Refurbed iPhone Query.....

Deetyler14

Hi all
I purchased a refurbed iPhone from an online seller in October 2019. I’ve used it with my sim only EE contract since. I’ve since asked EE to unlock it but they are saying it’s still linked to the original contract holder after all this time!! Therefore I can’t do so.
I don’t know what my rights are, as surely this should not have been sold with this initial link? Any advice would be greatly revived. Thanks 

JJ_Egan

Rights  go back to the seller in the first instance .

MattMattMattUK

Deetyler14 said:

Hi all
I purchased a refurbed iPhone from an online seller in October 2019. I’ve used it with my sim only EE contract since. I’ve since asked EE to unlock it but they are saying it’s still linked to the original contract holder after all this time!! Therefore I can’t do so.
I don’t know what my rights are, as surely this should not have been sold with this initial link? Any advice would be greatly revived. Thanks 

When you say "unlock it" what you you mean exactly? Is it connected to your iTunes/iCloud account?

Deetyler14

Hi both. I’ve gone to EE to unlock it from their network as it was bought locked to the EE network.

It’s not locked via iTunes/iCloud and is registered to me via Apple. 

The seller asked me to get proof from EE it is still linked to the original account holder who bought the phone, but they won’t share any information due to not being the ‘original owner’ of the handset.
The retailer has since asked me to return the phone as they cannot understand what has happened but have offered me a replacement however I was only wanting to get the handset unlocked so I could trade it in as I have since upgraded my own account 

68ComebackSpecial

Why not accept the replacement and then trade that in?

TadleyBaggie

Network locked doesn't means its locked to an account, only that it cannot be used on another network provider.

2021BJ

TadleyBaggie said:

Network locked doesn't means its locked to an account, only that it cannot be used on another network provider.

Correct but the OP mentions trading the phone in.  A quick check shows there can be a fairly significant price difference between locked and unlocked iPhones on the phone buying sites.

Perhaps that is why the OP is keen to get it unlocked.

theonlywayisup

With EE, if you (the original purchaser) buys a phone and it is locked to EE, then anyone can unlock it if they have an EE contract (but not PAYGO).  From memory EE will charge a non contract customer £8 or thereabouts to unlock the phone. 

Edit- actually it is now £8.99

https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/getting-started-and-upgrading/unlock-your-phone/unlock-a-ee-device-to-use-with-another-network

2021BJ

theonlywayisup said:

With EE, if you (the original purchaser) buys a phone and it is locked to EE, then anyone can unlock it if they have an EE contract (but not PAYGO).  From memory EE will charge a non contract customer £8 or thereabouts to unlock the phone. 

Edit- actually it is now £8.99

https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/getting-started-and-upgrading/unlock-your-phone/unlock-a-ee-device-to-use-with-another-network

OP's problem is they are not the original purchaser.