So I bought a blacklisted Kindle off Craigslist - Page 5

volwrath · 09-23-2010, 09:12 PM

Heh my buddy just got a $400 weber grill off craigslist for $150. I dont blame you for buying the thing. Unfortunately if Amazon wont help you out, you are kinda SOL. I would contact them and beg them for hep

Having said that, I never knew there were so many good, moral people on mobileread... ok yes I did..but not from this thread

J. Strnad · 09-23-2010, 09:20 PM

Okay, this is just me, but here's what I would do:

First, I'd contact Craigslist and tell them what happened and try to get the seller banned.

Next, I'd go to the police and report the scam. They might keep the Kindle as evidence, but that's okay because the guy might actually be brought in and forced to make restitution to you in exchange for not pressing charges.

Finally, I'd rest easy knowing that I'd done what I reasonably could to get even with the guy. It would be far more trouble than it's worth financially, but striking back at evildoers is its own reward (as is Old Testament vengeance).

I wouldn't worry about returning anything to Amazon. They don't care about getting a used Kindle back. More trouble than it's worth to them.

It may not seem like it now, but $120 is a pretty cheap life lesson.

Good luck, whatever you do.

daesdaemar · 09-23-2010, 09:33 PM

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the back and forth in threads such as this one. The difference between what is morally right (good) and morally wrong (evil) should "under all circumstances be discernible by the right application of human reason." (paraphrasing Augustine, I believe). It's no wonder we live in such a screwed up world.

mrscoach · 09-23-2010, 09:37 PM

He is currently in possession of stolen goods.

speakingtohe · 09-23-2010, 09:44 PM

I would think that reporting it to the police and/or craigs list would be the first step.

Not sure if returning it to Amazon would be as easy as some people think. They have probably been reimbursed by insurance and would not like the paperwork.

There should be some clear path to take in this instance but what one wonders.

The kindle can still be used obviously, but at the price of the op's peace of mind. Every time he turns it on he will be reminded that he inadvertantly bought stolen property and the person who sold it to him.

Helen

PharaohsVizier · 09-23-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daesdaemar

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the back and forth in threads such as this one. The difference between what is morally right (good) and morally wrong (evil) should "under all circumstances be discernible by the right application of human reason." (paraphrasing Augustine, I believe). It's no wonder we live in such a screwed up world.

Ethics is complicated, anyone who thinks everything is black and white is a moron.

krazy4katz · 09-23-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharaohsVizier

Ethics is complicated, anyone who thinks everything is black and white is a moron.

True, but this case isn't rocket science.

rcuadro · 09-23-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrscoach

He is currently in possession of stolen goods.

Could also just be lost...

supermighty · 09-23-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcuadro

Could also just be lost...

Lost NIB? Probably not.

It's hard to at first realize a kindle could be stolen, but once you do find out you should do the right thing. You may be out the cash but that's the price we pay for doing the right thing so we can live in a decent society.

Also I see myself as frugal but saving $10 or $20 on such an expensive device isn't that big a deal.

NavyDad6 · 09-24-2010, 12:12 AM

IMHO, $120 for a Kindle that cannot use the whispernet and download books on the fly is not worth it.

The whole value of the Kindle device is its easy access to hundreds of thousands of books.

So regardless of how you came into possesion of the Kindle, it is worthless... IMHO.

scott h · 09-24-2010, 03:08 AM

you can always sell it on craigs list

Just kidding

Reality is when buying any electronics, one should buy from a reliable source. It's a lesson I learned a while ago. Let's hope you dont make the same mistake again. Look on the bright side, maybe this will stop you from making a bigger mistake on a more expensive item down the road.

GBerlin · 09-24-2010, 07:41 AM

You know, I generally don't buy Amazon books for my Kindle. But that's not the issue. THe guy bought stolen goods and the owner is identifiable. There is no issue. Return it to the owner. Just as we would all like all stolen items returned to us if possible. I think Apple has fostered this "theft is ok" idea because although they have the ability Aazon has, they have chosen not to use it and the huge market in stolen Apple products seems to have dulled moral sense in a lot of folks.
If I knew someone who knowingly retained stolen goods, I would consider him dangerous to be around and worth avoiding actively.

thadiyan · 09-24-2010, 08:11 AM

Huh why a shot at Apple? Irrespective of one is an Apple user/hater/fan is, why are they even pertinent to this discussion?

Honda civics are the most stolen cars in the US, so why not blame them for somebody purchasing a stolen Kindle too?

Further $120 is not an unreasonably price to pay for a wifi kindle in craigslist, there could be a situation where somebody got it as a gift and would rather sell it and keep the cash. The only thing I would have done is to open the unit and make sure it boots up and registers with Amazon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBerlin

You know, I generally don't buy Amazon books for my Kindle. But that's not the issue. THe guy bought stolen goods and the owner is identifiable. There is no issue. Return it to the owner. Just as we would all like all stolen items returned to us if possible. I think Apple has fostered this "theft is ok" idea because although they have the ability Aazon has, they have chosen not to use it and the huge market in stolen Apple products seems to have dulled moral sense in a lot of folks.
If I knew someone who knowingly retained stolen goods, I would consider him dangerous to be around and worth avoiding actively.

volwrath · 09-24-2010, 08:18 AM

Call amazon and negotiate. Ask for a half price off k3 for your troubles. Amazon customer service has always been top notch.

branchedout · 09-24-2010, 08:36 AM

Yow. Poor OP. Being considered scum!

Though, I agree with the fellow who says, "Hindsight is 20/20."

I like deals. I bought a used game that cost $15. It was $30 in store. Seemed like a worthy purchase.

Amazon's probably shipped the original owner of the kindle a new one, and all is well for him. I could bet, say, $120 that they don't mind (other than being irate waiting for the the shipment of another kindle) that the stolen one's out there. They'd actually feel pretty sorry for the OP, I'd bet.

If it were another way, say, that Amazon DIDN'T give the original seller a new kindle, then OP would have a moral decision to make.

But for now, headin' off to the police would be the best bet. If he can get his $120 back, then all's well. Just, the question would be that what to do with that Kindle he has. At that point, he'd have gotten a (gimped) kindle for free, which the original owner may have a problem with! This is when he might have to return the kindle back to Amazon.

Whether or not Amazon would want it back is up to Amazon.

And then the quest for the person to point fingers to continues.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Craigslist and Kindles	rcuadro	Amazon Kindle	11	03-04-2010 08:48 PM
PRS-600 Buying from Craigslist	LaLa4363	Sony Reader	13	01-12-2010 06:08 PM
I just bought a Sony PRS-505 used off craigslist	Boston	Sony Reader	24	08-13-2009 09:34 PM
Just picked up a perfect K1 from Craigslist for my wife and for $150.	xdalaw	Amazon Kindle	18	06-29-2009 12:06 AM
Bought a second Kindle!	GatorDeb	Amazon Kindle	12	10-31-2008 02:35 AM

09-23-2010, 09:12 PM	#61
volwrath Guru Posts: 713 Karma: 1001739 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Device: SGS3/PW2/Nexus72	Heh my buddy just got a $400 weber grill off craigslist for $150. I dont blame you for buying the thing. Unfortunately if Amazon wont help you out, you are kinda SOL. I would contact them and beg them for hep Having said that, I never knew there were so many good, moral people on mobileread... ok yes I did..but not from this thread

09-23-2010, 09:20 PM	#62
J. Strnad Guru Posts: 915 Karma: 3537194 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite	Okay, this is just me, but here's what I would do: First, I'd contact Craigslist and tell them what happened and try to get the seller banned. Next, I'd go to the police and report the scam. They might keep the Kindle as evidence, but that's okay because the guy might actually be brought in and forced to make restitution to you in exchange for not pressing charges. Finally, I'd rest easy knowing that I'd done what I reasonably could to get even with the guy. It would be far more trouble than it's worth financially, but striking back at evildoers is its own reward (as is Old Testament vengeance). I wouldn't worry about returning anything to Amazon. They don't care about getting a used Kindle back. More trouble than it's worth to them. It may not seem like it now, but $120 is a pretty cheap life lesson. Good luck, whatever you do.

09-23-2010, 09:33 PM	#63
daesdaemar Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 4282 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Florida Device: Sony 505, Kindle 3, iPad 3	It never ceases to amaze me when I read the back and forth in threads such as this one. The difference between what is morally right (good) and morally wrong (evil) should "under all circumstances be discernible by the right application of human reason." (paraphrasing Augustine, I believe). It's no wonder we live in such a screwed up world.

09-23-2010, 09:37 PM	#64
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	He is currently in possession of stolen goods.

09-23-2010, 09:44 PM	#65
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I would think that reporting it to the police and/or craigs list would be the first step. Not sure if returning it to Amazon would be as easy as some people think. They have probably been reimbursed by insurance and would not like the paperwork. There should be some clear path to take in this instance but what one wonders. The kindle can still be used obviously, but at the price of the op's peace of mind. Every time he turns it on he will be reminded that he inadvertantly bought stolen property and the person who sold it to him. Helen

09-24-2010, 12:12 AM	#70
NavyDad6 Reading is FUNdamental Posts: 233 Karma: 1516 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WA state Device: Kindle 2	IMHO, $120 for a Kindle that cannot use the whispernet and download books on the fly is not worth it. The whole value of the Kindle device is its easy access to hundreds of thousands of books. So regardless of how you came into possesion of the Kindle, it is worthless... IMHO.

09-24-2010, 03:08 AM	#71
scott h Member Posts: 10 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: kindle 3	you can always sell it on craigs list Just kidding Reality is when buying any electronics, one should buy from a reliable source. It's a lesson I learned a while ago. Let's hope you dont make the same mistake again. Look on the bright side, maybe this will stop you from making a bigger mistake on a more expensive item down the road.

09-24-2010, 07:41 AM	#72
GBerlin Member Posts: 16 Karma: 40 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Berlin, DE, formerly NY,USA Device: Kindle2Global	You know, I generally don't buy Amazon books for my Kindle. But that's not the issue. THe guy bought stolen goods and the owner is identifiable. There is no issue. Return it to the owner. Just as we would all like all stolen items returned to us if possible. I think Apple has fostered this "theft is ok" idea because although they have the ability Aazon has, they have chosen not to use it and the huge market in stolen Apple products seems to have dulled moral sense in a lot of folks. If I knew someone who knowingly retained stolen goods, I would consider him dangerous to be around and worth avoiding actively.

09-24-2010, 08:18 AM	#74
volwrath Guru Posts: 713 Karma: 1001739 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Device: SGS3/PW2/Nexus72	Call amazon and negotiate. Ask for a half price off k3 for your troubles. Amazon customer service has always been top notch.

09-24-2010, 08:36 AM	#75
branchedout Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Soon-to-be K3	Yow. Poor OP. Being considered scum! Though, I agree with the fellow who says, "Hindsight is 20/20." I like deals. I bought a used game that cost $15. It was $30 in store. Seemed like a worthy purchase. Amazon's probably shipped the original owner of the kindle a new one, and all is well for him. I could bet, say, $120 that they don't mind (other than being irate waiting for the the shipment of another kindle) that the stolen one's out there. They'd actually feel pretty sorry for the OP, I'd bet. If it were another way, say, that Amazon DIDN'T give the original seller a new kindle, then OP would have a moral decision to make. But for now, headin' off to the police would be the best bet. If he can get his $120 back, then all's well. Just, the question would be that what to do with that Kindle he has. At that point, he'd have gotten a (gimped) kindle for free, which the original owner may have a problem with! This is when he might have to return the kindle back to Amazon. Whether or not Amazon would want it back is up to Amazon. And then the quest for the person to point fingers to continues.

Advert

Advert