication and a collaborative approach. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Best Regards, Team phonebot.

“Happy with product but very poor order processing and distribution. Order was placed on a Saturday was expecting freight pick-up for Monday or Tuesday at latest as paid extra for express delivery and order was required for a 50th birthday present on Friday. Order was not dispatched until Wednesday and delivery was following Monday 9 days after express delivery order was placed. Extremely disappointing if dispatch was completed Monday or Tuesday order would have arrived in time due to the inefficient processing I had to purchase an alternative gift for the 50th birthday present.”

Helpful Report

Hi Aaron, I would like to begin by expressing our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you experienced with your recent order. We understand that your expectations were not met, and we truly value your feedback as it helps us improve our services. We want to reiterate our commitment to providing a positive and customer-centric experience, and I'd like to address your concerns in a detailed manner. First and foremost, we'd like to clarify that our express delivery service typically involves a two working day processing time before your order is dispatched from our site. This information is communicated in your order confirmation email to set the right expectations. There was an unforeseen delay and we understand that this may have caused disappointment, but it's important to note that such unforeseen incidents can occasionally happen in the logistics process and are beyond our direct control. In response to this situation, we took immediate steps to rectify the delay. We reached out to you to offer complimentary express shipping for upcoming orders and a generous discount on your next purchase as a goodwill gesture. Additionally, we offered a refund for the express shipping charges on your initial order even though, express shipping was applied and utilized while shipping your order. We genuinely hoped to make amends and ensure your satisfaction. It's our aim to provide our customers with exceptional service and support, and we were ready and willing to go above and beyond to make things right. However, we understand that you may not have been fully satisfied with our response. We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter. Our primary goal remains to ensure that every customer has a positive experience with our brand. If you have any further concerns or would like to discuss this matter in more detail, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team. We are here to assist you. Sincerely, Phonebot - Customer Service

Phonebot is rated 4.6 based on 3,658 reviews