Bought "stolen" phone off ebay

[tripletots]

Now what do I do? I've emailed the seller twice today and haven't heard back.

I received the phone yesterday and took it to Verizon this morning to activate it. They said it had a bad ESN and it was reported Lost/Stolen.
It was listed as located in VA Beach. I thought cool, it will get here quicker since I'm 2 hours away.
When I tracked it, it was sent from Miami from a seller with a foreign name.

I've don't buy from ebay a lot, maybe 3 times so I don't know the procedures to follow. Do I file a complaint with ebay or paypal or both and how long do I give the seller to respond?

Thanks

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

File a complaint with both ebay and paypal immediately. The seller is never going to respond.

Good luck

 

[tripletots]

OK, so I figured out how to file a report with ebay. They say to wait until July 4.

Do I wait until then to file with paypal or do that now as well?

 

[richmond282]

Do it now.

 

[ellone]

OK, so I figured out how to file a report with ebay. They say to wait until July 4.

Do I wait until then to file with paypal or do that now as well?

If you opened a SNAD (significantly not as described) case, there is no need to do anything with paypal. You only open a case in ebay.

 

[tripletots]

Thank you all for holding my hand through this process!

 

[Robinrs]

I would go to the resolution center at Paypal. They are like pitbulls when it comes to buyers and you'll get your money back. eBay's resolution center takes too long imho.

Either way the seller will lose their selling rights for doing something this stupid on eBay. There are so many other routes they could've taken, eBay is the toughest.

 

[tripletots]

OP here, guess what???

I was playing with the "stolen" phone and found the only phone number on there, so I called it. AND, no surprise, it was stolen back in January in Miami.

So I called ebay to go ahead and pursue it now rather than wait until July 4. Of course, I bought it off of my DH's account and they won't talk to me, but I'll have him call when he gets home.

What will happen with the phone now? Anyone know? I asked the owner if he would be kind enough to unlock it (I would buy it from him) and he laughed and said "For all I know you stole it". He also said he didn't want it back because he has a new phone.

 

[Zhoen]

Ebay and Paypal will make sure you get your money back. As you go through that process, ask them and ask Verizon (wherever you went to activate it) if they have a procedure for reporting this to the police.

If nothing else, you can always donate it... they give them for 911 calls, I think.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would go to the resolution center at Paypal. They are like pitbulls when it comes to buyers and you'll get your money back. eBay's resolution center takes too long imho.

Either way the seller will lose their selling rights for doing something this stupid on eBay. There are so many other routes they could've taken, eBay is the toughest.

Sorry, this made me laugh.

You are right they are pit bulls with buyers. Unfortunately OP needs pitbulls with sellers. And in that case Paypal will give you the money if the seller hasn't moved it someplace they would have to work to get funds. Then you will get told "we can't do anything to help you".

PayPal protection means PayPal got paid.

 

[starry_solo]

If paid via credit card, you can also file a dispute with your credit card company.

 

[nobellybutton]

I would go to the resolution center at Paypal. They are like pitbulls when it comes to buyers and you'll get your money back. eBay's resolution center takes too long imho.

Either way the seller will lose their selling rights for doing something this stupid on eBay. There are so many other routes they could've taken, eBay is the toughest.

I completely agree PayPal will reverse the money if they find fraudulent or stolen goods being sold. I had a transaction reversed, due to seller never shipping but they "hounded" the seller for 3days & reversed it full $$$ back! Don't wait file immediately. Good luck hope u get ur $$$ back

 

[janatmovies]

Aw, OP, that stinks! I feel bad the owner of the phone responded to you that way. If you stole it you would have never called him OR offered to pay! You sound very honest and if I were him I would have helped you out, but it may be the initial sting of being reminded of the stolen phone that made him react that way.

 

[tripletots]

Thank you all so much for guiding me through this process.

At 11:30 am I got an email from the seller saying:

11:38 AM (2 hours ago)

to me

All information has been specified in the declaration. Phone is not refundable.

At 1:30pm I got another email saying:

I've sent you money to PayPal account.
The purchase must be returned in the same conditions. Cellphone and charger. Thank you.

So I get my money back. Right now it's on hold with paypal. Now I get to send the stolen phone back to the seller. Hope he's smart enough not to resell it.

 

[Sunnywho]

wow I think the seller thinks he gets the phone back and no harm no foul...this still needs to be reported to ebay or the police so they can do something about him selling stolen goods...and the original owner should've accepted it back, they could've sold it themselves if it is worth something. You are not dealing with rational people! If you send it back to the seller, you no longer can give it to the police as evidence. I would hand it over to the police.

 

[DawnM]

I once got a stolen DVR (Directv) from ebay. The seller did refund my $$ and asked me not to bother returning the DVR. He said he got a large shipment from someone and was selling it.

Glad it is being resolved.

Dawn

 

[crisi]

You don't send the phone back to the seller, you turn the phone into the police with the address he told you to send the phone to. Don't be an accessory to the crime.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

You don't send the phone back to the seller, you turn the phone into the police with the address he told you to send the phone to. Don't be an accessory to the crime.

I agree with this poster. Although I would probably let Paypal know the plan and the reasoning. Can you talk to an actual person with them (I've never been in a dispute before) or is it all via e-mail?

Obviously I would NOT tell the seller I was handing over to the police.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Be sure to leave feedback on eBay on the seller's account to warn others.

 

[Took]

You don't send the phone back to the seller, you turn the phone into the police with the address he told you to send the phone to. Don't be an accessory to the crime.

Absolutely. You could be charged as an accessory if you do anything with merchandise you know is stolen.