MacBook bound to email of seller

[isiel28305]

Hello,

I ordered a second-hand MacBook air (in Dec 2023) and when I got it I could use my apple account. Some months afterwards, I had to to reset the laptop and now am stuck. There is an email associated to the laptop. I guess the previous user has to remove this device from his apple id online and I should be able to continue the steps. The seller is not responding to messages I sent him through ebay. The laptop is actually unusable. What can I do actually ?

[kalyoth]

You have a potential costly lesson to learn here unfortunately. Rule of thumb, because most sources can never be truly trusted in the social justice era, upon initial purchase, always update everything before using. You will always be able to detect if it's been bricked pretty quickly. This way, you can sort out if you need to take advantage of returns policies.

After 30 days on 2nd hand goods you are pretty much out of luck. I would investigate with the method of payment used for a potential refund that way as a final resort, where the seller is non-responsive - & actually doesn't need to reply or can't reply due to age of transaction. ebay does block communications after a certain timeframe.

[kensgiftshop]

Contact your payment source and see if they have any buyer protection.

[isiel28305]

Hello and thanks,

payment was done by credit card through ebay. Do you mean I have to check with my bank for payment protection ?

[ittybitnot]

Do you mean I have to check with my bank for payment protection ?

@isiel28305 

Most likely yes.  eBay's buyer protection is only good for 30 days after delivery. 

[simba6]

You can try and contact Apple support.  That is a problem with used Apple items, unless purchased from a factory dealer, you never have clear title to them.  They can lock down or be reported lost stolen by the original purchaser at any time.

[kitschy*loot]

Is the seller the previous user? If they were selling something they obtained from elsewhere; they may not be able to remove the device from Apple even if you could reach them. You won't be getting a return label on eBay at this point, so that leaves your credit card since you said in another post you used one to pay.

If you do a chargeback and win, I believe the seller will be stuck with a fee if they appeal and lose...

[isiel28305]

Hello and thanks everyone,

"Is the seller the previous user ?" >> I won't know.

"If you do a chargeback ..." >> How to do this on ebay ?

" Do you mean I have to check with my bank for payment protection ?, Most likely yes.  eBay's buyer protection.. " >> No buyer's protection from my bank

I have also tried to "report content" on ebay but it keeps saying "Report submission failed"

[isiel28305]

Hello, it's been 6 months now since purchase was made.

For info : Seller is not the first owner and has been rather slow in replying andnot very helpful in finding a solution. He still says that he can't get in touch with owner. No address, full name, phone, postal address or whatsoever.

On apple forum, they are saying that there are chances that the device has been stolen and sold to me.

1. Can I get in touch with an eBay agent directly ? The automated system is not helping.

2. Can  I check on Apple site if the item has been reported stolen ?

[krazzykats]

Sign in or out of your Apple ID on Mac - Apple Support

If you can't reset your Mac login password - Apple Support

[kathiec]

Getting in touch with an eBay agent will accomplish nothing. As stated previously, your coverage under eBay's Money Back Guarantee ended 30 days after the item was delivered. Talking to an agent won't change that.  Even if you paid with a credit card it's likely too late to dispute the charge. Unfortunately the only avenue left is to see if Apple can help you get the laptop up and running. 

[frankenhobbit]

It's quite possible that the seller never was an owner of the laptop. It only wants the email of the previous owner, not the original owner. If the seller was selling a laptop that they previously used, it would be their Apple ID that is required. 

There is a good possibility that this item may have been sourced from the back seat of someone's vehicle.