SCAM - Warranty Claim - Seller not responding after receiving Phone

[domainvolt]

Hi Guys

I purchased an iphone from a "trusted Seller" in Hong Kong. Phone arrived no problems, and had a promise of extending the warranty to two years if you left 5 star feedback within (I think) 14 days.

Of course after testing the phone and making sure it worked, I left 5 star feedback and messaged the supplier to confirm the warranty extension.

The phone then had various issues about 2 months later and the supplier asked me to return it "for replacment or refund", they  seemed really genuine and continued offering refund, promising to pay shipping as well, but once I had the phone delivered to them (with POD from the courier), they refuse to answer any of my emails.

They now have my money and phone.

I have contacted eBay and got canned responses about how they have my back etc. and that they wil be placing restrictions on the seller. The seller now continues to be a top rated seller, seems to sell a few items a day, and does not appear to be facing any issues from eBay. they still ignore me even after eBay says they have contacted them on my behalf.

Unfortunately too late for PayPal and credit card dispute...

If this was a small item I wouldn’t really care, but this was a $580 phone!

I guess I wanted to know..

1. Will eBay help at all?

2. Can I Name and shame the supplier on eBay? (If I can’t, I will be going through the scam sites and may even consider starting a website specifically to name and shame these guys so no one else can fall into the same trap – recommendations welcome)

3. Does anyone have any suggestions as to legal routes that can be taken.

4. Does anyone know a hyped up, steroid pumped bodybuilder in Hong Kong who wants to "visit" them on my behalf? (ok, only joking 😉

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[foxette-in-sox]

Unfortunately there is NOTHING you can legally do-sorry,but you've done your money.

JMO but items like phones or anything that is expensive enough to require a warranty,should be purchased from an aussie seller with a real business.

[domainvolt]

Bummer - thought as much.

I guess I expected eBay to help a little more, especially since they have given them top rated seller status.

Does anyone know of any sites where you can list any experiences you have had on eBay?

Would really like to stop a many people as possible from using these guys and having the same issues.

[tstore]

Are you sure you can't do a chargeback? Call you credit card company and explain what has happened and provide them the tracking IDs etc. Credit Card companies will fight for their customers on issues like this - some up to 12 months after purchase. And what does extending warranty have to do with leaving feedback? They are trying to cover their backs in case something happens in 60 days and you can't use negative feedback to make them meet your demands and they know you most likely won't send back a phone overseas for issues like this. They have conned you. 

[phorum_junkie*]

If you used a specialist courier service to return the phone as obviously you could not use AP or ordinary courier delivery how much did it cost? I know someone who was quoted over $100 to send a phone back to China, as they realised they had little hope of getting anything back they just cut their losses and never bought anything containing a lithium battery from overseas again.

[domainvolt]

Hi

Already tried the credit card company, they won’t help...

I sent it via TNT and have POD with signature.

Cost $17 to send it back 😉 Yes, was also quoted crazy amounts from other guys... TNT was about $150 direct, but I used interparcel and they sent with TNT... Shows how they rip off the average user!

I know I have been conned 😉 oh well, guess I should look at the funny side (if there is one).

I really thought eBay would do more as they could easily suspend the seller until it was resolved. As it takes so long to get a good feedback, the seller would not want to start again, so they would most likely resolve it.