Testing the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true..."

[mikestorm]

So I just fulfilled a 'Buy it Now' transaction on eBay for a brand new Thunderbolt...for AU 200.00. With shipping it converted to $230 USD.

Seller created his account yesterday
Seller had 0 feedback
Seller is (obviously) from Australia.

I have a 40% to 50% degree of confidence this will pan out.

Auction made no mention of 'contract required' and the title specifically had the word 'unlocked' and the phrase 'operates on Verizon's network' in the description which to me is an assertion that the ESN is good.

Seller also has a 14 day return policy. I pulled the trigger because the price was too good to pass up and worth the hassle of submitting a claim in case I get boned on the deal.

So what do you all think?

 

[anthony2558]

I personally would not have. Hope it works out for you!! Lets us know.

 

[Eclipse2K]

It sounds too good to be true. I generally avoid eBay because of all the dishonest sellers and buyers. I wish you the best of luck but I'd be afraid it's either a counterfeit device or something is terribly wrong. It's not uncommon for a seller to say it was "damaged in shipping" and "it's not my fault, take it up with the shipping carrier".

Good luck.

By the way, do you have a link to this auction so we can see it?

 

[potatolover1102]

I would never buy a phone from someone in a country where they have no way of buying the phone themselves?? How did someone in Australia get a USA exclusive device and on a carrier that does not use a sim card as fully as gsm so there is no "unlocked" Verizon phone, all cdma is already "unlocked" its just up to the carrier to support it.

 

[anon(94115)]

How did someone in Australia get a USA exclusive device

I don't have much to say except that getting the device isnt hard. There are plenty of online "wholesalers" that can ship this to you.

It is pretty shady all the way around, and I hope for the best for the OP

 

[mikestorm]

I paid for the item via PayPal (used my credit card instead of my checking account to fund) so I'm covered two ways there plus I'm eligible for eBay buyer protection. Don't get me wrong; I'm incredibly skeptical. However I'm fairly well protected if this deal goes sideways so I'm willing to take the chance.

Here's the link. Thunderbolt Verizon Cell Phone LTE 4G Android(Unlocked) - eBay (item 290556601368 end time Apr-22-11 22:27:27 PDT)

I will keep this thread updated as things develop.

 

[EggoEspada]

Yea, this totally screams fraud.

Hope everything goes well. Best of luck.

 

[streetstrip01]

So I just fulfilled a 'Buy it Now' transaction on eBay for a brand new Thunderbolt...for AU 200.00. With shipping it converted to $230 USD.

Seller created his account yesterday
Seller had 0 feedback
Seller is (obviously) from Australia.

I have a 40% to 50% degree of confidence this will pan out.

Auction made no mention of 'contract required' and the title specifically had the word 'unlocked' and the phrase 'operates on Verizon's network' in the description which to me is an assertion that the ESN is good.

Seller also has a 14 day return policy. I pulled the trigger because the price was too good to pass up and worth the hassle of submitting a claim in case I get boned on the deal.

So what do you all think?

 

[Chrisy]

Unlocked? No feedback? New account? I hope you can get your money back easily if this doesn't work out. Keep us posted.

 

[DroidXcon]

LMAO!! I love lamp

 

[Edwill86]

Auction made no mention of 'contract required' and the title specifically had the word 'unlocked' and the phrase 'operates on Verizon's network' in the description which to me is an assertion that the ESN is good.

I would call vzw and check to make sure that the phone is indeed clean. get the esn from the seller and make sure.

you dont want to be buying a phone thats been reported stolen.

this does sound really shady though. good luck.

 

[mikestorm]

Unlocked? No feedback? New account? I hope you can get your money back easily if this doesn't work out. Keep us posted.

Will I get my money back? Probably.
Will I get it back easily? Unlikely.

I bought the phone fully expecting this to be a scam. I figured this will make for an interesting experiment.

Still, I've never met a dishonest Australian.

 

[Edwill86]

lol at least you know what your getting into

 

[mikestorm]

LMAO!! I love lamp

That's always one of my poll options. It captures all the folks who don't have a strong opinion either way and just like voting in polls. This way you get an accurate read on the remaining choices.

 

[DroidXcon]

That's always one of my poll options. It captures all the folks who don't have a strong opinion either way and just like voting in polls.

No no i have a strong opinion, But I love lamp more

 

[SMD]

Before you pay, try to contact the person by phone. Have him take a photo of the phone with a quarter or something like that in the picture so you know he has it. Also, even though it does sound like fraud, you can contact eBay and have them try to verify the account BEFORE you pay. Use their "live chat" to get quicker responses. If you do pay, use paypal so you are covered (up to a certain amount which I can't recall off hand). Don't send any cashier's checks or money orders or anything like that.

Good luck!

 

[Dcpmark#AC]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that most international transactions are not covered by PayPal protection.

 

[milominderbinde]

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Scams are based on the mark's greed.

 

[DJBeanPole]

 

[lady.grey18]

I wouldn't doubt it too quick. I made a seller account just for the purpose of selling my OG Droid for Thunderbolt money. Ya never know if they just made the account to get rid of the phone.