Buyer claiming non-receipt of a mobile

flopstocks

Hello, I recently sold a phone via Amazon and stupidly posted it without tracking (as the package fitted through a letterbox, it causes hassle having to visit delivery office etc.). Now the buyer is claiming that he has not received it and requesting a refund.

I have contacted the manufacturer and they have confirmed the device has now been wiped and in use. I have also managed to obtain the mobile number now being used in the phone. Either the buyer is lying or the phone has been stolen in transit. I noticed the buyer was after a refund just 3 days after purchase which makes me doubt the person.

Should I ring the phone and if the buyers name ties up? If not what other options have a got?

Thanks in advance

AJXX

Little too late now, but always when selling online get a signed for service to avoid situations like these.

There is little you can do in this instance as you have no proof that the item was actually delivered to the buyer, I'd personally call their bluff.

Either ask them for a mobile number to speak to them directly on or suggest (lie) and say it's for the courier company investigations - see if number provided matches up?

Else try calling their bluff;

Dear Buyer,

After conducting my own investigations I have been able to confirm that the device has been wiped and re-activated since posting. I am also shortly expecting to receive further information including the mobile number which was used to activate the device within the next few days.

I have been informed by the courier that they'll shortly be making an internal investigation using the receipt I have emailed them, this should determine a last scanned/known location.

Once obtained I shall pass the information directly onto the police, so that a police report can be filed in order for me to attempt recompense. I have been assured that the police can make enquiries with the network provider as to who the mobile number belongs to and therefore obtain a possible address.

You have suggested you would like a refund, and I would ask you to be patient while I gather the required evidence for investigations with the police to take place.

agrinnall

You can try calling their bluff as AJXX suggests, but I think Amazon will simply refund the buyer and you'll be the one out of pocket. I'd say your chances of getting the evidence mentioned is slim, and your chance of getting the police interested even slimmer.

hollydays

flopstocks wrote: »

Hello, I recently sold a phone via Amazon and stupidly posted it without tracking (as the package fitted through a letterbox, it causes hassle having to visit delivery office etc.). Now the buyer is claiming that he has not received it and requesting a refund.

I have contacted the manufacturer and they have confirmed the device has now been wiped and in use. I have also managed to obtain the mobile number now being used in the phone. Either the buyer is lying or the phone has been stolen in transit. I noticed the buyer was after a refund just 3 days after purchase which makes me doubt the person.

Should I ring the phone and if the buyers name ties up? If not what other options have a got?

Thanks in advance

If you are going to do anything about the number you've got, don't do it straight away, leave it a few weeks months and then do it.
There's nothing to stop you adding the number onto the Internet somewhere saying its likely stolen .such as who calls me website

Regularly check google for the number in case they are using a selling site and giving out their number elsewhere .

macman

You have zero evidence that the buyer wiped it, and can't prove that he ever received it. He is entitled to a refund, and Amazon will do just that without proof of delivery.
Put yourself in his shoes-he may equally well think you are scamming him and never despatched it or even had such a phone. Did you obtain proof of posting to show him?

naedanger

flopstocks wrote: »

Hello, I recently sold a phone via Amazon and stupidly posted it without tracking (as the package fitted through a letterbox, it causes hassle having to visit delivery office etc.). Now the buyer is claiming that he has not received it and requesting a refund.

I have contacted the manufacturer and they have confirmed the device has now been wiped and in use. I have also managed to obtain the mobile number now being used in the phone. Either the buyer is lying or the phone has been stolen in transit. I noticed the buyer was after a refund just 3 days after purchase which makes me doubt the person.

Should I ring the phone and if the buyers name ties up? If not what other options have a got?

Thanks in advance

I suspect you know this already, but just is case you don't, you should report the phone stolen.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/phone-internet-downloads-or-tv/what-to-do-if-your-mobile-phone-is-lost-or-stolen/

Undervalued

Can you not get the phone blocked via its IMEI number by reporting it lost or stolen (which it is)?

bris

Report it stolen to the police, explain you know the number the thief is now using on it and let them track it down.
If you have the IMei use it to get it blocked.

flopstocks

I asked the buyer for his mobile number so I could put in a claim at the post office. It is the exact number that has been using the phone since the 21st of January, I have passed this information on to Amazon.

For me this is proof that he is lying, I would now think that amazon would now side with me.

unholyangel

flopstocks wrote: »

I asked the buyer for his mobile number so I could put in a claim at the post office. It is the exact number that has been using the phone since the 21st of January, I have passed this information on to Amazon.

For me this is proof that he is lying, I would now think that amazon would now side with me.

Is the phone number he is using the phone number that was provided with the phone (ie not sim free)?

naedanger

flopstocks wrote: »

I asked the buyer for his mobile number so I could put in a claim at the post office. It is the exact number that has been using the phone since the 21st of January, I have passed this information on to Amazon.

For me this is proof that he is lying, I would now think that amazon would now side with me.

I take it you have, in writing, evidence from the manufacturer that the serial number of the phone you sold (and were told did not arrive) has been recently (i.e. since you sent it to the buyer) been used with a sim which has the phone number that your "buyer" is now using. If you don't have this is writing, I suggest you get it in writing.

If I have understood correctly then this seems pretty compelling evidence. Unless the "buyer" can offer some counter explanation (and I cannot think what that could be) then I would expect Amazon to take your side in the dispute. This assumes you have taken all the actions Amazon specifies, which I would guess includes reporting the matter to the police.

It also seems sufficient evidence to expect the police to take further action, e.g. at least speaking to your "buyer".