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…
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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???
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 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.
