Hacking Suggestion Warning: scam around low firmware Switch units

[TheStylii]

Just wanted to make a thread warning anyone looking for a low firmware Switch.

Some people on eBay are taking the box of a low firmware console (can be told by the serial number) and putting another Switch in its place, leading potential buyers to think it would be on a lower firmware than it is.

So the buyer will take an obvious photo of the serial number on the box, list it as brand new (the Switch doesn't come sealed, and the bag the tablet comes in is already open on one side, easy to fake) so when someone sees this, they will think the firmware will match the serial, and pay extra for it.

Happened to me - the serial was very low (early 1.0.0 console) but then when I booted into it, it had 3.0.2 (and the console had a screen protector on it lol, at least try and hide it) so I could tell something was up.

To avoid this: only buy a console if it is marked as having a low firmware, or consider messaging the buyer first to confirm.

Have a good one. Now if you'll excuse me, the quest continues.

 

[GalladeGuy]

Can't you just get a refund through Ebay, since the item wasn't as described?

 

[TheStylii]

Can't you just get a refund through Ebay, since the item wasn't as described?

Yeah I could, but I haven't decided if I will or not yet. Either way, I just wanted to let others know so they don't have to go through the hassle.

 

[RichKK]

Sounds like this is just a standard ebay 'not as described' return/refund. What makes you think you were scammed specifically through a serial number lie? Did the console serial you received match the box? Could the seller just have updated their 1.0 console and then decided to sell it as 'new'? Or just bundled their console with another box that looked better to help promote it being 'new', hence the serial?

 

[TheStylii]

Sounds like this is just a standard ebay 'not as described' return/refund. What makes you think you were scammed specifically through a serial number lie? Did the console serial you received match the box? Could the seller just have updated their 1.0 console and then decided to sell it as 'new'? Or just bundled their console with another box that looked better to help promote it being 'new', hence the serial?

Yeah it's an easy refund, but that wasn't the point of the post. Just wanted others to know.
The box and the console have the same serial, and the serial would have guaranteed 1.0.0 - but the console was on 3.0.2 and had a screen protector on it, so it obviously wasn't brand new. Another thing is he made sure to show a close-up of the serial in one of the eBay pictures, when usually sellers either cover it, or just don't bother showing it. So he knew what he had, and that it would make people want to buy.

 

[subcon959]

The only way this was a scam is if the listing said it was a low firmware console. Otherwise, you just assumed it was something that the seller never stated it was.

 

[Furoryan]

the Switch doesn't come sealed, and the bag the tablet comes in is already open on one side, easy to fake)

I bought 2 switchs from fnac and amazon fr, the first day one and the second later. Both were not sealed and the bags were already open. I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but Nintendo seems to not sealed its products.

 

[yardie]

I don't see how this is a scam

 

[DeslotlCL]

What is the big deal anyway? You got a hackeable firmware and if the switch still works/looks like kind of new, why bother that much?

 

[subcon959]

It's also pretty normal to post pictures of serial numbers as a seller to avoid getting scammed yourself.

 

[Essometer]

As long as the seller didn't stated that the Switch is on a specific firmware, this is not a scam. The only thing that would warrant a return is if the seller wrote that the switch is brand new.

 

[migles]

nintendo not sealing their stuff anymore?
weird, all theese years they had theese nintendo logoed ribbons in the games..
did they even sealed console boxes? i remember my 3ds had a circle tape in it..
last time i checked a console in retail was the snes classics, and i got surprised they didn't had a seal of any kind, for a "collectors" item, the fact it can be opened closed and there is no real way to tell, kinda looses it's collectiveness..

 

[linuxares]

I bought 2 switchs from fnac and amazon fr, the first day one and the second later. Both were not sealed and the bags were already open. I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but Nintendo seems to not sealed its products.

Mine wasn't "sealed" per say. It just had the normal cardboard taps and I bought it on launch day.
But the products had plastic around them.

 

[migles]

PS: there is not a mac address sticker in the box or manual or something like they do with phones (they usually have the IMEI in the box)? which you can go into the system settings and compare the codes..

 

[ckylesworld1]

If it said it was new in box it was a scam/not as described because if it had a screen protector it was definitely not new. However if it said pre owned or used and was in the condition listed it was not a scam.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

As long as the seller didn't stated that the Switch is on a specific firmware, this is not a scam. The only thing that would warrant a return is if the seller wrote that the switch is brand new.

If it said it was new in box it was a scam/not as described because if it had a screen protector it was definitely not new. However if it said pre owned or used and was in the condition listed it was not a scam.

Sounds like it was listed as brand new to me. Because otherwise what good would the serial number do to check its firmware? The serial number is only useful if the console is brand new.

 

[snoofly]

Assuming OP is not stupid, and he would only have tried to buy a console that was listed as new with a supporting serial, he was clearly scammed and I think offers a useful PSA.

 

[MasterJ360]

B/c its technically on a low firmware it neutralizes the serial scam. I don't think Ebay will even bother with this kind of case tbh.
But we are still lacking alot of info to what this listing actually said. If it was advertised on a low firmware then its not a scam

 

[osaka35]

If you message and ask if it's new, ever been updated, etc. then you're protected by ebay. Assumptions are not covered by ebay.

Good watching out for folks though, I'm sure more folks than would care to admit would assume no swap of console had occurred/new meant untouched. Ebay can be shady, and people intentionally mislabel and hope you won't notice. Ask the questions you need to know, and you'll be protected. No response, no buy.

 

[Noctosphere]

If you message and ask if it's new, ever been updated, etc. then you're protected by ebay. Assumptions are not covered by ebay.

Good watching out for folks though, I'm sure more folks than would care to admit would assume no swap of console had occurred/new meant untouched. Ebay can be shady, and people intentionally mislabel and hope you won't notice. Ask the questions you need to know, and you'll be protected. No response, no buy.

if it was listed as brand new, it's legit assumption