Iphone IMEI #

[KathyDave]

Ok so here is my problem. I sold an Iphone on Ebay. I was paid by the buyer, before I was paid he asked for the IMEI #. I told him I could not give that out. After his payment to PayPal, he has continually requested the IMEI number. I explained that he would have the phone in two days and he would be able to get it then. I explained that giving that out was giving out your SS# and I was not comfortable with it. This last email I get from him tells me he has to pay his US friend $5 or he needs the IMEI if I won’t send it then he wants me to refund him $5. I looked at the payment he sent me and found out that he is NOT US verified. I’m not feeling good about this, because I don’t think PayPal will back the money if he isn’t US verified. Is that correct? I’m worried he will get my phone and request a refund and maybe send me back a broken phone etc.? I’m thinking of just cancelling the sale through Ebay – any suggestions?

[DPCreations]

In the first place, selling an iPhone for low price on eBay is very high risk of problems.

The buer asking for the IMEI # after payment was the first warning signal of problems to come.  Buyer should have asked questions before sale.

After the first question and answer would have been the right time to cancel and refund rather than risk a greater problem.  It might have been against eBay rules, but that's the risk whenyou list this type of buyer.

The buyer is likely to file a dispute of some sort and make it ingenious enough to get a full refund; you may even have to pay return shipping.

Not much you can really do at this point.

What did PayPal show on the payment detal page?  Was it OK to ship or not? 

[KathyDave]

The only thing I see is that the funds are not available until the 15th. 

I have not shipped it yet, but did print out the label. Ebay gives me the opportunity to cancel the sale and I'm thinking I just should do that. 

Do you have a suggestion as to where else to sell the phone?

[DPCreations]

Sell locally and have someone pay cash at time of pickup.

[KathyDave]

Thanks!