Will Samsung honor a trade-in on a rooted phone? - Samsung Galaxy S9 Questions & Answers

I have an S5 in near mint condition that I'm considering trading in to Samsung for an S9 or S9+. They'll give $200 on it according to their website. I would restore it to factory software before sending it in but the "custom" flag is permanently set (whatever you call it once it's been rooted). I wondered if anyone has sent in a previously rooted phone to Samsung and got the full trade-in value they offer. The reason I ask is because if they decide the trade-in is somehow not worthy they still get to keep it and only have to credit you $25.
Thanks for any info.

I know someone personally that did trade in a rooted phone with no problems. He did call and was told that as long as it was still running stock firmware it was fine. LOL, of course there is that little line in the trade-in agreement that says "at Samsung's disgression*. From what I've seen many times they seem to sit on the phone until your time is up and say sorry it's only worth 25 bucks. So apparently it's going to be a crap shoot no matter what you do. Good luck.

Tel864 said:
I know someone personally that did trade in a rooted phone with no problems. He did call and was told that as long as it was still running stock firmware it was fine. LOL, of course there is that little line in the trade-in agreement that says "at Samsung's disgression*. From what I've seen many times they seem to sit on the phone until your time is up and say sorry it's only worth 25 bucks. So apparently it's going to be a crap shoot no matter what you do. Good luck.
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Yeah I noticed that after searching Google on this matter. I don't think I'm gonna be willing to risk it. I would be furious and there wouldn't be a thing I could do about it after sending it in.

The last phone I sold was through Swappa. It took awhile but I did get what I wanted eventually. They tend to sell better there since you're selling to individuals and you get the money in PayPal before you ship. It wouldn't hurt and would cost nothing to give something like that a shot. I guarantee you'd get more than $25.

Related

[Q] AT&T Preorder Problems?

Thought I might ask here, am I the only person not able to order this phone? After two days, and hours on the phone, whenever I place my pre-order, I get a confirmation email...and then seconds later, I get a cancellation email. You can't pre-order this over the phone or in stores...is there some special number I don't know about, to call and get this issue resolved? I've literally had an AT&T service rep tell me that they will just continue to cancel my order, and I'm out of luck.
I've thought about trying with bestbuy, but I have unlimited data, and Bestbuy (online) doesn't give an option to upgrade to the unlimited LTE add on.
SchusterIX said:
Thought I might ask here, am I the only person not able to order this phone? After two days, and hours on the phone, whenever I place my pre-order, I get a confirmation email...and then seconds later, I get a cancellation email. You can't pre-order this over the phone or in stores...is there some special number I don't know about, to call and get this issue resolved? I've literally had an AT&T service rep tell me that they will just continue to cancel my order, and I'm out of luck.
I've thought about trying with bestbuy, but I have unlimited data, and Bestbuy (online) doesn't give an option to upgrade to the unlimited LTE add on.
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I had the same problem Oct 25, as I was ordering 2 Notes, one full price and one for my wife with 2 year renewal. I also spent an hour on the phone, ATT couldn't figure it out. I finally thouhgt I would order one at a time. First I ordered the full price Note and received a confirmation email, then I ordered my wife's with discount for the 2 year contracrt, again confirmation. This time, it worked, so both ordered and confirmed for 11/6 ship date. Now if you were ordering only one, no idea, but finally worked for me by ordering only one at a time.
nascar24usa said:
I had the same problem Oct 25, as I was ordering 2 Notes, one full price one for my wife with 2 year renewal. I also spent an hour on the phone, ATT couldn't figure it out. I finally thouhgt I would order one at a time. First I ordered the full price Note and received a confirmation email, then I ordered my wife's with discount for the 2 year contracrt, again confirmation. This time, it worked, so both ordered and confirmed for 11/6 ship date. Now if you were ordering only one, no idea, but finally worked for me by ordring only one at a time.
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Yeah, I'm only ordering one. And I'm not going to risk being charged 700 dollars, when I'm trying to upgrade at the discount price. I see a few other people have had the same problem, but there aren't any solutions posted. Unfortunately, ATT just says to wait and buy it in a store, which isn't an option for me. Long story short, it's a gift and the person buying it is half a country away. And it's bs that I'd have to wait even longer, due to their crappy system haha.
SchusterIX said:
Yeah, I'm only ordering one. And I'm not going to risk being charged 700 dollars, when I'm trying to upgrade at the discount price. I see a few other people have had the same problem, but there aren't any solutions posted. Unfortunately, ATT just says to wait and buy it in a store, which isn't an option for me. Long story short, it's a gift and the person buying it is half a country away. And it's bs that I'd have to wait even longer, due to their crappy system haha.
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Really makes no sense and I agree with you. Why did I have to split my order to get both, ATT didn't even know.
Good luck.
Having a lot of problems getting the phone as well. Tried to pre-order it online only to have it either give me an error, or give me a *$399* price instead of $299. On-the-phone reps had no clue, told me I could go to a store to preorder it. Store had no clue, said there's nothing in their system about it. "We won't sell out, just come in on the 9th and get it here." URGH. Such a giant waste of time.
Reps told me to come in as well. I asked if they thought there would be a line guy said usually not for samsung. I asked what time they opened he said 9 I said ill be here at 8.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
SchusterIX said:
I've thought about trying with bestbuy, but I have unlimited data, and Bestbuy (online) doesn't give an option to upgrade to the unlimited LTE add on.
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Stop believing dumb **** you hear on the internet. I work for BBY and there is almost nothing we can't do when compared to carrier stores. Unlimited data? Effing easy. Blows me away that people would still believe that BS
imitenotbecrazy said:
Stop believing dumb **** you hear on the internet. I work for BBY and there is almost nothing we can't do when compared to carrier stores. Unlimited data? Effing easy. Blows me away that people would still believe that BS
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ok. i going to upgrade to Note2 on line2 (my dad line) and use Note2 on my line 1. if i call ATT to cancel data on line 2, will best buy charge me penalty? or are you able to NOT add data on line 2? since i'm going to use Note2 on my line 1.
netnerd said:
ok. i going to upgrade to Note2 on line2 (my dad line) and use Note2 on my line 1. if i call ATT to cancel data on line 2, will best buy charge me penalty? or are you able to NOT add data on line 2? since i'm going to use Note2 on my line 1.
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You'd be doing whats called an alternate upgrade. Basically upgrading your dads line to the note 2 then putting his original phone back on his line and putting the equipment on your line (note 2) if his old phone did not need data before it won't add data. I do these at least once a day with no complications. It's incredibly easy and done more often than regular upgrades are. And you shouldn't have to call and cancel anything. Just have the associate doing the upgrade make sure and show you that your dads original equipment has been returned to his line.
I wish the employees at my lo Al vest buy could figure out how to do an alternate upgrade. I tried to do one last month on my wife's line and none of them could figure it out. I just took the phone to an att store after I left best buy to get it taken care of.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Featherbeard said:
Having a lot of problems getting the phone as well. Tried to pre-order it online only to have it either give me an error, or give me a *$399* price instead of $299. On-the-phone reps had no clue, told me I could go to a store to preorder it. Store had no clue, said there's nothing in their system about it. "We won't sell out, just come in on the 9th and get it here." URGH. Such a giant waste of time.
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You might have an incompatible rate plan code. Apparently I had an old rate plan with an old code that the instant savings discount didn't recognize. I got all of this info from someone on AT&T live chat. They told me to call Premier and tell them to update the code and that they'll know what I'm talking about. 5 minutes later I was able to get the $100 discount and my preorder was in.
imitenotbecrazy said:
Stop believing dumb **** you hear on the internet. I work for BBY and there is almost nothing we can't do when compared to carrier stores. Unlimited data? Effing easy. Blows me away that people would still believe that BS
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Dumb s? Really now...look at your own GD website. It doesn't give the option to upgrade to unlimited LTE, it just gives the option to not CHANGE anything. It does not clarify if that will upgrade to the unlimited LTE add on.
Look at your own site before *****ing. No wonder no one takes Best Buy seriously lol...
As for everyone else, I got a higher tier customer service, and they can't figure it out. It's basically FUBAR'd. In more detail, they said that the order isn't even making it through. That they, for some reason, don't believe I'm me. So I'll have to take care of it through a bit more complicated way.
Good luck for anyone else trying to order from ATT. I went on their forums, and I'm not the only one dealing with this hassle lol.
SchusterIX said:
Dumb s? Really now...look at your own GD website. It doesn't give the option to upgrade to unlimited LTE, it just gives the option to not CHANGE anything. It does not clarify if that will upgrade to the unlimited LTE add on.
Look at your own site before *****ing. No wonder no one takes Best Buy seriously lol...
As for everyone else, I got a higher tier customer service, and they can't figure it out. It's basically FUBAR'd. In more detail, they said that the order isn't even making it through. That they, for some reason, don't believe I'm me. So I'll have to take care of it through a bit more complicated way.
Good luck for anyone else trying to order from ATT. I went on their forums, and I'm not the only one dealing with this hassle lol.
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You're *****ing about our website not keeping your ****?? So a system that is based off of someone else's system (ATT in this case) didn't work correctly? Get off your lazy ass and go to a store. That way you can get it done correctly without having to deal with any operator error
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Comon now guys, let's keep it civil on on-topic.
My preorder on att's site was cancelled and now it instantly cancels when I try to reorder.:crying:
barry99705 said:
My preorder on att's site was cancelled and now it instantly cancels when I try to reorder.:crying:
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This pre-order has just been a nightmare. I couldn't even get to ordering it as the site just gave me an error. Customer service told me to do it at a store, store told me they don't even have it in their system to pre-order it. What's the point of a pre-order that doesn't work?
Featherbeard said:
This pre-order has just been a nightmare. I couldn't even get to ordering it as the site just gave me an error. Customer service told me to do it at a store, store told me they don't even have it in their system to pre-order it. What's the point of a pre-order that doesn't work?
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Heh, just got off the phone with support. We tried two different credit cards, both are empty not used very often, and it denied both then locked the account. She said I'd have to go to a store to show two forms of id to unlock the account. Yea, their system is ****ed up.
Preordering is a major waste of time. Yet another advantage of not being a iPhone user is not having to order early just to try and get it delivered day 1.
I can see certain situations where you might want to buy online and have it delivered to someone half a country away as a gift, but on the whole there is no incentive to do it.
The phones will be in stock unless their delivery didn't arrive on time. As great a phone as the Notes are, they are still in a fairly niche market. Not many people like the idea of this massive phone. People still freak out when they see me pull my phone out. My buddies will give me even more crap with the bigger screen when I get mine in a few days.
Best Buy handles everything very quickly. If you have a standalone Best Buy Mobile location near you, go there. My experience has always been better there, but that's just my experience. Less lines, less crowded.
Sent from the White Monolith
DeRock13 said:
Preordering is a major waste of time. Yet another advantage of not being a iPhone user is not having to order early just to try and get it delivered day 1.
I can see certain situations where you might want to buy online and have it delivered to someone half a country away as a gift, but on the whole there is no incentive to do it.
The phones will be in stock unless their delivery didn't arrive on time. As great a phone as the Notes are, they are still in a fairly niche market. Not many people like the idea of this massive phone. People still freak out when they see me pull my phone out. My buddies will give me even more crap with the bigger screen when I get mine in a few days.
Best Buy handles everything very quickly. If you have a standalone Best Buy Mobile location near you, go there. My experience has always been better there, but that's just my experience. Less lines, less crowded.
Sent from the White Monolith
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That reminds me. I need to call geek squad again. They've been double charging my card for my protection plan every other month or so. I think this will be call number 9 to get them to fix it, again... :silly: Started when my OG Droid's touch screen died, and verizon wouldn't do anything to help me out, so I ditched them and went back to at&t. Got the Dell Streak because the Atrix wasn't out yet. 29 days later the Atrix dropped, so I swapped over to that. They "canceled" the protection plan and started it up on the new phone, but the Streak plan is haunting my account. It just won't go away. The geeks at BB can't do anything, I always have to call their customer support.
barry99705 said:
My preorder on att's site was cancelled and now it instantly cancels when I try to reorder.:crying:
Click to expand...
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Same here and when I call to find out what is going on, I get read from some script because they have no idea why. I guess I'll just go on launch day and hopefully pick one up
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion(update in op)

Ok lets get this out of the way first. Yes my glass broke second day of owning, yes I was being careful and wasn't neglect on my part. Phone should have been able to survive a fall from less then 12" only landing on its back with out breaking glass.
Ok now that we got that taken care of here are my options.
1. Buy $30.00 glass attempt repair on my own. Question with this are if I mess up or something gets damaged could I still claim insurance(ie. will they know I have opened phone)
2. Att states they will replace for $199.99 but will likely be refurbished unit(which sucks). If I go this route will I need to flash back to stock and reset flash count or will they even check that. Rooted with custom recovery and att clean rom. Any one had experience with att insurance claim?
Local shops say its impossible to replace just the glass. Repair would be $425.00 so that is out.
Edit: I tried to call the walmart I purchased it from and got no answer. So I called another walmart and told her what happened. She said we are told we can't exchange phones that are damaged and you only get one exchange. So I thought I was screwed. She then said read your contract if it doesn't say anything about the condition of the phone or the number of times Walmart will have to replace phone. She kept emphasizing to read contract. Then said if I have any problems Call her back and she will call corporate. Sure enough contract states you can exchange phones in the 14 days nothing about condition or number of times. So following walmarts contract I got the note replaced. As of today if anything thing happens I have insurance. I also bought a temporary case till otterbox gets here.
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
I've dealt with att twice and it was agreeable. The second time I sent my note 1 in for the same issue (charging port failure) they sent me a brand new device. The truth is you don't always get a refurb, it's just kind of luck and how much product is on hand (so I was told by att cs).
If you try to fix the screen yourself and fail DON'T send it in for warranty... That's fraud and effects the prices for everyone else.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
Try searching next time. Here a few ppl have claimed to replaced only the glass but from experience on my s2 skyrocket its a pain in the a** and I ended up cracking the digitizer. If so tho ppl in this thread say to search for videos on youtube. Check it out.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2090892
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 running SkyNote3.2
jyazzie110 said:
Try searching next time. Here a few ppl have claimed to replaced only the glass but from experience on my s2 skyrocket its a pain in the a** and I ended up cracking the digitizer. If so tho ppl in this thread say to search for videos on youtube. Check it out.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2090892
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 running SkyNote3.2
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I did search, I'm not a newbie I wasn't asking about how to replace the glass or if it is possible i was asking for opinions of my next course of action. I have seen the threads and watched the videos.
The customer is always right...
Sorry about your shattered screen. that's rough. hope I can offer some insight on your warranty situation:
You have two angles of attack:
1. Go in with your tail tucked between your legs, and pray for the best possible outcome. If the outcome is less than optimal, follow step 2:
2. Argue pleasantly, until you're satisified.
That said, at&t is usually pretty good with succumbing to "motivated" customers. I've always tried, and with great sucess, gotten all of my replacements by contacting them through e-mail or phone (and a few times at the service centers). My own personal experience has lead me to believe, if you go in, they're more likely to scrutinize you, your credability and your story and stick you with the least desirable option. My brother-in-law is a very "motivated" customer, and has almost always been "satisifed" by at&t (that's what she said) (shattered screens, water submersion, etc).
And as far as relocking\returning to stock, again, IME, I've only had them check my device for root/BL tampering twice, and they simply checked to see if their was a stock recovery. And I think it was only because the kid was knowledgable enough to know how to check. Otherwise, I've always gotten the impression the sales person doesn't know how to check for evidence of a tampered device.
If Steps 1 and 2 fail, try droping the, ETF-bomb. "How much is my Early Termination Fee?" In my experience, they always come back with good news from their supervisor. YMMV. And just as an FYI, when I have dropped the ETF-bomb, I had legitmately wanted to end my service; I wasn't threatening.
Good luck and hope some of this was useful to you! like I said, YMMV.
PS. If you go into one service center and they give you your options, that doesn't stop you from leaving with your device and getting a "second opinion" from another, possibly more agreeable service center. And then if you care to, as a last resort, you can always try contacting them through e-mail\phone.
nespid said:
Sorry about your shattered screen. that's rough. hope I can offer some insight on your warranty situation:
You have two angles of attack:
1. Go in with your tail tucked between your legs, and pray for the best possible outcome. If the outcome is less than optimal, follow step 2:
2. Argue pleasantly, until you're satisified.
That said, at&t is usually pretty good with succumbing to "motivated" customers. I've always tried, and with great sucess, gotten all of my replacements by contacting them through e-mail or phone (and a few times at the service centers). My own personal experience has lead me to believe, if you go in, they're more likely to scrutinize you, your credability and your story and stick you with the least desirable option. My brother-in-law is a very "motivated" customer, and has almost always been "satisifed" by at&t (that's what she said) (shattered screens, water submersion, etc).
And as far as relocking\returning to stock, again, IME, I've only had them check my device for root/BL tampering twice, and they simply checked to see if their was a stock recovery. And I think it was only because the kid was knowledgable enough to know how to check. Otherwise, I've always gotten the impression the sales person doesn't know how to check for evidence of a tampered device.
If Steps 1 and 2 fail, try droping the, ETF-bomb. "How much is my Early Termination Fee?" In my experience, they always come back with good news from their supervisor. YMMV. And just as an FYI, when I have dropped the ETF-bomb, I had legitmately wanted to end my service; I wasn't threatening.
Good luck and hope some of this was useful to you! like I said, YMMV.
PS. If you go into one service center and they give you your options, that doesn't stop you from leaving with your device and getting a "second opinion" from another, possibly more agreeable service center. And then if you care to, as a last resort, you can always try contacting them through e-mail\phone.
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Good advice all the way around, all though not too sure about ETF because I'm still on my new contract 14 days. Not sure how they would take that. I also thought about see what Walmart would do since that is where the phone was purchased do to pricing. With the screen not sure how they would handle that can't find anything on the web about the return policy for store bought phones.
chrisryn said:
Good advice all the way around, all though not too sure about ETF because I'm still on my new contract 14 days. Not sure how they would take that. I also thought about see what Walmart would do since that is where the phone was purchased do to pricing. With the screen not sure how they would handle that can't find anything on the web about the return policy for store bought phones.
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Well then, you just opened up your options - try a bunch of different Wal-marts. One of them is bound to have a lackluster employee who doesn't care, and just wants to go back to doing nothing - find that guy\gal and bring home your new N2.
If there is no physical damage to the body of the phone, you have better support to your story that the screen was flawed. I would really fight that point, that the screen was flawed.
Honestly, they don't have a leg to stand on, if there is no physical evidence to the body of the phone that it was "accidental damage", and they're not going to call you a liar (at least not to your face). With all of this, keep in mind to "argue" as politely as possible, but be persistent. Wear them down and get to yes! Illegitimi non carborundum.
---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 PM ----------
And yeah, as far as the ETF-bomb, it may not help if you're only 14 days into your contract. I've been with at&t since 2002 and I have 3 lines, so, that may factor in on their decision with the ETF-bomb.
I was with att for ten years when they decided to move out my upgrade date out of now where claiming it was because of a data overage. I was out of contract ready for renewal the didn't give a S*** about me canceling. I went to Verizon and it was a nightmare had 4 gig limit and they where charging me overage at 3.5 gig. Fought with them for about 3 months before I was able to use breach in contract with a supervisor to get out with out a ETF. Now I'm back at ATT and had this happen.
Plan B
chrisryn said:
I was with att for ten years when they decided to move out my upgrade date out of now where claiming it was because of a data overage. I was out of contract ready for renewal the didn't give a S*** about me canceling. I went to Verizon and it was a nightmare had 4 gig limit and they where charging me overage at 3.5 gig. Fought with them for about 3 months before I was able to use breach in contract with a supervisor to get out with out a ETF. Now I'm back at ATT and had this happen.
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thaaaaat sucks.
Move out your upgrade date because of data overage? weird. that makes no sense to me.
Here's a possible option: it's $200 and you have to return your current device or, is it $200 for a new device and you keep your shattered device? If it's the latter, then possibly sell the current N2 as-is on eBay\craigslist and use that money to purchase replacement? I am inclined to believe it is probably $200 + returning current N2.
nespid said:
thaaaaat sucks.
Move out your upgrade date because of data overage? weird. that makes no sense to me.
Here's a possible option: it's $200 and you have to return your current device or, is it $200 for a new device and you keep your shattered device? If it's the latter, then possibly sell the current N2 as-is on eBay\craigslist and use that money to purchase replacement? I am inclined to believe it is probably $200 + returning current N2.
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The said thing about the overage was it was due to their lack luster dsl department getting our dsl turned on at the new house. Seemed that the old tenant had some cheap phone service and never turned it off. They wanted $800.00 to run new lines. So we where using phones as all internet for a month. I'm pretty sure that I will have to return device, once the other comes in. I'm going to try walmart first, then if that doesn't work see if I can talk the deductible down on the att insurance and hope its not a refurbished. I have had to many android and iphones(wife) that have been through three young boys with out damage and this one damages so easy. Either way new device will not be fully used till it is safe in a case then still treated like a baby.
Bonne chance!
chrisryn said:
The said thing about the overage was it was due to their lack luster dsl department getting our dsl turned on at the new house. Seemed that the old tenant had some cheap phone service and never turned it off. They wanted $800.00 to run new lines. So we where using phones as all internet for a month. I'm pretty sure that I will have to return device, once the other comes in. I'm going to try walmart first, then if that doesn't work see if I can talk the deductible down on the att insurance and hope its not a refurbished. I have had to many android and iphones(wife) that have been through three young boys with out damage and this one damages so easy. Either way new device will not be fully used till it is safe in a case then still treated like a baby.
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sounds good to me.
good luck and let me know what you worked out.
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
I didn't see this mentioned but I recommend getting the insurance protection from Best Buy. You can still get it even if you don't get the phone from Best Buy. You can pay one flat fee to cover the year or pay $7 a month.
They will replace your phone at no extra cost for physical or water damage.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
kiltedthrower said:
I didn't see this mentioned but I recommend getting the insurance protection from Best Buy. You can still get it even if you don't get the phone from Best Buy. You can pay one flat fee to cover the year or pay $7 a month.
They will replace your phone at no extra cost for physical or water damage.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
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Very much aware of that. Had it on my Galaxy nexus gave it to my mom she dropped it hard cracked the screen now she is waiting for her refurb to come in. They told me it was replaced at the store when I brought it in, with new unit. I have had to loan her my inspire while she waits 5-10 days for the other to come in. Not really satisfied with that plan either.
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
That's weird. I've had to have 3 devices replaced through best buy over the last couple of years. I've never had to wait more than 3 days. I Also like that you get a loaner phone till the replacement comes in.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
I asked for a loaner they said they don't do that.
Edit: Hoping my inspire doesn't suffer same fate.
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
I'm actually a manager at a best buy mobile.. We are supposed to supply loaners if we have them with a $50 deposit that you get back when your phone comes back in.. Some stores don't charge that even though they should.. For android devices the insurance is $9.99 a month or $169.99 for 2 years.. Everything is covered except lost or stolen.. Which we do have a free app called locked and found that will let you lock your phone out if it is lost or stolen. It will take pictures with the front facing camera and email them to you with a location.. The best part is there are unlimited claims and no deposit
cold21blooded said:
I'm actually a manager at a best buy mobile.. We are supposed to supply loaners if we have them with a $50 deposit that you get back when your phone comes back in.. Some stores don't charge that even though they should.. For android devices the insurance is $9.99 a month or $169.99 for 2 years.. Everything is covered except lost or stolen.. Which we do have a free app called locked and found that will let you lock your phone out if it is lost or stolen. It will take pictures with the front facing camera and email them to you with a location.. The best part is there are unlimited claims and no deposit
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They wouldn't even let me talk to a mobile associate had to talk to GEEK SQUAD, sometimes I wonder the requirements for Geek squad hiring, Guy didn't know anything. Nothing against Best Buy just had bad experience mobile wise here. Best buy is my favorite store, Been platinum reward member for 8 years now.
Re: [Q] Broken Glass, ATT insurance, matters of opinion
chrisryn said:
They wouldn't even let me talk to a mobile associate had to talk to GEEK SQUAD, sometimes I wonder the requirements for Geek squad hiring, Guy didn't know anything. Nothing against Best Buy just had bad experience mobile wise here. Best buy is my favorite store, Been platinum reward member for 8 years now.
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I get that a lot with complaints from the big box stores.. Next time try a best buy mobile store.. It's a more one on one experience and we usually know a little more
cold21blooded said:
I get that a lot with complaints from the big box stores.. Next time try a best buy mobile store.. It's a more one on one experience and we usually know a little more
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Click to collapse
I would but we don't have those here.
You should not be concerned AT ALL that you may get a refurbished phone. I've done it couple of times and the phone is always perfect brand new condition. It's not like it will have scuffs on it or non-working parts....not to worry.
Also don't need to reset your phone to stock...you're getting it replaced due to broken screen not complaints that it is not functioning.

Galaxy S4 from Craigslist - IMEI Blacklisted...options?

Hi All,
I searched and saw many threads about a similar problem, but my specific question is what can I do about this as far as getting rid of the phone? I learned my lesson the hard way - I dropped my HTC One and broke it a day before a business trip and I needed a phone. I am planning on switching to T-mobile in a month when my AT&T contract is up, so I decided to purchase a T-mobile variant of the Galaxy S4 on Craigslist. It was new, sealed, and cost $500 from what seemed like a somewhat reputable seller.
I got the phone and all was great. It was unlocked and worked perfectly with my AT&T SIM. I got home from the business trip, put in a T-mobile prepaid SIM card (so I could test the service at my house before switching) and got the dreaded "Not registered on network" error message when I tried to make a call. Sure enough, T-mobile said the IMEI had been blacklisted for "fraudulent activity." I believe the seller opened an account and then simply didn't pay the bill for the phone. I've bought quite a few used phones, but I learned my lesson this time. I even asked T-mobile if I could pay the remaining balance, or if they even wanted the phone back. I received a prompt "no" to each question. I asked if the phone was "stolen" and they said no as well - it was marked as fraudulent, but not lost of stolen. Whatever they want to call it, it don't work!
So my question is this (and sorry for the long-winded vent): can I sell this phone? I just want it gone. I look at it and I get angry and upset with myself for making this mistake. I know I will lose a ton of $$$, but I would rather sell it on eBay while FULLY disclosing the phone's history and let someone overseas use it or someone on AT&T use it. Am I violating any rules by doing this as long as I fully disclose everything I know? Also, if this is the wrong forum, I apologize. Thank you for any insight and to save you all the trouble - yes I screwed up and I'm an idiot. But, I'm not the thief here. I sure wish I could get a hole of the seller!
-Collin-
i had the same happen to me this weekend i bought a sealed s4 from cl i also payed 500$ it was for great for 3 weeks up until this weekend i wasn;t getting 4g data so i called tmobile and they told me that that they blocked the imei sue to the person deciding not to pay for the phone..i learned my lesson NEVER TO BUY any phones from Cl. i went to the store and paid retail price for a s4 and i have the receipt just in case tmobile comes back and try to screw me
CollinFX45 said:
Hi All,
I searched and saw many threads about a similar problem, but my specific question is what can I do about this as far as getting rid of the phone? I learned my lesson the hard way - I dropped my HTC One and broke it a day before a business trip and I needed a phone. I am planning on switching to T-mobile in a month when my AT&T contract is up, so I decided to purchase a T-mobile variant of the Galaxy S4 on Craigslist. It was new, sealed, and cost $500 from what seemed like a somewhat reputable seller.
I got the phone and all was great. It was unlocked and worked perfectly with my AT&T SIM. I got home from the business trip, put in a T-mobile prepaid SIM card (so I could test the service at my house before switching) and got the dreaded "Not registered on network" error message when I tried to make a call. Sure enough, T-mobile said the IMEI had been blacklisted for "fraudulent activity." I believe the seller opened an account and then simply didn't pay the bill for the phone. I've bought quite a few used phones, but I learned my lesson this time. I even asked T-mobile if I could pay the remaining balance, or if they even wanted the phone back. I received a prompt "no" to each question. I asked if the phone was "stolen" and they said no as well - it was marked as fraudulent, but not lost of stolen. Whatever they want to call it, it don't work!
So my question is this (and sorry for the long-winded vent): can I sell this phone? I just want it gone. I look at it and I get angry and upset with myself for making this mistake. I know I will lose a ton of $$$, but I would rather sell it on eBay while FULLY disclosing the phone's history and let someone overseas use it or someone on AT&T use it. Am I violating any rules by doing this as long as I fully disclose everything I know? Also, if this is the wrong forum, I apologize. Thank you for any insight and to save you all the trouble - yes I screwed up and I'm an idiot. But, I'm not the thief here. I sure wish I could get a hole of the seller!
-Collin-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Collin. I had a similar issue with an HTC one being blacklisted but thankfully I bought it from eBay and their buyers protection came into play and I got a full refund. Because blacklisting is a very effective way to lose a heck load of money, I now suggest not getting phones from craisgslist or actually meeting at a carrier store to check phone status before the purchase is made. I'd stick to buying on eBay or swappa..now my suggestion is selling the phone overseas where the blocked imei doesn't really work. That would be the best option for now and you'll lose money but because it is basically a relatively new phone, you should not loose too much. Hope this helps.
-piterson
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Thank you guys for the thoughts. It's terrible that this sort of thing happens and personally, I wouldn't risk jail for 500 bucks. Hell, I wouldn't risk jail for any amount of money. It just blows me away that these people do this.
I guess what I will likely do is list it on eBay internationally with a full disclosure. Thankfully, my HTC One repair is finally complete and the phone should be back in my hands any day now. But, it's the developer edition and doesn't work well on T-mobile, so I'm back to square one for a T-mobile phone!
Anyway, sorry that this happened to you guys as well. It's just not as simple as it used to be, is it. Though I guess blacklisting has been used for a while now.
-Collin-
i listed mine on ebay with full disclosure and its not looking good..so far i have 4 days left in the auction and 1 day has passed & no one bid on it yet lol your best bet to purchase a new phone is go straight through tmobile unless you want to risk swappa or ebay then a month later if they cancel or don;t pay for the phone for it to happen again ... i would n;t risk it
CollinFX45 said:
Thank you guys for the thoughts. It's terrible that this sort of thing happens and personally, I wouldn't risk jail for 500 bucks. Hell, I wouldn't risk jail for any amount of money. It just blows me away that these people do this.
I guess what I will likely do is list it on eBay internationally with a full disclosure. Thankfully, my HTC One repair is finally complete and the phone should be back in my hands any day now. But, it's the developer edition and doesn't work well on T-mobile, so I'm back to square one for a T-mobile phone!
Anyway, sorry that this happened to you guys as well. It's just not as simple as it used to be, is it. Though I guess blacklisting has been used for a while now.
-Collin-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Romcrazguy said:
i listed mine on ebay with full disclosure and its not looking good..so far i have 4 days left in the auction and 1 day has passed & no one bid on it yet lol your best bet to purchase a new phone is go straight through tmobile unless you want to risk swappa or ebay then a month later if they cancel or don;t pay for the phone for it to happen again ... i would n;t risk it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bummer. Did you list it internationally? I know you probably can't link to eBay, but can you give me the auction number? I want to watch and cheer you on
-Collin-
There are services on ebay that will change the IMEI for $50.
lancemoreland said:
There are services on ebay that will change the IMEI for $50.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate that information. Unfortunately from my limited research, I think this thread will get locked if we even go down that road since it is illegal. Argh.
-Collin-
Wow. that sucks so much. The worst I have experienced in craigslist is some guy tried to scam me out of an iPod touch that i found. I still remember the email. It said something along the lines of:
Can you please send this device to my son in Africa? I will pay you full price for the phone + $50 dollars of shipping!
I knew it was a fake because 1) the email they sent was a very random email. (like [email protected]) and 2) PHONE? it's not a phone. thats how i knew that he was scamming multiple people and just copying and pasting.
Oh craigslist is full of scammers and idiots.
Yeah that's what these scammers are doing, buy the phone on a payment plan and not make the payment. A lot of times unknowing buyers get the phone and it will work for a month till payment is due but not paid. I see great deals on CL but steer clear.
The best thing to do is unlocked the device and sell it Internationally via eBay. I have a GS3 in my possesion that my wife's little brother bought from CL and was later blacklisted since the person reported it stolen two hours later after he took the cash.
lancemoreland said:
There are services on ebay that will change the IMEI for $50.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is right it is illegal and if caught could face jail time.
Wayne Tech Nexus
i just got a s4 on ebay for 420 i call tmobile they told the imei is clean that dont worry about future non payment fraud or blacklisted the lady told me when i get the phone is going to be in my account so the owner will have to pay any remaining balance but they cannot block the phone idk know im worry
Whenever I buy something from craiglist I always ask for 2 valid ID and have them photocopy.
I'll buy it for parts. If interested inbox me. Thanks!
I had the same damn thing happen but with a Galaxy S2 a while back. What I had to do is buy a used motherboard from a cracked screen one on eBay. Spent way more on the phone than I intended but all I did was switch the motherboards and voila. Good as new.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Just sell try and sell it on Craigslist and ebay. Specify that it is blacklisted with tmobile but it ia unlocked so you can use it with att. Here's one and it's at almost 300 with 17h left on the auction
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=200948373767
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
elflip88 said:
Just sell try and sell it on Craigslist and ebay. Specify that it is blacklisted with tmobile but it ia unlocked so you can use it with att. Here's one and it's at almost 300 with 17h left on the auction
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=200948373767
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read not long ago that AT&T and T-Mobile started sharing IMEI blacklist. Not sure if the policy is in effect yet or not.
baseballfanz said:
I read not long ago that AT&T and T-Mobile started sharing IMEI blacklist. Not sure if the policy is in effect yet or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Op said he used it on att network so my guess is no
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
rona809 said:
i just got a s4 on ebay for 420 i call tmobile they told the imei is clean that dont worry about future non payment fraud or blacklisted the lady told me when i get the phone is going to be in my account so the owner will have to pay any remaining balance but they cannot block the phone idk know im worry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Walk away.

Hate to start a new thread but....

Well here it goes, I was lucky enough not to pre order this device and was able to walk into Bestbuy and purchase one. Of course the night that I got my phone or night after with my luck I was getting out of my truck and totally forgot the phone was on my lap and jumped out, it hit my step on my truck and then landed on the gravel. Ended up cracking of course I posted about it when it happened so I jumped through hoops and called Asurion and filed a claim. They sent me a brand new device which is awesome so I sent the other phone back and was fine, well literally a day or so after the recall was announced. Being that it was fresh no one really knew what was going on so I let it be. I have requested my money back from Asurion since technically I paid for a claim that was never needed since they would have swapped the phone anyway which didn't fly because they said they couldn't get my original device back to me, Bestbuy said I can't do anything even though the phones brand new because the IMEI numbers don't match and Verizon is pointing at Bestbuy and Samsung. Asurion has told me that I can't do anything besides wait until they get devices to ship me out another one. It's been over twenty days and they claim it is still on backorder which I don't understand because all carriers have gotten devices to swap everyone out with. At this point I have no idea what to do, I like the device and I just want my replacement but at the same time I think it's taking them a little too long. Just looking for any suggestions ( besides wait ) lol. While I don't think my device has any battery issues and is okay I still don't feel comfortable when I go to charge it every night.
Did you check the IMEI on Samsung's recall website? Or tried the Samsung + app which will tell you if it needs to be recalled? Not every device was affected.
raduque said:
Did you check the IMEI on Samsung's recall website? Or tried the Samsung + app which will tell you if it needs to be recalled? Not every device was affected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah mine falls under it and I got the beautiful notification that reminds me everytime I charge it too. Just been a nightmare lol
do you live near an official Samsung store? sounds like you have two options... deal with asurion or Samsung directly
Samsung has really been no help telling me to go to my carrier which tells me to go to asurion. They told me today they have no clue when they will have a device for me. They did offer a full refund but of course I have to jump through hoops. I have to pay the phone off in full with Verizon and send my receipt along with the phone back to asurion and I will get my money back in seven to ten days.
Talk to Verizon online and tell them to annotate your account for a swap. Walk into the store and explain them that what the online folks told you and say that your account has been annotated for a swap.
I did similar for mine as my replacement was having issues and Bestbuy would not take it back as they had none to give out. Initially I went between Samsung, Verizon and Bestbuy. Last resort, I called my credit card to help me out and they suggested to talk to the company to which the payments are being made. So I finally called verizon and walked them through the process (that Discover guys had explained me) and they then annotated my account.
My replacement was heating up and had terrible battery life.. Like 3 to 4 hours.. Charged it like 4-5 time.. Resetted it like 10 times.. Even filed a case with Samsung.. they wanted to send me the device for repair at my expense..
I can feel your pain Man.. dealing with all these nonsense. Just be persistant and things will fall in place..
Well surprisingly after yesterday's call to Asurion it must have either lit a fire under someone or it just happened that they received stock of them at 3am. I got a email saying they finally had some and to call, called this morning and it will be here sometime tomorrow. Scary part is I hope it's not a refurbished unit which I highly highly doubt but anything is possible. I was honestly getting impatient but at the same time, it was just frustrating not being able to get my replacement when it was available to everyone else. Like I said nothing is wrong with my device or i should say at least I don't think but there is always that what if factor and I don't like that. Especially now with there washer machines apparently catching fire too....

Can't get the phone into fastboot at all

Hello. trying to relock bootloader to return to bestbuy and for the life of me I cannot get the phone into fastboot with adb. I have USB Debugging on, the computer authorized through the phone, but fastboot devices doesn't do anything. I can't even flash a factory image. I can even get it to show up with adb devices but that's all I can do. I have all the drivers installed and am plugging into the back of the windows 10 computer and also tried two different cables. I'm not sure what to try next. I also cannot get it to go into fastboot with power and vol+. Phone works great otherwise. Nothing wrong with it.
You're typing adb reboot-bootloader? And that doesn't do anything?
Okay I'm an idiot. That was the problem. I was typing in fastboot devices. Still weird how the factory image wouldn't send it to bootloader.
spudsmac said:
Okay I'm an idiot. That was the problem. I was typing in fastboot devices. Still weird how the factory image wouldn't send it to bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you getting a replacement or simply returning? Curious because I think I might be taking mine back. To many issues. Part of me wants to get another one but if it comes with 7.1.1 and I can't unlock bootloader I'd return for good anyways and skip this phone.
aholeinthewor1d said:
Are you getting a replacement or simply returning? Curious because I think I might be taking mine back. To many issues. Part of me wants to get another one but if it comes with 7.1.1 and I can't unlock bootloader I'd return for good anyways and skip this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a new one from best buy last week for my wife. Hers came with the October build on it.
aholeinthewor1d said:
Are you getting a replacement or simply returning? Curious because I think I might be taking mine back. To many issues. Part of me wants to get another one but if it comes with 7.1.1 and I can't unlock bootloader I'd return for good anyways and skip this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to try to return because I don't like the locked bootloader and I also think the Pixel XL is too big. It's hard to use with one hand and I'm afraid I'm going to drop it. I'm on my Note 3 until my Pixel comes in from google, but I actually don't mind the Note 3 since the bootloader is now unlocked for Verizon. There's a lot of good roms out now. I don't know if I can step back to the Note 3 camera from the Pixel and 6P before....
toknitup420 said:
I just got a new one from best buy last week for my wife. Hers came with the October build on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't returned anything to best but before what did you tell them? Did you have to show them the issue? Reason I ask is because I was in there black Friday and the 2 people in the mobile department were very rude to the point where I got in an argument with them and had to talk to the manager. I just wanna at least try getting a new one before returning for good. Was there a restocking fee or anything
aholeinthewor1d said:
Haven't returned anything to best but before what did you tell them? Did you have to show them the issue? Reason I ask is because I was in there black Friday and the 2 people in the mobile department were very rude to the point where I got in an argument with them and had to talk to the manager. I just wanna at least try getting a new one before returning for good. Was there a restocking fee or anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm about to head there now. I'll update when I get back. I have a scuff on the phone so I hope they let me return.
spudsmac said:
I'm about to head there now. I'll update when I get back. I have a scuff on the phone so I hope they let me return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck! Keep me posted I'm gonna head there tomorrow. Not even sure if they have any in stock. I don't know if they are gonna make me show them the issues or tell me to call Google support first.. or if they will simply swap it out.
---------- Post added at 03:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 AM ----------
Crap I just realized I bought mine online..
aholeinthewor1d said:
Haven't returned anything to best but before what did you tell them? Did you have to show them the issue? Reason I ask is because I was in there black Friday and the 2 people in the mobile department were very rude to the point where I got in an argument with them and had to talk to the manager. I just wanna at least try getting a new one before returning for good. Was there a restocking fee or anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hers was a new one that I ordered. But I've returned phones to them a bunch of times with no issues. I replaced my wife's old 6p twice at best buy. They just gave me a new one off the shelf both times.
They would not return it because it was outside of the 14 day return policy. Their return policy with the holiday season is ambiguous but I'm stuck with it now. Maybe I'll try to sell on swappa and get a Pixel or go back to my Note 3.
aholeinthewor1d said:
Haven't returned anything to best but before what did you tell them? Did you have to show them the issue? Reason I ask is because I was in there black Friday and the 2 people in the mobile department were very rude to the point where I got in an argument with them and had to talk to the manager. I just wanna at least try getting a new one before returning for good. Was there a restocking fee or anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I managed to return it today. I brought in the return policy from online which shows off contract phones are under the holiday return policy. There might be a $35 restocking fee though. I had someone more competent today than last night.
spudsmac said:
So I managed to return it today. I brought in the return policy from online which shows off contract phones are under the holiday return policy. There might be a $35 restocking fee though. I had someone more competent today than last night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually got really lucky yesterday. I looked online and the only best buy that had them in stock was an hour and 10 minutes away from me. I called customer service to confirm. So then I wanted to talk to someone IN the actual store before driving there and confirm the return process and also make sure it was there. Figured out that if you call your local best buys number it's nearly impossible to get someone from that actual store and not customer service. I pretended to have a question for the Geek squad and once I got them on the line asked for the mobile department.
So I talked with them and confirmed they had it..told him what was happening with mine and he said it was no problem and he will set one aside for me. He mentioned something about "processing the return" so I wanted to clarify with him what was gonna happen. Best buys $10 a month deal is different than Verizon's. I was worried that if he processed my return and did the purchase from scratch that it might somehow mess this loop hole up and I'd be stuck with Verizon's 2 year bill credits. Thankfully this guy was familiar with EXACTLY what I was talking about. He said they don't know how it is different than Verizon's deal but said he is totally aware of it. So he said he would talk with someone about the exchange process and call me back. Over an hour later I had to call them again. He told me I had two options and he said the first option is something they aren't really supposed to do. He told me they would literally just swap them out and not process any kind of return/exchange with Verizon. He said the only downside to this would be if I ever wanted to trade the phone into Verizon I wouldn't be able to because the one on my DPP would be the original IMEI not the replacements' IMEI. Second option was to process a return and set it all up from scratch. He said we would then have to call Verizon to fix the pricing and get me the $10 deal and that it most likely would be with Verizon's bill credits though.
Naturally I jumped on the first option and told him I'd be right there. Then I asked if I HAD to activate the replacement there and he said "yea that's normally how they have to do it". I then explaied to him how I can't unlock the bootloader if it installs the software update during setup so I need to take the SIM out and skip the setup so I could unlock with my computer at home. Again he knew exactly what I was taking about and said he would ask the other guy again and call me back. 10 minutes later he called back and said "yea we can do that it won't be a problem" so I told him I'd head up there right then.
So I get there and it was as simple as handing him my box (they didn't even look it in).. he did some kind of magic on his computer.. as he was doing this I opened the new one..took out the SIM and skipped through the setup..enabled developer options and turned off automatic updates.. then he gave me a receipt and that was it!
What started out as a confusing nightmare because no stores had them in stock so I was worried about a replacement shipping with the new software.. ended up working out easier and better than I could have imagined.
I got so LUCKY that I dealt with the person I did at that Best Buy becasue the people at my best buy would have been clueless and not done anything like this for me.
Phone is already unlocked and updated now
aholeinthewor1d said:
I actually got really lucky yesterday. I looked online and the only best buy that had them in stock was an hour and 10 minutes away from me. I called customer service to confirm. So then I wanted to talk to someone IN the actual store before driving there and confirm the return process and also make sure it was there. Figured out that if you call your local best buys number it's nearly impossible to get someone from that actual store and not customer service. I pretended to have a question for the Geek squad and once I got them on the line asked for the mobile department.
So I talked with them and confirmed they had it..told him what was happening with mine and he said it was no problem and he will set one aside for me. He mentioned something about "processing the return" so I wanted to clarify with him what was gonna happen. Best buys $10 a month deal is different than Verizon's. I was worried that if he processed my return and did the purchase from scratch that it might somehow mess this loop hole up and I'd be stuck with Verizon's 2 year bill credits. Thankfully this guy was familiar with EXACTLY what I was talking about. He said they don't know how it is different than Verizon's deal but said he is totally aware of it. So he said he would talk with someone about the exchange process and call me back. Over an hour later I had to call them again. He told me I had two options and he said the first option is something they aren't really supposed to do. He told me they would literally just swap them out and not process any kind of return/exchange with Verizon. He said the only downside to this would be if I ever wanted to trade the phone into Verizon I wouldn't be able to because the one on my DPP would be the original IMEI not the replacements' IMEI. Second option was to process a return and set it all up from scratch. He said we would then have to call Verizon to fix the pricing and get me the $10 deal and that it most likely would be with Verizon's bill credits though.
Naturally I jumped on the first option and told him I'd be right there. Then I asked if I HAD to activate the replacement there and he said "yea that's normally how they have to do it". I then explaied to him how I can't unlock the bootloader if it installs the software update during setup so I need to take the SIM out and skip the setup so I could unlock with my computer at home. Again he knew exactly what I was taking about and said he would ask the other guy again and call me back. 10 minutes later he called back and said "yea we can do that it won't be a problem" so I told him I'd head up there right then.
So I get there and it was as simple as handing him my box (they didn't even look it in).. he did some kind of magic on his computer.. as he was doing this I opened the new one..took out the SIM and skipped through the setup..enabled developer options and turned off automatic updates.. then he gave me a receipt and that was it!
What started out as a confusing nightmare because no stores had them in stock so I was worried about a replacement shipping with the new software.. ended up working out easier and better than I could have imagined.
I got so LUCKY that I dealt with the person I did at that Best Buy becasue the people at my best buy would have been clueless and not done anything like this for me.
Phone is already unlocked and updated now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked out. Expecting my Google Store Pixel to come in Monday.

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