[Q] activating phone from craigslist - Epic 4G General

i've never done this before so forgive my caution. i'm getting my wife an epic and the guy is going to meet me at a sprint store. is it just a simple matter of having an employee activate the phone with my wife's number? thanks in advance

v3rk said:
i've never done this before so forgive my caution. i'm getting my wife an epic and the guy is going to meet me at a sprint store. is it just a simple matter of having an employee activate the phone with my wife's number? thanks in advance
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Click to collapse
He has to deactivate the ESN of the phone from his account then you can put your number onto the phone.

qbking77 said:
He has to deactivate the ESN of the phone from his account then you can put your number onto the phone.
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thanks! can that be done at the store? he said they can get it all clear, make sure the phone will work and activate it. just looking for a second word on it

v3rk said:
thanks! can that be done at the store? he said they can get it all clear, make sure the phone will work and activate it. just looking for a second word on it
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Click to collapse
Yes it can all be done at the store! You're making a good choice on the device

don't pay the seller until the device is confirmed working on your account.
That way he can't snatch-n-run :O

I would also like to add it's best to go with the seller of the phone to the Sprint store and have him deactivate the ESN on his account and then you reactivate it on your account at the same time. That way you know it's legit and you're not going to get ripped off by buying a phone that has been flagged. Once it's confirmed it's on your account, then you pay the seller at the store.
Plus at least the Sprint store is also a public place as well so chance of you getting robbed or cheated by someone unscrupulous from Craigslist is a lot lower.

Related

Want to sell Hero, is phone locked to my number?

I would like to know if it is possible to sell this phone, in a working condition to someone else. Or is this phone forever tied to me? I currently have this phone and one on another carrier which is much cheaper and cannot afford the hero ATM
cweezyf said:
I would like to know if it is possible to sell this phone, in a working condition to someone else. Or is this phone forever tied to me? I currently have this phone and one on another carrier which is much cheaper and cannot afford the hero ATM
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Click to collapse
Did you sign a contract? If so, you should talk to Sprint about that. We aren't contract lawyers.
Well i didnt actually SIGN anything.. haha but yes I am under contract, I have left carriers before while under contract, with no problems though.
But my question remains the same, if the phone IS tied to me, because of contract or other reasons, is there a way to revert it to a new-like state in which someone could purchase and use the phone? This IS a hacking website after all.
cweezyf said:
Well i didnt actually SIGN anything.. haha but yes I am under contract, I have left carriers before while under contract, with no problems though.
But my question remains the same, if the phone IS tied to me, because of contract or other reasons, is there a way to revert it to a new-like state in which someone could purchase and use the phone? This IS a hacking website after all.
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Click to collapse
Have you rooted it? If so, you should probably RUU unless they actually WANT the rooted phone. Other than that, you should simply need to format the SD card and do a factory wipe of the phone data. That would return the phone to a factory state.
cweezyf said:
Well i didnt actually SIGN anything.. haha but yes I am under contract, I have left carriers before while under contract, with no problems though.
But my question remains the same, if the phone IS tied to me, because of contract or other reasons, is there a way to revert it to a new-like state in which someone could purchase and use the phone? This IS a hacking website after all.
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Click to collapse
Well, if you have this phone flashed to another carrier, you'll need to get it all setup back to Sprint before someone else can take it over. But chances are as long as you didn't clone the ESN or something illegal. You can sell it off just fine.
Best bet is to call Sprint and have them check the ESN before you sell it. They can look it up and make sure it can be activated. If there is an unpaid bill on the ESN or if it was ever reported stolen, they will not activate it.
The phone is NOT tied to you once you've been released from your account obligation. People sell their CDMA phones all the time. This isn't a problem
okay, But if i sold it and DIDNT tell sprint, and just stopped paying the bill could it still be activated? BTW it is not flashed to use another carrier. But It would nice if i could unlock it to open up the possibilty of an international sale.
cweezyf said:
okay, But if i sold it and DIDNT tell sprint, and just stopped paying the bill could it still be activated? BTW it is not flashed to use another carrier. But It would nice if i could unlock it to open up the possibilty of an international sale.
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Click to collapse
It can't be sold internationally because USA is the only country with CDMA.
Nope a phone has to have a clean ESN to be put on another account. A bad ESN means phone came from an account which still has a balance or was stolen.
You don't even really have to tell sprint, if you activate another phone on the account and remove the Hero... But something has to be active on the account in its place - They pretty much hold the phone hostage until you have paid them.
cweezyf said:
okay, But if i sold it and DIDNT tell sprint, and just stopped paying the bill could it still be activated? BTW it is not flashed to use another carrier. But It would nice if i could unlock it to open up the possibilty of an international sale.
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Click to collapse
You can stop paying and sell the phone. Its not a problem. Unless someone reports the phone stolen then it will get a bad ESN number. If you just simply sell it or give it to someone else, it will work perfectly fine.
Jus10o said:
You can stop paying and sell the phone. Its not a problem. Unless someone reports the phone stolen then it will get a bad ESN number. If you just simply sell it or give it to someone else, it will work perfectly fine.
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Click to collapse
Ummm no. Have you ever registered a phone that came from an account that still had a balance on it? It won't work
Arrgggh so im getting conflicting answers here. Thats okay though. It makes alot of sense that you wouldnt be able to sell your phone until your balance is paid/ different phone switched to same account.
So ill ask this; is there a way to clean/reset your ESN? That would be ideal.
I've also heard the idea of selling the phone for "parts", but that sounds less appealing because im sure nobody is in the market for a "parts" Hero. Unless someone has knowledge of the contrary.
try selling the phone and transferring the account to someone else at the same time, just go with them to a sprint store. I THINK that can be done.
As for changing the ESN you won't find help for that here as it's illegal.

[Q] epic 4g previous use help

I have a friend that purchased a Epic 4G from someone they know. The person they knew hasn't finished paying bill, so the phone is still on their account. Is there any way for me to wipe that user from the phone for her?
No. That's why you always need to check the esn on a phone before buying it.
Thank you,
But is there a way to clear ESN?
The phone is stolen.
The best thing you can tell your friend to do is email the real owner before the esn gets blacklisted and tell them they just bought their phone, and hope for a reward. I wouldnt expect more than 50 bucks if they have TEP.
clearing the esn is a federal offense, nobody here will help you do that.
crash081292 said:
Thank you,
But is there a way to clear ESN?
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Click to collapse
No, I just answered that.
What if I were to port the number to a Pre Pay phone?
I'm just going to take it to sprint and they will probably scrap it.....lesson learned. Thank you everyone!!!
Changing a phones esn to someone elses esn is elligal. Clearing the esn isn't... but all the while not to be discussed here so perhaps google another forum my friend =)
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
crash081292 said:
Thank you,
But is there a way to clear ESN?
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Click to collapse
Yes. The owner of the account that the phone is listed on must take it off of their account. They need to put another phone on the line that is using the esn or cancel the line all together. If that is done without anyone reporting the phone lost or stolen, then you're good to go.

Can at&t verify if a phone has been reported lost or stolen?

Tomorrow im meeting up with a person to trade a iphone 5 for their Galaxy s4. We are meeting up at a at&t store and I wanted to ask you guys a question. Can a at&t rep at the store tell if the phone was reported lost or stolen? If it wasn't, is it possible for the person to report it stolen afterwards? What can I do to protect myself from this happening? Thanks in advance.
ahfu25 said:
Tomorrow im meeting up with a person to trade a iphone 5 for their Galaxy s4. We are meeting up at a at&t store and I wanted to ask you guys a question. Can a at&t rep at the store tell if the phone was reported lost or stolen? If it wasn't, is it possible for the person to report it stolen afterwards? What can I do to protect myself from this happening? Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
This has been a hot topic lately. There are a few threads about this, blacklisting a phone.
They can verify it isn't stolen at that moment, yes. But, they will not transfer ownership or notate the account. The person that bought the phone can report it stolen the next day, week, or even later than that.
You can't really do anything to protect yourself from this. AT&T also shares that list with T-Mo so the phone is blocked from both networks. Only the original owner can lift the ban.
Unfortunately this has made buying and selling a phone second hand a lot harder.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
quarlow said:
This has been a hot topic lately. There are a few threads about this, blacklisting a phone.
They can verify it isn't stolen at that moment, yes. But, they will not transfer ownership or notate the account. The person that bought the phone can report it stolen the next day, week, or even later than that.
You can't really do anything to protect yourself from this. AT&T also shares that list with T-Mo so the phone is blocked from both networks. Only the original owner can lift the ban.
Unfortunately this has made buying and selling a phone second hand a lot harder.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
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Click to collapse
Thank you. Hopefully all goes well. Im going to do it only because he's giving me the receipt and offered to give his home address so I could meet him there. Wish me luck..lol
Verify (with drivers license) names on at&t accounts and that the s4 is actually on the account with a manager. Do this in addition to the written receipt
xBeerdroiDx said:
Verify (with drivers license) names on at&t accounts and that the s4 is actually on the account with a manager. Do this in addition to the written receipt
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Click to collapse
good answer boss, we have seen to many of these. And he also needs to be careful.
TheAxman said:
good answer boss, we have seen to many of these. And he also needs to be careful.
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Click to collapse
I wish Att would do something to help protect people from this new scam. I bought a s4 off swappa for a great price and I had the same concern. I took the chance since I pay for it with paypal and the guy had good feedback and he had other phones for sale. At least this way I have documentation that I bought it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Do the transaction at an att store. It will be documented in there system eliminating the ability for them to falsely report it lost or stolen
BEAST......... that is all
Just got back from doing the trade. Seemed like an honest guy, he gave me the receipt and had no problem showing me his license and waiting out the process at the at&t store. Phone was never activated on his account, he paid full price for it. Even swap and all is well. I was still nervous so I took a pic of his license and even his license plate just in case but I dont see any problems going foward.
When I got my S4, the att rep noted the other persons account.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda-premium

Bought a Verizon PrePaid Moto G Today...

So let me tell you how this went down...
First, I go to a local Best Buy Mobile store to check out the Moto G for my girlfriend. They tell me they can't sell me one in the store until Jan. 9th, but if I purchase one online and choose to pickup in the store, I could get one. So I stand in the store, buy the phone on my GS4, and pick it up at the counter. Weird process, but whatever.
So I bought the phone. The lady at the register assured me that I would be able to use this on her line (which is a contract line). Go to activate it, and find out that it can't be done until the 9th. That's cool, no problem. Once I get home, I find out that the phone will only work on a prepaid line and BestBuy did not inform me of this. I go back up to the store to return it, but they won't take it back because it's opened. Oh, I forgot to mention, the lady at the damn counter was the one who opened it!
So, is there ANY way that I could get this to activate on a contract line without having it activated on a prepaid line for 6 months, or am I screwed? If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
If I actually am screwed, anyone want this thing for $80 shipped in the continental US?
That's a lie about it being opened. I have returned prepaid phone there on several occasions. There is something either shady about your story or the person working but something isn't adding up here.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
There is no SIM slot right?
big gulps huh? said:
That's a lie about it being opened. I have returned prepaid phone there on several occasions. There is something either shady about your story or the person working but something isn't adding up here.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I thought something was fishy about that too. I'm going to try and take it back when someone else is working.
szymgio said:
There is no SIM slot right?
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Click to collapse
Correct, there is no SIM slot.
rngrdanny22 said:
If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
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Click to collapse
You can bypass the activation easily, simply hit next 1 time, pull down the notification center, click on the multitasking button and swipe away the activation screen quickly, and boom! You have a $100 iPod touch alternative (which is why I bought it) I recorded a short video to show you, wiped it real quick because I just got it yesterday anyways
Code:
youtu.be/qhphsyRFEy4
rngrdanny22 said:
Yeah, I thought something was fishy about that too. I'm going to try and take it back when someone else is working.
Correct, there is no SIM slot.
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Click to collapse
It doesn't make sense to buy device without SIM slot...
szymgio said:
It doesn't make sense to buy device without SIM slot...
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Click to collapse
Why? CDMA phones have never used SIM slots. It's only with LTE now that Verizon and Sprint have used SIMs in their phones
wws12 said:
Why? CDMA phones have never used SIM slots. It's only with LTE now that Verizon and Sprint have used SIMs in their phones
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Click to collapse
I like to have choice.
uhm it was my impression that with bestbuy you can return prepaid phones opened within 14 days, the part you left out of your story is how long you waited to return the phone!
rngrdanny22 said:
So let me tell you how this went down...
First, I go to a local Best Buy Mobile store to check out the Moto G for my girlfriend. They tell me they can't sell me one in the store until Jan. 9th, but if I purchase one online and choose to pickup in the store, I could get one. So I stand in the store, buy the phone on my GS4, and pick it up at the counter. Weird process, but whatever.
So I bought the phone. The lady at the register assured me that I would be able to use this on her line (which is a contract line). Go to activate it, and find out that it can't be done until the 9th. That's cool, no problem. Once I get home, I find out that the phone will only work on a prepaid line and BestBuy did not inform me of this. I go back up to the store to return it, but they won't take it back because it's opened. Oh, I forgot to mention, the lady at the damn counter was the one who opened it!
So, is there ANY way that I could get this to activate on a contract line without having it activated on a prepaid line for 6 months, or am I screwed? If not, is there a good way to bypass the activation and use it solely as a wifi "tablet" (for my girlfriend's kid)?
If I actually am screwed, anyone want this thing for $80 shipped in the continental US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice
skyhawk21 said:
uhm it was my impression that with bestbuy you can return prepaid phones opened within 14 days, the part you left out of your story is how long you waited to return the phone!
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Click to collapse
The Verizon phone has only been available for 3 days. He's no way near the 14 day limit. Love the attitude.
szymgio said:
I like to have choice.
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Click to collapse
Cool story, brah. Nonetheless, I guess you missed the fact that he bought this for his girlfriend who is under contract with Verizon which is a CDMA carrier. You can't buy a GSM phone and use it on a CDMA carrier. The only time one would need a SIM card slot is if you're using it on Sprint or Verizon's LTE network and since this phone doesn't have LTE....
Thanks for the responses guys! I'll try the unlock method later tonight when I have the phone in hand again (girlfriend still has it at the moment).
As for the return policy, I agree with y'all. I probably should be able to take it back, but the lady at the counter seemed like she might have been new or something. I actually tried to take it back about 4 hours later, so way within the 14 day window mentioned earlier.
On a side note, I won't be using the phone either way as I just went ahead and bought a like-new GS3 from a friend that she is going to use (wish I would have known he was selling it PRIOR to all this). If I can use it as a tablet, I'll just let her kid have it, but if not, I'll try and take it back again.
Will keep everyone posted!
keep us posted guy, I might take you up on that offer.
Good luck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
sicembaylor said:
Cool story, brah. Nonetheless, I guess you missed the fact that he bought this for his girlfriend who is under contract with Verizon which is a CDMA carrier. You can't buy a GSM phone and use it on a CDMA carrier. The only time one would need a SIM card slot is if you're using it on Sprint or Verizon's LTE network and since this phone doesn't have LTE....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use this phone with other CDMA carrier?
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Lay295 said:
You can bypass the activation easily, simply hit next 1 time, pull down the notification center, click on the multitasking button and swipe away the activation screen quickly, and boom! You have a $100 iPod touch alternative (which is why I bought it) I recorded a short video to show you, wiped it real quick because I just got it yesterday anyways
Code:
youtu.be/qhphsyRFEy4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alejandrissimo said:
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read post above. I my self haven't bought one yet. buy looks like we can
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Alejandrissimo said:
So I can buy one at best buy at 99 usd and use or not? No need anything like an active line or anything else?
Sent from my Moto G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. After being told they didn't have any at my local store I was happy to inform them that they had 8 of them in stock which was very easy to find out online, and a little arguing about whether or not they could sell it yet, as well as a call to their Verizon rep, I finally was able to procure a Moto G without activating it. Hoping to find out this will work immediately with PagePlus.
Good news everyone, I was able to bypass the activation screen and unlock the phone for "tablet" use (using the methods mentioned in this thread). After playing with the phone for a little while, I gotta say, I actually like the thing! While we won't be using this as a phone, I will probably keep it to use as a MP3 player for the house.
I played around with the features a little and the only real disappointment that I saw was the camera. Maybe I'm use to the 13MP on the GS4, but the picture quality just didn't seem very good. Better than my girlfriend's old iPhone 4, but lacking nonetheless.
Willieumm said:
Correct. After being told they didn't have any at my local store I was happy to inform them that they had 8 of them in stock which was very easy to find out online, and a little arguing about whether or not they could sell it yet, as well as a call to their Verizon rep, I finally was able to procure a Moto G without activating it. Hoping to find out this will work immediately with PagePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know how that works out. I tried and the pageplus rep said that the phone was unable to work, and it needed to be 'unlocked.' I wonder if I just got someone who didn't know what to do.
I returned my Verizon prepaid moto g today to BB. I did not have any issues. They did check to see if it had been activated. They turned the phone on and seeing the activate wizard appear turned it off. They only thing I didn't get back was the $0.70 for a 911 fee.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Verizon non-vzw device

Don't know how it will affect insurance but when I log on to vzw and check my device type it now says non-vzw device.
ssgtob1 said:
Don't know how it will affect insurance but when I log on to vzw and check my device type it now says non-vzw device.
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Click to collapse
DId you go to a Verizon store and activate the Nexus 6 with your SIM? Or did you just stick your old one in? Because if you didn't buy it from Google Play or Verizon, then chances are, Verizon won't let you activate it officially. You can read more about it here.
primed1 said:
DId you go to a Verizon store and activate the Nexus 6 with your SIM? Or did you just stick your old one in? Because if you didn't buy it from Google Play or Verizon, then chances are, Verizon won't let you activate it officially. You can read more about it here.
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Click to collapse
Bought it from google play and just threw my Sim in it
ssgtob1 said:
Bought it from google playn and just threw my Sim in it
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Click to collapse
then just go to verizon and get them to register your phone to your account, and you should be all set.
primed1 said:
then just go to verizon and get them to register your phone to your account, and you should be all set.
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Click to collapse
Sure hope so
I don't think your verizon insurance policy would cover anything purchase from a 3rd party. The policy is on a specific phone.
tsy87 said:
I don't think your verizon insurance policy would cover anything purchase from a 3rd party. The policy is on a specific phone.
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Click to collapse
No, its a feature added to a line, or so I have been told by Verizon. The insurance is from a third party anyway.
ssgtob1 said:
Don't know how it will affect insurance but when I log on to vzw and check my device type it now says non-vzw device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is normal, nothing to worry about. It's because the N6 isn't in their online catalog yet.
To confirm. If I'm not a Verizon customer and I somehow managed to purchase the Nexus 6 on Google Play Store Or Motorola, how do I go about getting it activated? Just walk into a Verizon store and pick my plan?
mjs2011 said:
To confirm. If I'm not a Verizon customer and I somehow managed to purchase the Nexus 6 on Google Play Store Or Motorola, how do I go about getting it activated? Just walk into a Verizon store and pick my plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon won't activate it since it's not in their system. You need to have a Verizon sim already activated in order to get service on the Nexus 6. Even then the phone will still appear as a non-vzw device. Post 2 in this thread links to an AP article where they have a workaround for people who aren't current customers.
Sent from my SM-N910V
SupaSwag said:
Verizon won't activate it since it's not in their system. You need to have a Verizon sim already activated in order to get service on the Nexus 6. Even then the phone will still appear as a non-vzw device. Post 2 in this thread links to an AP article where they have a workaround for people who aren't current customers.
Sent from my SM-N910V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! But theoretically when Verizon starts offering the phone and has it in their system, do you think I'll be able to activate it?
mjs2011 said:
Thanks! But theoretically when Verizon starts offering the phone and has it in their system, do you think I'll be able to activate it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think so
Sent from my SM-N910V
I bought my nexus 6 from tmobile and I am on verizon. Will I be able to get insurance on my phone and do I have still have a manufacturer warranty?
Anyone here have a device on hand connected to Verizon? I have one and my voice mail notifications seem to be coming in as weird texts. I get no icon on top showing that I have a voice mail waiting.
I have a Nexus 6 on verizon which i just got today. Have yet to recieve a voicemail yet but will check it out.
pablomoca said:
Anyone here have a device on hand connected to Verizon? I have one and my voice mail notifications seem to be coming in as weird texts. I get no icon on top showing that I have a voice mail waiting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have Verizon visual voicemail? You will get these messages because I don't believe that app is supported on aosp. You need to change to basic Voicemail (can do it online through your account) or use third party Voicemail.

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