Sold phone advice

[Citybreak1]

I sold a phone and the buyer said it’s black listed. I noted serial and it’s not black listed. He asked to return the phone I am keen to have the same phone back I sold so will check serial. He said he was going to try another sim tonight could it be a scam? Any advice please it was via gumtree

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

If it was an Android phone, did you make sure that the phone was factory reset and disassociated completely from your Google account? If you don't detach your Google account properly, it would remain locked to you forevermore.

If it was an iPhone, something similar with signing out of iCloud and doing a factory reset.

If it's returned, just make sure the serial number matches up before issuing a refund and make sure it doesn't look like any parts have been swapped or removed like screens swapped for cheaper non original versions etc.

In 2023 nobody should really be selling phones to other random individuals in my opinion, not unless you know how to wipe the phones completely first, and not just a factory reset. They contain your life most of the time!

 

[Citybreak1]

If it was an Android phone, did you make sure that the phone was factory reset and disassociated completely from your Google account? If you don't detach your Google account properly, it would remain locked to you forevermore.

If it was an iPhone, something similar with signing out of iCloud and doing a factory reset.

If it's returned, just make sure the serial number matches up before issuing a refund and make sure it doesn't look like any parts have been swapped or removed like screens swapped for cheaper non original versions etc.

Yes an iPhone. And yep good advice just check serial matches up. It’s strange as it doesn’t show blocked on same website he used at my end. My first thought was it was a scam but will wait to see if he returns.

 

[Energy]

It could be a blacklisted sim. Try to get the buyer to send evidence of the phone itself saying it is blacklisted.

I'd be careful of them trying to do a phone swap on the return.

 

[Darandio]

Much mention of the serial number but have you checked the IMEI? It's the IMEI that would potentially be blacklisted.

 

[Citybreak1]

Well it couldn’t be blacklisted I was using it upto yesterday and I bought it from Currys. The guy sent a screen shot of imei blacklisted however I put it in and serial and it’s clearly not. It’s possible be photoshopped it to swap for a blocked phone that’s my thinking.

 

[Trackman]

Remove the iPhone from your Apple ID, that's a biggie - doesn't matter if you do a full erase/reset - Apple will pick it up.

 

[GusB]

Well it couldn’t be blacklisted I was using it upto yesterday and I bought it from Currys. The guy sent a screen shot of imei blacklisted however I put it in and serial and it’s clearly not. It’s possible be photoshopped it to swap for a blocked phone that’s my thinking.

It sounds to me that their intention is to return a blocked phone to you (a different one) so that you refund the money, and they're relying on you not having the knowledge to check. This person's at it, it you ask me. Fortunately you've spotted that something isn't quite right and come here for advice.

 

[Flying Snail]

Just tell the guy to sod off. There is no warranty, after sales support or right to return with a private sale. Caveat Emptor.

Either he is attempting a scam, has done something stupid and broken/locked it himself or is just a regular idiot.

You have confirmed the phone is not blacklisted or locked and are sure it was in working order when you sold it, as long as you did not lie in the original sale description you have no liability to do anything more. There is no upside in you engaging with him any further.

 

[Energy]

Just tell the guy to sod off. There is no warranty, after sales support or right to return with a private sale. Caveat Emptor.

Either he is attempting a scam, has done something stupid and broken/locked it himself or is just a regular idiot.

You have confirmed the phone is not blacklisted or locked and are sure it was in working order when you sold it, as long as you did not lie in the original sale description you have no liability to do anything more. There is no upside in you engaging with him any further.

I wouldn't recommend this. I'm not sure about Gumtree but in disputes, eBay generally sides with the buyer.

If the cash was transferred outside of Gumtree there is potential for credit card chargebacks if it was paid with a credit card.

 

[Lampshade]

I'd be careful of them trying to do a phone swap on the return.

This was my first thought - potentially trying to launder a stolen phone.