Activation lock

I bought a used iPad from eBay, and when I went to clear the iPad and reset it the iPad got stuck on activation lock. I searched up what this was and I tried to reach the previous owner of the iPad, but he has not responded to me in over 2 weeks now. I’m worried that my money is going to be wasted now because obviously I don’t know the Apple ID of the previous owner. What can I do about this? Can I bring it to an Apple store?