Question regarding a binded Mini 4 pro

[buschman31]

I bought an used M4P(still under warranty) from the local pawnshop currently on layaway. I've had done a chat w/ DJI support and person say its bound to an account. But when I put the s/n into the website and hit the select the bound device button I get a "No Bound Device found".

So which one can I assume is correct? DJI chat or the website?

 

[MS Coast]

I'd rely on the website. But, call DJI support again and have the representative check it again. It's possible that the agent mistyped the serial number.

 

[Cafguy]

Ask the shop owner if you can turn on the drone and get the info from it.

 

[buschman31]

Ask the shop owner if you can turn on the drone and get the info from it.

yea done that and remember it saying its binded but again DJI website is saying its not binded. I will do chat again to confirm.

 

[mavic3usa]

I bought an used M4P(still under warranty) from the local pawnshop currently on layaway. I've had done a chat w/ DJI support and person say its bound to an account. But when I put the s/n into the website and hit the select the bound device button I get a "No Bound Device found".

So which one can I assume is correct? DJI chat or the website?

That's really confusing, I don't think the DJI website can give you the information you are looking for; can you please provide a screenshot or the URL where you are checking online?

 

[MS Coast]

Checking Device Info

To know about the activation time, warranty period, validity period of the DJI Care Refresh replacement service, remaining replacement times (including flyaway coverage), or repair service history for your product, please refer to this article for help.

support.dji.com

 

[mavic3usa]

That's really confusing, I don't think the DJI website can give you the information you are looking for; can you please provide a screenshot or the URL where you are checking online?

Checking Device Info

To know about the activation time, warranty period, validity period of the DJI Care Refresh replacement service, remaining replacement times (including flyaway coverage), or repair service history for your product, please refer to this article for help.

support.dji.com

That's what I thought, this is the page for DJI Care Refresh binding.

There are 2 different types of binding.

OP, are you not looking for information on whether the drone is bound to another DJI account?

 

[Cafguy]

Yep DJI confused the whole drone flying community with that one.
Make sure DJI is talking about care refresh or ownership. In DJI speak they mean the same for some unknown reason...
If the controller tells you it is bound to an account and you have no way of getting hold of the original owner the drone will never fly.

 

[GadgetGuy]

If the controller tells you it is bound to an account and you have no way of getting hold of the original owner the drone will never fly.

Yup, it's a brick. Probably found or stolen, and then just pawned. DJI expects the registered original owner to unbind it if they intended you to have it, and won't help you, in an effort to make stolen drones unusable.

 

[Bad Santa]

Can you get the email address of the person it's bound to?

 

[GadgetGuy]

Can you get the email address of the person it's bound to?

He bought it from a pawn shop where the original owner couldn’t afford to retrieve it. Unlikely to be cooperative, even if locatable, assuming it wasn't found or stolen, by the person who pawned it.

 

[mavic3usa]

Pick a state. Tennessee. Not all states have such laws; likely many do or soon will. Here's what Google tells us without the reference but I'm sure there are statutes for these somewhere:

---

In Tennessee, a pawn shop cannot legally sell a password-secured electronic device that is still linked to the original owner's account
. If a customer sells or pawns such a device, the pawn shop must ensure it is wiped of all personal data before reselling it.

Legal restrictions on pawn shops

• Prohibition on selling locked devices: A pawn shop that accepts a locked or password-protected phone or computer generally cannot sell it. This is because the device is a brick to anyone except the owner, and cannot be activated or used.
• Privacy and data security: Pawn shops handle sensitive personal information, including financial records and transaction histories. They are required to implement robust digital security measures, such as encrypted databases, to protect customer data. Pawning a device with an active account linked to it would be a major breach of these security standards.
• Consumer protection: The sale of a locked or unusable electronic device to a new owner would be considered a deceptive trade practice. Under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, such deceptive acts are unlawful. If you purchase a device from a pawn shop and discover it is locked, you have the right to a refund.
• Computer fraud: In Tennessee, accessing a computer or phone system without consent is illegal. A pawn shop attempting to bypass a password to access a device could be violating this law.

What happens to a password-protected device?

• Owner's responsibility: The original owner is responsible for wiping the device and removing their password and account link. Failure to do so before selling or pawning it will prevent the pawn shop from legally being able to resell it.
• Pawn shop's recourse: If the original owner fails to pay back their loan and a password-secured device is forfeited to the pawn shop, the shop may not be able to resell it. Instead, they may have to dispose of it as parts or send it to an electronics recycler.
• New buyer's rights: If you buy a device from a pawn shop and it is locked, you should immediately return it. If the shop is uncooperative, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau, or file a Small Claims court action.

 

[Bad Santa]

^^^^^^^^^

That was my next thought.
If the Pawn Shop sold a locked device, they are liable for a refund unless it was sold with the understanding (in writing) that the device was non operable.

 

[Bad Santa]

He bought it from a pawn shop where the original owner couldn’t afford to retrieve it. Unlikely to be cooperative, even if locatable, assuming it wasn't found or stolen, by the person who pawned it.

"Unlikely"

But I was actually wondering if the binded owner's address is retrievable within the drone.
It can't hurt to contact the PO though. Although most people who lose an item in pawn (didn't repay the loan) are butthurt about it, there's actually a lot of people who have enough integrity to do the right thing and suck it up.

 

[barnabyd]

I’d return it if you can. If you can’t, DJI has this form. Fill it out and they supposedly email the previous owner and ask them to unbind it. I’ve never had it work but I still try. You can put the drone serial in twice if you don’t have the remote.
Aircraft and Remote Controller Unbinding Request