Review: Serious concerns about transparency and "open box" practices - proceed with caution
I am posting this review so other consumers can make an informed decision before purchasing from Centre Com.
I attended the Centre Com Nunawading store intending to purchase a new laptop. I was advised by staff that it would be quicker to order the same model online rather than wait in store, so I followed that advice. At the time of purchase, the laptop was presented as a normal product listing. It did not state that it was "open box" or second-hand.
After the purchase was completed, the situation changed. My receipt later showed the item as "open box", and the product link was removed entirely rather than remaining live as "sold out" or "no longer available", which is the usual retail practice. That alone raised serious concerns about transparency.
When the laptop arrived, it was clearly not new. The internal seal was broken, protective packaging was missing, and there were visible scratches on both the casing and the screen. This is not consistent with what most consumers would reasonably understand as a simple "open box" item. A scratched display indicates prior use or handling beyond inspection.
I contacted Centre Com immediately with photos and requested an exchange. Instead of addressing the condition of the product, I was repeatedly told that scratches and visible damage were "consistent with open box". This position was maintained despite the fact that "open box" was not clearly disclosed at the time of purchase.
By the time a refund was eventually offered, sales events had ended, leaving me financially worse off. The handling of the matter, the shifting description of the product after purchase, and the refusal to provide a like-for-like replacement have left me with serious concerns about Centre Com's practices.
I am now pursuing the matter through formal consumer channels.
Advice to other buyers:
Do not assume products are new unless it is explicitly stated at checkout.
Be cautious with any listing that later changes description or disappears.
Get written confirmation of condition before purchasing, or consider alternative retailers.
This review reflects my personal experience and is shared to help others avoid a similar situation. read more
