Cautionary tale about selling watch & not keeping note of serial number - company returned wrong one

[Ansath]

So, I agreed to sell my Apple Watch Series 5 through one of these companies that recycle tech. I've used them for over 5 years, never an issue.

This time, they told me my Apple Watch had not been removed from my iCloud, as it's Activation Locked. Which was weird, as I know what I'm doing and had definitely done it all right.

They sent it back to me, and it arrived today. Except the watch that arrived, is not the one I sent them. For starters, it's in poorer condition, it had some random strap and was a bit icky looking. Additionally, when I went to check activation lock, it showed up as being locked to 'T***@iCloud.com', which ain't my Apple ID, as mine starts with the letter A.

That company claims that they check and log the serial number of the device to the order number when unpacking. Either they mixed up mine with someone else's, or a member of staff got a bit light-fingered and swapped theirs for mine as better condition.

Stupidly, I'd gotten so used to using this company, that I'd been lax on keeping note of the serial number before sending, I sent it in the box I bought it in. Stupidly, I've not got the emailed receipt, and Argos, the place I bought it from, doesn't keep record of online orders that far back.

I thought I'd try the Apple support profile page, as that showed every device you had associated to your Apple ID, except that Apple discontinued that page about 4 years ago, and the only pages showing devices only show what's currently using your Apple ID.

So basically, I'm £200 out of pocket, with an Apple Watch that's locked to someone else's Apple ID, and cannot do anything with it. In the bin that watch goes!

Anyway, a cautionary tale. Always keep some record when selling your devices.

 

[960design]

Sorry you were taken advantage of by an honorless Hab SoSlI’ Quch.

How much extra does this company pay Vs apple direct return?
How many watches will you safely need to sell through them to make your £200 back?
What would having the original serial number do? If you choose the honorless route, you could claim the same. This is not my watch, this 'fake serial number' was mine.

Qapla’

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I had something similar happen. I tried to trade in an old AW. They sent it back stating that activation lock was still set, which wasn’t true.

I ended up giving it to my sister.

 

[ukms]

So, I agreed to sell my Apple Watch Series 5 through one of these companies that recycle tech. I've used them for over 5 years, never an issue.

This time, they told me my Apple Watch had not been removed from my iCloud, as it's Activation Locked. Which was weird, as I know what I'm doing and had definitely done it all right.

They sent it back to me, and it arrived today. Except the watch that arrived, is not the one I sent them. For starters, it's in poorer condition, it had some random strap and was a bit icky looking. Additionally, when I went to check activation lock, it showed up as being locked to 'T***@iCloud.com', which ain't my Apple ID, as mine starts with the letter A.

That company claims that they check and log the serial number of the device to the order number when unpacking. Either they mixed up mine with someone else's, or a member of staff got a bit light-fingered and swapped theirs for mine as better condition.

Stupidly, I'd gotten so used to using this company, that I'd been lax on keeping note of the serial number before sending, I sent it in the box I bought it in. Stupidly, I've not got the emailed receipt, and Argos, the place I bought it from, doesn't keep record of online orders that far back.

I thought I'd try the Apple support profile page, as that showed every device you had associated to your Apple ID, except that Apple discontinued that page about 4 years ago, and the only pages showing devices only show what's currently using your Apple ID.

So basically, I'm £200 out of pocket, with an Apple Watch that's locked to someone else's Apple ID, and cannot do anything with it. In the bin that watch goes!

Anyway, a cautionary tale. Always keep some record when selling your devices.

Whether you have the serial number or not you should still pursue it rigorously ….. if they fail to deal with it then report the company to local trading standards …. Either way pursue

 

[Ansath]

Whether you have the serial number or not you should still pursue it rigorously ….. if they fail to deal with it then report the company to local trading standards …. Either way pursue

Without any way to prove its not mine, I’ve got no hope. Activation lock doesn’t show the full iCloud address, which possibly could have helped.

It’s my own stupidity for not keeping a record of the serial number, as that would have changed the situation.

 

[Ansath]

Sorry you were taken advantage of by an honorless Hab SoSlI’ Quch.

How much extra does this company pay Vs apple direct return?
How many watches will you safely need to sell through them to make your £200 back?
What would having the original serial number do? If you choose the honorless route, you could claim the same. This is not my watch, this 'fake serial number' was mine.

Qapla’

Apple trade in was offering £125, so £75 difference.

Your number of watches makes no sense? I was selling my current watch, to offset the new one.

If I had my serial number, they could then see which persons order number it had been assigned to, and fixed the mistake. A ‘fake’ serial number wouldn’t do that.

 

[Ansath]

I had something similar happen. I tried to trade in an old AW. They sent it back stating that activation lock was still set, which wasn’t true.

I ended up giving it to my sister.

If only activation lock wasn’t on this one, as then I could do something with it.

 

[ukms]

Without any way to prove its not mine, I’ve got no hope. Activation lock doesn’t show the full iCloud address, which possibly could have helped.

It’s my own stupidity for not keeping a record of the serial number, as that would have changed the situation.

Obviously up to you whether you pursue it ….. but I would disagree that you haven’t got a chance …. Some might say it’s up to the company to prove that you didn’t send yours ….. if it’s reported to Trading standards you may not be the only one that this has happened to as they keep good records

 

[Ansath]

Obviously up to you whether you pursue it ….. but I would disagree that you haven’t got a chance …. Some might say it’s up to the company to prove that you didn’t send yours ….. if it’s reported to Trading standards you may not be the only one that this has happened to as they keep good records

As I said, their proof is that the serial number of the one they received from me was logged against my order number when packed, and that serial number is the one on the one they sent me.

That's why I need to evidence the serial number of the one I sent, so they can check their system and see they've assigned it to the wrong order number and then take the wrong one back and correct the mistake.

I have friends who are solicitors, and they confirm that without that, it's not likely to go anywhere and will cost me more than what I'm out of pocket by, in the process.

 

[ukms]

As I said, their proof is that the serial number of the one they received from me was logged against my order number when packed, and that serial number is the one on the one they sent me.

That's why I need to evidence the serial number of the one I sent, so they can check their system and see they've assigned it to the wrong order number and then take the wrong one back and correct the mistake.

I have friends who are solicitors, and they confirm that without that, it's not likely to go anywhere and will cost me more than what I'm out of pocket by, in the process.

Doesn’t cost a penny to engage with trading standards and the process is nothing to do with a solicitor but you seem pretty entrenched and against it …… was just an idea ?

 

[Ansath]

Doesn’t cost a penny to engage with trading standards and the process is nothing to do with a solicitor but you seem pretty entrenched and against it …… was just an idea ?

Trading standards will only come to the same conclusion, the company can prove their side of it. Short of Apple turning around and being able to provide the serial number of the watch previously associated with my account (They can't, as I spoke with 4 different people so far about it).

 

[ukms]

Trading standards will only come to the same conclusion.

Will they ? …… trust me …. I’ve worked a lot with them ….. but I’ll leave it there

 

[shenoka]

Can you at least prove it’s not your Apple ID? Doubt you live in the same place and perhaps they could minimally confirm state with Apple? I don’t know. I feel bad for your situation.

 

[Steveconrad72]

So, I agreed to sell my Apple Watch Series 5 through one of these companies that recycle tech. I've used them for over 5 years, never an issue.

This time, they told me my Apple Watch had not been removed from my iCloud, as it's Activation Locked. Which was weird, as I know what I'm doing and had definitely done it all right.

They sent it back to me, and it arrived today. Except the watch that arrived, is not the one I sent them. For starters, it's in poorer condition, it had some random strap and was a bit icky looking. Additionally, when I went to check activation lock, it showed up as being locked to 'T***@iCloud.com', which ain't my Apple ID, as mine starts with the letter A.

That company claims that they check and log the serial number of the device to the order number when unpacking. Either they mixed up mine with someone else's, or a member of staff got a bit light-fingered and swapped theirs for mine as better condition.

Stupidly, I'd gotten so used to using this company, that I'd been lax on keeping note of the serial number before sending, I sent it in the box I bought it in. Stupidly, I've not got the emailed receipt, and Argos, the place I bought it from, doesn't keep record of online orders that far back.

I thought I'd try the Apple support profile page, as that showed every device you had associated to your Apple ID, except that Apple discontinued that page about 4 years ago, and the only pages showing devices only show what's currently using your Apple ID.

So basically, I'm £200 out of pocket, with an Apple Watch that's locked to someone else's Apple ID, and cannot do anything with it. In the bin that watch goes!

Anyway, a cautionary tale. Always keep some record when selling your devices.

Can't you go thru apple in some way and see a list of devices associated with your Apple ID? This may help you with the tech company

 

[Ansath]

Can't you go thru apple in some way and see a list of devices associated with your Apple ID? This may help you with the tech company

Apple used to have a list, but the page was discontinued. I've spoken to them (went through form the general bod on the phone, up to a manager, who liaised with someone else), and they state that there's no replacement for the page other than the Support page, which shows what's currently associated, not anything that was previously associated.

 

[960design]

Apple trade in was offering £125, so £75 difference.

Quick math shows about three watches ( three years? ) will offset the loss.

Your number of watches makes no sense? I was selling my current watch, to offset the new one.

Number should make sense now: three.

If I had my serial number, they could then see which persons order number it had been assigned to, and fixed the mistake. A ‘fake’ serial number wouldn’t do that.

Or more realistically, they would report that serial number has never been returned. I am quite cynical, though.

Did you insure the watch you sent through the mail? You could try to reclaim your money through that route. In the US it would cost something like $2.45 to ensure that amount.

I work with a couple of technology recycle companies in the US. I sent one of them 985 devices last month. They all come to my location to document ( record serial numbers / verify activation lock removed ), pack and remove the devices. Fortunately, all of device serial numbers are recorded in a database for the 0.01% that have two digits of the serial numbers accidentally reversed during processing. Useless story to indicate that I understand your scenario all too well.

I agree with others, definitely report the issue to trade authority. If you are the 1 in a million, chock it up to bad luck.

 

[Ansath]

Quick math shows about three watches ( three years? ) will offset the loss.

Number should make sense now: three.

Or more realistically, they would report that serial number has never been returned. I am quite cynical, though.

Did you insure the watch you sent through the mail? You could try to reclaim your money through that route. In the US it would cost something like $2.45 to ensure that amount.

I work with a couple of technology recycle companies in the US. I sent one of them 985 devices last month. They all come to my location to document ( record serial numbers / verify activation lock removed ), pack and remove the devices. Fortunately, all of device serial numbers are recorded in a database for the 0.01% that have two digits of the serial numbers accidentally reversed during processing. Useless story to indicate that I understand your scenario all too well.

I agree with others, definitely report the issue to trade authority. If you are the 1 in a million, chock it up to bad luck.

I don’t get why you’re talking about how many watches to sell?! I don’t replace mine yearly. Plus also the watches have increased in price this year. Selling my Series 5 was not making me any profit for what I paid for it, only offsetting the cost of me buying the new one. So your whole profit ramble is nonsense, mate.

With regards to serial number, since they’ve already stated that they received the package, as it’s sent recorded delivery and state that the serial number of the Watch they sent me was logged against the tracking number for the package I sent for my order number, me having my one, proves they mixed them up. Almost all of that information was in my OP.

 

[BigBlur]

Where did you buy your Series 5 watch? Any chance you still have the receipt, or can view the order history online? The serial number should be printed on the receipts for retailers, and I know Best Buy's order history shows the serial number for orders placed online. (It does for the iPad Pro I purchased last spring.) Can't speak for Apple, but I'd imagine they and other stores do something similar.

 

[Ansath]

Where did you buy your Series 5 watch? Any chance you still have the receipt, or can view the order history online? The serial number should be printed on the receipts for retailers, and I know Best Buy's order history shows the serial number for orders placed online. (It does for the iPad Pro I purchased last spring.) Can't speak for Apple, but I'd imagine they and other stores do something similar.

Please re-read my OP, the answer to your questions are in there.

 

[960design]

I don’t get why you’re talking about how many watches to sell?! I don’t replace mine yearly. Plus also the watches have increased in price this year. Selling my Series 5 was not making me any profit for what I paid for it, only offsetting the cost of me buying the new one. So your whole profit ramble is nonsense, mate.

With regards to serial number, since they’ve already stated that they received the package, as it’s sent recorded delivery and state that the serial number of the Watch they sent me was logged against the tracking number for the package I sent for my order number, me having my one, proves they mixed them up. Almost all of that information was in my OP.

Your insistence to hostility is clouding your comprehension. We will just leave it at you forcing me to agree that you made "stupid" decisions and incapable of understanding how long it will take to offset.

Ramble achievement earned!

 

[ukms]

I thought I'd try the Apple support profile page, as that showed every device you had associated to your Apple ID, except that Apple discontinued that page about 4 years ago, and the only pages showing devices only show what's currently using your Apple ID.

I’ve just been tidying up my wife’s new iPad and looked at her profile under settings and it still shows her AW’s that have long been unpaired and sold together with serial number.

Did you try looking there ? It’s the same on an iPhone.

 

[Ansath]

I’ve just been tidying up my wife’s new iPad and looked at her profile under settings and it still shows her AW’s that have long been unpaired and sold together with serial number.

Did you try looking there ? It’s the same on an iPhone.

That was one of the first places I looked before going to Apple. Plus they asked me to look there when I called them.

 

[usagora]

How, precisely, does one go about "checking the activation lock" on an Apple Watch? I'm a bit confused, because I thought when you unpaired an AW from your iPhone, that it basically erases the AW and resets it to factory defaults.

 

[ukms]

That was one of the first places I looked before going to Apple. Plus they asked me to look there when I called them.

Strange that yours isn’t there ….. because they certainly didn’t stop that 4 years ago as per your post.

 

[Ansath]

How, precisely, does one go about "checking the activation lock" on an Apple Watch? I'm a bit confused, because I thought when you unpaired an AW from your iPhone, that it basically erases the AW and resets it to factory defaults.

I went to pair the returned watch to one of the work iPhones, to see if it claimed it was locked to my iCloud, since the work phones are not connected to my Apple ID.