What do I say/do next to this eBay scammer?


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Yesterday, I bought a phone from eBay and paid on PayPal. It was supposed to be a Galaxy S5. I paid ?350.

I went to pick it up as it wasn't far away.

I turned it on before I left. It booted and I had an extremely quick play with it (because I had no reason to suspect it was fake). All seemed fine.

When I got home, I realised there was no strengthened glass on the screen (so even light presses caused the liquid crystal to appear) and the fingerprint scanner didn't work (it just acted like a slide to unlock). To confirm my suspicions, I installed an app to tell me what hardware was inside. It was not the correct CPU, the screen was 1280x720 etc.

Here is our conversation on the Resolution Centre so far:

"This is definitely a fake phone. The screen resolution is incorrect, the amount of space is wrong, the fingerprint scanner does not work etc. Staff at two phone shops in Walsall have also confirmed it is missing many, many options of the real Galaxy S5.

hello there... i'm very disapointed about your misundersdanding. i thought you know what are you buying. i have no problem to help you but first i have to inform you that i discribe on my main title the exactly model of the phone, then on description i describe again what a buyer is going to buy and i write a text under description and i decribe again and emphasised that the model is the SM-G900. so probably it is a misunderstanding from you. then i describe that the phone is new and not used. that means i din't know how the phone work's and i describe evrything as the box says and manual says as well. all the buyers before purchase the phone ask me if the PHone is the SM-G900F or the SM-G900 and i honestly answer to them that is the SM-G900 that it gives to me the probabilitie that you didnt know what you buying and you should ask me before the purchange.whatever you asked me before you buy the phone i answered honestly to you. thanks a lot..any questions you can ask

This phone is simply a fake Galaxy S5. You're trying to twist the situation. It is 100% MIMICKING a Galaxy S5. This phone is counterfeit and illegal. I fully intend to progress with this case and if I'm not satisfied with the result, I will go to the police to report this illegal activity, as they advised me to do when I called them last night for advice.

hello again. the phone its not MIMICKING a Galaxy S5. it is SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 SM-G900.. u get what you paid for. if u wasnt sure u should came and see the phone before you bought it or simply ask me as the others buyers did what exactly is the SM-G900 and what are the differences. i'm sure it is inconvenience here.. feel free to message me i'm here to help

It was not clear in the auction that it was fake. Everything about it is deliberately deceiving, from the model number to the hardware and software design.

Clearly the discussion above will go around in circles.

What should I say/do next?

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Could you copy & paste the description from eBay or link the item?

 

Not doubting that you've bought something fake, but if they listed it with very carefully chosen words, you're going to have some trouble getting your money back I'd imagine.

 

Open a dispute with PayPal and include as much information as you can to support your case.

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No point in conversing with him more.

 

Just file the police report (show be easy since he is local too)  and paypal report.  demand money back

 

 

now this is strange:  

 

 

This purchased item information is no longer available.

    • There are a number of reasons why this information isn't available. The most common reason is that item details for purchases are not kept for more than 90 days.

did they remove the listing on purpose.  i though ebay kept archive for all listings...

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No point in conversing with him more.

Just file the police report (show be easy since he is local too) and paypal report. demand money back

This purchased item information is no longer available.

  • There are a number of reasons why this information isn't available. The most common reason is that item details for purchases are not kept for more than 90 days.
When I called the police, they said I had to go through eBay/PayPal first.

I've asked for my money back but as you can tell, he isn't interested.

The link works for me. Strange.

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The link is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-Galaxy-S-5-Android-factory-unlocked-SM-G900-White-/321436501601?

 

excellent price
for sale samsung galaxy s5 (a) condition SM-G900 - 16GB shimmery white (unlocked)..
the boxe is oppened for only reason to see if the phone it is in working condition.
all staff included inside to the box. 
THE PHONE IT IS IN PERFECT CONDITION LIKE NEW.
for international buyers please message me.
FREE DELIVERY IN UK
it is in great condition A+
 

Despite opening the box to check it was "working", no photos provided of the phone (N)

 

They also changed the description in early hours of the 18th. Anything noticably different from that version, Elliot?

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As far as i know there no such thing as a Galaxy S5 with a 1280x720 display.

Also as far as i know all models have a letter at the end and there's no SM-G900 only SM-G900x where x is a letter representing the model.

So looks definately fake. Open a dispute claim with paypal. If it doesn't work then contact your credit card issuer if you paid with one.

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As far as i know there no such thing as a Galaxy S5 with a 1280x720 display.

Also as far as i know all models have a letter at the end and there's no SM-G900 only SM-G900x where x is a letter representing the model.

So looks definately fake. Open a dispute claim with paypal. If it doesn't work then contact your credit card issuer if you paid with one.

I don't think you read the post.

I've already started a case through the Resolution Center and I paid via. PayPal.

It's gotten to a point where he's clearly not going to willingly give me my money back. I don't know what to do next.

The link is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-Galaxy-S-5-Android-factory-unlocked-SM-G900-White-/321436501601?

Despite opening the box to check it was "working", no photos provided of the phone (N)

They also changed the description in early hours of the 18th. Anything noticably different from that version, Elliot?

I don't remember :/
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Escalate it to PayPal decision, they'll tell you to send it back and be refunded. Job done.

 

It's clearly an Asian knock-off just by the poor grammar in the auction description.

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This is why I prefer to buy used phones on Craigslist, but you also mentioned having gone to pick the phone up in person.

 

It is going to be very tricky IMHO, but you should continue down the PayPal dispute road...

 

It is complicated as you accepted delivery of the item. So the seller could argue that he gave you a Galaxy S5 and now you're claiming otherwise. You had inspected it and if it wasn't the item you should have refused to accept the item. I understand you didn't have time to do a detailed check of it, but that makes your case all the more difficult. Good luck.

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you're going to have some trouble getting your money back I'd imagine.

I think he has a case. The paypal dispute claim is tricky (i went thru it twice) but if you build your case well it works. It is effective with popular sellers. Not sure about a small seller like this one tough i never bought such expensive item from such a small seller.

But there's a couple of things going against him imo.

As far as i know there's no Galaxy s5 SM-G900. If i am right then the model doesn't exist which means there was a way for him to know it was fake. Also there's not much in the description. Absolutely no details are provided about the resolution of the display etc. I'll be honest i would have never bid on this aunction with such a weak desciption of the item and no photos provided.

But the desc and title still clearly say Samsung Galaxy S 5. If i am right about the resolution and model number than clearly it is not made by Samsung. So he has a case.

His best bet is to prove the phone is not made by Samsung since that's about the only thing the desc clearly says.

I would persoanlly contact my credit card issuer asap.

I've already started a case through the Resolution Center and I paid via. PayPal.

oh sorry about that. Hope you paid using a credit card.

I understand you didn't have time to do a detailed check of it, but that makes your case all the more difficult. Good luck.

Yeah good point sadly.

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It won't let me escalate.

 

I think I have to wait a few days.

 

Should I just not reply to his last message until these days pass; then escalate?

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I think he has a case. The paypal dispute claim is tricky (i went thru it twice) but if you build your case well it works. It is effective with popular sellers. Not sure about a small seller like this one tough i never bought such expensive item from such a small seller.

But there's a couple of things going against him imo.

As far as i know there's no Galaxy s5 SM-G900. If i am right then the model doesn't exist which means there was a way for him to know it was fake. Also there's not much in the description. Absolutely no details are provided about the resolution of the display etc. I'll be honest i would have never bid on this aunction with such a weak desciption of the item and no photos provided.

But the desc and title still clearly say Samsung Galaxy S 5. If i am right about the resolution and model number than clearly it is not made by Samsung. So he has a case.

His best bet is to prove the phone is not made by Samsung since that's about the only thing the desc clearly says.

I would persoanlly contact my credit card issuer asap.

He has a case but like Apex said, it's going to be quite difficult in proving it or at least explaining why you accepted a counterfeit item.

 

It won't let me escalate.

 

I think I have to wait a few days.

 

Should I just not reply to his last message until these days pass; then escalate?

 

IIRC the procedure goes dispute then escalate. You must give the seller time to respond before it can be escalated.

 

I assume you didn't meet the seller at their home address? All you have is an email and/or phone number?

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You'll be fine. Paypal has the sellers by the balls. The buyer always wins

Indeed when you pay with paypal you're always safe, just open a dispute and wait till you get your money back ^^

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Agree with everyone else, as a buyer and a seller, paypal is fair and honest.  You should have no problem getting your money back, unless the listing said it was a replica, in which case it would be your fault...

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Agree with everyone else, as a buyer and a seller, paypal is fair and honest.  You should have no problem getting your money back, unless the listing said it was a replica, in which case it would be your fault...

Not in the UK, fakes/counterfeit/replica's are illegal if branding is used, he will get his money back.  Who was the seller by the way, I would like to see what else he has for sale?

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the Description is not the same item  , is it new unused   or not ?   , if its new  box only open to check it then why would it have signs of usage or missing parts
 
i would threaten to report him to samsung for selling counterfit products with there logo on it
 but you clearly got a fake
 
 
the back of the phone should be slick and flat   the fake phone will have little little dots on the back cover
 
a fake will have the usb charger logo filled in white and have a usb 3.0 cord
 
the youtube video on the top shows you how to tell a fake
 
 
 
 
 
this site sells the fakes      like what you got
 
 
excellent price
for sale samsung galaxy s5 (a) condition SM-G900 - 16GB shimmery white (unlocked)..
the boxe is oppened for only reason to see if the phone it is in working condition.
all staff included inside to the box
THE PHONE IT IS IN PERFECT CONDITION LIKE NEW.
for international buyers please message me.
FREE DELIVERY IN UK
it is in great condition A+

 

 

Item specifics Condition:
New other (see details): A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing its original packaging, or the original packaging has been opened or is no longer sealed. The item may be a factory second, or a new and unused item with minor defects. See the seller?s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions
Brand: Samsung Operating System: Android Model: Samsung Galaxy S 5 Manufacturer warranty: None MPN: SM-G900 Colour: White SIM Lock: Unlocked

 

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#1, you need to respond to every email communication from the seller. Try to get a refund from the seller;

- tell them you were 100% convinced it was a genuine Samsung Galaxy S5 phone.

- tell them the screen resolution does not match the specs, and any other differences you noticed (camera quality, storage, cpu, software, build materials, etc.) - FACTS

- Send a copy to ebay, as they too want to curtail counterfeit listings for their own brand.

 

 

You are responsible for trying to resolve with the seller (naturally).

If you find the seller is still not cooperating, then move to the next step with paypal.

 

Possession of a counterfeit item and an online listing and transaction record, make a VERY strong case for you to get a refund and file an official report.

 

Make sure you keep us updated.

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from my experience dealing with ebay scams,    just don't give up, continue to escalate.   stand your ground, and eventually you can resolve this.

 

lesson for everyone here, don't buy stuff that's not easy to verity genuine from a seller with little feedback!

 

personally i much prefer kijiji (or craiglist or other fee ads)  -    but in you case you are lucky you went through paypal.   otherwise you would have lost the money for sure!

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Not in the UK, fakes/counterfeit/replica's are illegal if branding is used, he will get his money back.  Who was the seller by the way, I would like to see what else he has for sale?

 

oh ya, forgot that, ya if he escalates it through paypal he'll get his money back, probably take a month or so

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why don't u go to his house? If I knew where the seller lives I would go straight back there. And that's why I always check phones before buying them. I check every setting and app to make sure its real.

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