Are there any laws against being lied to about a product you are purchasing?

I live in Massachusetts but I recently received a replacement iPhone through Apple in Rhode Island. I asked the sales associate assisting me if my replacement phone was brand new and I was told it was. I began to have issues with the replacement and I sought out the help of Apple's online chat support and the online associate told me my phone was "serviced" aka refurbished. I was blatantly lied to and I'm incredibly unhappy about it. I'm just wondering if there's any sort of protection for consumers over matters such as this?

There would be in the UK. There's a thing called the "Trade Descriptions Act 1968" which covers exactly this kind of stuff.

In the States… I don't know. Sorry for kibitzing your question - I only posted this in case UK readers happened to come across a comparable problem.

Write the consumer protection agency of RI a letter and CC the MA CPA also. Then send a copy to Apple. You need written documentation that phone is used or no soap. If this is true Apple will put more pressure on them than govt. Apple has an image to live up to the govt has none.

I like marduk's answer. I don't think you'll get far with government.

Yes, it's illegal to sell something as new when it's in fact refurbished. I think that falls under fraud, and false advertising. But the problem is proof. And the second problem is getting anyone to care. These types of case are often simply filed away and ignored.

You can also sue in small claims court. But again, your problem is proof. You have to prove that the salesmen said one thing and sold you something different.

I think marduk's idea of going to apply will work better. Apple is very protective of it's reputation.