By Lauren Beavis, SWNS

A couple from Liskeard were left 'devastated’ after buying a £800 iPhone from Apple - and receiving a power bank. 

Lianne Pengelly, 41, and her husband Sam, 30, say the past month has been a "horrific battle" with the largest tech company in the world - after it refused to replace their purchase or even refund them. 

They were told the purchase had been delivered 'successfully' and nothing could be done - leaving them furious and out-of-pocket. 

After initially refusing to engage with them any further and a month long battle, Apple have now offered a new phone.

Lianne said: “I know worse things can happen in life, but after a horrific few years, we just feel it’s so unfair - and it’s such a lot of money for nothing!

"We feel as though we are being treated like criminals."

The couple say they were only able to buy the phone, from the official Apple website, because Sam got a new job and needed it for work. 

But when the package was delivered by DPD on September 28, Lianne admits the pair were sat “completely stunned”. 

The assistant manager for a construction company said: “We immediately checked the delivery update on our Apple account, which read the iPhone had been delivered. 

“We just thought ‘oh no, something’s gone awfully wrong here’, and assumed there was a mix-up.” 

Lianne explained she rang Apple immediately, who asked for images as proof, and then wrote back stating they were going to investigate the issue. 

Lianne said: “We heard nothing for days and days - until it became two weeks! 

“We were so frustrated. 

“£800 to a company like that is a drop in the ocean, but to us it is enormous.”

The pair set up the payment for the iPhone with their Barclay’s bank account as a direct debit but were strongly advised not to cancel it by the bank because it would ‘negatively impact their credit score’. 

On October 12, Sam received an email from Apple that read: “We have completed our review with the carrier regarding your shipment, and confirmed that it was successfully delivered to the address entered when you placed your order. 

“As a result, we’re unable to provide a replacement or process a refund.” 

Lianne stated she called Apple again, to only get told there was nothing they could do.

The desperate pair confessed to taking a 52-mile trip to Plymouth's Apple store at the weekend but were told that staff there could not help as it was an online order. 

They also went to Charles Cross Police Station but police were unable to help due to it being a ‘consumer dispute’ and Apple need to sort the problem - despite Lianne arguing the couple had paid for the item. 

Lianne added: “I just get so upset because they won’t do anything: it is like they read off a script. 

“When speaking to Apple on the phone they just said to me ‘You can go police if you like’. 

“Apple are the biggest tech company in the world - it is disgusting. 

“The stress is awful: we are mentally and physically drained, no one should have to go through this during these times. 

“Wherever we turn, it’s a no. 

“We’ve spent hours trying to get this done, it is not our responsibility but wherever we turn, it’s a no. 

“We don’t want our faces plastered everywhere but we have tried everything.

"We just want justice and to warn other people of this scam and for Apple to take accountability."

When Apple were approached for comment, they initially refused - but after the couple went public with the story they offered to provide a replacement phone.