[island911]

I also rarely have a problem with buys on ebay. Just a few weeks earlier I bought a similar "Refurbished" phone from another buyer. Looked like new. It had just one old test photo, on the 'roll' --the inside a Chinese phone factory. (read: new old stock)

This latest seller had 2% negative --which I now know is likely much higher-- and, clearly, they are doing nothing more than dropping (used carrier trade-in) phones into a new box and shipping. Luck of the draw, I got a dirty, well-used phone on that one.

I do wonder if the seller strategically opened the 'case' with ebay, knowing ebay would then block any negative FB. (gaming the system)

I will also note that ebay asks the buyer to notify the seller that there's a problem (seems reasonable) and that ebay also requires 7 days to pass before any negative FB can be left. (read: ebay makes their process convoluted, for the legit feed-back, but still completely gameable, for those who live on ebay - both buyers and sellers)