Have they investigated the person from whom YOU purchased the item. If indeed it was stolen (by them not you) ebay should have all the pertinent info.
Just because you can't see the auction doesn't mean ebay cannot.
I would explain the date code as analogous to a "model" number not a serial number, that might help.
Just because you can't see the auction doesn't mean ebay cannot.
I would explain the date code as analogous to a "model" number not a serial number, that might help.