My stolen iPhone was sold - buyer texted me - what next?

[rugree_9]

my watch disappeared at an airport — I put the lost phone msg on via Find My Phone and someone who had bought it from ebay for parts (the case) texted me and sent me a photo of the original ad. I still have the box with the original serial number. the seller is 60 miles from me, the buyer is 1,000. Is the best way for me to proceed to go to the airport police to get a police report to submit to eBay?  Is there any point in contacting the seller?  It’s all a hassle!! 

what would you you do next?

[bonjourami]

you may need your proof that the watch is yours...do you have the receipt when you bought it?

[matel_69]

What part of "I still have the box with the original serial number." do you not understand, bonjourami?
The buyer should demand a refund from the seller, and send you your phone. Urge them to do that, and to dispute with PayPal if needed. You should thank them and offer to send some money for their trouble and shipping, after you get it back.

[bonjourami]

You must not watch Judge Judy..she would never accept a 'box with the serial number' as proof of ownership in a theft case. I dont expect the police would either.Its receipt,receipt,receipt.

[bonjourami]

its certainly easy enough to buy an iphone box with any serial number on the internet. There are 63,000 of them listed right here on Ebay.

[rugree_9 · Accepted solution]

situation is being resolved to the satisfaction of all parties — buyer refunded, I get my watch back. I contacted the seller directly who responded and refunded immediately. Thanks all for input. 

The watch’s serial number is on the box — only if seller made faux boxes with serial numbers could I have bought one fakes to match a watch that was 1,000 miles from me. So it would have been proof - but bought it via Amazon so have proof.

anyway folks, activate the Lost Phone/Watch thingie if your gear gets gone...it works.

[rugree_9]

am doing that!

[bonjourami]

Glad you are getting it back and had the Amazon proof.

[yankeebob1951]

Thanks for the follow-up...glad it's working out for all concerned.