can't log on to psn, possible account ban?

[axlryder]

Alright, so I just bought a ps3 on ebay, the thing works fine and I already hooked it up to my wireless. However, when I went to go register for a psn account,

it simply said "you cannot use Playstation Network with this account". (no error code)

So I registered for an account online, tried to log in and the same message popped up. There is no error code accompanying the message, so I'm having trouble telling exactly why I can't log on, but I'm assuming it has something to do with the previous owner having been banned and now the system is on the psn black list or something. Anyway, I'm mostly confused by the lack of error code so I was wondering if there might be another source of the problem, I'm also wondering what my next step should be. Btw, the system just did a large number of updates about a half an hour ago if that might make some kind of a difference. Thanks for any info.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

yup, that's account ban alright.

[axlryder]

yup, that's account ban alright.

well thanks for the confirmation ryan, but is there any way for me to tell why this account was banned for or for how long? I'm hoping I don't have to call sony and be on hold for one bajillion hours or something.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Unfortunately once a PS3 is banned it's serial is tagged and banned for life.

Basically this is Sony's way of preventing the flood of idiots from Xbox live coming over by giving everyone a crazy ultimatum.

[jfrost]

Care to share how much you paid for the PS3?

Might make you feel better, we can feel your pain.

[Inazuma]

You should be able to return it to the seller and get all of your money back. They are basically trying to scam you, as far as I'm concerned.

[axlryder]

Care to share how much you paid for the PS3?

Might make you feel better, we can feel your pain.

170, not a bad price, about average by ebay standards. Still though, the fact that I'M going to have to pay return shipping for their mistake is just ridiculous, especially given that they were a highly acclaimed seller making such a rudimentary mistake. Of course there's nothing I can do about it, and I guess it's only 15 dollars, but it's more the principle of the thing.

[Inazuma]

Care to share how much you paid for the PS3?

Might make you feel better, we can feel your pain.

170, not a bad price, about average by ebay standards. Still though, the fact that I'M going to have to pay return shipping for their mistake is just ridiculous, especially given that they were a highly acclaimed seller making such a rudimentary mistake. Of course there's nothing I can do about it, and I guess it's only 15 dollars, but it's more the principle of the thing.

Ask the seller to take responsibility and pay for your return shipping cost. I just had a similar problem today with something I bought from ebay and the seller was nice enough to refund my return shipping cost. If they refuse to pay you back for the return shipping cost, you need to give them negative feedback because it would be well deserved at that point.

[dlmvii]

Care to share how much you paid for the PS3?

Might make you feel better, we can feel your pain.

170, not a bad price, about average by ebay standards. Still though, the fact that I'M going to have to pay return shipping for their mistake is just ridiculous, especially given that they were a highly acclaimed seller making such a rudimentary mistake. Of course there's nothing I can do about it, and I guess it's only 15 dollars, but it's more the principle of the thing.

Ask the seller to take responsibility and pay for your return shipping cost. I just had a similar problem today with something I bought from ebay and the seller was nice enough to refund my return shipping cost. If they refuse to pay you back for the return shipping cost, you need to give them negative feedback because it would be well deserved at that point.

QFT. I hope the person you dealt with is decent enough to do this. This couldn't really be an honest mistake - unless it was mentioned in the auction, this is definitely the seller trying to pull a fast one on you. Try to get some kind of resolution out of them.

EDIT - You describe them as an "acclaimed seller". If they are a power seller, it's possible then that they are just reselling this and didn't know about it being banned - they might be more willing to help you out in this case

[axlryder]

so I called up sony just to see if there was anything that could be done and they pretty much said "sorry you're screwed". I just can't believe they have no possible options for lifting system bands. To me that's no different than crushing a car because the driver got a bunch of speeding tickets. Just block that person's credit card info and name from being accepted into creating a new account, that way THEY get permanently banned and not the systems serial number. I'm sure there's work arounds for that, but I think it would get the point across for most people, plus they're already going to lose their stuff so I think that's more than enough punishment. If they want to keep wasting money and opening new credit card under fake names just to break the rules and get banned again than I'd say that person is in the minority. But rendering a piece of equipment valued at 250+ dollars permanently hampered should not be a solution. I'm sure there are flaws in my argument, but I'm honestly too fustrated by this whole situation to care right now.