Do Not Buy from Revibe – Caveat Emptor

I caution you against doing business with Revibe. They have a shocking track record when it comes to claims. Numerous comments about claims and returns appear regularly on Trustpilot & Hello Peter highlighting Revibe’s lack of service delivery and resolution. Complaints frequently cite cut-and-paste responses such as “we understand your frustration” and “we are personally following up,” with no one taking ownership of the issues raised. Unfortunately, I did not perform sufficient due diligence before purchasing an iPhone from them in February. I returned it in August because the camera’s ultrawide lens was faulty.

There is extensive correspondence regarding Claims ZA-31435-1 (*** & GQFW854). The claim was created on 10 August, collected by DHL, and delivered to Revibe on 14 August. I obtained proof of delivery from DHL and forwarded it to Revibe on 18 August.

On 26 August, Revibe cancelled the claim on the customer dashboard and confirmed by email that the “device was not handed over to courier within the required timeframe.” I was instructed to create a new claim via the dashboard and told that a standard quality check and inspection would take up to 13 days from the date of arrival at Revibe’s facility in Dubai. The device had already been delivered to Revibe on 18 August, prior to the cancellation, so I saw no need to create another claim. There was confusion within Revibe about the correct waybill number—something outside my control. I requested escalation but was refused and told that a new claim must be created if I wanted it processed.

I created a second claim on 19 August for the same phone, already in Revibe’s possession, and asked that it be linked to the original claim. The last update on the dashboard, on 20 August, still stated the device was “In Transit.” There is no alignment between the dashboard and the numerous phone calls and daily emails I have sent to Revibe.

Initially, Revibe disputed that I had handed the phone to DHL, even asking whether I had taken a photograph of the driver to substantiate the claim—which is bizarre. I obtained and forwarded the proof of delivery to Revibe, yet as of today, 14 September, there has been no real action—only confusion and conflicting information about the claim’s status. On 26 August, Revibe advised that the matter was resolved and that the device was on its way back to me. The waybill they attached, however, was not for my phone but for another client in Phalaborwa named Zandile. Revibe apologised profusely for supplying incorrect documents and said they were expediting the case.

After each of my almost daily emails, I receive regular updates. Shortly before their self-imposed 24–48 hour response window expires, Revibe replies—what I suspect are computer-generated, generic responses stating they are “sincerely sorry” and “understand my frustration.” These are clearly delaying tactics, do not resolve the issue, and do not directly address the points I have raised. These responses also fail to acknowledge that Revibe’s customer dashboard is non-functional (despite most replies suggesting I track progress there), their refusal to escalate (“The Claims Team handles these cases internally, so unfortunately, we cannot provide their direct contact details”), and the fact that the claim has long exceeded their 13-day timeline. I also requested a replacement phone, as it appears they may have lost the one I returned as faulty. They are not prepared to provide one.

It is clear that Revibe’s customer service, claims system, and technical support are deeply flawed and cannot be trusted or re**** upon. Revibe is not trustworthy, and I am no longer interested in receiving the “repaired” phone back.

I have since purchased a refurbished iPhone directly from the iStore in Johannesburg, which is supported by an accredited and reputable after-sales and repair system.

My next step is to claim a refund.

Buy from them at your peril.