Be careful, swappa won't help if you buy a phone with an unpaid balance on it
I just read an identical post on this subreddit.
Can't unlock the phone because it has an unpaid balance, as told by two separate T-Mobile representatives. It is very possible it will be blacklisted at some point as well.
From the seller,
"We’ll review the IMEI and the reported T-Mobile balance issue further. Thank you for your patience while this is being checked."
4 weeks later no reply and I ask for a resolution
Seller ,(B2B MOBILE AUCTION)
"Thank you for reaching out. We’re sorry to hear about the issue and apologize for the inconvenience.
Unfortunately, since this order is well beyond the 30-day return period, it is no longer eligible for return or refund. The previous return label is also no longer valid or available.
Thank you for your understanding"
Yup. I understand sellers are forced to follow the site rules with no consequences.
I'm extra annoyed because it's my 81 year old mother who got screwed. And I'm partly responsible because I suggested Swappa.
If I get a resolution I'll update the post but I'm not hopeful.
Update: A Swappa staff member left a comment in my discussion with the seller saying if it has a balance they have to refund it.
But there are some side context I need to explain if you want to understand everything. I was originally very unhappy with the condition of the phone because it had many scratches on the screen, and I made a huge mistake of buying a listing with stock photos (I knew they were stock). My plan was to trade it in during the release of the next phones. When I complained the seller gave me a prepackaged label, but told me I'd be paying a restocking fee percentage, so I decided I didn't want to lose any money if it was just going to be traded in anyways.
So because they offered a prepackaged return, they are trying to get out of the refund altogether. Here is the swappa staff member comment and the sellers attempt to get out of having to refund.
Swappa staff B2B Mobile Auction, financed devices are not permitted on Swappa. If you can't resolve the issue, a return will be expected.
B2B Mobile auction Thank you for clarifying. We already have the IMEI number,, and are reviewing the reported T-Mobile balance issue.
We would also appreciate clarification from Swappa regarding the applicable return policy in this situation. The buyer originally reported a cosmetic-condition concern within the 30-day return period, and we provided a prepaid return label. However, the buyer decided to keep the device and did not complete the return. Several months later, the buyer reported a separate issue involving an alleged unpaid T-Mobile balance and is now requesting to return the device.
Since Swappa does not permit financed devices or devices with outstanding financial obligations, can Swappa please confirm whether the standard 30-day return period may be overridden in this case, even though the buyer previously chose to keep the device after receiving a return label and later changed their decision?
We will cooperate with Swappa’s determination and follow appropriately
I think a month is more than enough to investigate an IMEI balance, so they're simply being disingenuous and hoping I would go away. But hopefully at last sentence means they will actually follow through with a refund.
I'm not trying to be unfair, if it's materially worth less now than when I bought it I don't mind losing the market rate difference. I understand the concept of statute of limitations, I wouldn't expect a refund 2 years later for instance.