Phone purchased from Amazon wasn't properly reset, is that fraud?

[ptkelly]

This is embarrassing. I ordered a new Pixel 2 through Amazon and the Pixel 2 I got is locked with a PIN which I obviously don't have. Is there anyway to do a factory reset at this point?

Oh, I bought the "new" Pixel 2 from Mercate Group out of Miami. There phone has been disconnected. I'm in Mexico.

 

[Mike Dee]

This is embarrassing. I ordered a new Pixel 2 through Amazon and the Pixel 2 I got is locked with a PIN which I obviously don't have. Is there anyway to do a factory reset at this point?

Oh, I bought the "new" Pixel 2 from Mercate Group out of Miami. There phone has been disconnected. I'm in Mexico.

I would talk to Amazon

 

[Almeuit]

I would talk with Amazon and have it returned.

 

[ptkelly]

I'm doing that but why would I return it if they're frauds and I won't get any money anyway. I'm "chatting" with Amazon now but all I hope to accomplish is for Amazon to suspend this outfit's sales.

Is there a way to bypass the PIN and to a factory reset on the phone?

 

[Almeuit]

Is there a way to bypass the PIN and to a factory reset on the phone?

No. Especially if it is a PIN before boot. Even if you could reset the phone it would require the Google account that was previously signed into it.

 

[ptkelly]

It boots and asks for the PIN.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's most likely that they sold you a phone that was either returned by someone or stolen from someone, then a factory reset was done wthout properly removing that person's Google account. What you're seeing is Factory Reset Protection, which requires that previous Google account's PIN or password to proceed to the Setup Wizard. (Or, if the seller is completely brazen, it might not even have been wiped -- they might just have packaged up someone's stolen phone.)

You should be able to file a claim with Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/cust...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6133801. The important details to note are that the item was advertised as new, and the fact that it came asking for a PIN clearly shows that it is not new (and that there is strong suspicion that it's stolen). Good luck!

 

[SpookDroid]

That protection can only be removed by the original owner, and like others said, even if they do give you the PIN, you'll still need their Google Account credentials to access the phone. It's an anti-theft measure, and there's no way around it.

You should return the device to Amazon and/or initiate a Warranty claim. You still get your money back. Here's Amazon Mexico's policy on returns and also a link to their 'Garantía de la A a la Z' in case the original seller doesn't respond to the return claim.

https://www.amazon.com.mx/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200572800

 

[Almeuit]

It boots and asks for the PIN.

Yeah you can't get by it. Even if you factory reset it the phone will demand the previous Google Account signed in. You will be at something asking for a password versus just a PIn.

 

[ptkelly]

Thank you all. I suspect I'm screwed.

 

[e30ernest]

Especially if it is a PIN before boot.

Is this still a Pixel 2 feature? I used this feature on my 6P but cannot find a way to enable PIN before boot on the P2.

 

[TraderGary]

Thank you all. I suspect I'm screwed.

You're not screwed if you bought it from Amazon.
Amazon will take the phone back and refund your money!

 

[MooMooPrincess]

I would talk with Amazon and have it returned.

Thank you all. I suspect I'm screwed.

Nope, amazon will side with you the buyer

You're not screwed if you bought it from Amazon.
Amazon will take the phone back and refund your money!

This

 

[anon(5630457)]

Why would you be screwed? Amazon has a great return policy.

 

[andrew_ackley]

This is embarrassing. I ordered a new Pixel 2 through Amazon and the Pixel 2 I got is locked with a PIN which I obviously don't have. Is there anyway to do a factory reset at this point?

Oh, I bought the "new" Pixel 2 from Mercate Group out of Miami. There phone has been disconnected. I'm in Mexico.

Have you called them? It was most likely an accident.

 

[ptkelly]

Is this still a Pixel 2 feature? I used this feature on my 6P but cannot find a way to enable PIN before boot on the P2.

I could lock my SIM on my Pixel and that number had to be inserted before the phone would finish booting.

 

[ptkelly]

I bought it from the Mercate Group through Amazon. I talked to Amazon and made arrangements to send the phone back. My concern is that it goes back to the Mercate Group so who know what they will claim I did to the phone. There is no way possible this could have been an accident on the part of the Mercate Group so they are crooks.

If Amazon does return the purchase price I'm still screwed but not so bad. I'll be out the $60 or so shipping to get it here, the $150 or so in taxes at the border, and another $60 or so to ship it to Miami. That's not as bad as $100 but I'm still screwed.

The actual reputable companies that sell the phones don't ship to Mexico. I have bought over the years two Pixels and one Nexus 5x through dealers on Amazon and I guess I got too relaxed.

 

[ptkelly]

How do you accidentally sell a camera that is at least not new and is possibly stolen when you advertise a new Pixel 2.

 

[MooMooPrincess]

I bought it from the Mercate Group through Amazon. I talked to Amazon and made arrangements to send the phone back. My concern is that it goes back to the Mercate Group so who know what they will claim I did to the phone. There is no way possible this could have been an accident on the part of the Mercate Group so they are crooks.

If Amazon does return the purchase price I'm still screwed but not so bad. I'll be out the $60 or so shipping to get it here, the $150 or so in taxes at the border, and another $60 or so to ship it to Miami. That's not as bad as $100 but I'm still screwed.

The actual reputable companies that sell the phones don't ship to Mexico. I have bought over the years two Pixels and one Nexus 5x through dealers on Amazon and I guess I got too relaxed.

Take photos and videos of EVERYTHING, send them to amazon when you ship out the box. A video of you taking your sim out, putting the phone back in the box, and shipping it off. More than likely amazon will side with you over them

 

[axllebeer]

You're not screwed if you bought it from Amazon.
Amazon will take the phone back and refund your money!

This! ^^^^^

Contact Amazon. I bet you will get a good result. I remember years ago I bought a digital movie by accident. The policy clearly states it's not refundable. I explained what happened in an email and they basically told me that they understood my situation and they still refunded my money.

Not the same thing I know, but my point is that if they would refund my money, clearly not having to, they will back you up if you explain because your situation is totally within Amazon's policy to correct.

Flicked via the BlackBerry keyboard on my Pixel 2