Sold phone for parts, buyer asking for unlock pattern

[goldendima]

I sold my old phone that I smashed in my car door as parts not working. I was unable to wipe my information as I could no longer turn the phone on. The buyer is now asking for the unlock pattern and I do not feel comfortable giving him access to everything that is on the phone. Do I need to give it to him? What do I say?

[goldendima]

Now he says he wiped it and needs my Samsung account information...

[gracieallen01]

If you tell the person anything, tell them that you don't divulge that information because it might get into the hands of identity thieves.

[pikabo-icu]

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@goldendima wrote:
Now he says he wiped it and needs my Samsung account information...

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Uhhhh NOOOOO!

The listing included a broken phone for parts nothing more..

Tell him if he's unhappy to return for refund.

[sg51]

Tell him, "The phone was my phone, and has not been reported as stolen, and that's all I can tell you."

[a*river*runs*through*it]

I'm not a techie, so excuse my ignorance here...

But how do you wipe a phone w/o it being unlocked? Is that even possible?

[gracieallen01]

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@a*river*runs*through*it wrote:

I'm not a techie, so excuse my ignorance here...

But how do you wipe a phone w/o it being unlocked? Is that even possible?

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Well, what I do with my phone, is take a cloth and without picking up the receiver, wipe down the rotary dial - those new-fangled push-button phones are a real pain - then, I use a disinfectent for the reciever and hand piece.  Then, well, I haven't found the lock, yet, but when I do, I'll worry about it. 

[ebuyingcat]

If you did not remove the SIM card (don't know for sure if your model phone had one but I think they all do) you should probably tell them "return for refund" as stated by @pikabo-icu and when you get it back, remove the card before selling for parts again.  The SIM card has your personal info on it if it is anything like my phone.  No need to "wipe it" just remove it.

Do not give them any personal info.  You may not want the buyer to have that acess to your info.  Just my opinion. Hope that helps a little.

[goldendima · Accepted solution]

I did remove my SIM, it was a Samsung Galaxy s5 and it was locked by the Samsung Factory Reset Protection that is enabled by default. I was able to remove the lock remotely and wipe the phone by going to https://findmymobile.samsung.com/

[ebuyingcat]

Excellent! Sounds like you're good then.

[pinupsplus]

I think what you did in regards to this phone is known as "hedging your bet".  You list it as broken, for parts only, and then you list all the specs for the phone and your only "true" descriptions is:

Well taken care of, always in a case with a glass screen protector. Fell out of my pocket as I closed my car door and that was it for this phone.

Phone turns on (touch buttons light up), but screen does not. All components should be functional except the screen and possibly the earpiece due to the point of impact.

[solarshift7]

It was sold for parts, NOT function!  No need to help the buyer try to revive it/no need to give him info.  You owe him nothing more!

[pinupsplus]

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@starlight3k wrote:

It was sold for parts, NOT function!  No need to help the buyer try to revive it/no need to give him info.  You owe him nothing more!

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Like I said... That sort of listing is known as hedging one's bet.  List it as not working and for parts only so you have plausable denyability and then say there is nothing wrong with it except perhaps the screen and the earpiece... lights up except the screen and no water damage.  Always been protected with a screen protector and well taken care of.

ALWAYS underpromise and overdeliver.  IMHO, this was not done.

[ymeagainlord]

Perhaps, but the buyer did NOT buy an unlocked working phone and has no right to expect that.

[pinupsplus]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
Perhaps, but the buyer did NOT buy an unlocked working phone and has no right to expect that.

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I do understand what you are saying, but I think the OP left themselves WAY too much wiggle room.  It's like the condition of the phone doesn't match the rest of the listing in title and description.  Even in the item specifics the OP makes an exception to his "for parts, not working" that upsells the conditions.  I totally understand the phone wasn't selling as a unlocked working phone, I just feel the OP give them a little too much creative license of "showmanship" AKA doublespeak.