IMEI Blocking Question

[user_of_rail]

Bought an iPhone 15 Pro from musicMagpie in March this year but it was then IMEI blocked by O2 in October, the phone was returned to musicMagpie a few weeks ago at their request, but they stopped contacting me and only send 'Thank you for your patience' emails.

I've now bought a new iPhone 16 Pro from an apple store, as I use this for work and needed to get to my iCloud backup.

If musicMagpie sends a replacement is there any way to know if this will be IMEI blocked in the future or is buying second hand phones really this dangerous and I'll be locked into never knowing if the phone will work and having to return it, possibly multiple times, for a replacement?

[MI5]

@user_of_rail 

Always a risk as you never know when the original owner will pull an insurance scam.

[jonsie]

Buying from a private or business third party is risky when it comes to insurance scams

I wouldn't take the chance personally

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

At least buying from a reputable retailer gives you protection.

The biggest no no is Facebook, eBay etc.

[user_of_rail]

Not much protection by my experience, without the phone for two weeks and no idea how much longer music magpie will take before offering a solution, if that solution is a replacement this could result in the same again, possibly multiple times.

Why doesn't the industry have a way of identifying phones with outstanding contract or finance? I can't see myself ever buying a phone from a second hand retailer again  

[MI5]

@user_of_rail 

It would need a huge database of ownership, sales, loss, destruction etc similar to that of car ownership with a V5 log book. I guess it's just too much expense and who would fund it and maintain it?

[user_of_rail]

Just a quick update - I've now been refunded the original purchase price of the Phone in full to my paypal account.

[MI5]

Good news @user_of_rail 

[jonsie]

That's the advantage of going through a proper site

Well done @user_of_rail