Am I being scammed? Sold Apple Watch - 17 mos later, buyer says it's activation locked?

[annk]

I agree that you've got to distance yourself from this. See if you can get an email confirmation from the Best Buy rep you spoke with, stating that neither your nor your wife's iCloud account is linked to the watch, and there was no "original owner" before you, that it was a warranty replacement wiped clean and mailed straight from Apple. Since this rep says they information they can't share, I'm guessing it's information about earlier scams with this person.

Written confirmation can protect you if this escalates any further.

 

[haruhiko]

Everyone here warned you that it's a scam and you keep going deeper in it. Good luck.

 

[nburwell]

• He puts me on hold to speak with his supervisor and comes back saying I don't need to worry about this, shouldn't refund her anything, and don't need to communicate with her any further. He assures me that neither me nor my wife's iCloud account is linked to the watch, and there was no "original owner" before me -- it was a warranty replacement wiped clean and mailed straight from Apple.
• He says they have "other information" they can't share with me that makes him very confident in saying I shouldn't deal with this any further.

The Apple Rep hit this right on the head. Don't offer her a penny back of what she paid you for the watch. You did the right thing in blocking her number, but I wouldn't be surprised if she found other means for reaching out to you.

Wash your hands of this situation and move on. Although I must commend you for taking the time out of I'm sure busy schedule to research and initially work with the woman. I know most sellers would not even do this even after five months after selling a product second hand.

 

[meeebee]

One more thing, email a complaint to ebay/Paypal for giving out your personal number. That is a violation of their terms, I'm sure, and probably violates some law. Their management must be made aware of this.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

One more thing, email a complaint to ebay/Paypal for giving out your personal number. That is a violation of their terms, I'm sure, and probably violates some law. Their management must be made aware of this.

I had a recent dispute on eBay as a buyer when a woman tried to rip me off with a battered pair of sunglasses she was selling as brand new. At one point eBay told me I should contact her by phone and discuss the dispute. I refused yet I was given her contact details. I hate the idea of details being given out and won't be buying anything over £20 in future.

 

[abeln2672]

Just wanted to thank everyone again! It's been a weird ride, but I'm calling it over. She hasn't responded to my last message, and I'm not going to respond even if she does. I'm totally checking out as it's clear I'm not to blame in the least here. Apple did assign me a case number and take notes on my conversation with the rep, so I should be able to go back to them if anything happens in the future. Later all!

 

[willydimes]

Why do you keep messaging her and trying to contact apple. This makes things seem fishy on your end now.

 

[nicho]

At one point eBay told me I should contact her by phone

That's like the worst of worst ideas, unless you record the conversation, which also could be a bad idea depending on both your and their locations. Abdication of responsibility at its finest!

 

[Hamopr]

Well, in opposition to some of the comments above I believe you went above and beyond the norm to rectify the situation. I'm happy to see that there are still people around who "go the extra mile".

I have over 1500 eBay positives at 100%, and it takes work on my part to maintain 100% but buyers recognize reputable sellers who will go the extra mile.

I joined this forum today because I bought a series 1 AW that is iCloud locked. I can confirm that if indeed your old watch was locked you can't pair it to an iPhone nor can you use it as a watch. It's now a tiny paperweight. I knew this going into the deal on eBay but consider it a learning process, plus I don't have but $75 in the watch and charger. The case is mint and the band is usable so I can likely part it out to recoup my investment. I'll be looking for a new watch closer to Black Friday and hoping to learn more from the membership in this forum.

Nick

 

[QueenTyrone]

Well, in opposition to some of the comments above I believe you went above and beyond the norm to rectify the situation. I'm happy to see that there are still people around who "go the extra mile".

I have over 1500 eBay positives at 100%, and it takes work on my part to maintain 100% but buyers recognize reputable sellers who will go the extra mile.

I joined this forum today because I bought a series 1 AW that is iCloud locked. I can confirm that if indeed your old watch was locked you can't pair it to an iPhone nor can you use it as a watch. It's now a tiny paperweight. I knew this going into the deal on eBay but consider it a learning process, plus I don't have but $75 in the watch and charger. The case is mint and the band is usable so I can likely part it out to recoup my investment. I'll be looking for a new watch closer to Black Friday and hoping to learn more from the membership in this forum.

Nick

Get. Your. Money. Back from the seller /ebay

 

[Hamopr]

I don't want to do that. At the risk of repeating myself I knew before hand it was locked. I have no intention of asking for a refund. Please re-read my post if you are confused about why I would do this.

 

[WarHeadz]

I don't want to do that. At the risk of repeating myself I knew before hand it was locked. I have no intention of asking for a refund. Please re-read my post if you are confused about why I would do this.

I reread your post...but I'm still confused as to why you knowingly bought an iCloud locked device. You didn't make it very clear. Were you simply unaware of the purpose of the iCloud lock?

 

[Hamopr]

It was a challenge to determine if it could be unlocked. I like challenges and took this one on. So far, no luck but I really believe it can be done, however the investment is considerably more than I will spend.

I did learn that all the advertisers of "unlocking" services are scams.

 

[Sword86]

SCAM ALL THE WAY, I wouldn't reply to anything, anymore. I couldn't even wade through reading all the posts, I can't imagine having sat down to compose and post them. Too much effort. Let it go.

 

[Knightcastle]

The amount of time I've wasted on this now has me convinced I'll NEVER sell anything on eBay worth more than about $50. I've completed plenty of high dollar sales in the past with no problems, but even 1 leaves a bitter enough taste than I'm done with them.

I think you’ve learned the wrong lesson from this.

Selling a ‘high’ value item wasn’t your mistake, entertaining this bizarre purchaser was.

You should have just deleted the email the day it arrived. Ultimately now nothing would be different and you’d have saved yourself all that time.