Foreign Electronics

I was referred here by Telus — I received a second-​hand iPhone from a friend and wanted to unlock it and use it with my cell provider. I had nothing but positive interactions and experiences with these guys. The employees were always friendly and chatty, and answered all of my questions.
I called before visiting the location to make sure they’d be able to do the unlock, and to get information about cost, steps, etc. They warned me in advance that the price and time it takes could vary (would be ~$ 50 for an iPhone — same as other businesses — and could take several days) since they’re a 3^rd party organization.
When I dropped my phone off, they double checked that I wanted to use their services, saying that cell providers can do the same thing for the same price. I appreciated that they wanted me to make a decision that was right for me, and weren’t just clamouring to get business.
The price ended up being what they quoted — $ 50 — so no surprises. I dropped my phone off just before closing on Thursday, and by Friday midday, they had called to say it was ready — so fast!
I see that others haven’t had good experiences with this company, but I had a very positive one. Would recommend!

I came here to have an international iPhone unlocked and was quoted $ 130 and 10 days. I figured this was industry standard because they seemed really knowledgable on site, but decided to do a little research online after reading some bad Unilocal reviews. I found out that the original UK carrier provides free iPhone unlocking, so I call Foreign Electronics and explain my findings. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, in case this was a one off, and forwarded them the carrier’s website with detailed instructions on how to unlock the phone. I even went so far as to offer to pay a standard unlocking fee ($ 30 – 50) for wasting their time. They emailed back saying that someone would get back to me on Monday before proceeding. Monday comes around and I’m pleased to get an email that my phone is unlocked (7 days early). I assume they’ve had luck using the directions I found online, however when I arrive there’s a bill for $ 110! I contest, and they offer to take $ 15 off and say they’ll hold the tax if I pay cash. In the end, I was desperate for my unlocked phone and ended up paying, but the experience was very shady. I wouldn’t trust these guys.

These guys are idiots! I took my iPhone there to get unlocked they said 2 business days 5 days later they gave me ridiculous excuses and still had not done it! They seemed to think I was stupid or something, I picked up my phone and went to Downtown Computers and they had it done just like that… this place is aweful

The fellow that seemed to run the shop was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It turned out that it made more sense for me to replace my phone than to have it fixed but I would definitely go there again.
In response to Gurjeet’s question, I didn’t feel like I experienced enough of the business (without getting repairs done) to declare a 5 star rating. I don’t look forward to needing repairs done on my phone but if I do I will come back and perhaps update my rating.

Ouch, don’t understand some of the very hostile comments. I had an excellent experience with Foreign Electronics. My brother-​in-​law referred me to them when I purchased a new, unused phone from CL. My neighbourhood unlocker was unable to get an unlock code from his two sources, so my brother-​in-​law recommend FE as they have done a number of successful unlocks and repairs for him. I explained to FE the issue my neighbourhood unlocker had but FE was willing to give a shot. They had the same issue with my phone (Nokia Lumia 625) and unfortunately couldn’t unlock it. So — I purchased the same phone from Fido & paid $ 50 to them to unlock the phone right there and then. LOL — Fido couldn’t unlock it either! So, they referred me to — you guessed it — Foreign Electronics! I decided to leave the phone with Fido so if they couldn’t get the unlock code from Nokia, then they would refund my money for the purchase and unlocking.
The Fido staff all had good things to say about FE and wouldn’t be handing out FE’s business cards if they didn’t feel FE was a reputable service.
If you are looking for an unlocked dual SIM card phone, FE is the place to go. They have a good selection of these special phones and know what works with all of the international and Canadian carriers. They also sell a wide range of international plug adapters for travel. Overall, even though they were not able to unlock the CL phone, they invited me to check back with them from time to time because they do end up getting updated codes. Fido promised they would have an unlock code from NOKIA in another few days (two weeks to wait), so we’ll see. I feel that I got great service from the FE guys, both while I was in the store and when I phoned them. It can be busy in the store, so you have a choice — wait politely for your turn or come back another time.
Sept 2014
My husband finally decided to spring for a new unlocked dual sim card phone, so I called Foreign Electronics to find out what they had to offer. The fellow who talked to me was very courteous and told me exactly what they had in stock and what they could order/​how long delivery would be. So, off to FE to look things over. My husband ended up getting the phone he wanted that day and the sales service was excellent. Spent a lot of time with him setting up the new phone, transferred everything from old phone to new phone, trimmed the two existing sim cards to fit the new phone, etc. They even tried to get his old phone running better so he wouldn’t have to purchase a new phone, but the phone’s technology was just too dated.
Oh, and for the record on my unlocking saga (above) with Fido/​Nokia — I called Nokia to ask them why it was taking so long (2 weeks) for them to send the unlock code to Fido. They told me they ABSOLUTELY do not put lock codes on the phones they sell to the mobile companies, the mobile companies put the lock codes on. I think it is pretty funny that the local Fido store tried to send me to FE to unlock a phone that Fido had locked. Go figure.

This place sucks balls! The employees keep people waiting forever as they chat about sports and all kinds unrelated stuff in a very non-​chalant way. They don’t give a shit about their customers. Not only that, but I had a phone unlocked there AND THEY WRECKED IT. As soon as they returned my unlocked phone, I noticed it would turn off and on all by itself over and over again AND my wifi stopped working! When I called them to complain they arrogantly told me that they are the best in the business so they couldn’t have done it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE– YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

I went to Foreign Electronics to get my phone unlocked and was not overly impressed by their friendliness to start, but figured, as long as they got the job done and were not actually rude, who cares. They were not able to unlock my phone with the cheaper code, and said that I would have to come back the next day when they would have the new code.
The representative said the store would give me a call the next day to come in with my phone. An hour before their closing time the next day I still had not received a call, so I called them (I had already paid for the unlocking the first day). The person I talked to didn’t seem to know what I was talking about, but finally realized that I had in fact ordered a phone unlock code… so he said he would get in contact with his provider in the UK and text me AS SOON AS HE KNEW ANYTHING. I never received any text. So the second day, I again waited until about an hour before closing, and called again. They had the code, offered no apologies for not getting in touch and asked me to come in to finish the process.
So, when all is said and done, they still unlocked my phone at a reasonable (but not bargain) price, but their customer service left much to be desired.

Terrible shop. I went to get my iphone 4 unlocked here and they said it would cost me $ 130 (yes you read that right) and take 3 days. I was told that if I pay double I could have it back in an hour, so basically they were just going to shove my phone in a drawer for 3 days unless I paid more.
Of course I said no way I can see when I’m being ripped off. Much better place on broad way is Beyond Screen (1830 west Broadway I think). Unlocked it in 10 minutes and cost me $ 40

What an awful experience I had with Foreign Electronics. It took over four weeks to replace the screen on my Samsung Galaxy S3 when I was quoted 2 days maximum.
I had been quoted $ 265 + tax to replace my screen as it was cracked after I stupidly dropped it after a couple of days use. While this price seemed awfully high (the whole phone is worth double) It was my only option outside of purchasing a brand new phone.
After paying up front (I dropped $ 300 four weeks before actually receiving my service!) I was told that the part would take 24 hours to get from the factory and that they would call me when it was in.
After not hearing anything for two weeks I followed up only to find out that the distributor only had black bezels and not white. White would be available the next day. So I wait another day and I call back (still, they had no idea that it might be pertinent to call me with information) and finally the part is available. I make the trip from White Rock to Vancouver to drop the phone off and I’m told the procedure could take 24 hours and that they’d call me at work once it was done.
After hearing nothing for two days I call them and find out the two screens they tried to use had both failed and that they were waiting for more white bezels.
We’re now at over 3 weeks of a simple screen replacement for which I’ve already paid $ 300 for.
They explained that they would get the parts in ASAP and so they kept my phone while they waited for the part. I was without my phone for 4 days and I was never offered a loaner or any other alternative. Finally after hours of my life spent phoning, driving, walking to the store only to be left empty handed do I get some success.
I walked into the store for the final time to pick my phone up only to be greeted by the owner (Who must have met me a dozen times) to be asked what I was doing there, whether I’d paid and was kept waiting around for 20 minutes while he was on the phone in the back room.
Then on the way out after finally recovering my phone he shouted after me, «Remember to get a case next time».
I’m quite flabbergasted at the level of service and pure idiocy of the place. I will never go back and I’ve told everyone I know never to use them for anything. I would have rather paid for a brand new phone — at least I would have been able to deal with the cheery sales guy at Samsung who would make some commission from me.

I was referred here by the Mobilicity store to get my phone unlocked so I can use it in Australia. I showed up at 5:15, and the phone was ready and unlocked by 5:45 (we tested it with another sim card to prove that it worked).
I thought the service was pretty good. The guy I dealt with told me I could email the store if I had any questions about using my phone on foreign networks while I’m away. The price was a little higher than I’ve seen advertised elsewhere (I paid $ 30 plus tax), but at least I know for sure that it works.

These people made buying a phone a horrible experience. The owner of the store lied to my face at least twice, and made me run around all over the city wasting hours of my time only to end up refunding the phone and starting all over again with a different store.
I show up there Wednesday at 5:30pm. The store closes at 6. The employee behind the counter tells me they’re busy and will be with me in a couple minutes. I stand there patiently and fifteen minutes later, the owner of the store helps me out. I look at a few phones and ask some questions and eventually i pick a phone i want. The guy tells me that he can make it work for calls and texts, but for WAP internet browsing, I have to go to a rogers store because ONLY A ROGERS EMPLOYEE can configure the phone for that. I agree, buy the phone, and head to the closest Rogers store. The guy there looks around online and spends half an hour trying to figure it out, but eventually admits defeat and tells me he can’t do it.
The next day (thursday) i go to a different Rogers store and the guy there says he has no idea what i’m talking about and that what Foreign Electronics told me was a lie. So I go to a THIRD Rogers store. They too can’t figure it out, so with me standing in front of them, they call Foreign Electronics to find out what’s going on. The owner of Foreign Electronics tells them over the phone that as a matter of fact, THEY COULD HAVE CONFIGURED IT FOR ME THEMSELVES THE NIGHT BEFORE, but because I had come in «right before closing,» they lied and told me that only a Rogers employee could configure it. I had not arrived just before closing… as i’ve stated, i was there a full half hour before. So, I leave the rogers store, get on my bicycle and angrily ride, in the rain, BACK to foreign electronics. I give the guy a piece of my mind and tell him I’m a really unhappy customer, and that he needs to make things right for me or I’ll tell everyone I know never ever to shop there. He takes my phone into the back room and makes me stand there for FIFTY MINUTES while he fiddles with it or does god knows what. Finally i walk back into the employees only area and ask what the hell is going on. He says that he’s been trying to make it work, but can’t do it right now because he has to get some kind of code from his tech guy. He says if i leave him the phone overnight, he can definitely make it work for me tomorrow. I asked for a refund instead, but since I didn’t have the box with me, he wouldn’t give it to me. I decide to leave the phone and simcard and pick them up the next day. Frustrated, I wrote a draft of this review, posted it online, and indicated that I would remove it if they treated me right the next day.
The next day (Friday) I go in there at 3:30pm and ask if they’ve got the phone working. The owner comes out and says that he «didn’t even try.» He says he got the codes from his tech guy, but didn’t even bother trying to put them into the phone because he was so angry about the review. He says he «will not be blackmailed.» At this point I am fully given up, so I put the box on the counter and demand my refund. Then his wife comes out and says actually her husband has been working on my phone «all day.» He now claims that THIS is true, and apparently he ‘did even try’ — all day long. When I ask, then, why did he say he «didn’t even try,» he says he said that because he was angry about the review. Now he says that the reason the phone doesn’t work is because Rogers changed their policy to not allow unlocked phones to operate WAP internet. He shows me some photocopied pieces of paper that say something about that. I ask why he sold me the phone if this is the case, and he says he didn’t know about Rogers’ new policy until that day. I said that that was all he needed to say in the first place, and that lying to me a second time was really not a good way to make things right or encourage me to remove the review i had written. I get my refund as quickly as possible and leave, never to return.
The lessons learned about Foreign Electronics:
— They are liars (The First Lie was that only a rogers employee could configure the phone. The Second Lie was either that he «didn’t even try» to fix the phone OR that he «spent all day working on it.» I’m still not sure which of those statements is true; at least one of them was a lie, but most likely they both were)
— They will needlessly make you visit rogers stores all over the city, embarrassing you by making you ask rogers employees to do something which they have no clue how to do
— They are not knowledgable about their products and sell phones which do not work, even after hours of trying
— They refuse to admit innocent mistakes, and make zero effort to smooth things over or make amends with a customer who has fallen victim to these mistakes

Big mistake getting my iphone unlocked by these guys. They are opinionated and arrogant. The service was awful when I went there and waited for 1.5 hours to have my iOS restored after my phone crashed. As I sat there, the head guy went out twice to get Starbucks drinks for the staff. I was totally appalled by this service. Don’t just swallow their strident claims that unlocking and jailbreaking are harmless.
Of course, they will not say that jailbreaking your phone voids your Apple warranty or that your wireless carrier will no longer support the phone. The service guy actually told me that Rogers sends customers to Foreign Electronics to have their phones unlocked for international travel. Don’t believe this!
I’m not a complainer, but I am definitely not going near this place again. And would be happy if I convinced one person to avoid this store like the plague!