So I wanted to buy myself a Galaxy s3 for T mobile, so I go on craigslist to buy a used one since I cannot afford a brand new one. I find one, meet the seller, and buy it since it was in excellent condition. 4 days later the phone stops working on the t mobile network. I thought it was because of a rom I had on it, but It wasn't. I called T mobile to see if there was something wrong with my service, and told me my phone was reported stolen and they blacklisted it from the network. Since I have the sellers number and the texts between him and myself, I thought I could prove to T mobile that I didn't steal the phone, but they insisted that they cannot help me and told me to file a report at the police station, like that gonna do anything.
So my question is, since the IMEI of the phone is blocked, is there a way I can change the IMEI to a generic one? Will that work? Only reason I am asking is because I cannot sell my phone, nobody is interested. I even unlocked for $20 and still won't sell. I bought it for 380, and the highest I've gotten on craigslist so far is 280. I don't know what to do. Any help is appreciated thanks.
Never mind, just found out generic IMEI doesn't work on t mobile anymore, bummer
sadakli2010 said:
So I wanted to buy myself a Galaxy s3 for T mobile, so I go on craigslist to buy a used one since I cannot afford a brand new one. I find one, meet the seller, and buy it since it was in excellent condition. 4 days later the phone stops working on the t mobile network. I thought it was because of a rom I had on it, but It wasn't. I called T mobile to see if there was something wrong with my service, and told me my phone was reported stolen and they blacklisted it from the network. Since I have the sellers number and the texts between him and myself, I thought I could prove to T mobile that I didn't steal the phone, but they insisted that they cannot help me and told me to file a report at the police station, like that gonna do anything.
So my question is, since the IMEI of the phone is blocked, is there a way I can change the IMEI to a generic one? Will that work? Only reason I am asking is because I cannot sell my phone, nobody is interested. I even unlocked for $20 and still won't sell. I bought it for 380, and the highest I've gotten on craigslist so far is 280. I don't know what to do. Any help is appreciated thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are pretty much SOL man. There is NOTHING legal you can do to restore its service on T-Mobile. I would sell it as an ATT device. 280 is ridiculous though. Even if it doesnt work on T-Mobile, it WILL still work on any other GSM network.
Im really sorry dude. Maybe there is something that can be done legally through a lawyer or something since you have all the information stating you bought it. I mean, essentially what that guy did is 100% fraud.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
elesbb said:
You are pretty much SOL man. There is NOTHING legal you can do to restore its service on T-Mobile. I would sell it as an ATT device. 280 is ridiculous though. Even if it doesnt work on T-Mobile, it WILL still work on any other GSM network.
Im really sorry dude. Maybe there is something that can be done legally through a lawyer or something since you have all the information stating you bought it. I mean, essentially what that guy did is 100% fraud.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not work on AT&T, T-Mobile and AT&T share the same blacklist database.
It isn't really worth going through the legal system over $380.
OP, how do you know the number the guy used just isn't some generated number from a free texting app. I would just sell it for $280 and take the $100 lost. Or track the guy down and beat the living crap out of him, but what are the chances of that?
|When Emotion Goes Up, Logic Goes Down|
|Even If You Fall Face First You're Still Moving Forward|
707BeastMode707 said:
It will not work on AT&T, T-Mobile and AT&T share the same blacklist database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is news to me. Thats kinda dumb. Everyone else who had the same situation as the OP says it works on ATT. For instance, Straight Talk on ATT. GoPhone.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
This thread should be closed! There is a bunch of people making threads on how they bought stolen phones on cl and cant use them! You cant trust any one on cl end of story! Take the loss and move on! There is nothing anyone here can do to help
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
evil1art said:
This thread should be closed! There is a bunch of people making threads on how they bought stolen phones on cl and cant use them! You cant trust any one on cl end of story! Take the loss and move on! There is nothing anyone here can do to help
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my galaxy s2 from Cl to this day (bought over a year ago) it would still work if I didn't break it.
It's a gamble.
But I don't see how it should be closed. It's not the OPs fault he had a douche bag sell him the phone. People don't need to be like that. He's just trying to make the best of his situation.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
The problems isn't craigslist per se , but its that the desperation out there is higher. People are willing to take risks to make money because they are broke, out of a job , etc. Not saying any of those are excuses to steal or commit fraud, but if a few people came on this thread and found out others are doing it, they are willing to try it also.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
We need a sticky on how to buy a phone on CL. You need to go to a T-Mobile store with the person before buying it (meet there) and have the rep check it out and conform hehe status and make a note on your account.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
That still is not guarantee. I have seen post where the phone was blacklisted 3 or 4 weeks later.
Too many people buying from CL .. They should look up phone scams on Google before buying
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
GTWalling said:
That still is not guarantee. I have seen post where the phone was blacklisted 3 or 4 weeks later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah...because they didn't go to a T-Mobile retail store and have a rep put a note of it on the sellers account.
|When Emotion Goes Up, Logic Goes Down|
|Even If You Fall Face First You're Still Moving Forward|
Related
I purchased a T-Mobile Galaxy S3 from Negri Electronics. I signed up with T-Mobile for service. It worked great for a few weeks. Then it suddenly stopped working, meaning no phone or data, the device itself of course works fine. So I called T-Mobile and they told me the phone has been blocked, that I should take it back to Negri. Negri is closed now. T-Mobile says if they block a phone it is for fraud or suchlike. What should I make of this? Is Negri selling stolen goods? Anyone here ever have a problem like this? What if Negri won't replace it?
Inb4 lock
Sent from my SGH-T999
sun365 said:
I purchased a Sprint Galaxy S3 from Negri Electronics. I signed up with Sprint for service. It worked great for a few weeks. Then it suddenly stopped working, meaning no phone or data, the device itself of course works fine. So I called Sprint and they told me the phone has been blocked, that I should take it back to Negri. Negri is closed now. T-Mobile says if they block a phone it is for fraud or suchlike. What should I make of this? Is Negri selling stolen goods? Anyone here ever have a problem like this? What if Negri won't replace it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would contact Negri Electronics first. But it sounds like the phone was stolen.
Yeah phone must of been reported lost or stolen but why are u posting on the t-mobile s3 forms ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Cause this is a T-Mobile phone, I mistakenly wrote Sprint in the message (I now see).
slim1991 said:
Yeah phone must of been reported lost or stolen but why are u posting on the t-mobile s3 forms ?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao what a troll this one. 1 u cant use sprint phone on tmobile and even if u were using it on tmobile and sprint blocked it still it would let u use it on tmobile(although thats technically impossible) and as it regards negri they are very clean and dont give a **** about those $600 you paid for that device so they would never sell stolen phone since they have been in business for so long. You sound more like those assholes that order something and switch it with some crap device purchased on craigslist then blame it on the seller which in this case is negri. If i was u i would not even try to commit fraud but if u do i hope negri reports u to the authorities and they kick ur ass in prison because fraud is illegal.
You gotta be careful buying your phone from Nigerian princesses.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
why don't you chill out.
no one can swap anything cause there is an IMEI number that on the invoice, and of course T-mobile has the IMEI number. They probably don't sell stolen phone knowingly but whomever they bought it from either tole it or reported it stolen.
And as I stated above there is not Sprint here, I miss-wrote Sprint (which I had for six years until this round with T-Mobile).
lazarat said:
Lmao what a troll this one. 1 u cant use sprint phone on tmobile and even if u were using it on tmobile and sprint blocked it still it would let u use it on tmobile(although thats technically impossible) and as it regards negri they are very clean and dont give a **** about those $600 you paid for that device so they would never sell stolen phone since they have been in business for so long. You sound more like those assholes that order something and switch it with some crap device purchased on craigslist then blame it on the seller which in this case is negri. If i was u i would not even try to commit fraud but if u do i hope negri reports u to the authorities and they kick ur ass in prison because fraud is illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile won't do anything so your better off calling negri.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
sun365 said:
why don't you chill out.
no one can swap anything cause there is an IMEI number that on the invoice, and of course T-mobile has the IMEI number. They probably don't sell stolen phone knowingly but whomever they bought it from either tole it or reported it stolen.
And as I stated above there is not Sprint here, I miss-wrote Sprint (which I had for six years until this round with T-Mobile).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahaha sure hahahahahaha dude negri sells the latest smartphones in the market all people value negri for its customer service and its owner personally deals with every single order and out of who knows how many millions sales a year they make they need to sell u a stolen phone so can make a $600 straight profit? U remind me of this kid trying to screw with dailysteals and decided to post on xda saying he received an empty box and trying to make his claim kinda more believable. Anyway good luck i wont post again because iknow all u trying to do is grab some attention so that this becomes huge and possibly negri get scared that their image might get hurt if people hear about this
sun365 said:
I purchased a T-Mobile Galaxy S3 from Negri Electronics. I signed up with T-Mobile for service. It worked great for a few weeks. Then it suddenly stopped working, meaning no phone or data, the device itself of course works fine. So I called T-Mobile and they told me the phone has been blocked, that I should take it back to Negri. Negri is closed now. T-Mobile says if they block a phone it is for fraud or suchlike. What should I make of this? Is Negri selling stolen goods? Anyone here ever have a problem like this? What if Negri won't replace it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all honesty, I think you're SOL if tmobile wouldn't do anything.
Do you have proof of purchase? Also does the receipt have the IMEI number? If so t-mobile ought to be able to help if you have this evidence.
and if that doesn't work..
I assume you're in MIAMI.. but if you happen to be in LA you can bring proof and your phone in person to the company.. not so sure how legit the location is but this is what pops up on google:
Address: 130 McCormick Ave, Suite 101, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (888) 358-6358 x4
Hours:
Mon-Fri 7am–6pm
Sat-Sun Closed
Perhaps you work for Negri, or maybe you are just board and stupid but no one said that -
phone cost $600
that they would be making $600 profit if it was stolen
that they knew that it was stolen
The fact is that the phone has been reported stolen or something similar.
lazarat said:
Hahahaha sure hahahahahaha dude negri sells the latest smartphones in the market all people value negri for its customer service and its owner personally deals with every single order and out of who knows how many millions sales a year they make they need to sell u a stolen phone so can make a $600 straight profit? U remind me of this kid trying to screw with dailysteals and decided to post on xda saying he received an empty box and trying to make his claim kinda more believable. Anyway good luck i wont post again because iknow all u trying to do is grab some attention so that this becomes huge and possibly negri get scared that their image might get hurt if people hear about this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You checked "Yes this is a question"
Guess where it belongs?
Moved to Q&A
FNM
lazarat said:
Hahahaha sure hahahahahaha dude negri sells the latest smartphones in the market all people value negri for its customer service and its owner personally deals with every single order and out of who knows how many millions sales a year they make they need to sell u a stolen phone so can make a $600 straight profit? U remind me of this kid trying to screw with dailysteals and decided to post on xda saying he received an empty box and trying to make his claim kinda more believable. Anyway good luck i wont post again because iknow all u trying to do is grab some attention so that this becomes huge and possibly negri get scared that their image might get hurt if people hear about this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that necessary? This guy has enough problems. You ever think it is for real? Man xda and the flaming is out of control. Mods will you do something already.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
belial20xx said:
Is that necessary? This guy has enough problems. You ever think it is for real? Man xda and the flaming is out of control. Mods will you do something already.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not disagreeing with your view if tmobike is not flaming.
OP, go straight to Negri. They will sort it out. Likely one of their distributors screwed up.
Sent from my SGH-T999
I am in touch with Negri, they claim they will resolve it but are dragging their feet. Apparently I'm the only Negri customer with whom this has occurred .
joshnichols189 said:
Not disagreeing with your view if tmobike is not flaming.
OP, go straight to Negri. They will sort it out. Likely one of their distributors screwed up.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sun365 said:
I am in touch with Negri, they claim they will resolve it but are dragging their feet. Apparently I'm the only Negri customer with whom this has occurred .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I believe that. I am pretty sure I read somewhere that this had happened to someone else, but it was a while ago. Negri resolved it but still, that's ****ty business.
Sent from my SGH-T999
If they don't fix it, file a complaint with your credit card company and ask for you money back.
For sure.
They are saying they will fix it. First they wanted me to pay for return shipping! Hell no, you sell a faulty (stolen?) product and I pay for shipping it back! (Not saying they stole or knew it was stolen, but that the risk they take when they buy - if I wanted the risk I could have gone about it on Craigslist.) But I'm still very pissed off cause they finally sent me a label, and it was for FedEx Ground, very slow, so I have to be out for 2 weeks without a phone!
colorado_al said:
If they don't fix it, file a complaint with your credit card company and ask for you money back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sun365 said:
I am in touch with Negri, they claim they will resolve it but are dragging their feet. Apparently I'm the only Negri customer with whom this has occurred .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not the only one :`(
Ok so im planning to buy a new T-Mobile galaxy note 2 from craigslist for $500 everything is in the box sealed. I'm worried about the situation were T-Mobile blocks your phone from their network if they just bought it with contract and didn't pay the cancelation fee. I was going to meet him up at T-Mobile but he has things to do so we are going to do the deal after T-Mobile store closes. Here's what he told me when I told him about this.
Him : The note 2 was purchased under my account, I have sold 3 other note 2s without any issues or complaints and I bought it for 750.
Also he said
Well my account is active and im using a tmobile phone so I dont know what to tell you, you can buy the phone or not its ur choice
What's your guys input on this ? I would wait but I need a phone today asap and his is the only one I could find
Thanks
Jaimesco12 said:
Ok so im planning to buy a new T-Mobile galaxy note 2 from craigslist for $500 everything is in the box sealed. I'm worried about the situation were T-Mobile blocks your phone from their network if they just bought it with contract and didn't pay the cancelation fee. I was going to meet him up at T-Mobile but he has things to do so we are going to do the deal after T-Mobile store closes. Here's what he told me when I told him about this.
Him : The note 2 was purchased under my account, I have sold 3 other note 2s without any issues or complaints and I bought it for 750.
Also he said
Well my account is active and im using a tmobile phone so I dont know what to tell you, you can buy the phone or not its ur choice
What's your guys input on this ? I would wait but I need a phone today asap and his is the only one I could find
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if he bought it for $750 why would he sell it for $500? the only way it makes sense is if he got a deal on the phone or got it as a gift and is flipping it for a profit
i live in NY and on CL the Tmo version is going from $600-650....$500 is quite cheap
if you ABSOLUTELY NEED a phone today as you claim you do...you're better off buying one that is closer to the average asking price
advise for anyone using CL...if it sounds to good to be true..it probably is
jdiddy_ub said:
if he bought it for $750 why would he sell it for $500? the only way it makes sense is if he got a deal on the phone or got it as a gift and is flipping it for a profit
i live in NY and on CL the Tmo version is going from $600-650....$500 is quite cheap
if you ABSOLUTELY NEED a phone today as you claim you do...you're better off buying one that is closer to the average asking price
advise for anyone using CL...if it sounds to good to be true..it probably is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really ? Most notes on craigslist are 500-600 in Vegas
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
And is there a way to check the imei myself?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Jaimesco12 said:
Really ? Most notes on craigslist are 500-600 in Vegas
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
considering the current retail price is $699.99...i dont see the logic of selling it for $500 when you can easily get $100 more
but yeah..i just re-checked CL and they are going for at least $600 with only 1 post that is $550 but the phone is not mint thats why
if they are all going for 500-600 in your area then it shouldnt be hard to find another person that sounds more legit that is also selling it for 500
---------- Post added at 09:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------
Jaimesco12 said:
And is there a way to check the imei myself?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are a bunch of sites that claim to check it..idk how legit they are..just google "imei checker"
or maybe even call tmobile directly and ask..although i feel like i did that once and they didnt offer any help
tmobile phones are rarely blacklisted if ever..are you concerned that it has already been blacklisted or that it WILL be blacklisted sometime down the line...if your speaking in the present just pop your sim in there..if it works, your ok..for now..
if you are gonna buy from this guy, ask him if hes driving to meet you...if he is just copy down or memorize his license plate without him knowing
jdiddy_ub said:
considering the current retail price is $699.99...i dont see the logic of selling it for $500 when you can easily get $100 more
but yeah..i just re-checked CL and they are going for at least $600 with only 1 post that is $550 but the phone is not mint thats why
if they are all going for 500-600 in your area then it shouldnt be hard to find another person that sounds more legit that is also selling it for 500
---------- Post added at 09:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------
there are a bunch of sites that claim to check it..idk how legit they are..just google "imei checker"
or maybe even call tmobile directly and ask..although i feel like i did that once and they didnt offer any help
tmobile phones are rarely blacklisted..are you concerned that it has already been blacklisted or that it WILL be blacklisted sometime down the line...if your speaking in the present just pop your sim in there..if it works, your ok..for now..
if you are gonna buy from this guy, ask him if hes driving to meet you...if he is just copy down or memorize his license plate without him knowing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was planning to call T-Mobile since he will give me the imei number but T-Mobile can't check it ??? And I'm concerned of it being blacklisted down the road because I can just pop my sim in and if it works its good but what if next month it doesn't?
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Jaimesco12 said:
I was planning to call T-Mobile since he will give me the imei number but T-Mobile can't check it ??? And I'm concerned of it being blacklisted down the road because I can just pop my sim in and if it works its good but what if next month it doesn't?
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to be honest with you i dont think tmobile cares about blacklisting stolen phones...my guess is that employees dont even have that info to look up
if you are just looking to pop your sim in and use it you are most likely gonna be fine..if you are planning on unlocking it or using it internationally then you might encounter an issue if that phone was indeed stolen and reported
the only way to protect yourself is to look for deals that you truly believe are legit...trust your gut..sounds like your gut is telling you no...if you really believed that this guy was legit you wouldnt have posted this question
also..i have been on both ends of selling a phone on CL...ive sold and bought..whenever i buy a new phone my old phone immediately goes on CL..as a legit seller i have no issues answering people's questions...the guy you mentioned sounded very blunt and quick...if you are making a legit sale you would understand that people dont just hand over $500 no questions asked...ive also dealt with sellers that are like that and i just look for someone else
jdiddy_ub said:
to be honest with you i dont think tmobile cares about blacklisting stolen phones...my guess is that employees dont even have that info to look up
if you are just looking to pop your sim in and use it you are most likely gonna be fine..if you are planning on unlocking it or using it internationally then you might encounter an issue if that phone was indeed stolen and reported
the only way to protect yourself is to look for deals that you truly believe are legit...trust your gut..sounds like your gut is telling you no...if you really believed that this guy was legit you wouldnt have posted this question
also..i have been on both ends of selling a phone on CL...ive sold and bought..whenever i buy a new phone my old phone immediately goes on CL..as a legit seller i have no issues answering people's questions...the guy you mentioned sounded very blunt and quick...if you are making a legit sale you would understand that people dont just hand over $500 no questions asked...ive also dealt with sellers that are like that and i just look for someone else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He says he couldn't go because he has a boxing event lol? My gut tells me no at any price because I'm uncompletly sure it wouldn't matter if it was 600 I ask myself what if lol
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Jaimesco12 said:
He says he couldn't go because he has a boxing event lol? My gut tells me no at any price because I'm uncompletly sure it wouldn't matter if it was 600 I ask myself what if lol
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why did you mention the thing about someone buying the phone and not paying the cancellation fee? is that what you believe he is doing or did you just make that up out of paranoia?
i believe you can tell if a CL posting is real based on the way they write...also always ask the seller if he has a receipt
like i mentioned..most guys that are legit will answer questions
1. where did they get it from?
2. why are they selling?
do you have a link to the posting?
jdiddy_ub said:
why did you mention the thing about someone buying the phone and not paying the cancellation fee? is that what you believe he is doing or did you just make that up out of paranoia?
i believe you can tell if a CL posting is real based on the way they write...also always ask the seller if he has a receipt
like i mentioned..most guys that are legit will answer questions
1. where did they get it from?
2. why are they selling?
do you have a link to the posting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He got it from tmobile http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/3390448521.html and Im just asking what if lol
Sent from my LG-LG855 using xda app-developers app
I know there have been issues over in the gs3 forum where someone buys a s3 off craigslist and a couple months later the phone no longer works. What ppl are doing is buying the phone with a value plan pay the upfront of 129.99 or 199 or whatever it is and then the rest of the cost is broken up over the course of 20 months. Well they sell the phone and stop paying the installment payments and that causes the phone to get blacklisted.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Jaimesco12 said:
He got it from tmobile http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/3390448521.html and Im just asking what if lol
Sent from my LG-LG855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
id just ask him if he has a receipt...open the box in front of him and pop your sim in to test it
like i said..tmobile rarely if ever blacklists a phone..at the end of the day its your choice..no one can tell you whether or not its safe...no one knows..good luck
Are you still on contract and that is why you need to buy the device "full" price? Are you wanting to use the device for the prepaid plan? Are you trying to keep your old plan?
Why not just go for a contract? This way you don't have to pay so much for this device. And you will know that the device is legit.
Just call t-mobile and give them the IMEI and see if the phone is blacklisted. Worked for our second Note 2, and it's running on solavei with zero problems.
Figured I'd post here, but does anyone know if phones outside of the Equipment Installment Plan get blacklisted? I'm shopping for a Note 2 right now and want to make sure phones purchased off-contract or on-contract but not in EIP won't get blacklisted.
The 2-months-to-blacklist thing is outside of PayPal/eBay buyer protection but just within normal credit card protections but I want to be as safe as possible.
There is no clear cut answer as of yet. Supposedly they should have already start blacklisting the phones that are reported stolen. AT&T have already started the program.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Jaimesco12 said:
Ok so im planning to buy a new T-Mobile galaxy note 2 from craigslist for $500 everything is in the box sealed. I'm worried about the situation were T-Mobile blocks your phone from their network if they just bought it with contract and didn't pay the cancelation fee. I was going to meet him up at T-Mobile but he has things to do so we are going to do the deal after T-Mobile store closes. Here's what he told me when I told him about this.
Him : The note 2 was purchased under my account, I have sold 3 other note 2s without any issues or complaints and I bought it for 750.
Also he said
Well my account is active and im using a tmobile phone so I dont know what to tell you, you can buy the phone or not its ur choice
What's your guys input on this ? I would wait but I need a phone today asap and his is the only one I could find
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The condition is whether the previous user paid off the phone or not. I had to pay S3 in full (remaining balance) at once before selling it.
Thought it was worth a shot to post this here guys. I hope someone can help? Thank you in advance for reading!
Hello friends,
I got scammed on CL, bought a bad IMEI Tmo GS3 :'(!!! The seller swore it was legit, but alas it wasn't !!
Question is... is there ANY carrier or plan or method I could use to use this phone AT ALL? Or am I now an owner of a VERY Expensive paperweight !!?
So many people buying EXPENSIVE bad IMEI phones on Ebay!! There's gotta be a way to use these somewhere, right??
Thanks for all your help in advance!!
Send it to mobile tech videos and request the imei fix.
Sent from my SGH-T999
---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------
And read my lips "never ever buy a phone off Cl". The y sell it to you and let you use it for two weeks or something then they file an insurance claim and then your device is dookie.
Sent from my SGH-T999
ProFragger said:
Thought it was worth a shot to post this here guys. I hope someone can help? Thank you in advance for reading!
Hello friends,
I got scammed on CL, bought a bad IMEI Tmo GS3 :'(!!! The seller swore it was legit, but alas it wasn't !!
Question is... is there ANY carrier or plan or method I could use to use this phone AT ALL? Or am I now an owner of a VERY Expensive paperweight !!?
So many people buying EXPENSIVE bad IMEI phones on Ebay!! There's gotta be a way to use these somewhere, right??
Thanks for all your help in advance!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why dint you test it before you buy it? you just hand someone the cash and run with it?
nothing wrong with buying on CL as long as you test it.
explain a bad IMEI, like reported to T-Mobile that it was stolen so it is blacklisted? or, it has a 0 in it now and will only connect to edge?
The ppl on Cl plan this, they give you the phone working proper and then when you get comfortable they file an insurance claim and blacklist the phone
Sent from my SGH-T999
not all dude. I sell things on Craigslist A LOT and buy just as much, you just have to be smart and be able to read a post with common sense. Do not turn this into a Craigslist thread.
mt3g said:
not all dude. I sell things on Craigslist A LOT and buy just as much, you just have to be smart and be able to read a post with common sense. Do not turn this into a Craigslist thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive also neverbhad problems eother. If it sounds too good to be true then itb is. Ask lots of questions. And have common sense.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Sell it to me for cheap
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whatsitsnamenow said:
Sell it to me for cheap
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No selling or buying stuff on xda.
Also, never buy something on craigslist unless you know what your buying and the condition of the item. I would have had the person meet me up at a T-Mobile retail store to make sure the imei was good before buying the phone.
|When Emotion Goes Up, Logic Goes Down|
|Even If You Fall On You're Face, You're Still Moving Forward|
707BeastMode707 said:
No selling or buying stuff on xda.
Also, never buy something on craigslist unless you know what your buying and the condition of the item. I would have had the person meet me up at a T-Mobile retail store to make sure the imei was good before buying the phone.
|When Emotion Goes Up, Logic Goes Down|
|Even If You Fall On You're Face, You're Still Moving Forward|
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Click to collapse
I work at a Tmobile store. We CAN check IMEI in our system to make sure it is not blocked... Very very easy. That won't help you though cause they can file an insurance claim within 30 days of selling you the phone... Then your imei gets blocked. What you need to do is also have whatever rep your working with put a memo on your account that you are buying the phone and the imei is clear. That way if the seller does make a claim.. You are covered and the manager of that store can unblock it for you. ( simply going through this process will scare away anyone who is trying to scam you though.. So basically if they refuse to go through this process then its safe to assume its because they are trying to scam you )
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
An IMEI fix won't help because nothing is changed with the IMEI on the device itself and there is nothing to be fixed.
The IMEI would need to be changed or faked to another one and that is illegal I believe.
Having the device report a different unlocked IMEI would be the only way to get it working on t-mobile again.
I would suggest buying a unlock code from a online provider and then selling it unlocked for use on a different network.
Good rule of thumb for me is to tell the seller you want to meet at the T-Mobile store or whatever provider the phone is with.
If they are willing to meet its probably legit but if they say no or don't meet its probably because they are trying to scam you.
When you start meeting people in parking lots or back allies don't be surprised when you get robbed or in your case buy a stolen phone.
Hell I've called T-Mobile and Verizon just to verify the imei was good, it don't take much effort.
Sorry about your luck. We live and we learn.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Sell it for parts.
The blacklists are becoming cross-carrier and even international - so it's only a matter of time before it stops working no matter what you try.
Sent u a pm , might. Be helpful lemme know
Quick question, if I buy a tmo gs3 with a bad imei, can I unlock it and use on att?
Will thank helpful answers!
durps said:
Quick question, if I buy a tmo gs3 with a bad imei, can I unlock it and use on att?
Will thank helpful answers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. Att and Tmobile share database now for blocked imei
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Oh ok, so what can you use it on? International carriers?
Thanks for tge reply
International carriers or cricket
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As another poster mentioned, sell it for parts.
I buy working bad IMEI units for parts all the time where i work. WE tear them down and use them for customer repairs. You probably wont re-coup all of your money on that transaction but you will recoup some of it..
Hey all I am about to buy a new sealed note II off swappa or ebay, and I am wondering what is the best way to protect against bad imei issues.
I know retail is the only sure fire way, but I'd like to save a few $100, off what t-mobile charges if possible.
I've heard horror stories of phones getting blocked 30days after a sale, even when the imei was confirmed clean on the phone upon initial sale. And then having to deal with PayPal protection
Any better way to make sure this doesn't happen, or is it just luck of the draw?
Amd4life said:
Hey all I am about to buy a new sealed note II off swappa or ebay, and I am wondering what is the best way to protect against bad imei issues.
I know retail is the only sure fire way, but I'd like to save a few $100, off what t-mobile charges if possible.
I've heard horror stories of phones getting blocked 30days after a sale, even when the imei was confirmed clean on the phone upon initial sale. And then having to deal with PayPal protection
Any better way to make sure this doesn't happen, or is it just luck of the draw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tell the seller to read the imei off the sticker or receipt. should be a label or something on the outside of the box. call the carrier to see if the imei is clean.
Re: Protection against bad in either with t-mobile phones?
Some don't go bad until months. The original owner decides 2 or 3 months down the road he or she doesn't want to make any more payments on the phone (EIP). Better make sure the phone is not on any payment plans.
Or they could still report phone lost or stolen 45 days later.
There really isn't much protection for buyers.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Re: Protection against bad in either with t-mobile phones?
I bought from a seller off ebay cellstoreusa for $620 free shipping. Also check my other reply on xda about how to check imei numbers, the info came from a tmobile rep.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
I found my reply for you.
I just bought one off ebay from a individual that sells new phones for $620 and no tax free shipping. In the past you could buy off a phone off Craigslist and have no problem. That's what I was about to do til I heard how easy someone can sell a phone and then in a day or two, file claim that it was stolen to get another phone. That phone will work, till they blacklist the imei. I talked to a sales rep about that situation and one option is to get the imei number from the seller before u buy it, and call Tmobile to check it.Then as soon as you buy the phone register the phone in your name. The rep said it take less than 5min if they're not busy and can be done on the phone. If a seller can't give you the imei number to check don't buy it. I had a seller off Craigslist not finished the sale cause I wanted to check the imei number.
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Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Re: Protection against bad in either with t-mobile phones?
If you're on a monthly plan keep calling 611 and telling then you don't want to pay full price. I ended up getting mine for $300 and I wasn't even due for an early upgrade I was only with T-Mobile for 10 months.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
I must have bought 10 phones off Craigslist and 2 or 3 from Ebay. Never had an issue with a bad esn/meid/imei. I hear horror stories but never had a bad experience.
Now selling on Craigslist a different story, it's always an adventure. You post pictures and people text/call/email asking for pics. Tell them the price is firm and the first response will be will you accept half. Don't put firm in the price and only come down $25 and they ***** saying I should have put firm in the ad. My favorite, do you want to trade for anything on this list, it's a huge list of all old and worthless crap. Not to mention the no shows and the priests that want to make payments.
Re: Protection against bad in either with t-mobile phones?
Lol, that's funny as hell, I sell a lot on Craigslist, I'm running into the same problems. I told one buyer the price, he wanted it cheaper, so I lowered it more. When we met up he said he was short $20. Lol, i politely told him to take out his sim card out the phone and I left. Now I'm selling on ebay and getting more then I expect, I just sold my note n7000 for $371, I thought the most would be $250.
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Jack143 said:
I bought from a seller off ebay cellstoreusa for $620 free shipping. Also check my other reply on xda about how to check imei numbers, the info came from a tmobile rep.
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---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
I found my reply for you.
I just bought one off ebay from a individual that sells new phones for $620 and no tax free shipping. In the past you could buy off a phone off Craigslist and have no problem. That's what I was about to do til I heard how easy someone can sell a phone and then in a day or two, file claim that it was stolen to get another phone. That phone will work, till they blacklist the imei. I talked to a sales rep about that situation and one option is to get the imei number from the seller before u buy it, and call Tmobile to check it.Then as soon as you buy the phone register the phone in your name. The rep said it take less than 5min if they're not busy and can be done on the phone. If a seller can't give you the imei number to check don't buy it. I had a seller off Craigslist not finished the sale cause I wanted to check the imei number.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great advice on the timing of changing the imei ownership, never thought of that, I will do just that, thanks everyone
Re: Protection against bad in either with t-mobile phones?
T mobile rep here. The sad thing about this IMEI thing is buyers have no control over this. A customer can call T - Mobile years from now just to block an IMEI they have on file just because. It sucks, I know. Best interest these days to buy from people you know or with good ratings. Nothing less than.
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XCrazedxPyroX said:
T mobile rep here. The sad thing about this IMEI thing is buyers have no control over this. A customer can call T - Mobile years from now just to block an IMEI they have on file just because. It sucks, I know. Best interest these days to buy from people you know or with good ratings. Nothing less than.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't elaborate, you can't just can't and block a phone cause you can. Phone has to be reported stolen/lost and had to be a phone that was used within the past 30 days. Also if the phone was set up on a payment plan, and the customer cancels the account, if the phone isn't paid off, the IMEI will be blocked and only the original customer who bought it can unblock it once they submit proof that they fully paid the phone off to T-Mobile.
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gedster314 said:
I must have bought 10 phones off Craigslist and 2 or 3 from Ebay. Never had an issue with a bad esn/meid/imei. I hear horror stories but never had a bad experience.
Now selling on Craigslist a different story, it's always an adventure. You post pictures and people text/call/email asking for pics. Tell them the price is firm and the first response will be will you accept half. Don't put firm in the price and only come down $25 and they ***** saying I should have put firm in the ad. My favorite, do you want to trade for anything on this list, it's a huge list of all old and worthless crap. Not to mention the no shows and the priests that want to make payments.
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now this was rich! Lol so true and funny
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My My question is, I bought mine off craigslist a couple months ago, no problems at all. Did crack my screen so got a new phone through insurance. Obviously a different imei now so I shouldn't have any problems right? Say, if someone tried to blacklist the old phone, would that come back to me still?
deviusdragger said:
You didn't elaborate, you can't just can't and block a phone cause you can. Phone has to be reported stolen/lost and had to be a phone that was used within the past 30 days. Also if the phone was set up on a payment plan, and the customer cancels the account, if the phone isn't paid off, the IMEI will be blocked and only the original customer who bought it can unblock it once they submit proof that they fully paid the phone off to T-Mobile.
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Click to collapse
Actually, he's technically right.
You are listing the procedures, but not every worker knows or follows them. Used to be you needed a police report. Now everything is all willy nilly.
I actually bought from Craigslist and according to a recent call to Tmo, this phone was reported stolen. I've got it on Straight Talk with an AT&T sim and its working fine for now. I have no way to get back to the seller...
Is there anything I might be able to do to get Tmo to un-blacklist the IMEI? Maybe activate it with them? Or do I just live with it and never know if its going to quit working?
Sent from my phablet.
LanceDiamond said:
I actually bought from Craigslist and according to a recent call to Tmo, this phone was reported stolen. I've got it on Straight Talk with an AT&T sim and its working fine for now. I have no way to get back to the seller...
Is there anything I might be able to do to get Tmo to un-blacklist the IMEI? Maybe activate it with them? Or do I just live with it and never know if its going to quit working?
Sent from my phablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read what I posted. With the nationwide program that tmo is now using to check imeis, the market for stolen phones will drop and the list of blocked Imeis will rise. There are no ways around to unblock a phone, NO MATTER WHAT! Only the original purchaser can unlock it once proof is submitted to T-Mobile that the debt for the phone was paid off. If the phone was lost and the original purchaser found it, he has to send it back to the insurance company. Imeis will not be unblocked for lost or stolen phones if an insurance claim was done on it.
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Thanks for the clarification or rather reiteration...
Why would the phone still be working? Is it that tmo & att aren't (yet) sharing blacklists? Or could it be that going through Straight Talk is whats saving me?
I hate that there is nothing to do about it but I guess I took my chances buying off craigslist without knowing to check the imei.
Sent from my phablet.
Last time i tried to see if there was anything a t-mobile rep could do for me i ended coming up short. As i was in the transaction of purchasing the phone, the t-mobile rep I called didn't mention ANYTHING about registering the IMEI under my account, all she said she could do was verify it wasn't blocked at the time and couldn't guarantee **** about the future. I got screwed for almost $500 the day after i bought the phone. It's up to you if you want to take the risk. =/
Jack143 said:
I bought from a seller off ebay cellstoreusa for $620 free shipping. Also check my other reply on xda about how to check imei numbers, the info came from a tmobile rep.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
I found my reply for you.
I just bought one off ebay from a individual that sells new phones for $620 and no tax free shipping. In the past you could buy off a phone off Craigslist and have no problem. That's what I was about to do til I heard how easy someone can sell a phone and then in a day or two, file claim that it was stolen to get another phone. That phone will work, till they blacklist the imei. I talked to a sales rep about that situation and one option is to get the imei number from the seller before u buy it, and call Tmobile to check it.Then as soon as you buy the phone register the phone in your name. The rep said it take less than 5min if they're not busy and can be done on the phone. If a seller can't give you the imei number to check don't buy it. I had a seller off Craigslist not finished the sale cause I wanted to check the imei number.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
arctic84 said:
Last time i tried to see if there was anything a t-mobile rep could do for me i ended coming up short. As i was in the transaction of purchasing the phone, the t-mobile rep I called didn't mention ANYTHING about registering the IMEI under my account, all she said she could do was verify it wasn't blocked at the time and couldn't guarantee **** about the future. I got screwed for almost $500 the day after i bought the phone. It's up to you if you want to take the risk. =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only relatively safe way is to have the person sign over the phone to you At tmobile. That way they can instantly switch the IMEI to you, and the other person can't go home and report it stolen.
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mrbkkt1 said:
Only relatively safe way is to have the person sign over the phone to you At tmobile. That way they can instantly switch the IMEI to you, and the other person can't go home and report it stolen.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk HD
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Click to collapse
Guess i'll give that a shot for next time, thanks.
Should I buy a note 3 off Craig's list or is it dangours. If its Eip I'm screw right?
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spodie said:
Should I buy a note 3 off Craig's list or is it dangours. If its Eip I'm screw right?
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Click to collapse
it is safe as long as you meet in a public place like a Starbucks or something.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk now Free
You run the risk of buying a stolen devices or from a person who has been delequent on payments. For this reason, I would personally not buy and always will never buy any cellphones from craigslist. I see too many horror stories. But if you insist on buying Id make sure to ask the right questions before you buy and test the device before paying
Sent from my SM-N900T
When I buy phone off Craig's I meet only at T-mobile store and have store clerks check with T-mobile Customer Service to make sure phone is paid off and not reported stolen, then I ask to notate my account that I am the owner of the phone now and it being paid for.
This way old owner has no legal right to claim it stolen, since he is right there present with me along with store of other witnesses.
djpaul said:
When I buy phone off Craig's I meet only at T-mobile store and have store clerks check with T-mobile Customer Service to make sure phone is paid off and not reported stolen, then I ask to notate my account that I am the owner of the phone now and it being paid for.
This way old owner has no legal right to claim it stolen, since he is right there present with me along with store of other witnesses.
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Click to collapse
Never thought of doing it that away. Smart
Just sold my Note 2 on Craigslist. Went very smooth. Nice young lady. Even made a little extra cash unlocking it for her.
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Bought my note 3 on Craigslist. Easy transaction at a local Starbucks.
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No because even if you go to t mobile the phone is legit the person can later say the phone is stolen n then your phone is messed up
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atlprettygirl2145 said:
No because even if you go to t mobile the phone is legit the person can later say the phone is stolen n then your phone is messed up
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Click to collapse
Not If the imei is transferred to a different account. Also, if this is a concern you can get a signed sales record.
Plus AFAIK, they don't blacklist stolen phones anyway. There's been some pressure from government officials to make this happen. But I don't think there's been anything yet.
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Why not I bought one for 350 and I'm typing on it now lol
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I bought one for 550 and this Tuesday my service went out, when I called they told me my phone was reported lost. I just told the guy, I have it right here. And he unblocked it.
TRUE STORY:
I bought a phone from CL, met at a TMobile location, ask them to transfer the IMEI to my line. so far so good??
No... I used the phone for a few month and one morning, no more network. I try my ATT SIM and it works. I call TMobile, they tell me I need to change the SIM what I do, still nothing. I send the phone to Samsung, they dont see any issue.
Call back to TMo, they tell me the phone was declared stolen and there is NOTHING I can do because I am not the original buyer!! a complete RIP-OFF.
The worst is that they wont take any responsability
At least ATT transfer the number to your account as long as you have the info of the previous owner so the phone really belongs to you while TMobile just say there is nothing they can do.
I first believe this blacklist system would be a great thing to avoid stolen phones, but the way it is implemented is so wrong that the only looser is the guy at the end of the food chain.
If you buy from CL, ALWAYS ask for the original receipt!!!! if they dont have it, it is fishy! and if you can have a bill of sale
CarpeNoctem said:
TRUE STORY:
I bought a phone from CL, met at a TMobile location, ask them to transfer the IMEI to my line. so far so good??
No... I used the phone for a few month and one morning, no more network. I try my ATT SIM and it works. I call TMobile, they tell me I need to change the SIM what I do, still nothing. I send the phone to Samsung, they dont see any issue.
Call back to TMo, they tell me the phone was declared stolen and there is NOTHING I can do because I am not the original buyer!! a complete RIP-OFF.
The worst is that they wont take any responsability
At least ATT transfer the number to your account as long as you have the info of the previous owner so the phone really belongs to you while TMobile just say there is nothing they can do.
I first believe this blacklist system would be a great thing to avoid stolen phones, but the way it is implemented is so wrong that the only looser is the guy at the end of the food chain.
If you buy from CL, ALWAYS ask for the original receipt!!!! if they dont have it, it is fishy! and if you can have a bill of sale
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like some folks are claiming insurance fraud then selling the phones then the IMEI becomes black listed - very bad ethically and morally.
I personally have sold a few of my old iphones and more recently Galaxy S4 with no paperwork. The person checks it out it works give me cash and then bye bye. I try and prevent giving them my receipts or documents as they contain personal information on them. However I would show them it if asked.
Just curious why would some people sell their note 3 craigs list and not return it under the 14 days? Perhaps they have an upgrade and want to cash it out for a profit?
rg1973 said:
Why not I bought one for 350 and I'm typing on it now lol
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Click to collapse
350 for a note 3? that is crazy cheap. Must have purchased it under contract or something
Limeybastard said:
Seems like some folks are claiming insurance fraud then selling the phones then the IMEI becomes black listed - very bad ethically and morally.
I personally have sold a few of my old iphones and more recently Galaxy S4 with no paperwork. The person checks it out it works give me cash and then bye bye. I try and prevent giving them my receipts or documents as they contain personal information on them. However I would show them it if asked.
Just curious why would some people sell their note 3 craigs list and not return it under the 14 days? Perhaps they have an upgrade and want to cash it out for a profit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, they sell it for cash, but that doesn't make sense at all with T-Mobile now. Since you end up paying $700 for a phone. There is no point in selling it for $500 on craigslist unless you plan to commit fraud or whatever. Now, if it's contract like the other carriers, it makes sense and you can make a little bit of money.
All I can say is meet at the T-Mobile store and verify the phone is paid off. Then if possible (not sure if they would allow this) ask a T-Mo rep to make a note on the seller's account that the phone is being sold to your account and vice versa on your account. If the seller is okay with this, then it should give you a hint that he's a somewhat honest person, but anything can still happen. I say just buy the phone from T-Mobile, authorized retailer, or Newegg/Amazon.
DKYang said:
Yeah, they sell it for cash, but that doesn't make sense at all with T-Mobile now. Since you end up paying $700 for a phone. There is no point in selling it for $500 on craigslist unless you plan to commit fraud or whatever. Now, if it's contract like the other carriers, it makes sense and you can make a little bit of money.
All I can say is meet at the T-Mobile store and verify the phone is paid off. Then if possible (not sure if they would allow this) ask a T-Mo rep to make a note on the seller's account that the phone is being sold to your account and vice versa on your account. If the seller is okay with this, then it should give you a hint that he's a somewhat honest person, but anything can still happen. I say just buy the phone from T-Mobile, authorized retailer, or Newegg/Amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good points raised. I was going to return mine and get a craigs list used T mobile version, but it ain't worth the 200 dollar or less saving for me. Like you mentioned why would they sell the t mobile one when they can get their money back from store minus 50 perhaps.
Bought mine for 600 yesterday it was still sealed I love this phone so much!
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
You have to take precautions.
Have something in writing when buying or selling. Include the serial number and IMEI number then both sign it.
I have sold and bought a handful of phones with no problems. Yes I do consider myself lucky because stuff does happen.
Avoid PayPal and high check amount transactions. They are scams.
phones
I didn't know tmo had changed like this... I thought you could just pop in a sim card and be done... so now there like sprint and verizon with a id per phone?
Ya, I've seen several times, someone pays the initial down payment on a phone (or 0 down), sells the phone for full price, then defaults on the payment. The buyer usually doesn't find out for 3 months. Definitely meet at a store.
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