Issue with a purchase - can we get a refund?

[Fairylightstwinkle]

would welcome anyone who’s good with eBay and could advise on the way forward.

A family member purchased a mobile phone via eBay. It was sold as an unwanted gift and brand new.

The box was sealed. One of the features of the phone is being able to add custom content. When they tried to do this, it didn’t work. Contacted the phone manufacturer and they said details do the original purchase were needed.

Family member went back to the seller and aid sorry they couldn’t provide this as it was a gift guessing they acquired it by less noble means

Without being able to unlock the phone in this way, it is not usable for the family member.

Can they request a return via eBay? Not sure of the eBay next steps.

All help appreciated.

[RedMinnie]

I can’t help but you may want to report the thread and get it moved to a more relevant board. You posted in ED which I’m guessing is a mistake?

[Fairylightstwinkle]

I had clicked to post in eBay. I have reported to MN and requested it be moved.

[SnowWhitesApple]

Go to a local high street phone shop and get it unlocked.

[Fairylightstwinkle]

@SnowWhitesApple

Go to a local high street phone shop and get it unlocked.

I am told It’s not that type of unlock. It’s called a ‘Boot loader unlock’.

[PlipPlopChoo]

I do not think you should be trying to get a refund.

They offered for sale a new phone and based on your description of receiving a sealed box the item is as described. The fact you cannot use the item in the way you want does not negate that the item was advertised correctly.

[lljkk]

Was it sold as unlocked?

[mouseychick]

Sorry but if the feature was important and not listed then you should have queried this at the time.

[Sodndashitall]

If you are trying to boooad unlock the phone it voids warranties usually and I am not sure why you'd want to do this.

In any event not sure exactly what this person is trying t0 do but if it was so important to them to d0 this custom stuff surely they'd have thoroughly researched the ins and outs before purchase. I don't think a refund is viable in this instance as the box is now open and it was as described.
Just resell it

[dementedpixie]

The family member isn't wanting to use the phone as a regular phone but is wanting to disable the security functions and add their own content.

Apparently you can't use a bootloader unlock on all phones either

[dementedpixie]

It's a phone that functions as a phone. Just because it isn't able to be disabled of its usual functions isn't a reason for a refund