Buying phones on EBay

bluenoseam

hardtimes wrote: »

The scammer gets the upgrade sells it on then after a couple of weeks reports it stolen. So checking the IMEI number before you buy will not help,as at this stage the phone is "clean".

Agreed, which is why I said it was hardly "perfect", but if anything it hardens your case that at the time of purchase the phone was clean - as it turns out not a problem as you got a refund this time. It's not uncommon for that to happen which is why I personally wouldn't be keen to buy a phone from those sources.

geerex

hardtimes wrote: »

Apple was the one in question I have no idea about what other manufacturers do

But your post singled out Apple as if they are the only ones who do it.

boo_star

hardtimes wrote: »

Apple make things so easy to get scammed as they print the IMEI number on the OUTSIDE of the box so anyone can note it down.

They can, but if you're given IMEI 1 and you get a phone with IMEI 2 you just return it as SNAD.

jaydeeuk1

hardtimes wrote: »

PayPal stated that I had to return the phone to the seller and provide proof of delivery so I could receive a refund. I followed their instructions and got my refund.

Really surprised thats how paypal handle it. With counterfeit goods you have to get them destroyed and provide evidence, all this does is let the seller keep on selling it.

hardtimes

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Really surprised thats how paypal handle it. With counterfeit goods you have to get them destroyed and provide evidence, all this does is let the seller keep on selling it.

Until the phone is removed from the blacklist it is useless in the UK. Although I'm sure there are ways round this.

Kernow666

makes me laugh with the good old UNWANTED UPGRADE line , like it was forced on them

trukdiver

Kernow666 wrote: »

makes me laugh with the good old UNWANTED UPGRADE line , like it was forced on them

With my old contract, I got a "free" upgrade every year. It was "free upgrade" or nothing. Obviously, it was included in the price of the contract so it wasn't really free. It was also unwanted, as I was quite happy with my original phone! It was optional, but there was no benefit in not taking the upgrade.

janiebquick

Planning on buying a phone on Ebay?

Don't.