Revibe returned my daughter’s phone damaged, then hid behind its 10-day policy
I bought a pink 256 GB iPhone 15 from Revibe for R11,499, advertised as being in “Excellent” condition. It was for my daughter.
Within two months, the phone developed a serious audio problem. During calls, the person on the other side would intermittently stop hearing my daughter. I reported the defect and sent the phone back under Revibe’s warranty process.
On 17 August, Revibe told me the phone had been “successfully repaired.” Two days later, they specifically assured me that their technical team had tested all the microphones and that clear sound had been fully restored.
When the phone came back, it had visible marks around the camera and rear edges that were not there when we sent it in. I photographed the damage and sent the evidence to Revibe. Their own support agent later referred in writing to the “cosmetic issue caused during repair.”
That should have been the end of the argument. Revibe accepted a defective phone for repair and returned it with additional damage caused during its own repair process.
Instead of collecting the damaged phone and refunding me, Revibe repeatedly told me that its 10-day return period had expired. This was not a change-of-mind return. It was a defective R11,499 phone reported within six months, followed by further damage while the phone was in Revibe’s possession.
I sent Revibe a detailed written demand explaining my rights under the South African Consumer Protection Act. I asked for the phone to be collected, a full refund and escalation to a senior manager or legal representative. Their response was effectively the same template again: submit another warranty claim, send the phone back again and wait up to another 13 days.
My daughter had already been without her phone during the first repair. Revibe now expected us to repeat the entire process so they could inspect damage they had already acknowledged was caused during their repair.
As of 31 August, Revibe has not approved the refund, arranged collection or provided evidence that the matter was escalated. I am now left to pursue a Visa dispute and formal consumer complaints.
My warning to other South African customers is simple: photograph the condition of your device before sending it to Revibe, keep every email and do not assume that their advertised warranty will lead to a fair resolution. Their support team apologised repeatedly, but apologies without accountability or a proper remedy mean nothing.
I would not buy from Revibe again, and I cannot recommend them to anyone considering an expensive refurbished phone.
31 August 2026
Unprompted review