Trying to buy an iPhone 16 pro

[musaw]

I have been trying to buy a brand new iPhone 16 pro from private sellers on eBay for a month or so now.

The first attempt was an out and out scam as a bottle of shower gel arrived instead, but thankfully I was refunded.

The second attempt failed as the Evri tracking showed it was dropped at an Evri locker but then never moved, and again I was refunded.

The third attempt failed as the Evri tracking showed it was dropped off at an Evri parcel shop but then never moved, and again I was refunded.

My current attempt was dropped off at a Post Office last Tuesday and yet again it has not moved, and I am now awaiting another refund.

Does anyone have any idea what is happening here? Are they all some sort of scam?

[papso22]

There is a current scam where high end electronics are sold cheap, i.e below the Simple Delivery limit of £750, and either don't arrive, or something else does.

Although you can get your money back I would not recommend ebay for buying something like this. 

[red_magpie]

Does anyone have any idea what is happening here?

It seems to me that what's happening is that you're failing to learn from your experiences!

You're aware from the user agreement that eBay specifically warns buyers that they do not guarantee the quality of items sold here, that descriptiptions will be truthful or accurate or that items sold will be safe, legal, or even exist! Does this sound a safe or sensible place to buy a new iphone from an unknown private seller?

It's your call, but keep in mind that although you may be able to get your money back for some scams, after 30 days your'e on your own. eBay wil not get involved, even if the phone is blocked, turns out to be stolen or becomes faulty. You will have no statutory consumer rights and any maker's warrany is liable to be invalid.

We've seen all of these things happen to other buyers of phones. The important thing is to understand the risks of buying from strangers here; it's entirely up to you whether to accept them.