Related
Hello all, just wanted to start out saying this forum ROCKS! And wanted to say thank you to all the Devs and contributors for your time invested in creating a venue that we can all learn from.
Now to my dilemma. I''ve fallen on hard times (as I am sure many have due to this economy) and need a little help here. Had to let my 2 year plan drop due to financial issues, (They got a year out of me @ $130.00 a month) don't see it improving anytime soon, so I had to get a prepaid sim (on the same provider network, as I want to be able to keep using them but on a prepaid basis), the sim was activated (through an old razor I had with a good IMEI no.)
I paid for my phone ($200.00) through the plan, sim is now deactive. Looking to see if I can put my new prepaid sim in the plan phone but have not done so as I am sure it will get hit in a few days due to ID no. I am aware of the issues with respect to the ID no. Need a workaround for this to use my new prepaid sim on the phone I purchased through the plan. I am probably nerfed. Maybe I can use odin for the issues if possible?
Any help I can get (privately) just email me in here would be greatly appreciated.
If you paid for your phone, there should be no problem with it, if you still owe on your old account, then there would be a problem.
Doesn't make sense, the phone is his, he's not on a subsidize phone payment. The phone is his to keep. If anything he woruld talk to the retention department. Do an etf but maybe he can plea for it to be lowered? I'm not sure if they'll give you any discounts but it doesn't hurt to ask from this department. In the end you should pay for the etf. Do monthly payments of it or something. It's better than avoiding it.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Teo032 said:
Doesn't make sense, the phone is his, he's not on a subsidize phone payment. The phone is his to keep. If anything he woruld talk to the retention department. Do an etf but maybe he can plea for it to be lowered? I'm not sure if they'll give you any discounts but it doesn't hurt to ask from this department. In the end you should pay for the etf. Do monthly payments of it or something. It's better than avoiding it.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app[/QUOTE
Let me see if i understand this correctly, and provide some details. I got the phone at a reduced price through a promotion. The promotion stated get the phone for X dollars if you sign up for a two year contract. Since I paid the x dollars the phone is now mine, I own it correct? Now.....since I can't continue with the contract I have to pay an etf, if I don't (Or better said if I can't afford it) Then they nerf my phone from being used on their network? How wrong is that! I paid for the phone so if I put in a new sim it should be allowed to be used on their network because I am basically still paying for service, difference is its pre-paid. They shouldn't have a right to nerf an IMEI of a pesons paid for phone based on not being able to live up to the contract, as the contract is one thing, and the phone, (since it was paid for),is separate being that it's your property. IMEI's are supposed to be nerfed if a customer reports it stolen or lost. NOT as a means for a service provider to track your phone to the extent of since you could not live up to the contract, completely nerf your phone from their network. The way I see it, I paid for the phone, and since I am paying for the usage of the prepaid I should have the right to use that prepaid sim on my paid for phone. This looks like a class action suit here if you ask me. What say you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya they will try to block I'm pretty sure. You paid only a portion of the device. They technically still own it. Its like a lease for a car. If you don't pay the etf its still their phone
sent from my BAD A$$ Epic touch
This isn't Sprint. I got my T-989 from T-Mo in May with a 2 year contract. I paid $100 for the phone. For a undisclosed reason, my contract was terminated and I kept the phone. In July I bought a Sim from Simple Mobile, popped it in and still to this day, it works great.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
patrao_n said:
Ya they will try to block I'm pretty sure. You paid only a portion of the device. They technically still own it. Its like a lease for a car. If you don't pay the etf its still their phone
sent from my BAD A$$ Epic touch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. when you lease a car the contract states you are leasing the car. When you take out a loan on a car, the car is owned by the bank that holds that loan until you pay the loan back. When you buy the phone you are buying the phone with your own money so no bank can take it from you nor should a service provider block you from using it. Because you own the rights to that phone, you purchased it.
I paid the full price they were offering the phone for, IF I signed up for a Service Contract, key words here. I signed up for a contract for service NOT for a contract for the phone I had to buy a phone that works on their network. So basically what happens here is that you get the phone at a price. From the moment you pay for that phone it's yours. Why? Because it was contingent on you signing up for their service. From the moment you sign up for that service you fulfilled the part needed to get the phone at a said price. It does not say "lease" this phone if you sign up" It says buy this phone.
After that if you can't pay for the service you don't get that service and yes you are liable for an etf of the service not the phone, it's yours, you own it, you did not lease it nor does the the service agreement state that you leased the phone. You fulfilled the obligation to sign up, you paid for the phone. It's your property.
Key words here are service contract
tony5593 said:
This isn't Sprint. I got my T-989 from T-Mo in May with a 2 year contract. I paid $100 for the phone. For a undisclosed reason, my contract was terminated and I kept the phone. In July I bought a Sim from Simple Mobile, popped it in and still to this day, it works great.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point I'm not sure if the IMEI of my phone was nerfed or if the sim was nerfed. And I'm afraid of putting in my new prepaid sim in it and run the risk that the prepaid sim gets nerfed if my IMEI is still o.k.,
1)Did you have to pay an etf though to keep using a phone you already paid for? and 2)That sim is a prepaid sim right?, and simple mobile is part of t-mo so I wonder if I use my prepaid tmo sim if they will nerf my sim (Though I don't think they would have a right to as I am paying for a different service on my own phone). But I would hate to find out that they would do that the hard way and end up having to buy another sim. I need my money.
I didn't have to pay anything. I paid the $100 for the phone when I signed the contract. When it was terminated, I didn't pay anything else.
Yeah, it's a prepaid Sim and Simple uses T-Mo's network.
They don't do that, what if you buy a Tmo phone from ebay and that persons contract was terminated, the phone woukd still work correct? Sprint doesnt that to the phons ESN number, but Tmo is a GSM network using Sim cards.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
tony5593 said:
I didn't have to pay anything. I paid the $100 for the phone when I signed the contract. When it was terminated, I didn't pay anything else.
Yeah, it's a prepaid Sim and Simple uses T-Mo's network.
They don't do that, what if you buy a Tmo phone from ebay and that persons contract was terminated, the phone woukd still work correct? Sprint doesnt that to the phons ESN number, but Tmo is a GSM network using Sim cards.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I could use a tmo prepaid sim in my phone with no worries then correct? They wont zap the new sim or IMEI?
My phone is not rooted (yet need to read up in here first) it's stock and locked to tmo, not unlocked.
Yes what If you had a contract SIM and a prepaid one and used both, or if you traveled and had another SIM, they aren't going to flag your phone.
You'll be fine.
& My phone is locked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Check out this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1781304
http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/587282-blocked-imei-tmobile-s3-problem.html
Those are for stolen phones. They were bought from someone else, not from Tmo. That could only happen to him if he bought the phone from someone or if he reported it stolen since hes the owner.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
tony5593 said:
Those are for stolen phones. They were bought from someone else, not from Tmo. That could only happen to him if he bought the phone from someone or if he reported it stolen since hes the owner.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, one of the posts mentions if the payments weren't made
Well idk it all depends. If there was only one payment for the phone then its okay.
Anyway what's done is done. They won't block the prepaid Sim if he uses it in his phone. The worse that can happen is that they block the phone, but not the Sim.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
tony5593 said:
This isn't Sprint. I got my T-989 from T-Mo in May with a 2 year contract. I paid $100 for the phone. For a undisclosed reason, my contract was terminated and I kept the phone. In July I bought a Sim from Simple Mobile, popped it in and still to this day, it works great.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody said it was sprint dude.
sent from my BAD A$$ Epic touch
tony5593 said:
Well idk it all depends. If there was only one payment for the phone then its okay.
Anyway what's done is done. They won't block the prepaid Sim if he uses it in his phone. The worse that can happen is that they block the phone, but not the Sim.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went through all ten pages of the first link and the page of the other link, the other link mentioned that they block the phone to force payment. (Something I can't do due to financial difficulty) Now the issue with that is that if they do that, then they are in essence doing something illegal because the phone was not reported stolen by me or lost and I didn't place an insurance claim. So that being the case, they are messing with MY property, as I paid for that phone. I have the receipt. If they block my phone then that is basically a company using unscrupulous pratices to peoples property in order to force payment and is like strong arm tactics much like the mob asking for protection money for christ sakes! How can we put an end to these companies doing this? It's not right. What other recourse would a righful owner have other than to change the IMEI number then?
First of all, they will not be able to block your prepaid SIM with your phone. That's impossible as it is prepaid. They aren't going to block any sims based on the imei. If anything they will block your account or blacklist your phone. First of all you already paid for your phone. The matter is that you have 1 year remaining on contract for the service not the phone itself. I forget but i remember a csr for T-Mobile, a fellow xda member, said they should not blacklist your phone. There were other cases where it is blacklisted because the phone was being paid off monthly. The subsidized monthly payment for the phone. A few have claimed that they have been blocked because of that. However that rep did say they do not black list the phone for that, only if it is reported stolen or lost.
Do yourself a favor and test another SIM on your phone. If it works you're good to go. It would not be shot down again. If it doesn't work you're blacklisted. Get it unlocked and trade with someone who uses att
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Teo032 said:
First of all, they will not be able to block your prepaid SIM with your phone. That's impossible as it is prepaid. They aren't going to block any sims based on the imei. If anything they will block your account or blacklist your phone. First of all you already paid for your phone. The matter is that you have 1 year remaining on contract for the service not the phone itself. I forget but i remember a csr for T-Mobile, a fellow xda member, said they should not blacklist your phone. There were other cases where it is blacklisted because the phone was being paid off monthly. The subsidized monthly payment for the phone. A few have claimed that they have been blocked because of that. However that rep did say they do not black list the phone for that, only if it is reported stolen or lost.
Do yourself a favor and test another SIM on your phone. If it works you're good to go. It would not be shot down again. If it doesn't work you're blacklisted. Get it unlocked and trade with someone who uses att
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far so good. It's working. Thanks!
My only fear is that they hit my phone later because of using a different Sim on the phone. But I am going to trust in your info and cross my fingers and hope for the best.
When I got this phone, I purchased it in a T-Mo store, the receipt shows two Items. 1) A security deposit of $100.00 (cause my credit sucked and 2) states the name of the phone, followed by the serial number, followed by something that says post payed Activation with two years after that, followed by Not discount eligible, followed by the sale amount (the price I paid for the phone and the $100.00 Security deposit combined, followed by the total and then it shows cash with a minus sign to the left of the amount paid. So Based on that I figure it safe to say it's not subsidized, correct?
Don't worry about it. There is no way that T-Mobile is going to look up the imei number for your old account and zap that SIM too. They have better things to do than assign someone to do that. If anything that will cause problems because if you sold the phone to someone else and they zap their SIM, they're going to get an ear full. And in most cases. The lower tier csr does not have access to imei searches.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Hey guys, i might be buying a note 2 very soon .. I was just wondering if any of u got it unlocked? If yes then HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND ..
Cellunlock.net offers it for 25$. Looking for some cheap alternatives !!
Call T-Mobile, and ask to have the phone unlocked. I had to fax them a receipt (a t-mobile one, which made no sense to me), along with my remedy trouble ticket number, and imei. They later sent me the unlock code. Free.
My store said they would do it for free after 30 days.
I paid the $25 because I didn't want to wait and I wanted to try it out on ATT.
i was thinking to buy a tmobile one and use it at my local network .. for that I need the unlock code .. 25$ is not what I am looking to spend ..
Again, it's free if you buy a t-mobile one and call their customer service to get the unlock code.
mdt73 said:
Again, it's free if you buy a t-mobile one and call their customer service to get the unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they give you static, just tell them you plan to go overseas and need it unlocked for that.
I dont think they will give the code to a new contract !!
Tell them you are going out of the country, and if they won't budge contact me and I can get it unlocked for about $15.
Guys, chill out. There is really no need to be so concerned about unlock codes. I work for T-Mobile, and I want to offer some advice. Completely on my personal accord, not as part of my job with T-Mobile of course. Mind you, I will not do anything that violates any NDA or other agreement, contract, association that I have with T-Mobile, but I can offer the policy information, since it is not anything I wouldn't tell any other customer I talked to as part of the job.
Basically, if you buy a phone from T-Mobile you can get it unlocked, so long as you are at least 40 days into your account. Not contract, not tenure, but account. The account you are using the phone on has to have been open at least 40 days. You also have to have used the phone on that a line on that account. Meaning you made at least 1-2 minutes worth of phone calls.
Otherwise, assuming you bought it and do not want to use it on your account, you can send in proof of purchase that you bought it at full cost, or they can see on your account that you bought it. Phone purchases in store, just to address one earlier comment, do not always show the full receipt information (device, etc) and that is why a fax is required. Purchases made through customer care, online, or through telesales, are viewable through the proper phone team.
If you buy a phone at full cost and DO NOT have a T-Mobile account, you can get it unlocked by calling in and providing the imei number and they will submit the request. No faxing or any other hassle. Many agents are not aware of this exception in the policy because it does not come up all that often. So you may get someone on the line who is unaware and will swear up and down that it is not part of policy. I, personally, have had to spend time talking to managers who did not even know this part of policy. However, it is a part of a policy, and therefore is the easiest way to unlock the device.
There are other little minor things in policy, but most of what I have said is for the average buyer. Also, note that 'going overseas' is not any sort of exception to policy. If you do not meet the normal policy requirements, you could be going to the moon for all it matters and it would not be any reason to go outside of policy. The requests are completed by an offline team, and they are strict to policy. I have seen many customers get angry because "the store told me I could just call in and unlock it" or "I am going overseas in two days and that is why I bought the phone in the first place." If you say you are going overseas, then you will just be offered international roaming information for using T-Mobile overseas, or be told about cancelling your contract, paying any applicable ETF, and then getting the unlock request submitted in as part of the cancelled account part of the policy (which has its own set of requirements).
As a disclaimer I will say that while I work for T-Mobile, I am not writing this as part of any association with T-Mobile, and I do not condone any abuse of policy or misrepresentation in order to circumvent or manipulate policy. I also will not do anything outside of policy for anyone. I am unable to submit any unlock requests for anyone or call in for anyone or do anything of the such.
However, I do hope my advice helps.
The only real time to pay to get the device unlocked is if you just bought the phone at a discount, started a brand new T-Mobile account, and are under 40 days since activating your account.
phoenixbennu said:
Guys, chill out.[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just to back phoenix up (thanks for the writeup btw) i've done this twice on Tmo
- 30+ days into my value plan and I requested the code for my s3, had it the next day in my email.
- paid full price for another s3, same thing, didn't have to wait at all, just called and requested the same day.
easy as pie.
Thanx phoenix... N other guys .. I will try to get it done from t mobile only ..
I purchased the phone outright from T-Mobile, did the fax thing the next day, and proceeded to wait about a week for the unlock team to get me my code. Glad I didn't need to have it with Solavei. Of course I found that out after the fact, lol!
mdt73 said:
I purchased the phone outright from T-Mobile, did the fax thing the next day, and proceeded to wait about a week for the unlock team to get me my code. Glad I didn't need to have it with Solavei. Of course I found that out after the fact, lol!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All carriers are required to unlock phones at the customers request, it was put into law a year ago or so. Same law that said jailbreaking/rooting is legal and cannot void a warranty. No one knows about it yet because it loses money for telecoms, but they can't refuse to unlock your phone because it is illegal to do so.
You do know there's a write up to unlock this phone for free right ?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using XDA Premium HD app
When you buy the Note 2 without contract for $700 dollars (including tax, etc) and as a Non-T-Mobile customer, is a micro-SIM card still included?
yes
Thanks, the reason I ask is that I may activate T-Mobile service in the very near future; Am I able to do so with the existing micro-SIM card that is included in the box?
If you're using postpaid, yes. If you're going to use prepaid, you will need an activation kit which includes a sim for $0.99.
thanks
Unlocking New Mobile Phones Becomes Illegal In the US Tomorrow
Posted on Friday January 25, @09:30AM
from the who-owns-your-stuff dept.
Tyketto writes
"Referencing a decision outlined in the Federal Register, Tech News Daily has published an article noting that the window to unlock your new mobile phone in the U.S. is closing. 'In October 2012, the Librarian of Congress, who determines exemptions to a strict anti-hacking law called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), decided that unlocking mobile phones would no longer be allowed. But the library provided a 90-day window during which people could still buy a phone and unlock it. That window closes on January 26.' While this doesn't apply to phones purchased before the window closes, this means that after 1/26/13, for any new mobile phone you purchase, you'll have to fulfill your contract, or break the law to unlock it."
It will still be perfectly legal to purchase an unlocked phone, which many carriers offer. This change removes the exemption for buying a new phone under contract (and thus, at a discount) and then unlocking it.
Yes to monopolize and to limit the development on android. These apple and samsung are both sharks who owns the senate )
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Sadly old news, just because its illegal wont stop it happening though same as console modding, piracy or any other such thing. They are just taking the view of carrier locks should be DCMA protected. I dont agree with it but well theres quite a few things I dont agree with that get into law. Thankfully im not over in the states or I would be a dirty dirty criminal.
Just to reiterate, this only applies to after market SIM Unlocking - e.g. places where you pay money to sim unlock phones. Doesn't apply to carrier sim unlocking, factory unlocked phones, or bootloader unlocking.
jonshipman said:
Just to reiterate, this only applies to after market SIM Unlocking - e.g. places where you pay money to sim unlock phones. Doesn't apply to carrier sim unlocking, factory unlocked phones, or bootloader unlocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
You can still unlock the bootloader, root and flash to your hearts content. You just can't buy a phone on AT&T unlock by a third party and move to T-Mobile. Also it only applies to the USA.
HTC's sudden anti developer stance is far more worrying and is going to lose them a lot of customers.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Land of the no longer free.
People could have stopped that bill easily but hardly anyone bothered to read it and thought it was merely about illegal downloads.
Supporting a campaign against it and spreading the word was one of the reasons they went all out to close demonoid the torrent site down.
To be honest i don't see why any carrier should sim lock a phone, after all when you sign a contract you are bound for that contract length regardless of the phone being locked/unlocked.
After the contract is finished you will either stay with that carrier or upgrade again all with the phone being locked or unlocked.
I tend to get my phones from shops that sell them already unlocked & i have been with the same carrier for 8 years now.
Network SIM locking is one thing, breaking US law unlocking your damn focking phone is ridiculous, you own the focking thing anyway,Americans laws are really strange
I hope this will not happen in EU
Sounds absolutely ridiculous to me, Android's open source so whats the deal? Unless I'm missing something. As someone mentioned previously, I hope it doesn't come to the eu.
fmaskarin said:
I hope this will not happen in EU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Americans are pressuring the EU to adopt the legislation as international law. One of the few partys resisting it are these guys
http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/
Braderzf50 said:
Sounds absolutely ridiculous to me, Android's open source so whats the deal? Unless I'm missing something. As someone mentioned previously, I hope it doesn't come to the eu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does Android been open source have to do with SIM unlocking?
OP: Can you put in the title that this applies to SIM unlocking to help out people that dont read before ranting???
Fellows here comes the trend of buying unlocked phones. These carriers will cry once people start buying their own phones. They will only get the utility and less profit.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
I can understand this as the network are subsidising the cost of the phone expecting to make the money back during the contract - but even if you unlock it to another network your still going to be liable for the monthly contract charges? so this only makes sense for PAYG which aren't greatly reduced from the unlocked price anyway.
I have a T-Mobile s4, which is turned off due to non payment and I want to hook it up with another carrier. I tried the info given to unlock it but after I enter the number, it doesn't go to the screen shown on the video. Is there anything I can do besides pay T-Mobile?
Nope. I'm pretty sure that you have to have an active line to unlock.
purplekity415 said:
I have a T-Mobile s4, which is turned off due to non payment and I want to hook it up with another carrier. I tried the info given to unlock it but after I enter the number, it doesn't go to the screen shown on the video. Is there anything I can do besides pay T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None payment of service or non payment on device?
Either which way your device is black listed. But if for non payment on device, technically device is stolen.
And either each way, this is probably a grey area to discuss on xda
carrier unlock s4
ShinySide said:
None payment of service or non payment on device?
Either which way your device is black listed. But if for non payment on device, technically device is stolen.
And either each way, this is probably a grey area to discuss on xda[/QUOTE
Hi, thank you for getting back to me so soon. It is off due to non payment of the bill and i put down half on the phone, so i guess its for both. I lost my job and could not afford to pay anything to anyone until i got my unemployment, anyway i wonder if i will have a problem restoring the service when i get paid? Thanks again.
denise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ShinySide said:
None payment of service or non payment on device?
Either which way your device is black listed. But if for non payment on device, technically device is stolen.
And either each way, this is probably a grey area to discuss on xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope what you mean is that carrier locking of phones is borderline criminal. There is nothing morally wrong with unlocking your own phone. If you don't pay your electric bill, they don't confiscate your lights.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
mhannigan said:
I hope what you mean is that carrier locking of phones is borderline criminal. There is nothing morally wrong with unlocking your own phone. If you don't pay your electric bill, they don't confiscate your lights.
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess you dont understand what I meant by non payment on the phone. i.e. Tmos payment plan to pay off the phone. Which you are in a contract to pay off the device. And if you dont fulfill the contract....guess who legally owns it? Cant buy a car not pay the bank and say hey i dont bank with you anymore so now I own the car legally....
ShinySide said:
Guess you dont understand what I meant by non payment on the phone. i.e. Tmos payment plan to pay off the phone. Which you are in a contract to pay off the device. And if you dont fulfill the contract....guess who legally owns it? Cant buy a car not pay the bank and say hey i dont bank with you anymore so now I own the car legally....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it would be a little bit more like not paying your OnStar subscription fee and then having someone in a forum talk down to you like you stole the car because of it.
There is a huge difference here. The phone and the "contract" being intermingled with control over using the phone is nothing more than a tool to blackmail the customer into staying with the provider. T-Mobile's primary business is providing service for a monthly fee. I paid cash for my T-Mobile branded phone ($700+). But when I traveled abroad about a month later, they refused to unlock it because I had not had it with T-Mobile service yet for 40 days (although I have been with T-Mobile for at least a decade).
Like I said, when you don't pay your electric, they don't disable your lamps and your TV. They don't even come take your CFL bulbs that they subsidized. I get to use those bulbs with a windmill if I want to. When you don't pay your landline bill, they don't remotely disable your Panasonic cordless phone. If they COULD, they WOULD, but we wouldn't tolerate it. Unfortunately, there are people (like you) who have been lulled into thinking that this is OK when it comes to cell phones. Being a Senior Member, I think you should set a better example and use your critical thinking - and not simply imply that someone who didn't pay their cell bill shouldn't even be discussing it in public.
That was my point - indicating that you're not even sure if it should be discussed here is a bit dramatic - the guy isn't trying to screw anyone - just exploring his options. He paid for half of the phone up front, and paid for service for somewhere between 0 and 2 years. If anyone has been screwed, it's him by being held hostage.
A cell phone and a financed automobile are in different ballparks, my friend. I think you know that.
Mike
mhannigan said:
Actually, it would be a little bit more like not paying your OnStar subscription fee and then having someone in a forum talk down to you like you stole the car because of it.
There is a huge difference here. The phone and the "contract" being intermingled with control over using the phone is nothing more than a tool to blackmail the customer into staying with the provider. T-Mobile's primary business is providing service for a monthly fee. I paid cash for my T-Mobile branded phone ($700+). But when I traveled abroad about a month later, they refused to unlock it because I had not had it with T-Mobile service yet for 40 days (although I have been with T-Mobile for at least a decade).
Like I said, when you don't pay your electric, they don't disable your lamps and your TV. They don't even come take your CFL bulbs that they subsidized. I get to use those bulbs with a windmill if I want to. When you don't pay your landline bill, they don't remotely disable your Panasonic cordless phone. If they COULD, they WOULD, but we wouldn't tolerate it. Unfortunately, there are people (like you) who have been lulled into thinking that this is OK when it comes to cell phones. Being a Senior Member, I think you should set a better example and use your critical thinking - and not simply imply that someone who didn't pay their cell bill shouldn't even be discussing it in public.
That was my point - indicating that you're not even sure if it should be discussed here is a bit dramatic - the guy isn't trying to screw anyone - just exploring his options. He paid for half of the phone up front, and paid for service for somewhere between 0 and 2 years. If anyone has been screwed, it's him by being held hostage.
A cell phone and a financed automobile are in different ballparks, my friend. I think you know that.
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahaha Okay so according to your logic, Everyone go to Tmobile Only put a down payment down then run off with the phone and you legally own it. Sounds so legit and logical. Their not going to unlock a phone they legally own because some one didnt pay it off. Or unlock your phone for you when you owe them money. Nor let you use it on their service under a different account. Why? Because everyone will just rack their bill up then just open a new account so they dont have to pay that racked up bill off. Obviously you dont understand how a business and contracts work. Hes not being "held hostage" he/she just isnt going to receive a service (ie unlock code) when he/she owes money.
Is but same logic. Dont pay your phone, no unlock code. Dont pay your note, No title. As far as your 40 day problem? (And its actually 90) No where lets you buy phones out right, unlock them right away and walk away free without service. They'd lose money and wouldnt be a service but just a cell phone dealer. If you want to do that go buy a factory unlocked which costs even more then one locked to a carrier then you dont have to worry about whinning and crying you cant unlock your phone when you dont pay your bill, fulfill a contract, or fulfill the terms of service you signed when you purchased the device.
Anyways you think its cool to unlock and "run off" with a phone that isnt paid in full and money is owed on, and I dont. We can just leave it at that.
OT but actually its 7 or 14 days service needed to get it unlocked once its paid in full, I don't remember exactly but its one of those. I called T-Mobile a few months ago and that's what they told me.. It might be a recent change