Yeah, I think that’s about right, Fairphone is really about investing in a movement I guess, an initiative for change in the industry. Perhaps with enough support, they’ll be global one day I’m not certain, but there are definitely some valid pros and cons. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
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I think in an area with (so far and inevitably) such an extremely low density of Fairphones, it is even more important to create and maintain a network of Fairphoners. This topic alone might not suffice actually; maybe it would make sense if you would either create a permanent multi-person private message conversation here so that its participants by default get notified more strongly once someone posts in it – or at least people here upgrade their alert intensity for this topic (e.g. from “Tracking” to “Watching”).
I think this would be especially necessary in order to facilitate the exchange of spare parts between Australian Fairphoners. Whenever one Australian Fairphoner would plan a trip to Europe, this would be an opportunity to get new spares for others, too.
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Hi,
I am an advocate for Fairphone since they did the crowdfunding for the first model.
And I totally understand your dilemma.
You should do yourself a list of “pros” and “cons” to find a decision based on your own preferences.
Besides the shipping around half the world, you will face some more hardships as well.
The Australian networks are not completely supported, warranty cases will take shipping back and forth again, costing time and money besides the carbon footprint.
Spare parts / accessories / modules you might want to buy later on will need to be shipped as well. And a really important point is, that the Li-Ion batteries might be hard to come by, since they are dangerous goods and resellers normally do not ship them alone (i.e. outside of a device).
You should be willing and able to do some tinkering and experimenting on your own.
If you are looking for a phone to unpack and have fun with for the years to come, the FP is a bit of a gamble, even if it’s just the battery you might need later on.
An alternative, that is mentioned quite regularly, is buying a second hand phone. It’s a bit more ecological than buying a new one, though it - obviously - does not change the market or the life of the people mining raw materials or manufacturing the phones. Therefore it’s a compromise.
So it’s up to you, as alex21 already posted.
But I won’t give you my opinion, since I am not in your shoes and don’t know what your preferences are and what is “driving you”.
Maybe do some reading on this forum and ask one or the other question in threads and topics, that you are interested in, to fill your list of pros and cons. 
All the best! 
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Hi there Deanna!
Thanks so much for such a detailed overview of the fairphone process. I am also in adelaide and have been hoping to invest in a fairphone for a while now. Crazy to think that we’re up to the fairphone 3 and we still can’t purchase in Australia!
I was wondering if you might be able to provide a quick update on your fairphone journey? How has your phone continues to perform/be replaced? Thanks again so much 
Lauren
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Hi Lauren,
Yep! Would be awesome if they were sold here… One day!!!
You can order a Fairphone to a UK address using this web address: https://shop.fairphone.com/gb_en/
And you can use SkyPax to get a UK address (and then pay Skypax to ship it forward onto you).
I love my Fairphone. I’m on no 3 now and I know people with no 2, 3 and 3+. They’re definitely improving with every model. Camera is a lot better now too (though it’s not an iPhone, but it’s very decent and it’s made transparently and as sustainably and fairly as possible so…)
It’s also much easier to fix yourself now if you do have problems. Every new phone comes with a mini screwdriver and iFixit provide really easy to follow ways of replacing parts (their app always seems to glitch for me, that’s iFixit not Fairphone, but you can still follow their instructions on their website). The spare parts you can buy through Fairphone webstore. I’ve actually quite enjoyed being able to fix my phone myself!!
Let me know if you have any specific questions and I’ll try to answer.
Deanna
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Just in case:
Hi Deanna,
that’s good news, that shipping method with SkyPax, that is an UK-based service.
Could be useful for everyone, when the seller won’t ship to an international adresss, but will ship to the UK.
Never heard of such a service before.
Do you happen to know, if they would ship batteries that way as well? Any experience?
Shipping costs seem quite expensive, as you have to pay in addition 12 GBP for a standard membership (though once only, if I got it right).
Otherwise, there is always vireo.de, that do international shipping.
Hi Bert,
I’m not sure about batteries on their own. But we’ve ordered new phones that come with the battery and haven’t had any problems.
I’m pretty sure I got a free membership, not sure if that’s still available.
Yes it does cost a bit too forward it on so you’d have to consider of your and and willing to afford that when needed.
It’s always helpful if you know others with Fairphone and can share the costs.
Cheers
Deanna
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Hi Deanna,
Did the folks at FP ever explain why they do not distribute in Australia?
Regards
Gareth
Hi Gareth,
Ummm I’m not sure. I think their long term plan is international distribution but they really are still a young business and I guess it’s hard to break into those markets? Not really sure sorry.
Randomly a friend just bought a FP3+ but now doesn’t need it (for reasons not worth explaining here!!) If you’d like to buy off her let me know and we’ll work out how to get in touch.
Deanna
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From what I read (or maybe interpreted), there are at least two reasons:
- Selling overseas requires meeting the local standards and (legal) regulations. Getting the certificates usually takes time and costs a relevant amount of money.
- Selling overseas requires meeting the legal rules for after-sales service as well. I doubt, that a company located in the Netherlands / EU can do so by servicing the customers in Australia or the USA or Canada etc. from Europe. They will have to provide a local network / dealer to provide support and take care of warranty.
Both issues require workforce as well as lots of money.
Add to this the fact, that they are still developing the product as such. Every phone so far has been an improvement solving the issues and troubles discovered by the previous model.
Now, with the FP3(+), they - for the first time - introduced the phone like all the other phone manufacturers are doing, with a big media event press conference and life streaming.
If this phone is really successful and starts earning them good money, they might start aiming for other markets. My bet would be the North-American-market first.
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Hi Deanna, I’m interested if your friend still needs to sell hers 
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Hi,
I’m new to this Forum but appreciate the advice your members gave me to try Vireo.de as a European agent to supply the Fairphone 3+.
Vireo was excellent. They supplied the first phone in a very efficient manner and organised a replacement under warranty when it had a failure.
The replacement has worked well and I particularly appreciate the large screen and virtual keyboard which are the best I’ve used on a mobile phone. Ideal for people like me with poor vision and large fingers. I purchased it because of its FairTrade credentials and because my 15-year-old brick phone didn’t allow me to use the Government Covid safe sign in. The Fairphone can use the sign in App with no problem. I was also delighted that it manages a high-speed multichannel BLE network that I set up with no problems at all.
Many thanks to Fairphone, Carlota from Vireo and this forum.
Peter
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Have smashed my screen ( in Melb here) and scratching my head about what to do now. Any chance you still have this?
Which Fairphone do you have?
I also want a fairphone, but as previous post mentioned
People say you can order from this site
use google translate
Hi Lidwien, I have FP3.
Thanks, will try google translate.
Hi guys,
Got my Fairphone 4 from Clove Technology in the UK.
Works like a charm. (VIC)
If Clove can mail it out to AUS, not sure why there is no small scale distributor here in Aus.
I would be keen to sign up and distribute in my state tbh!
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Hi and welcome to the forum.
It is presumably too complex and expensive to set up a reseller outside the EU given the various transport, warranty and product regulations. So that is handed over to ‘EU’ based resellers that can deal with the more complex international trade regulations.
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