Go with his suggestion. Its the best paypal cannot get any better and concrete proof than nokia itself claiming it as a fake.

haha they used maps icon for an alarm. NICE

One wise man said long time ago cheaper is not always better.

Feel sorry for you,

An other remark, same with a true genuine N900, pay attention to the description. Because NOKIA has done many versions of the mechanical keyboard, some are more useful than other, that is depending of your language. there is:
qwerty (US) model
qwertz (german) model
azerty (french) model
qwerty (swedish) model

qwerty (swedish) is not useable for US people, be sure to have a qwerty for english countries.

Here's one for this phone at least: It doesn't say Nokia on it. (the front). From the shots, the covered part of the screen is where it said "Nokia".

Man that case looks realistic. I wonder if it's not made from N900 cases (as in, same press). Buttons are painted badly though, the original kbd has very nice signs.

Finally, check to see if the bar under the keyboard is firm. If it is, it's a fake. Nokia phones have that flipping around. Also, try to apply force to the charger. If it feels sturdy, it's fake. Also, if it has a menu with folders, well organized, it's a fake.

No, but really, allow me to provide some real help: If it's under 600E it's likely not a Nokia N900. If it IS around 600, use a (reputable) store, one that allows for return of open/unsealed packages. How's that for advice? Also, it wouldn't hurt to check the specs before. Dual-sim? Java?

Finally, if it WAS a store, then Paypal is your last resort. What you should do is contact the store first. Many a time the employees do this stuff.

I like the blacked out camera surround and kickstand better. I wonder if that battery cover will work on the OG N900.

BTW elbebe1992k, other than the goofy OS it has loaded, that battery cover is the first obvious tell. Also the optics verbiage is screen printed in white on the OG N900 lens cover and not engraved or in relief as it is on yours.


My thanks to you was for providing the pictures so that others can avoid a rip off on the street. As far as the goofy OS goes... see if there is a settings icon and after it is opened you find an "about" tab. If so, post up what you find.

You might also try to connect the sucker to a Windows desktop machine and see what USB driver it wants or uses. If it does connect, open it in file explorer and post a screen shot of the file directory structure as shown in Windows File Explorer if you can.

Does the phone actually make calls?

People, spent the extra few bucks and get a new one from nokia. If you are willing to spend $300, another $150 is nothing. Maybe another week or two or three of saving and you will have a brand new phone. With warranty.

Even in canada I know it is possible to get a real n900 from a phone shop.

Dealing with ebay and craigslist you are rolling the dice. Chances are it will be real, but a good chance it will defective somehow. And for sure it will have been through what all used phones have been through - dropped, bumped, banged, knicked, scratches on the screen, etc.

If you really want to by used, by from someone you know, or from a respectable phone forum from a member that has feedback.

well that member had 100% positive feedback

Paypal just want to give you a hard time getting back your money.

Call (via phone) your local Nokia and tell them your situation, and tell them you're intended to buy the N900(actually you're). Ask them to send you pictures and specifications of the N900, email or snail mail doesn't matter, because they should be considered official. Compare the differences and summarize them and send them to Paypal with official mails from Nokia as reference. That's pretty much the best way you can do.

If your local Nokia refused to help, ask them to direct you to complain hotline, complain and forget about them, we shall then find another authorized dealer that can help you.

Well if you did use paypal either though Ebay or not you are eligible to get your money back because thats one of paypals benifits (more security over internet transactions).

You can either call or contact the customer support section on paypal and tell them that the item you received was a fake one, they should then open up a dispute between you and the seller and you should get your money back by the end of the dispute because the item you purchased was not the one offered.

lol if I were you I would have already sued the seller for selling a fake/pirated unit. God you bought an n900 it's very clear already. You didn't say you wanted a cloned one.