Be careful when buying used - Note 8 story

[jay887]

I just tried to sell a phone on eBay and finally gave up after having to get the package intercepted which total shipping was around 30. After getting it back, I went through 3 more sales that also cancelled payment a few days after buying. I ended up selling for a little less locally but it is sold. I'll never sell on eBay again!! Too many scammers!!!

This happened to my mom a few weeks ago but they payment wasnt cancelled ...it was never sent. A fake pay pal confirmation was sent from the user. The kicker part is eBay had this person listed as a high rated customer but then when she called ebay they told her something about it not being a legit account and they closed it. She was on a trial so no fees or anything just out the 7 dollars for shipping. When she called USPS ...they actually told her she was about the 5th person that had to have their package intercepted going to this person because they were scamming people. She filed a police report. It is a shame smh. I will not fool with eBay or any third party sellers. Even with Amazon if it isn't full filled by amazon at least then I won't order.

 

[Ca_lvn]

Too many stories of people getting robbed in public places trying to buy a phone, any major investment I always do new , I have sold two phones on swappa

 

[leerandall]

Too many stories of people getting robbed in public places trying to buy a phone, any major investment I always do new , I have sold two phones on swappa

That's why I always meet buyers at the local police station parking lot. They have video surveillance in the lot and they welcome people who are selling/buying things to meet there and make the transaction.

 

[sx4dude2013]

Chase said if PayPal doesn't refund me that they will take care of it. Just to document everything which I have. They are sending a dispute packet. If it is not resolved I need to send in the packet

 

[Climb14er]

Aside from the broken display... the whole story sounds really off key! This close to release, why would anyone in their right mind buy used... unless in person, verified, confirmed and a clean phone with a great deal. BUYER BEWARE!

 

[Jewels81]

Aside from the broken display... the whole story sounds really off key! This close to release, why would anyone in their right mind buy used... unless in person, verified, confirmed and a clean phone with a great deal. BUYER BEWARE!

What broken display?

 

[Iva_LadyDiCaprio98]

Damn ... me, personally, I never would buy from sellers that are not either Samsung themselves or my carrier, AT&T. Sorry it happened, but this doesn't mean that the Note8 is not worthy of a chance- you just have to make sure you purchase it from a reliable source. I haven't ever purchased electronics from anywhere other than the manufacturer themselves, my carrier, or Best Buy. Anywhere else for me is a no go.

 

[sx4dude2013]

Well over the last 5 years I have bought and sold maybe 5 devices total and saved hundreds by doing so. I learned my lesson this time.
Btw I never knew I would be the 4th owner or the fact that he was "selling it for his brother". These would of been red flags.

 

[Climb14er]

What broken display?

Easy...! I was thinking of another thread in addition to this one. Thoughts got merged. No harm, no foul. Everything else posted I stand behind.

 

[Jewels81]

Easy...! I was thinking of another thread in addition to this one. Thoughts got merged. No harm, no foul. Everything else posted I stand behind.

Yeah it dawned on me a little bit after I quoted you that you might been thinking about the other topic. My bad. No worries here bout other things you said. Just was thinking I didn't see that part in topic haha. Sorry. Guess I need to take my butt to bed

 

[anon(5630457)]

I don't see how the phone being reported stolen should have anything to do with Samsung or Apple. It seems like the seller was screwing you over. How did that get overlooked by Swappa?

 

[anon(1733)]

I don't see how the phone being reported stolen should have anything to do with Samsung or Apple. It seems like the seller was screwing you over. How did that get overlooked by Swappa?

It most likely was clear when listed then reported stolen after it was verified by swappa.

 

[sx4dude2013]

It most likely was clear when listed then reported stolen after it was verified by swappa.

Yup. This is exactly what I think happened. More updates to follow as I go through the process. ??????

 

[reinbeau]

Once Paypal gets involved and the buyer returns as Paypal has told them to it's going to go against the seller if the money isn't refunded. Paypal will attach the money and get it to the buyer. Yes, the seller can try to pull a fast one but Paypal doesn't give up easily.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Damn, sorry about that OP.

I guess this goes to show how important it is to do as much as you can to find out about the history of the device you’re planning to buy on the used market. Check the IMEI with the carrier and other sources if need be.

 

[dov1978]

This is a growing problem here in the UK too. On Gumtree (similar to Craigslist) there's dodgy people who sell phones, wait a week or so then report it lost or stolen and they get a shiny new phone from the insurers on top of the cash they sold you the phone for that's now blocked and blacklisted.
As a rule of thumb if I'm ever buying a used phone, I always meet at the sellers house. If they're happy to do that then the likelihood is they've nothing to hide and if something does happen shortly after then I know exactly where I'm going as soon as it does.
As for sticking to Apple, that's not going to change anything. iPhone's are usually the most stolen, scam sold phone there is purely because their resale value is so high and they hold their value longer than most if not all Androids

 

[sangs]

I just tried to sell a phone on eBay and finally gave up after having to get the package intercepted which total shipping was around 30. After getting it back, I went through 3 more sales that also cancelled payment a few days after buying. I ended up selling for a little less locally but it is sold. I'll never sell on eBay again!! Too many scammers!!!

Learned my lesson years ago. Now, when selling anything with significant value on Ebay, I let everybody know the product will be shipped within four days of the payment clearing. Think that scares away the scammers, as I've had no payment issues since getting scammed on a MacBook in the early 2000s. (And fyi, that person was investigated and arrested by the FBI!)

 

[gyounk]

UPDATE:
I first want to say I'm not sure the seller scammed me on purpose. It's a very "unique" story and I don't really know what to believe.
I did receive communication from PayPal to ship the device back for a refund. I shipped it back today with tracking and it should arrive back to the seller by Saturday. I should receive my money back to my card within 30 days PayPal says. I'm sure it will be faster but it can take up to that.
I'm still out the $25 PayPal fee, $30 in accessories, and $13 for shipping oh well. It could have ended much worse I assume.
I'm confident it will work out in the end.
Fingers crossed. I took photos of everything before I sent it back showing its packaged correctly and everything. No damage/etc.

Advice - always be careful! Always use PayPal. And always use a CC through PayPal not a debit card or bank account!

Thank you for Sharing your story.

 

[sx4dude2013]

UPDATE:
Swappa refunded my the $25 fee on Friday after I sent an email. Great customer service!
I also got an email this afternoon from PayPal that the seller received the phone and PayPal refunded my the money. I should be back on my Visa within a couple of days.
So thankful it worked out. Lesson learned.

 

[DMarie04]

Next time I will bite the bullet and buy new from Samsung, BestBuy, VZW, etc.
I might get another Note 8 new. Just hate to be out of all the promotions that happened.

Hope it gets straightened out quickly for you & your not any real $$. Verizon still has some deals offering 50% with certain trade-ins.