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bought an ipad that said "Demo - not for resale"
- Thread starter sjtnn
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I wouldnt bring it to apple or report it to the police. try to get your money back if he wont do it. like others said slap a case on it and use it til it doesnt work anymore.
also did he have a charger or a box? that would have been the tip off to me that it was stolen.
also did he have a charger or a box? that would have been the tip off to me that it was stolen.
This thread is chock full of some of the worst advice I've ever heard.
First off, Apple (or Best Buy) cannot take your property from you against your will just because it has a stamp on it. They can call the police and file charges, and the police can take the property from you (if there is proof of a crime, and a stamp is not proof of a crime). They would have to have a serial number and other records showing proof of ownership. The only ones that would have that would be the exact store that it was stolen from.
The stamp is not proof of a crime. It is a pretty bad sign though and the store may very well take the lengths to call the police.
Bottom line is, you should check something like this out BEFORE you hand over cash.
Your options are pretty limited to keeping it and keeping your mouth shut and hoping you don't need warranty service, or filing a police report against the seller. It is highly unlikely the police would confiscate your property as evidence unless it was part of a larger crime, or the property had been reported stolen (which it probably has). In which case, you're screwed and your only recourse would be civil action against the thief to get your money back.
I think you learned a valuable (and expensive) lesson about buying a high-priced item that just came out on the market from a non-retailer, without even checking it out closely. What were you thinking?
First off, Apple (or Best Buy) cannot take your property from you against your will just because it has a stamp on it. They can call the police and file charges, and the police can take the property from you (if there is proof of a crime, and a stamp is not proof of a crime). They would have to have a serial number and other records showing proof of ownership. The only ones that would have that would be the exact store that it was stolen from.
The stamp is not proof of a crime. It is a pretty bad sign though and the store may very well take the lengths to call the police.
Bottom line is, you should check something like this out BEFORE you hand over cash.
Your options are pretty limited to keeping it and keeping your mouth shut and hoping you don't need warranty service, or filing a police report against the seller. It is highly unlikely the police would confiscate your property as evidence unless it was part of a larger crime, or the property had been reported stolen (which it probably has). In which case, you're screwed and your only recourse would be civil action against the thief to get your money back.
I think you learned a valuable (and expensive) lesson about buying a high-priced item that just came out on the market from a non-retailer, without even checking it out closely. What were you thinking?
I'm all for doing the right thing, but filing a police report in this case will probably get you nowhere. Your iPad will be taken away and you will be out what you paid for it. You will not get your money back.
In this case, it's best to plead ignorance.
Even if the thief gives him back his money, the thief will just sell the iPad to someone else. Maybe he'll be better at covering his tracks with the next person he pawns it on. Something to think about.
I don't trust CL at all, it's full of scams and thieves selling stolen property. My brother uses CL. Once, my brother being new to Mac's at the time; ended up buying a MacBook that he was told was a 13" MacBook Pro. He didn't think to look that it should say "MacBook Pro" instead of "MacBook" on it. When I told him, he contacted the seller, and they denied telling him that it was a MacBook Pro even though the post clearly stated that, and he had emails to prove it. In the end, they said they had spent the money already (probably bought a real MacBook Pro.), he ended up selling it for $300 less than what he paid for it.
I'd like to add, my brother also bought a Dodge Durango v8 off of CL, seemed like a good deal, until AFTER he drove 2-3 miles and it died. The seller would not issue a refund. He had to spend around $2,000 to get an entirely new engine, and wants to sell it now. He will have to take a loss of $400 due to blue book.
Stay away from CL. If you sell anything on it- don't take checks, paypal, money orders. Don't ship it anywhere! Deal with locals, and when cash is handed to you, check for the security strip in every bill.
I'd like to add, my brother also bought a Dodge Durango v8 off of CL, seemed like a good deal, until AFTER he drove 2-3 miles and it died. The seller would not issue a refund. He had to spend around $2,000 to get an entirely new engine, and wants to sell it now. He will have to take a loss of $400 due to blue book.
Stay away from CL. If you sell anything on it- don't take checks, paypal, money orders. Don't ship it anywhere! Deal with locals, and when cash is handed to you, check for the security strip in every bill.
And you're adding to it.
Very poor advice. The stamp is not proof of a crime, but the fact that it does say "Not For Resale" quickly converts any suspicion into belief. (I will recognize that you did mention filing a report though.) There honestly is no explanation that should make anyone think otherwise.
It's best not to fiddle around with federal crimes.
It's in Apple's best interest to obtain this property, and while I can't speak for them, I can't imagine that they would not attempt to make good on your insistence in returning this stolen property.
I would call Apple's Assistance Center 1-800-767-2775, mention that you believe you have purchased a stolen demo unit from someone via craigslist and take it from there. Make mention during your first conversation however, that in any case you certainly want to get this equipment back to them, but would accept any offer to help you in getting a new replacement.
I assume they will instruct you to also contact your local law enforcement.
This is a crummy situation and may leave you down 500 bucks, but you don't want to wait around for someone to contact you.
Very good point. If he attempts to conceal it and this catches up with him he's documented the discovery here. Not terribly smart.
Well, you say that his gmail is still active on the device so you can get in to his e-mail account and see all his contacts.
You could get a list of these, see if there is an email address for his boss, wife, mom etc.
Then if he gives you grief tell him you will e-mail all his friends and family and work collegues and tell them that he is a thief!
Also has he left his iTunes account details intact? Spend up large on his credit card. See if his credit card details are on the device and then tell him you will buy your self a new iPad on his card if he doesnt refund you your money.
If it has been stolen from a Apple store (or Bestbuy) apple could presumably track the device to where it went missing, though I wouldn't expect Apple to give you one if you just hand it in.
You could get a list of these, see if there is an email address for his boss, wife, mom etc.
Then if he gives you grief tell him you will e-mail all his friends and family and work collegues and tell them that he is a thief!
Also has he left his iTunes account details intact? Spend up large on his credit card. See if his credit card details are on the device and then tell him you will buy your self a new iPad on his card if he doesnt refund you your money.
If it has been stolen from a Apple store (or Bestbuy) apple could presumably track the device to where it went missing, though I wouldn't expect Apple to give you one if you just hand it in.
exactly.
losing your money is the least of your worries at this point. i would report the crime right away. pleading ignorance will not work.
trying to conceal the crime will get you into more trouble.
That won't work. After about five minuets the iDevice requires the account owner to reenter the password.
So your advice is to commit fraud and identity theft? Explain to me and the OP who you are giving such sage advice how this would be not only morally correct but legally correct as well. Ahhhhh yeah... didn't think so.
Crappy advice. Don't engage in any illegal behavior trying to get your money back or "revenge." It will most surely backfire. And it will end badly.
Yeah, good old craigslist......
I would love if apple could track down stolen macs/ipods/iphones/ipads and at least disable them. I had an iPod stolen from my brother's house (the thief used a sledgehammer on the door while he was at work) and would love if they disabled themselves.
I think you're sunk. The thief is not going to give you your money back. The best you can do is send some email from the ipad to all his contacts, letting them know that you purchased a stolen iPad from him.
If you go to the police, they will take the iPad, as least until they determine who's property it is and return it. (If they are unable to determine who's property it is, certain items will be returned, you may get it back legally, it's probably varies by jurisdiction.)
If you get caught with stolen goods it could be an issue, so if you decide to do the less than ethical thing and keep it, I would keep all the items proving you purchased it from this individual in a C.Y.A. file...... For example copies of the ad, all the email communication. Hopefully that would prove that you didn't steel it yourself, rather you are the victim of this thief as well...
Plead ignorance that you think it is stolen, if you keep stolen property after you know it is stolen it is probably a crime....
Best of luck, it's a painful lesson about buying used items, but it could have been more expensive like a car or something instead....
I would love if apple could track down stolen macs/ipods/iphones/ipads and at least disable them. I had an iPod stolen from my brother's house (the thief used a sledgehammer on the door while he was at work) and would love if they disabled themselves.
I think you're sunk. The thief is not going to give you your money back. The best you can do is send some email from the ipad to all his contacts, letting them know that you purchased a stolen iPad from him.
If you go to the police, they will take the iPad, as least until they determine who's property it is and return it. (If they are unable to determine who's property it is, certain items will be returned, you may get it back legally, it's probably varies by jurisdiction.)
If you get caught with stolen goods it could be an issue, so if you decide to do the less than ethical thing and keep it, I would keep all the items proving you purchased it from this individual in a C.Y.A. file...... For example copies of the ad, all the email communication. Hopefully that would prove that you didn't steel it yourself, rather you are the victim of this thief as well...
Plead ignorance that you think it is stolen, if you keep stolen property after you know it is stolen it is probably a crime....
Best of luck, it's a painful lesson about buying used items, but it could have been more expensive like a car or something instead....
The problem with the above is that he's already left a "paper" trail. He's posted on a public forum which is easily searchable on the internet. Not saying he doesn't have some anonymity on here - but if push came to shove, the police could get a court order to release his identity from the webmasters here.
And before you say that would never happen. Let me assure you - it has. Often. Maybe not on here - but on other message boards/websites.
And before you say that would never happen. Let me assure you - it has. Often. Maybe not on here - but on other message boards/websites.
I vote for the higher road plus "feign innocence" route.
You were not aware it was a demo unit, and that's not what you were after. You hope to get your money back from him, otherwise you're planning to go to the local Best Buy to see what they can do for you...
thanks for all the advices, i'm not going to just try and conceal it or anything like that, but get it solved. I appreciate all you guys feedback because it has taught me a lot such as not buying off CL..or making sure i fully inspect what I buy. Mistakes do happen.
As for the Ipad, the assumptions so far is that it is stolen, and i'm beginning to think so too after I called an apple customer representative today, but they said the Ipad is fairly new and that they can't determine it yet and that this version could have also been distributed to testers and reviewers before the official release date
so given that, i will take the ipad back to apple to see if it's stolen or not, then I will file a police report if it is stolen, and go on from there.
Its good that I posted here, so that it also show that I didn't know what to do, but I did try to go through the steps of trying to resolve it, such as posting on this forum and calling apple support.
Good thing is that I have the seller's information such as his D/L , address, business phone numbers. Also when I purchased it, it was in a local area so they should have security cams of our transaction so it would really help the police a lot.
Thanks for the help guys
As for the Ipad, the assumptions so far is that it is stolen, and i'm beginning to think so too after I called an apple customer representative today, but they said the Ipad is fairly new and that they can't determine it yet and that this version could have also been distributed to testers and reviewers before the official release date
so given that, i will take the ipad back to apple to see if it's stolen or not, then I will file a police report if it is stolen, and go on from there.
Its good that I posted here, so that it also show that I didn't know what to do, but I did try to go through the steps of trying to resolve it, such as posting on this forum and calling apple support.
Good thing is that I have the seller's information such as his D/L , address, business phone numbers. Also when I purchased it, it was in a local area so they should have security cams of our transaction so it would really help the police a lot.
Thanks for the help guys
Call your nearest local Best Buy. Ask to speak to the Apple kiosk manager. Ask him/her if they are missing any demo iPads. If they say yes, tell them you think you bought a stolen one on CL because of the stamp.
Tell them you feel awful and would like to see the demo unit returned to them, the rightful owner, but that you spent good money on it and can't afford to lose both the iPad and the money you spent. Hedge a "poor student" status if possible.
Tell them you would be happy to come in and return it if they could find a way sell you a fresh one at a discount. If they resist, say thanks anyhow, then it's back to your plan of filing a police report I guess.
If they say yes, bring the iPad (and a friend as a witness) to the Best Buy. If they keep their word and sell you a discounted iPad, take the fresh iPad and sell it on ebay to someone in the UK (with good feedback) quickly for a tidy profit.
With any luck, the profit plus the discount you got from Best Buy will be equal or near the price of another iPad...voila, you get a legitimate iPad, with little to no extra money spent, and the demo iPad is returned to its owner.
Tell them you feel awful and would like to see the demo unit returned to them, the rightful owner, but that you spent good money on it and can't afford to lose both the iPad and the money you spent. Hedge a "poor student" status if possible.
Tell them you would be happy to come in and return it if they could find a way sell you a fresh one at a discount. If they resist, say thanks anyhow, then it's back to your plan of filing a police report I guess.
If they say yes, bring the iPad (and a friend as a witness) to the Best Buy. If they keep their word and sell you a discounted iPad, take the fresh iPad and sell it on ebay to someone in the UK (with good feedback) quickly for a tidy profit.
With any luck, the profit plus the discount you got from Best Buy will be equal or near the price of another iPad...voila, you get a legitimate iPad, with little to no extra money spent, and the demo iPad is returned to its owner.
Not correct (I am a lawyer in real life). Buying goods that you knew or had reasonable cause to know were stolen is a crime. Unwittingly buying stolen goods is NOT a crime because the buyer lacks what's called scienter, a fancy legal word for intent or knowledge that your conduct is wrong (which doesn't mean you get to keep the stolen goods that you bought in good faith, it still rightfully belongs to its original owner). As long as the OP didn't buy the iPad for $25, a price so low that it should have raised suspicions that something funny was going on, he's not violated any law.