Serial number not found in Apple records

Question

Level 1

14 points

Serial number not found in Apple records

Ive bought iPhone 4s on eBay from a seller who states it is official apple refurb. It came in white refurb box with serial number and imei. But when I enter s/n on selfsolve website I get this message We're sorry, the number you have provided cannot be found in our records. Please verify the number and try again, or contact us.

I contacted apple support and they could not find s/n and imei in their records either. Is it possible that it is not original product or could it be another explanation for that? That seller on eBay sold few hundred similar iPhones (99.5% positive feedbacks) and nobody reported such incident. It is hard to believe that Im the only one who noticed that. What are your thoughts?

iPhone 4S

Posted on Jun 17, 2015 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

227,160 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:03 PM in response to poodelek

Are you looking at the serial number on the box or the Serial number in Settings>General>About?

If it were me, I'd return it and get my money back. If Apple says the serial number is not in their system, then it is completely unserviceable by Apple. You won't be able to get out of warranty service on it at all, and of course, there is no warranty on it.

Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't be buying an iPhone from eBay.

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Answer 2

Jun 17, 2015 12:11 PM in response to poodelek

Just because they have good feedback doesn't mean they're legit... others simply may not have even thought to check the serial number, and it sounds like you've already considered that possibility. Of course, I didn't buy it so I don't know if they're legit or not... but counterfeits and other scams are fairly common. See Be Very, Very Careful not to get Scammed when Buying a Used iPhone, iPod or iPad.

(Note that I am affiliated with that site, and some pages contain ads).

EDIT: If there's any doubt, you should just return it right away so they don't have any excuses not to accept the return.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

227,160 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:55 PM in response to poodelek

Apple refurbished phones do not get sold on the open market. They are used for warranty and out of warranty replacements. If the seller is selling "hundreds" of "Apple refurbished" phones, then something is very wrong.

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Answer 4

poodelek Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:08 PM in response to KiltedTim

I am looking at the box. I can't check in settings as phone is not set up. If I set it up i won't be in the same condition as it came and they may refuse to take it back. Kind of stalemate situation

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Answer 5

poodelek Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 17, 2015 12:23 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

thanks. for future reference... when iPhone is refurbished by apple what should it say about Telephone Technical Support and Repairs and Service Coverage when I check it on selfsolve?

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Answer 6

Jun 17, 2015 12:30 PM in response to poodelek

It should display that information as opposed to a "not a valid serial number" message. The service coverage is 90 days from the day the unit was received by the original owner.

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