How do you know that it's a dispute?
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Did he initiate a return through ebay? Did ebay send you a message saying the buyer wants to return the item?
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Sold iPhone, buyer saying it's activation locked...am I being scammed?
- Thread starter gdjsnyder
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The Op believes he is being scammed. If he is scammed he won't just refund the buyers money.
As said earlier, PayPal will side with buyer and refund his money in most cases when disputed. Then the seller will have to wrestle with PayPal and his chances of winning are tough.
Seller must contact PayPal and eBay immediately and voice why this is a dishonest buyer.
I'm saying if he is being scammed, it will become a dispute because he will not give the buyer a refund.
My advice to the OP is to have the buyer start a return item within ebay. He will have to ship the phone back and provide a tracking number. Ebay gives you up to one week after you receive the phone back to make the refund. When you receive the package, make a video of the unboxing of the package so that you have proof that buyer infact did send the phone back and it's phone that you sent. Turn on the phone and see if it really is icloud locked as he says it is.
Do not send refund without receiving the phone and make sure the return process is done through ebay, not between you two with messages.
Do not send refund without receiving the phone and make sure the return process is done through ebay, not between you two with messages.
Also there is a good chance that the buyer used an icloud account and lock there selves intently to ask for a refund which is likely why you don't see the phone on your icloud account so check the serial number or the iemi number. If they return the phone and try to see if Apple will remove the icloud lock with your case if paypal and ebay decides to sides with the buyer.
www.iCloud.com/activationlock
This is apple's official website for checking activation lock. It'll tell you whether its on or not. If it is, you need a screen shot of the setup screen that asks for your apple id. If they won't give that to you, they're clearly a scammer. Its not unreasonable to ask for proof of their claims.
Its a shame this kind of thing even happens.
Simply tell him the eBay/PayPal process requires the seller to send it back before you give a refund. Just tell the buyer he has to go through the eBay return procedure and you will "gladly" refund him once you get it back and verify it was what you sent him. Never deal direct with the buyer in this situation.
I'm not even involved and I'm pissed off. I really hope you win this.
Post the buyers username and info on here.
What was their rating? Usually when I get someone with zero feedback, I just cancel the transaction.
What was their rating? Usually when I get someone with zero feedback, I just cancel the transaction.
Exactly.
Take it as a lesson learned.
There's tons of scams on eBay and iPhone or Apple devices attract the best scammers.
I haven't sold anything on eBay for years cause of similar situations.
It sucks having to fight and go thru the drama to get your money or item back.
Have a read of this page:
http://andrewminalto.com/buyers-scammers-on-ebay/
Scroll down to 3. Returning Another Product. It gives a police website called Action Fraud where you can report any such scam which it claims will get eBay to side with the innocent seller in cases like this.
On ebay's help pages: http://ocsnext.ebay.co.uk/ocs/home search for 'Reporting a buyer who is misusing returns' - there's a link for if, as is expected, you receive a phone with a different serial/IMEI number.
But before all this if you haven't done so I'd message the seller pointing out politely he's welcome to return the phone but say that you have photos and documentary evidence of the IMEI/serial number of the phone you sent, and that if the one he returns if different you'll have no option but to take legal action for fraud.
This will hopefully show him you're wise to his trick and he might not bother proceeding with the return. If he kicks up a stink calling you a scammer, just ignore it, don't get into a debate with him.
BTW, in case you haven't already done so, you can put restrictions on the type of people who can buy from you, eg they must have a PayPal account, have no negative feedback, etc... It's not foolproof but helps a little. Google Selecting Buyer Requirements to find out how.
All the best!
http://andrewminalto.com/buyers-scammers-on-ebay/
Scroll down to 3. Returning Another Product. It gives a police website called Action Fraud where you can report any such scam which it claims will get eBay to side with the innocent seller in cases like this.
On ebay's help pages: http://ocsnext.ebay.co.uk/ocs/home search for 'Reporting a buyer who is misusing returns' - there's a link for if, as is expected, you receive a phone with a different serial/IMEI number.
But before all this if you haven't done so I'd message the seller pointing out politely he's welcome to return the phone but say that you have photos and documentary evidence of the IMEI/serial number of the phone you sent, and that if the one he returns if different you'll have no option but to take legal action for fraud.
This will hopefully show him you're wise to his trick and he might not bother proceeding with the return. If he kicks up a stink calling you a scammer, just ignore it, don't get into a debate with him.
BTW, in case you haven't already done so, you can put restrictions on the type of people who can buy from you, eg they must have a PayPal account, have no negative feedback, etc... It's not foolproof but helps a little. Google Selecting Buyer Requirements to find out how.
All the best!
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Customer states that the part does not work or was broken during shipment. Opens a case with ebay/paypal. They send the part back to us and it is clearly used and or has been physically damaged - nothing that occured during shipping. They are simply returning their old broken product and getting a refund and a brand new item.
If you have an email saying you unregistered it why give him a refund? Submit that proof to ebay and you shouldn't have a problem. Why roll over when you don't have to? I have over a thousand ebay transactions both as buyer and seller, all positive on my part and have never had an issue. Some have tried to scam me but I always have my ducks in a row so they can't.
Who sells an activation locked iPhone? And who the hell buys one knowing it's likely stolen and useless?
I hope you get this sorted though, has put me right off selling my phone on eBay this summer.
I hope you get this sorted though, has put me right off selling my phone on eBay this summer.
People who sell them are people who stole them or got suckered into buying one and want to get some of their money back.
People who buy one either think they can remove the lock or are trying to scam people like OP.
Why not tell the buyer you unlocked the phone and there was no lock on it and you
Happened to notice that they bought activation locked phones weeks prior and could be trying to pull a fast one.
Tell them all of that and let them know you have your original receipt of your old phone and if it doesn't match up you will peruse legal charges against them.
Don't worry, if they file w dispute just call PayPal, don't email them.. CALL THEM! Always better speaking with them on the phone and giving your side
Happened to notice that they bought activation locked phones weeks prior and could be trying to pull a fast one.
Tell them all of that and let them know you have your original receipt of your old phone and if it doesn't match up you will peruse legal charges against them.
Don't worry, if they file w dispute just call PayPal, don't email them.. CALL THEM! Always better speaking with them on the phone and giving your side
Anyone can get scammed no matter how many ducks you put in a row. All it takes is a dishonest buyer who claims you send him the wrong item.
Correct. And it's not only about having your ducks in a row and proof and documentation.
Is having to go thru all that bs and having to argue back and forth with people, PayPal and eBay.
And wait till the other person responds to the dispute messages and wait till the return is send back so you can provide video to arbitration for proof etc...
And again even if you win the dispute the buyer can put a claim via their credit card and get refunded their money. Then PayPal could still make you the seller eat the loss cause they don't like to lose money.
Who got time or patience for that?
Just go through this bs once, you will never do it again!
May be too late for the OP, but others should take heed.
Steer clear of eBay if you're selling your iPhone or iPad.
This is why I love Craigslist. Meet up with buyer at local PD parking lot and all sales are final.