eBay

xljangmilx · ‎09-02-2022

Hi!

Making sure I have done my due diligence and also have a back up plan 😀

Been on eBay since 2001, and bought and sold on here actively since. Recently I purchased a used Apple iPhone 13 Max that was said to have been GSM unlocke DM and can be used anywhere, seller put in the Apple link regarding this information.

Purchased the phone, received it no problems and brought with me to my move to Japan to use it. Once I get to SoftBank, a Japanese carrier, they inform me the phone is Sim and T-Mobile Carrier locked. I’m stumped. Because I had also purchased 2 used unlocked Google Pixels for my daughters before coming and their phones were activated just fine. The rep there seemed to know the issue well and was already calling T-Mobile in the states for me.

Once on the phone, the T-Mobile rep stated that since I was not the original purchaser of the phone through them, there is no way to trace and prove the phone was paid in full and able to be unlocked. I contacted the seller and they said they had no idea, as far as they knew the phone should have been unlocked because they paid in full. They said they would help me to find out information but all they were doing was sending me links from Apple and YouTube to pay $175+ to get it unlocked from somewhere. Whereas I was calling T-Mobile back stateside, asked my sister to stop by a store as advised by their customer service center to only be turned away since she is not me, and me calling Apple in the states, going to an Apple store in Tokyo, to only come back to the said remedies from the seller.

At that point I was tired. I needed a working phone for work and communicating with my family. I have been using my old iPhone in the meanwhile. I messaged the seller asking if he can refund me since the phone unlocked and where I can ship the phone back to. From there they stopped responding.

I waited 3 days before messaging them again and gave them one more day. When they didn’t respond, I put requested a refund through eBay. The seller responded so fast, but very rude. Calling my right to a return “silly” because they did their best to say the phone was unlocked and I was at fault for not letting them know I was going to use this phone in Japan.

In addition, they responded to eBay stating they felt I was trying to “con” them out of money. I found that part strange because I asked what address to ship the phone back for the refund.

I’m just worried in the case they rule in their favor, should I do a chargeback with AMEX? This phone was not cheap and it’s one I cannot use. I always use AMEX for big purchases because I worry something like this could happen. It’s actually my first time having this happen to me. I’ve heard and read about it on the forums 😅

ms.rodriguez* · ‎09-03-2022

A seller cannot defend themselves by saying that they did not know. They listed something that was supposed to work and it doesn't . Therefore, they have no choice but to take it back and give you a full refund. Follow the ebay requests exactly and you will definitely get your refund.

Now , did you pay with Paypal using an Amex credit card. If yes, you actually get 3 bites of the apple. If you lose in ebay, your 2nd bite at the apple will be Paypal. You open a case there ONLY if you lose the case here. If you happen to be the unluckiest buyer on the planet and lose here too, you go an call AMEX and explain and you will win there. Anyway, stay on the Ebay case. DO NOT CLOSE IT no matter what the seller tells you.

The only thing that you want from him is a return shipping label and a refund. Of course , you ship everything back once you get the label. The seller has to receive the phone before they can refund.

Put a note inside of the box that should they attempt to sell this phone again on Ebay, the same is going to happen. They should go after the person that they got the phone from.

View Best Answer in original post

downunder-61 · ‎09-03-2022

You can not start a claim with your credit card or paypal or your eBay claim will be closed without resolution.

The seller only has 3 days from the date you filed the INAD claim to supply either a prepaid label or the funds for you to ship the item back, as that has obviously not happened, go back to the open case and ask eBay to step in and you will get your refund.

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I have been imported from Australia and this is my posting ID

xljangmilx · ‎09-03-2022

They responded to the case and eBay has put the case on hold stating they need more time to investigate. I’ve kept all communication with the seller through eBay messages. But I got an email from eBay stating they sent me an email to give them more information during this time but in haven’t gotten anything in my email box.

Thank you for your help~ I will wait to see how this case gets resolved. Hopefully I won’t have to go that route.

jahood1984 · ‎09-03-2022

TMobile doesn't automatically unlock devices, it has to be requested after payoff. However to check if the device is unlocked -

Start the Settings app and tap General.

Tap About.

Look for Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, it's unlocked.

If it is locked it should also tell you when you put in anything but a TMobile sim, if it doesn't it is unlocked.

I'm not sure about Japan but other countries do use cellular bands that we don't and unlocked US phones can still be non compatible.

xljangmilx · ‎09-03-2022

The seller was not aware of that part and is claiming they are not at fault because they did not know.

I had checked with SoftBank in Japan before purchasing and bringing the phones (Google Pixels and Apple iPhones) We were T-Mobile ourselves in the states too. My husband brought his Google pixel that we had purchased through them, paid in full, and it worked fine. That is why I was stumped.

At this point I am thinking that the seller having the phone for only a few days has something to do with it. He said he was practically new because of that.

ms.rodriguez* · ‎09-03-2022

A seller cannot defend themselves by saying that they did not know. They listed something that was supposed to work and it doesn't . Therefore, they have no choice but to take it back and give you a full refund. Follow the ebay requests exactly and you will definitely get your refund.

Now , did you pay with Paypal using an Amex credit card. If yes, you actually get 3 bites of the apple. If you lose in ebay, your 2nd bite at the apple will be Paypal. You open a case there ONLY if you lose the case here. If you happen to be the unluckiest buyer on the planet and lose here too, you go an call AMEX and explain and you will win there. Anyway, stay on the Ebay case. DO NOT CLOSE IT no matter what the seller tells you.

The only thing that you want from him is a return shipping label and a refund. Of course , you ship everything back once you get the label. The seller has to receive the phone before they can refund.

Put a note inside of the box that should they attempt to sell this phone again on Ebay, the same is going to happen. They should go after the person that they got the phone from.

xljangmilx · ‎09-03-2022

Ahhh perfect! This is what I was wondering! Thank you so much! I will do just as you advised 🥰

nocoolnamejane · ‎09-03-2022

One detail though, if the seller shipped the phone to a US address, they are only obligated to send a US to US return label. If you are now in Japan, return shipping will have to be paid by you.

She ❤︎ Her ❤︎ Hers

jahood1984 · ‎09-04-2022

From what I understand on that phone Apple unlocks it, not the carrier and it's free -

Insert a simcard from a different network than the one working in your device.

* the unaccepted simcard cannot ask for a pin code at the start. Please use a simcard that doesn't ask for a pin, or turn the request for a pin code off.

2. Start the device and turn on Wi-Fi

3. Small update should be downloaded.

iPhone 13 Pro Max is ready to work in any network.

Second option (if the Wi-Fi option doesn't work)

1. Connect iPhone 13 Pro Max to the PC by cable with an unaccepted simcard insterted (simcard from a different network than the one where you bought the device)

2. Start iTunes application on your PC

3. Small update will be downloaded.

iPhone 13 Pro Max is now network free

Now Ive used sim-unlock dot net for unlock codes often, usually for $10-$20.

The easiest way to check if iPhone 13 Pro Max is permanently unlocked is by inserting a different simcard (from different networks).

If iPhone 13 Pro Max comes from AT&T network and you insert Sprint carrier sim card and a message "iPhone has a simcard from a different network" or "incorrect simcard inserted" appears on LCD it means that the device is network blocked.

However if the device has a signal and you can make calls or send text messages iPhone 13 Pro Max is unlocked.

Unfortunately many people don't understand unlocking phones and some are unlocked as they come. If you like the phone id just order an unlock code from the site I mentioned and

xljangmilx · ‎09-05-2022

I have an FPO or an AP. I work for the US government so I have an American address. 😀

xljangmilx · ‎09-05-2022

Thanks for that info~ it is the same as the seller was sending to me. My only tidbit is that I purchased a phone that was claimed to be unlocked. I don’t want to pay more and do more on my end for something I had purchased that should have already been.

Not only that, but I did already run around trying to get this phone unlocked so I’m no longer wanting to do more. I just want to return the phone and get a refund. Then I will buy a phone outright here in Japan.