Danger From Choosing Bad Retailer/Store To Buy Hardware Devices?

Good morning,

I could not find this discussed anywhere on PrivacyGuides.

I searched online and found people talking about buying serial keys from dodgy sites or buying counterfeit products from FleaBay but I have no intention of doing that as I never buy pirated software so that’s not related.

My question comes down to if it matters which retailer/store you buy hardware from?

For example, this is my current problem:

I’ve found an Samsung phone I want to buy. It’s available on the Samsung website and it’s also available on Amazon‘s website. I’ve checked the model and specs and they’re identical.

I thought it’d be safest option to buy a smartphone(or any device) directly from the manufacturer so I was going to buy it from Samsung’s website.

However, I’d much prefer to buy from Amazon because their delivery is perfect: when I buy from other stores the delivery is ALWAYS rerouted to a distant post office where I then need to go and prove who I am, wait in a long queue etc to pick it up…

Thanks for reading my question.

I usually buy everything from Amazon and Mediamarkt. I always choose Amazon as seller and skip 3rd party sellers, except for the known sellers like Anker.

Also, Amazon’s prices can be higher than retails, but no other company provides the same warranty conditions as them.

2 Likes

If you can make sure that you’re buying it directly from Samsung on Amazon then you can have the best of both worlds. Usually there’s an official manufacturer page or something you can check out.

1 Like

As you mentioned Danger, can I assume you are talking about personal safety?

In certain parts of the world (e.g, China), you COULD be in danger if you leave negative reviews to sellers / delivery drivers.

About personal data handling, for Official sites (in your case Samsung), they rely on third party platform for their merchants, and always use third party deliveries, and another company for CS, and if you trade in, that involves one more company.

Amazon, on the other hand, as long as it is sold and delivered by amazon, the personal data seems much more contained. If it is sold and delivered by 3rd party, then its another story.

Same case for other online retailers.

1 Like

I appreciate your replies!

My fear is this:
That by buying a Samsung smartphone from Amazon.com.au instead of directly from Samsung.com.au I’d somehow be opening myself to security vullerabilities?

Is it the same as me downloading software from an unofficial wesbite like Softonic.com that hosts installation .EXE files and an official website like apple.com?

Is there no difference between buying from Samsung.com.au and Amazon.com.au?

I’m super worried about this because this is the first time I’m buying a smartphone online from amazon.com.au and since the smartphone will be storing my most personal data I wanted to be on the safe side!

Which is safer to buy from?

Is there anything else I need to consider?

Why would you open yourself to security vulnerabilities when buying a device from Amazon or Samsung? Your dealer can’t access your phone, unless you buy some noname Chinese brand from a shady Chinese company.

1 Like

I appreciate your reply!

I was worried that retailers and other vendors would be reducing their smartphone prices by including software or hardware that allows them to reduce the price of these smartphones. This is ALWAYS done with desktop towers and laptops.

My smartphone will contain more personal user data than any other device(I suspect this is the same for most users here) and this is why I wanted to make sure.

So as long as I’m buying from a big vendor like Amazon or Samsung there’s nothing I need to worry about???

1 Like

Sorry if my question seems strange but this really been worrying me to the point that I haven’t been buying anythin until I get this problem resolved!

I really need to decide where to buy my next Samsung phone from so any additional opinions from the talented minds on here would be appreciated!

That by buying a Samsung smartphone from Amazon.com.au instead of directly from Samsung.com.au I’d somehow be opening myself to security vullerabilities?

Generally speaking, No. You are fine buying from either Amazon Australia or Samsung Australia. However, while buying it from Amazon, buy it from their brand store: Linked here and nd on the right hand side below “Buy Now” confirm if it is sold by and shipping from Amazon AU.

Is it the same as me downloading software from an unofficial wesbite like Softonic.com that hosts installation .EXE files and an official website like apple.com?

You are making an almost correct analogy here. Sometimes you will see a random seller selling the same phone at a lower price, I’d usually recommend against that. It’s not that they are inherently malicious, it’s just I personally wouldn’t trust them.

Is there no difference between buying from Samsung.com.au and Amazon.com.au?

Apart from site-specific discounts, there is virtually zero difference. Sometimes Samsung’s website offers free screen replacement and a bunch of other offers if you buy from them directly, so I’d say check that too.

Which is safer to buy from?

Both are safe, you can go ahead and buy from either. :slight_smile:

1 Like

Any source on this?

1 Like

Since you asked, I did a quick search and got some results, you might need to get it translated before you can actually read it.

https://news.cntv.cn/20120713/107753.shtml

https://news.cnr.cn/native/gd/20150707/t20150707_519098977.shtml

1 Like

I appreciate your reply!

I just wanted to make sure the retailer I bought from didn’t matter as I couldn’t find any discussions of the retailer making any difference or not after searching the entire PrivacyGuides Library, forum and anything else I could find.

1 Like

I’m still feeling a lot of anxiety around this issue.

Could someone else please confirm that I’d be fine buying it from Amazon.com.au as opposed to buying directly from Samsung.com.au? :cry: :cry: :cry:

EDIT:
I’m worrying that it feels like by getting the Samsung phone from a 3rd party store like Amazon.com.au I’d be increasing my risk factor and security of the device. :sob: :sob:

Its a concern from a supply chain issue perspective. These kinds of concerns are for targetted individuals rather than blanketing the entire population.

So unless you have been a very, very naughty individual, you should be fine. I myself am going to get a new phone and it involves a lot of people up the chain since I cannot seem to get a new Pixel from where I am.

3 Likes

I appreciate your reply!

From being a member of this community I’ve learned how much companies are willing to laptop/desktop/phone/any device…

I was just curious if retailers could be reducing prices of laptops/desktops/phones/other devices by sacrificing user privacy to reduce the price of the who are selling the laptop/desktop/phone/any other device could be reducing prices

I thought I may be safer to buy from samsung.com.au as I’d be buying it directly from the manufacturer as opposed to buying it from amazon.com.au. My preference is amazon.com.au but I just wanted to check if I’d be making my personal data vulnerable.

I appreciate your reply!

I know my question about sounds strange, but I’m very genuine in being sure I’m not buying a “altered product” that’ll give away my personal user information if I buy from an indirect retailer like amazon.com.au. On the surface it would seem that buying directly from samsung.com.au would be the best way to go because there are no other companies involved.

I want to buy from amazon.com.au because of their delivery and they’ve always been great.

You can visit and buy from nearest samsung stores.

2 Likes

I appreciate your reply!

I’m aware that there are brick and mortar Samsung stores but amazon.com.au is my preferred shop to buy from and I just wanted to know if I was giving up any user privacy by buying from amazon.com.au

My suggestion is to stick with one who provides quality service. Both of them need name, address and other details to fulfill their orders. You can read their T&C and privacy policy if needed. Big corps change these policies at their discretion.

1 Like

I appreciate your reply!

I’ve always had great service and delivery from amazon.com.au.

I’ve never tried Samsung.com.au so it seems safer for me to use amazon.com.au because I’ve been using them for so long now.