- Nov 21, 2001
- 15,780
- 0
- 76
Here is the backgound: bought a "slightly used but in excellent working condition" Cingular 8525 on eBay. Seller has ~180 feedbacks with 97% positive. I receive it today, open the package, fire it up and............................... screen goes haywire, flashing, touchscreen unreposnsive, etc.. Upon closer look at the screen I see a "cloud" under the digitizer, a definite sign of the water damage. I look closer and under the SIM slot there is a sticker with bright purple dots. A little googling confirms water damage. Now, I will say that neither the external package nor the Cingular box inside has any indication of any water damage. My theory is that "enterprising" scammer decided to replace his damaged 8525 courtesy of USPS Insurance Claim.
Here is the real kicker: he did not do a hard reset on the phone before sending it off. I have his personal info, his phone book, as well as 40+ saved Hotmail messages. Kicker #2, scanning through Hotmail messages I find several from PayPal regarding open disputes against him. Uh-oh!
Here is what I have done so far: filed a PayPal dispute. Called him at home and first talked to his mom (apparently he is a teenager) and I told her politely that her son sold me a defective product in excess of $300.00 and he better take care of it stat! She apologized and asked me to call back in half hour. Half hour later I have the kid on the wire and in polite but firm voice tell him that what he did was "not cool" and there would be consequences if he didn't take care of this issue ASAP. In a trembling voice he apologizes and asks me to ship it back to him for a refund.
Here is the plan: I took the pictures of all the damage as well as both boxes. I would like to extract Hotmail messages from the device in case I need to make additional contacts should my little friend decide to go AWOL on me. Any ideas how I might do that?
Also, I'm contemplating notifying his local P.O. of a possible fraudulent insurance claim submission, after I receive my refund of course. Should I do it? :evil:
Sorry for the long post:
Here is the real kicker: he did not do a hard reset on the phone before sending it off. I have his personal info, his phone book, as well as 40+ saved Hotmail messages. Kicker #2, scanning through Hotmail messages I find several from PayPal regarding open disputes against him. Uh-oh!
Here is what I have done so far: filed a PayPal dispute. Called him at home and first talked to his mom (apparently he is a teenager) and I told her politely that her son sold me a defective product in excess of $300.00 and he better take care of it stat! She apologized and asked me to call back in half hour. Half hour later I have the kid on the wire and in polite but firm voice tell him that what he did was "not cool" and there would be consequences if he didn't take care of this issue ASAP. In a trembling voice he apologizes and asks me to ship it back to him for a refund.
Here is the plan: I took the pictures of all the damage as well as both boxes. I would like to extract Hotmail messages from the device in case I need to make additional contacts should my little friend decide to go AWOL on me. Any ideas how I might do that?
Also, I'm contemplating notifying his local P.O. of a possible fraudulent insurance claim submission, after I receive my refund of course. Should I do it? :evil:
Sorry for the long post:
