Mobile phone sale problem (another forum)

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 01:52

Bought a used BB Q10 a while ago on a different forum. Used it for a while and then sold it on the same forum. That was last August.

The purchaser has now contacted me stating it has been blocked by a network other than his and he wants to return it for a full refund.

Obviously, this is nothing to do with me. My feelings are that whilst it is unfortunate, it is his bad luck.

I have sent him a link to the thread in which I purchased it. Apart from that, what does GD think my moral and legal obligations are?

Tefal · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:19

Give him the details of the person you bought it from somoen is scaming the insurance.

Or youre about to be questioned by the police for handljng stolen goods

Upgrade · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:28

Just tell him to contact the person you bought it from.

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:29

Tefal said:
Give him the details of the person you bought it from somoen is scaming the insurance.

As I said, I have given him a link to the original seller. I tried messaging him and wouldn't you know his inbox is full so cannot receive messages.

Tefal said:
Or youre about to be questioned by the police for handljng stolen goods

I think the fact that it was reported lost or stolen 7 months after I sold it takes me out of the loop. This is not my claim so I have nothing to gain, fraudulently or otherwise. Of course I'd be happy to answer any questions but anyone can see the parties with something to gain are the reporter and the possessor.

SkeeterUK · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:38

Doesn't matter who previous seller was, the important thing is that you sold it to this person and now there's a issue. So its with you and the buyer who you sold it to, to come to some arrangement.

In future maybe avoid buying 2nd hand phones off of strangers.

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:43

SkeeterUK said:
Doesn't matter who previous seller was, the important thing is that you sold it to this person and now there's a issue. So its with you and the buyer who you sold it to, to come to some arrangement.

In future maybe avoid buying 2nd hand phones off of strangers.

You don't use the MM?

I like trying out phones and buy on established forums with traders that I'm happy with their feedback. I know it's particularly risky with phones but it's a risk I'm happy to take.

He may have bought it from me but I gave no warranty and have bought and sold in good faith.

Tefal · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:48

Ben Cole said:
I think the fact that it was reported lost or stolen 7 months after I sold it takes me out of the loop. This is not my claim so I have nothing to gain, fraudulently or otherwise. Of course I'd be happy to answer any questions but anyone can see the parties with something to gain are the reporter and the possessor.

well to play devils advocate you could have bought a load of stolen phones wiped them then sold each on for a profit which would be the gain for you.

Just cause its been blocked now doesnt mean it was reported ages ago.

Also 7 months after you sokd it kinda places you slap bang in the middle of the loop

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 02:59

Hmm..take your point.

However, all the trade details are on the web both my purchase and sale. So it removes any motive on my part. Luckily I've just found all the details of the guy that sold it to me, full name, address, mobile etc. so at least we have a starting point. I've just emailed him, we'll see what he says.

SkeeterUK · 18 Mar 2016 at 04:08

Yes I do MM for PC hardware. Your point being?

chaparral · 18 Mar 2016 at 04:29

SkeeterUK said:
Doesn't matter who previous seller was, the important thing is that you sold it to this person and now there's a issue. So its with you and the buyer who you sold it to, to come to some arrangement.

In future maybe avoid buying 2nd hand phones off of strangers.

I agree with this...
It bad luck but you have got to refund the person you sold the phone to because you sold him something that you didn't own..

And then it for you to sort out with the person you bought the phone off

Tefal · 18 Mar 2016 at 06:43

Ben Cole said:
Hmm..take your point.

However, all the trade details are on the web both my purchase and sale. So it removes any motive on my part. Luckily I've just found all the details of the guy that sold it to me, full name, address, mobile etc. so at least we have a starting point. I've just emailed him, we'll see what he says.

the charge regretfully isn't "knowingly handling stolen goods"

Tom0 · 18 Mar 2016 at 07:41

Why do I get the feeling this a troll thread to contrast this one:

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18722740

*shrugs*

silverblack · 18 Mar 2016 at 09:37

Ben Cole said:
Bought a used BB Q10 a while ago on a different forum. Used it for a while and then sold it on the same forum. That was last August.

The purchaser has now contacted me stating it has been blocked by a network other than his and he wants to return it for a full refund.

Obviously, this is nothing to do with me. My feelings are that whilst it is unfortunate, it is his bad luck.

I have sent him a link to the thread in which I purchased it. Apart from that, what does GD think my moral and legal obligations are?

This happened to a work mate of mine but his phone was bought on contract direct from the Network.He was on Three network and over a year later his phone became blocked.The EE network had blocked his phone.Neither network accepted responsibility,in the end he did a deal with Three to get another phone but the question remained how could his phone become blocked in the first place.

Sankari · 18 Mar 2016 at 09:41

Ben Cole said:
BB Q10

Ah, I see the problem.

[FnG]magnolia · 18 Mar 2016 at 09:47

What would Bill Gates do?

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 11:24

The original seller just got back to me:

Hi Ben,
I bought it for cash off the back of an eBay auction off some guy in the lake district. I don't have his contact details unfortunately. It was sold as seen, over a year ago as you have said. I wouldn't give him a refund myself - and unfortunately won't be able to give you any assistance in doing so.
If I find the details anywhere (I've checked my inbox etc...) I will forward them to you.
Cheers,
******

One lesson learned is to only buy phones off the original owner. It does say that in the forums rules but I didn't verify myself.

I do feel bad for the guy so I have suggested to the above fellow that we split the loss three ways, all having bought this phone.

robj20 · 18 Mar 2016 at 11:41

Surely best to always request proof of original purchase?

labcoattech · 18 Mar 2016 at 12:02

The risk associated with buying a used phone, or any other 2nd hand good in that if it develops a fault then you are responsible for getting it fixed.

How long did he expect it to work before you were no longer responsible?

Avenged7Fold · 18 Mar 2016 at 12:06

Did the phone checker report all green when you bought it?

A requirement of this MM and some other forums is to post a screen and link to that checker page when selling a used phone.

Ben Cole · 18 Mar 2016 at 12:19

robj20 said:
Surely best to always request proof of original purchase?

Indeed. If it was a £400 iPhone I probably would but in this case I'm taking a gamble based on the sellers feedback knowing full well that blocking is a possibility. I'm prepared to take that risk.

labcoattech said:
How long did he expect it to work before you were no longer responsible?

I don't know but to be fair to him I'd have done the same and contacted the seller. Now that I've shown him who I bought it from, if it were me, I'm sure I'd see it was not me that is to blame.

Avenged7Fold said:
Did the phone checker report all green when you bought it?

A requirement of this MM and some other forums is to post a screen and link to that checker page when selling a used phone.

I didn't check to be honest. As I said above it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

I've been in touch with the moderators and they've stated that as it stands he is just out of luck. If he shows good grace and understanding then I'll help him out anyway.