Apples says I bought their stolen laptop.

[alan2814]

What is the name of your state? Florida
I sold my Powerbook 17 to buy Apples newest Macbook Pro, they were out of them at the store so I decided to buy one ( at full price ) on Ebay new from a seller with 100% feedback with all new Apple sales. I assumed he had some kind of relationship with Apple. I recived a call from investigations at Apple last week saying the SN I registered may have been removed from a Apple store in California. I have been fully cooperative with them giving them the sellers info.
I asked him if I would loose my 2900.00 laptop, he said it depend on your jurisdiction ( Florida ).
Does anyone know if I would have to give it up - legally?

 

[racer72]

[Does anyone know if I would have to give it up - legally?
/QUOTE]

You could be charged with possession of stolen property. Your real issue is with the seller, you should be asking that person a lot of questions.

 

[alan2814]

I would love to contact the seller and ask for a refund but I was told not to contact him until they investigate further.

 

[Happy Trails]

I would love to contact the seller and ask for a refund but I was told not to contact him until they investigate further.

Then you wait.

If it does turn out to be stolen, then you would have to go after the seller. If the seller bought it from someone else, then he would have to go after that person.

Hopefully it is a mistake, but probably not.

 

[alan2814]

I just dont understand when he said it depends on my jurusdiction ( Florida ) the law must be different depending on state . Does Florida law say whether or not they can recover their property that someone else purchased without criminal intent?
I did pay full price and have receipt.

 

[Zigner]

Then you wait.

If it does turn out to be stolen, then you would have to go after the seller. If the seller bought it from someone else, then he would have to go after that person.

Hopefully it is a mistake, but probably not.

This is not entirely true. You can wait as a "favor" to Apple, however you are under no legal obligation to do so just because Apple tells you to. You can pursue a refund from your seller, regardless of who the seller got the laptop from. If the seller has to refund your money, then it's the seller's responsiblity to "climb the ladder" and fight for his own refund from his supplier.

If there is a criminal investigation in process by the authorities, then of course you should wait in order to avoid interfering with that criminal investigation.