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I Think I've Made a Big Mistake...(UK User)

A

andym172

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 24, 2003
335
3
UK
In a moment of utter stupidity I bought an iPhone on eBay without even checking if it will work in the UK (where I live).

Only now reading the forum have I discovered that Apple have bolted it down to the American only AT&T.

Is it correct that the phone will be unusable in the UK on a UK network?

And if so, is there any way around this?
 
That seals it I need to start selling stuff on E-Bay.

Seriously, why would you not have investigated this before making a bid?
 
andym172 said:
In a moment of utter stupidity I bought an iPhone on eBay without even checking if it will work in the UK (where I live).

Only now reading the forum have I discovered that Apple have bolted it down to the American only AT&T.

Is it correct that the phone will be unusable in the UK on a UK network?

And if so, is there any way around this?
Click to expand...

You could have fun hacking it!:D
 
andym172 said:
In a moment of utter stupidity I bought an iPhone on eBay without even checking if it will work in the UK (where I live).

Only now reading the forum have I discovered that Apple have bolted it down to the American only AT&T.

And if so, is there any way around this?
Click to expand...

First, let the seller know you just found out it will not work where you live, and you need to cancel your bid. a normal seller would just say OK, and offer it to the second highest bidder. But, because of the attempts at scalping, your seller might not be so kind. In any case, do NOT pay for it.

How long have you had your eBay account? If not long, you may just want to start a new account if you get a negative tick. Or, if the seller is nice, no problem. If the seller is a scalper and gives you negative, you can contest it with eBay, and get it removed. Point out the auction did not specify US only or something... you should be ok

But do NOT pay for it for sure.
 
andym172 said:
In a moment of utter stupidity I bought an iPhone on eBay without even checking if it will work in the UK (where I live).

Only now reading the forum have I discovered that Apple have bolted it down to the American only AT&T.

Is it correct that the phone will be unusable in the UK on a UK network?

And if so, is there any way around this?
Click to expand...

So, crawled out of your bubble and decided, "Hey, Im gonna buy an iphone today." Brilliant!
 
Twinkie said:
Yeah, not taking responsibility for your own ignorance, and screwing over someone else is always the best route! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

/agree

I hate punks that don't pay up on my eBay auctions. Instant negative feedback from me. It cost that seller money to list and sell the item. At the least you should offer to pay for his/her fees if you back out.

Note: I don't have an iPhone on eBay, I just hate nopayers in general.
 
DoFoT9 said:
source please!!!! this could make my day!
Click to expand...

October is start of Q4. 3G is far more developed here in the UK than it is in the US, and the only network with EDGE is Orange, who people generally feel won't take on the iPhone. Thus 3G iPhone in October is an educated guess.
 
Twinkie said:
Yeah, not taking responsibility for your own ignorance, and screwing over someone else is always the best route! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Just so you can see what action I took, here is a copy of the e-mail I sent:

Hi xxxxx,

I'm a winning bidder on the below auction.

Through no fault of yours whatsoever it appears I have been misinformed about the iPhone and the possibility of it working in the UK.

It appears Apple have made it that the phone cannot be used on any of the British networks.

I'm therefore appealing to you to cancel my bid. I'm sorry, as I know this is a big ask of you. Regretfully the phone is of zero use to me in the UK.

Although possible, I have not requested Paypal to undo my payment, I do not believe that to be fair. The judgement should be made by you.

If you agree I shall reimburse your re-listing costs.

Please contact me soon,

Many thanks,

Andy.
Click to expand...

The seller has been hugely kind and has reimbured me my payment, minus costs.

Thank you for the advice offered here, thoug, why it is that some posters have adopted an aggresive tone in their posts, I don't know. A simple mistake was made - a clouded judgement in wanting to get a present for my other half.

We live and learn...

Thanks again :)
 
Blue Velvet said:
Yes and no... sell it straight away back on eBay US again. 3G iPhones will be here in October.
Click to expand...
I'm going to be increasingly amused (I hope) at the parade of Americans (myself excluded) that will see red everytime they hear that (and for no good reason).
XIII said:
3G is far more developed here in the UK than it is in the US, and the only network with EDGE is Orange, who people generally feel won't take on the iPhone. Thus 3G iPhone in October is an educated guess.
Click to expand...
Seeing the facts as they are and all... :p

~ CB
 
andym172 said:
why it is that some posters have adopted an aggresive tone in their posts, I don't know. A simple mistake was made - a clouded judgement in wanting to get a present for my other half.
Click to expand...
Because you made the stereotypical eBay mistake: plonking down a bunch of money for something that you didn't fully investigate. You hear stories of people dropping $500 to buy just the box the Xbox 360 comes in, even though the auction clearly stated that the console was not included.

Seriously though, you didn't know the iPhone didn't work in the UK? We've only known about it for, what, 4 months now? I mean, if you were planning on buying one, I figure that would be the first thing you'd check...not attacking you, just wondering out loud.
 
andym172 said:
Just so you can see what action I took, here is a copy of the e-mail I sent:



The seller has been hugely kind and has reimbured me my payment, minus costs.

Thank you for the advice offered here, thoug, why it is that some posters have adopted an aggresive tone in their posts, I don't know. A simple mistake was made - a clouded judgement in wanting to get a present for my other half.

We live and learn...

Thanks again :)
Click to expand...

Glad it worked out good. And you (and the other poster above) were correct- it is fair you reminberse their costs... even if the number 2 bidder gets it. Looks like it all worked out good... congrats!
 
Give the guy a break; he is from the UK you know!!!!!:) :) :) JUST JOKING!!! I'm glad everything worked out for you and the seller.
 
jobs already gave the reason why they are not using edge:
The tech is too big and it takes too much energy
 
You never know they may have worked a way of unlocking them soon.

Im not too fussed about 3G the contract cost are going to be huge don't you think ?
 
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