Buyer Beware! Buying iPhones on Gumtree

LChromeo86 on 28/07/2016 - 20:13

Ahoy!

There is a scheme where people start companies and get phones on the plans and sell them within the month (and not pay their carrier bills); the company is liable and the individual get off scot free with the proceeds from selling the phone.

I purchased a brand new iPhone 6s Plus sealed and checked the IMEI but at the time of purchase it was clear. A month later a block was issued on the phone that I did not know about until today - in my case 9 months later when switching carriers triggered the block.

You then need to go back to the carrier that blocked it (your provider can't help you). If you do not have proof of purchase they can’t do anything (much) for you. In my case although I did my due diligence, recorded the persons address, bank details to transfer and full name etc. still doesn’t change the fact that I would not have been able to do anything besides not buy these items on Gumtree unless I get a Tax Invoice.

If you need to check IMEI, this site is good and has some additional resources that may be of help.

http://www.lost.amta.org.au/IMEI

Just spreading the word, hope this helps someone make an informed decision going forward! ALWAYS get a proof of receipt from your buyer, never know when you may need it!

Mods, this is my first post so if posted to wrong place please redirect. Just trying to inform my Ozbargain family.

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Comments

  • eatwell365 on 28/07/2016 - 20:45
    +4

    good info. hope you will get it sorted.

    • StewBalls on 29/07/2016 - 10:34
      +1

      Agreed. A very decent civic minded thing to do OP, hopefully you get a positive result.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2016 - 20:48
    +6

    Buyer Beware buying any phone on Gumtree or anthing for that matter.

    • JayCeeJay on 29/07/2016 - 11:41
      +1

      or just don't buy from gumtree at all.

  • enzioFirenze on 28/07/2016 - 21:58

    thanks op, this is def something to keep in mind,first time I heard of it!

  • Diji1 on 28/07/2016 - 22:19
    +2

    ALWAYS get a proof of receipt from your buyer

    But how easy is it to print up your own reciept or pay another party to do it for you and then your just trusting an official looking piece of paper?

    • Chromeo86 on 28/07/2016 - 22:32
      +2

      Diji1, any purchase you make on Gumtree and such avenues comes with a certain level of risk. In this case I did my homework beforehand and if they produced a fake receipt they have obviously taken it a step too far (I may have picked up on it as well). I think in such situations a copy of that fake receipt would have put me in an even better position to report theft/fraud the SELLER committed.

      If you are not willing to take the risk, buy from a registered distributor. I took a risk but with necessary precautions and still got stung. So all I can do is spread the word so others don't.

      • Kangal on 29/07/2016 - 04:01

        This may sound dumb…

        …but can you make a fake receipt for yourself?
        ie/ Saying you bought the phone off the individual, price etc etc.

        Then provide that to Apple/Carrier, and see if they bite.
        They might unblock it just for being a good samaritan, and upholding their reputation.

        I think its worth a try considering the price of such handset.

        • altomic on 29/07/2016 - 10:26

          They might unblock it just for being a good samaritan, and upholding their reputation.

          Apple will never unblock a handset. if they unblock it then it means re-introducing another handset on to the market instead of making someone buy a new handset.

          it's like the icloud lock. they never unlock those. they say they aren't able to do it. "for security reasons" -to stop theft of iphones and to discourage a market for stolen iphones. which I believe is bunk. once an iphone is icloud locked and the original user/owner doesn't unlock it then the phone is basically useless. so, if you want an iphone you have to buy it.

          Reputation, LOL - apple pays approx 0.7 per cent of its turnover in tax in Australia.

          Apple is about profit.

        • eatwell365 on 29/07/2016 - 11:10

          could go to jail for forgery

        • Member 0230 on 29/07/2016 - 12:40

          @altomic: Yep, Apple is no charity, though neither are its competitors. I am under the impression that iCloud Activation Lock, Samsung's kill switch, and the like do work in reducing theft, e.g., London smartphone theft drops by 50% after 'kill switch' introduction so maybe it's not all bunk.

  • Chromeo86 on 29/07/2016 - 08:15

    Hi Kangal, thanks for the suggestion! The receipt are ones issued by a authorised distributor (JB HIFI, Apple etc.) or proof of purchase from the Network provider (if you got it as part of a contract) and not issued by the seller themselves. I did not get the reciept/proof of purchase mentioned above hence my post to remind others.

    Luckily for me I had actually made an eft payment (as opposed to cash) to the douchebag and was able to identify the transaction by amount and payee. Also had the history from google maps to the address to match the date and time with the bank transaction as well. That all tied in with the fact I bought the device a month before the IMEI was blocked. I have submitted all this to said carrier that has a block on the device and waiting for further advice (up to 48 hours) from them now.

    Fake invoice will have little bearing here.

    • alxr0101 on 29/07/2016 - 08:21
      +2

      If the goods are stolen, or the carrier still retains ownership until paid, a receipt is useless.

      • Chromeo86 on 29/07/2016 - 08:33

        Agreed, you can steal the phone with the receipt. Carrier will know why the IMEI was blocked so having proof of purchase may or may not help. But having more evidence is better than less. The rest is up to them.

  • alxr0101 on 29/07/2016 - 09:16

    Using a fake invoice or receipt to deceive is also fraudulent and could result in criminal prosecution. Worth it?

    • JayCeeJay on 29/07/2016 - 11:40

      anything to make a quick buck, they will, they have.

  • JayCeeJay on 29/07/2016 - 11:40

    Also new phones cant get blocked. Even with that site, it will still look legit.

    • Chromeo86 on 29/07/2016 - 14:19

      Precisely, but regardless - always check the IMEI before buying. If it was already reported stolen, you'd save yourself a world of trouble.

  • Chromeo86 on 29/07/2016 - 15:05

    LOL. My post on gumtree highlighting the above has been deleted - slanderous in nature and does not sit within the purpose of the ad. Wonder if they would advise people of potential fraud, but alas that will reduce the success of said sales ads. Bet someone reported it. >.<

  • TheManInDemand on 29/07/2016 - 21:29

    This happened to a friend of mine! He bought a brand new still sealed in plastic wrap iPhone 6s Plus. After using it for 3 weeks it got blocked even though he checked the imei at the time of sale and it came up clear. He contacted Vodafone and told them what happened and they would not unlock the iPhone with or without receipt. Vodafone would not help him at all even though he sent them another advert that the guy out up trying to sell another one and providing his address as well. They couldn't do anything.
    He ended up sending the phone overseas.

    • Chromeo86 on 30/07/2016 - 03:25

      This is exactly what I'm expecting from Voda. In saying that, I actually took out insurance on the phone from RAC, wonder if they will cover me for 'damage' considering the phone is impaired..

    • Chromeo86 on 31/07/2016 - 15:20

      Yeah that will be my last resort. I lodged a scam report and will follow it up with a police report depending on the final advice by Vodafone.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2016 - 02:32

    Out of curiosity, how much was the perceived saving of buying the phone off Gumtree rather than from a retailer?

    • eatwell365 on 31/07/2016 - 05:18

      Gumtree = Scum(bag)tree or Dumbtree?

      • Chromeo86 on 31/07/2016 - 15:23
        +1

        Disagree. I've sold heaps of stuff with no dramas on Gumtree. Don't let a few rotten apples spoil the whole group. Some people are just cunning and dishonest; it is what it is.

    • Chromeo86 on 31/07/2016 - 15:18
      +2

      Hey Jar Jar Binks, hope all is going well with your move!

      Savings of $225. I've bought a few phones on gumtree over the years and never had a problem. But I guess everything is a lesson hey.

      • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2016 - 16:25

        Hey mate! Thanks :)

        Quite a substantial saving then.

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