Star Phones Kiosk Hornsby in Hornsby | Best Phone, Laptop, and Computer Repair Services at Affordable Prices | Quick Fixes

Horrific Experience at Star Phones – Beware, They Will SCAM You!

If I could give Star Phones zero stars, I would. This is, without a doubt, the worst store I have ever encountered.

I purchased an Apple Watch screen protector for $50 – which is already outrageous considering JB Hi-Fi and other reputable stores sell similar products for a maximum of $18. To add insult to injury, the screen protector fell off my watch after just 11 days of use. This is completely unacceptable for a product at any price, let alone $50.

When I attempted to get a refund, I regretted ever stepping foot in this store. They initially agreed to give me a replacement. However, they later changed their mind and claimed they could no longer provide a replacement despite their warranty statement. This is a clear violation of Australian consumer law, which they completely ignore. After lots of tiring back and forth arguing, they finally agreed to give me a replacement after wasting 30 mins of my time. To make matters worse, instead of assisting me with my issue at the store, they referred me to send an email to corporate about the refund. This blatant disrespect of people’s time is completely unacceptable.

The staff’s customer service was abysmal – They showed a complete lack of understanding. I was also initially told I couldn’t speak to the manager because it was a Saturday- an absurd excuse. Keep in mind, the worker was texting the manager back and forth as she told me this.

When I finally spoke to the manager on the phone, it was an even worse experience. She was the least understanding person I’ve ever dealt with. She had the audacity to claim that their products are ‘premium quality.’ That is absolutely hilarious!

What’s worse, the staff admitted I was completely in the right but claimed they couldn’t do anything about it. The manager blatantly lied, saying their EFTPOS machines don’t have a refund function (laughable) and that if her staff were to give me a refund, they’d have to pay me out of their pocket. This is utterly ridiculous and clearly a scam.

NEVER GO TO THIS STORE. They will scam you and waste your time. Avoid Star Phones at all costs!

Guy tried to rip us off by applying a screen protector without approval of the cost.

Friend needed to get his cracked screen replaced for his iPhone 11 Pro Max. They quoted $130, not sure how that compares to other repair stores. We were tight on time so just accepted it. Friend asked if they could give him a deal on a case and screen protector, guy behind the counter said we’d discuss after the phone is fixed.

We come back to the kiosk after the screen is done and start talking cases. I was suggesting my friend get a case that has extends beyond the screen so it’s protected if you lay the phone screen down. They didn’t have one, and the guy was lying saying the design of the iPhone 11 was such that no cases do that. As I’ve owned this phone I know this isn’t true, and I was looking at cases for the 11 Pro Max on Amazon that do.

The cases they did suggest were their “brand”, which are just rebranded generic cases produced in China, charging WAY too much. The suggested one being $60, double the price of Speck branded cases from Amazon that would be better build quality than theirs. Other quality cases also cheaper than their knock offs.

Now the real
rip off, the guy applies the screen protector on the phone, no discussion of price, didn’t ask which quality, no approval, just applies and doesn’t say a word. Friend says no to cases and asks for the final bill. $190… excuse me, how much was the screen protector? $59. “But don’t worry, it’s the best quality one. 9D.”

There isn’t a screen protector worth $59, nor any install job worth that. Guy says he can only bring it down to $30 as that’s the cheapest his system will allow. Still a rip off. Finally he brings it down to $20 (apparently his system can go lower )

Btw, here’s an Amazon link for the exact screen protectors they charge $59 for – except you get 5 of them for $19

https://amzn.asia/d/5Q8sRWp

Bought a otterbox case from here about a year ago, not only was it ridiculously overpriced ($60 for an iphone 11 case) but it also completely fell apart within a year. Rubber off the sides of the case just fell right off, which usually doesn’t happen with otterbox cases. I think it might have been fake as they didn’t sell it to me in the original packaging, it was put straight on my phone. Also did not offer a refund. Avoid this place, go to one of the other shops around Hornsby or look online instead.