Ebay iPhone 5 scams help?

[RandomPerson]

Someone is selling an iPhone 5 on ebay, they have no reputation and no verification that they are legit. eBay says if i don't receive my item they will refund my money back by taking it out the sellers account. BUT what if the seller closes their account?

[Crimson]

Then you might be out of luck. This is what happens when things sound too good to be true. Never buy anything that expensive from someone with no reputation or verification.

[Kittysue]

With both Chinese clones and stolen phones being sold online, there is no way I would buy from anyone unless I could meet them at an Apple store or the phone store to a) verify the phone is a real iPhone and b) check to see that it hasn't been reported stolen and transfer the account to your name

Scammers open accounts, take your money, then close their Ebay and Paypal accounts so you can't get your money back. Paypal can only refund you if there is money in the seller's account

[Ju W]

Just because ebay guarantees you your money back does not mean that they will actually do it. It is just a publicity gimmick to drum up more commissions for them. Surely you have heard the old saying: If it is too good to be true, it probably is.

You are going to buy from a seller who has no reputation and no verification so as soon as he gets your money, he will close his account and move onto another account to scam someone else with the same fake iPhone5.

Obviously eBay are not going to refund you anything if the seller is a crook and runs away so they can't even trace him. Use some common sense in life and you will save yourself some money.