What are my options???

[algal1989]

I sold an iPhone over a week ago. The phone was unlocked, we have been using it for the last 3 years and been on 2 different networks during that time. 

More than a week after the item was sold and delivered I received an email from the buyer saying the phone was not unlocked. I advised it most definitely was unlocked as we have used 2 networks on it. Reply saying it wasn't and they had taken it upon themselves to go and pay to get it unlocked and could I issue a refund. I asked how much it was to have it unlocked and if they would send me a copy of the receipt I will refund that amount. Next reply I got stated they didn't have one as didn't think they'd need it, it was good of me to offer a refund on that but what about the fact it was listed as unlocked when it wasn't...but it was! My issue is, the buyer didn't message me at all before apparently taking it elsewhere! Had they done so I could have looked into it further, asked them to return it to me and proved it was unlocked originally! The last message was last night and I haven't yet responed to the seller but I don't want a case to be opened against me and for them to win...any advice on a situation like this? It's essentially my word against theirs? 

Many thanks

[kaelykat]

Sounds like a scam artist to me. I'm not a seller so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I'd offer a refund AFTER the phone is returned.

Also keep all correspondence with this person inside ebay messaging. Just to cover your own butt.

[algal1989]

That's what I was thinking! I just don't want eBay to get involved and case opened etc! Am going to call them and talk it through too

[kaelykat]

Hopefully some sellers will weigh in here with more/better advice for you. This sounds fishy to me and I know a lot of people try to scam sellers of electronics. You don't have to get ebay involved, the customer will do that if they decide to. However do NOT give them anything without then going thru ebay.

[kmjparts]

the questions to have to ask, 

YOU BUY A NEW PHONE? you test everything straight away, so the question is WHY has it taken so long, why hasnt the buyer notified you prior to going to the shop? sometimes buyers try to threten with CASES, REFUNDS, FEEDBACK never allow a buyer to BRIBE you always report to eBay.

When you sell a phone you keep all serial numbers, model numbers. you wont get many fraudsters on eBay for phones most are genuine good buyers. 

so report everything to eBay but you never need to offer a partial refund in these cases, well you can if you want but that then gives the buyers what they want.. good luck 

[algal1989]

That’s what my thoughts were but apparently the buyer bought it as a gift for someone! 🤷🏼‍♀️

[flyerfandan999]

Your response offering a refund for the documented cost of the unlocking is very appropriate and should satisfy a reasonable Buyer.  If Buyer continues to message you thru eBay messages, continue to respond with that same offer.

If the Buyer starts a Return/Refund request thru eBay's Returns system, then come back here for more advice.

Now, regarding whether or not your phone was "unlocked" when you sold it, it's too late to establish that with any certainty.  Just because you used it on two networks does NOT mean it is unlocked, as many secondary carriers use the same network as major primary carriers.  For example, if your iPhone started out as an AT&T iPhone, you could use it on the StraightTalk network without unlocking because StraightTalk runs on AT&T's network.  Cricket run on AT&T, too.  Same with MetroPCS on TMobile, and Virgin Wireless on print, etc etc.

If the Buyer wanted to crossover and use the phone on another network, for example if the phone started out as an AT&T phone and they wanted to use it on TMobile or MetroPCS, then the phone would need to be unlocked.

If you did go thru the unlock procedure as described by Apple here https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201328 , then your phone would have been unlocked and you might be able to prove it with documentation.  But that's immaterial at this point.