You really think Apple is going to investigate the slew of third party eBay and Craigslist sellers? And who are you to accuse these sellers of stealing the phones. There are many legitimate ways to get unused phones AND most sellers on eBay are only selling one phone that they probably got with an upgrade they didn't need or changed their minds, or had an extra phone. So many possibilities other than having stolen the phones. Out of the thousands of phones listed on eBay and other 3rd-party sites, you are really under the impression that the majority of them are stolen? That's a pretty far-fetched proposition.
I do appreciate, however, how you're changing your tune now. What happened to the "You believe when you read on the internet that people are starting their warranties when activating their phones? How gullible!" I guess now that we have some of our own MacRumors members telling you that their warranty started when they activated their phones you don't want to call other posters liars, which is a good move.
You complain about everyone else assuming things about what you post and then come back double assuming things that I and others have not stated. First I don't think one way or the other what Apple will or won't investigate. It is you that seem so overly concerned about when warranty starts so I suggested you make the call and question it. After all you are the one so concerned that even after declaring it a closed concern you re-open it. If one seller, broker, reseller, whatever you want to call them has multiple iPhones never opened, yes I do question how they could have acquired them.
You will note that was a question and not a blanket statement I made about how multiple phone could be acquired. No where did I state the majority of them are stolen. But even you, would have to admit there are stolen phones sold on eBay. As evidenced by the constant stream of people who ask how to unbrick a phone they bought on eBay on this very forum.
I still don't have any way to determine the veracity of any statements made on the net. I'm not so gullible to believe no one lies on here. Nor did I ever say everyone does. Taking things with a grain of salt is always a wise course. That includes macrumor's members. Last I checked their was no test for false statement in order to join.
Apple has a written policy regarding when warranty starts. Because some are lucky enough to get by the first sale stipulation still doesn't make it their policy. AT&T has a policy of not unlocking phones that still are not owned by the user. Yet some have reported that by repeated attempts some have been able to unlock. Third party unlocked had illegal access to the AT&T computers via paid off employees. So there is another example of non perfect system in operation.
Why this seems such a crusade with you, I am at a loss to fathom. But in the interest of not further fanning religious zeal. I will give you your win. I am wrong, you are right. Everything I say is without merit. Only you have divine insight into truth. Call Apple, don't call Apple. Buy your phone from anyone and anywhere you like. It never did, nor never will made me any mind. It never crossed my mind to worry about when someone's warranty starts, that was your hot button. You can discuss it as long as others are willing to entertain your passion for the question. I for one am done with you.
