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I've purchased a phone from eBay and it seems to be blocked

I got the phone, it had a small scratch on, I raised a dispute with Paypal and then agreed to take £30 refund
Now Paypal tell me there is NOTHING I can do - I am not allowed to raise another dispute claim

The phone turns on and I can fiddle about with the program icons and everything else
When the SIM card is in, it shows it has full reception

BUT, it won't make calls

What can I do?

I called up my operator (O2 + Carphonewarehouse) - they said they couldn't help
I called up Vodafone (the original network) - they seemed clueless

If the phone is indeed blocked - then surely I need to report the matter to the police!??

Question: is there ANYWAY I can get it unblocked?
I'm happy to speak to Vodafone and explain the situation and give the details of the seller
(I'm assuming if the seller was the only previous owner, then there should be no problems??)

Any replies would be great

Thanks


OM

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Posted: 2010-11-02 19:28:08
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Did it come with any accessories?

If it didn't, then it's probably stolen/found.

With the PayPal transaction, you should also see the seller's address.

First try messaging the seller, if he doesn't reply then I would go to the nearest police station and report him, giving as much information as you can. (Print outs of the auction etc.)

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Posted: 2010-11-02 20:54:32
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If the phone's IMEI number has been blocked, usually when the phone has been reported lost or stolen theres not much you can do.

I was once in the same position, but i bought a second hand phone from a phone shop in my local bus station. All you can do is send a message to the seller demanding a refund, report them to eBay and Paypal and then attempt to get your money back.

If they refuse to give a refund report them to the police if they're in the same country as you. Remember however, if you do this the phone will be taken by the Police, the seller if in the same country will be investigated but also you might never see a penny of it again. You could also be charged with handling stolen goods.

For more advice see unlockme.co.uk

Personally, i never buy second hand mobile phones unless they're from someone i know personally. Often second hand phones are phones which have been obtained via a contract, then reported stolen, but then sold on.

When it happened to me, i called the shop, told them the issue and then took the phone back. They then refused to give me a refund until the manager came back the next day. The next day, the manager also refused to give me a refund. He did however offer to contact the original seller and get them to unblock the phone. Something the original seller could not do.

I then said if you dont give me my money back right now, im calling the police. Within 10 minutes i had my money back. The shop knew it was a stolen phone when they sold it to me. Gladly, the shop in question has now shut its doors forever.

Sadly, since you bought the phone online you cannot kick off in the face of the seller.
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Posted: 2010-11-02 21:11:44
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That's harsh luck mate I hate people like that Hope you get it sorted. I never liked ebay. What phone did you get??

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Posted: 2010-11-02 21:21:40
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thanks for the replies guys
u live and learn
paypal protect u really well - ONLY, apart from this *stupid* thing they have for not being allowed to open a second case

i emptied my paypal account and payment was made from my bank account
i will contact them and take it up with them
hopefully, all will not be lost

question: can or cannot the original owner unblock the phone?
i wasnt sure what one of the replies above said
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Posted: 2010-11-02 22:33:40
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The original owner cannot unblock a phone.

As far as i know, nobody can. Its like a car, once its been written off theres no going back.
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Posted: 2010-11-02 22:36:53
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Get in touch with eBay NOW, the sooner the better, I feel for you.

Go to the Got a problem with a recent transaction and get them locked away
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Posted: 2010-11-02 22:47:20
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i forgot to mention, it's a sony ericsson x10
i'm not too upset - a lesson well learned + it's not over yet!

i'll blog about it exposing paypal's ridiculous way of protecting buyers
i speak as a virgin blogger! - but heck, it's a good place to start as any
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Posted: 2010-11-02 23:56:25
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I always stick to my own rule since my ordeal. I only buy second hand phones off people i know personally.

Or not at all.
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Posted: 2010-11-03 20:44:21
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I have also bought a couple of second hand phones online. I got my current Elm that way. I always make sure that the 2nd hand phones I buy online always come with the original receipt and box with the same IMEI. That way I am assured that the phone is not stolen.
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Posted: 2010-11-04 12:09:01
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