Mark sent a group email that included this link:

https://www.gadgetguy.com.au/samsung-phones-are-region-locked-but-it-is-not-stopping-the-shonkies/

It is a page written by Raw Shaw on, I think, his web site called, Gadget Guy. His own written profile, I assume, is here and includes this bit “…and is smart enough to no longer own a retail computer store!”

I wonder if that means he now owns an online store.

Ray seems to have a issue with Gray Marketing, justifying Region locking as a method of counerting it.

The advice in the article is good but should be taken in perspective with the knowledge that marketers use region locking more to maximize ther profits than to protect consumers from buying incompatible products that they have deliberately made incompatible to differentiate themselves, again, for the purpose of maximizing profits.

The often quoted legal Latin term cavear emptor, meaning Byer Beware, perhaps should be, Byer Knowledge.

Although perhaps knowledge is being aware.

A lot of consumer protection has been built into the legal system to protect byers. Part of this is statutory warranties or Consumer Guarantees

Even on the, according to the above article, the worst unscrupulous grey market and parallel importer, Kogan, web site they have the wording “While Kogan.com provides our own guarantees under the Kogan.com Customer Charter, our goods also come with the benefit of the Consumer Guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.”

Of course following on from the above wording is text that gives one the impression that Kogan guarantee is somehow better than Australian Consumer Law.

It would seem that even Raw Shaw has been bluffed by this, as he appears to just accept what Kogan have said ie “Kogan staff flatly and rudely told him that there are no returns because “He made an incorrect purchase. He did not specify that it had to be a particular model number.” Oh well – he is off to Fair Trading to join the Kogan complaints queue!”

I have been purchasing products from Kogan for quite some time. I've also purchased from bricks and mortar retailers and found in the situation where the product is faulty, no different between Kogan and the bricks and mortar retailers. They both deny statutory warranties, until I threaten to take them to the appropriate authorities.

Fortunately I have the knowledge, ability and time to be able to handle these situations.

I appreciate that many people would not want to go through the hassle.