Hello fellow forums users. After getting a bad screen nexus 4, and later selling it. I decided to give the Nexus 4 another chance. I just found a great deal on Ebay for a nexus 4 16GB from a seller that has 64 100% positive feedback. But... there seems to be an issue with the phones imei, the seller says that google disabled the phones. I tried looking on google on anything on the matter but I came up short. Here is a copy of the items description on Ebay... What do you think? is there any way that Google can DISABLE phones like that?? ive never heard of that before with unlocked cell phones.... any help would be greatly apreciated.
Original Ebay item description:
The listing is for BAD ESN Nexus 4 16GB BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX. I ordered it straight from Google and the package went missing. Google gave me refund right away but the package arrived a few weeks later. I did not want the phones so i wanted to send it back to Google but I was told to keep them since they are disabled anyway. I am thinking the phone is disabled by BAD ESN or IMEI. The phone is still sealed in box and never been opened. I am selling these phones AS IS. ALL SALE IS FINAL and NO RETURN WILL BE ACCEPTED. SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
Yes Google can disable the phone remotely. That phone will not turn on. Spend the extra 25 dollars and buy it from Google play store.
neotekz said:
Yes Google can disable the phone remotely. That phone will not turn on. Spend the extra 25 dollars and buy it from Google play store.
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Well you learn something new everyday. I didnt even think that was possible! Thanks!
I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.
ferrojasaguilar said:
Hello fellow forums users. After getting a bad screen nexus 4, and later selling it. I decided to give the Nexus 4 another chance. I just found a great deal on Ebay for a nexus 4 16GB from a seller that has 64 100% positive feedback. But... there seems to be an issue with the phones imei, the seller says that google disabled the phones. I tried looking on google on anything on the matter but I came up short. Here is a copy of the items description on Ebay... What do you think? is there any way that Google can DISABLE phones like that?? ive never heard of that before with unlocked cell phones.... any help would be greatly apreciated.
Original Ebay item description:
The listing is for BAD ESN Nexus 4 16GB BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX. I ordered it straight from Google and the package went missing. Google gave me refund right away but the package arrived a few weeks later. I did not want the phones so i wanted to send it back to Google but I was told to keep them since they are disabled anyway. I am thinking the phone is disabled by BAD ESN or IMEI. The phone is still sealed in box and never been opened. I am selling these phones AS IS. ALL SALE IS FINAL and NO RETURN WILL BE ACCEPTED. SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
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Click to collapse
If you buy phone from playstore. They can remotely disable everything. Nexus 4,7,10. As long as you bought it from playstore, don't worry. they
can disable the device in just one second. I would suggest you don't buy it unless google willing to activate the phone. I doubt it.
gee2012 said:
I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.
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Hey chill, im not fencing anything. I found the listing on Ebay and since ive never heard of remote disabling I came here to ask as I dont want to throw my $325- away.
Yes Google can disable it and no there is no way anyone can enable it. Its worthless paying that much money. I would suggest to pay a little extra and buy it from Google.
sounds like a tmobile nexus 4 phone ans the account or line is past due or they stopped paying the bill making the phone listed under tmobile as blocked/bad imei
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
gee2012 said:
I don`t know what you`re up to for sure but these kind of threads are not allowed. If you are a potential buyer DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE, if you`re fencing hot phones GTFO.
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Click to collapse
Did you even read his post. He's not selling anything let alone a stolen phone. He was simply looking for information on a disabled phone. Why don't you GTFO.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for your help, i was looking into the matter and all I could find where apps that let you remotely wipe your personal information on the device, but not actually BRICKING it. I went to google's play homepage, and in the returns/refund section I read that when you ask for a replacement phone, the remotely DISABLE the phone buts thats what I dont get. How do they do that? How does that work? will the phone not power on at all? do they block the imei number worldwide? any ideas?
ferrojasaguilar said:
Thanks for your help, i was looking into the matter and all I could find where apps that let you remotely wipe your personal information on the device, but not actually BRICKING it. I went to google's play homepage, and in the returns/refund section I read that when you ask for a replacement phone, the remotely DISABLE the phone buts thats what I dont get. How do they do that? How does that work? will the phone not power on at all? do they block the imei number worldwide? any ideas?
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Click to collapse
Google has a well known back door into phones and they can pretty much do as they please but have limited their efforts so far to just removing malicious apps from peoples phones.
I would stay away from this phone for if the IMEI is blacklisted as stolen, which is pretty much a worldwide blacklist now, then it cannot be recovered as no carrier anywhere will activate it.
They won't remotely brick it... They'll just have the IMEI blacklisted. It will likely turn on, you just can't activate it anywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
joshnichols189 said:
They won't remotely brick it... They'll just have the IMEI blacklisted. It will likely turn on, you just can't activate it anywhere.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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they do brick it, when you turn it on you will get the red led and nothing else.
neotekz said:
they do brick it, when you turn it on you will get the red led and nothing else.
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Click to collapse
I guess the question is whether that's Google bricking it or whether it's just a defective phone. I'd venture to say that it's a bad phone. If Google disables your phone, it's by adding your IMEI as stolen.
Related
I am moving over to Straight Talk here in a month from Verizon, and will be using an AT&T SIM for service. I have been reading up on this "Blacklisting" that AT&T is doing with stolen/lost phones, and how some folks are being scammed from Craigslist/eBay.
My question, then, is if I were to meet someone at an AT&T store, have the IMEI checked, and it comes back clean, and make the transaction, with the seller still there, will AT&T be able to put a note on their account that the phone was sold, so the seller cannot go back a week later and claim the phone was lost or stolen (fraud)? By doing that, wouldn't the folks at AT&T who Blacklist, see that on their account, and you, as the buyer, would be in the free and clear?
Anyhow, I am just looking for thoughts and suggestions about this, and anything else someone might provide. Thanks!
You can get it checked but it always can be reported stolen later on. It's just like ESNs on Verizon/Sprint. But as long as you verify it you should be fine.
MrObvious said:
You can get it checked but it always can be reported stolen later on. It's just like ESNs on Verizon/Sprint. But as long as you verify it you should be fine.
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I guess what I am asking, is while I am at the AT&T store, can I have the associate put a note on the seller's account that states the phone is being sold to me, while the seller is there in the store, and consents to this being put on his account? I would think that it would be impossible then to blacklist the phone, as its there.
I guess I am looking for the best way to protect myself from scam, without having to buy a retail phone at full price. Although, honestly my gut feeling is, is that most folks will not scam you... but, I could just see me being one of those unlucky few with a $300 paperweight!
You'd have to ask AT&T unless someone has that experience. Sorry.
We decided that we are going with new Nexus 4 (16gb) phones instead. This way, we can also use a T-Mobile SIM card if we decide AT&T service with Straight Talk isn't doing it for us. Better to have piece of mind!
why not a Xperia X8? haha
Need help.. what are my options?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Contact the seller and tell him to give you a refund. If you can't get in touch with him you're stuck.
I don't think there's anything else you can do besides that.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Bought from where? Cash or cc? Where do you live?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Maybe he got it from craigslist? Never buy anything from Craig's list. You were better off buying your nexus 4 from Google play.
abesgs2 said:
Need help.. what are my options?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
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It all depends on how you bought it. If you paid cash, you might be out of luck. If you used a credit or debit card, then perhaps your provider offers some kind of refund policy. If it was PayPal, then you can likely get the refund.
Bummer...hope you used PayPal.
galaxys said:
Bummer...hope you used PayPal.
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Lol sorry guys i probably shouldve added more details..
Ok.. Heres the story... Transaction took place on Craigslist..
So I had a blue color galaxy S3 and didnt like the color, traded it for a new nexus 4.. Nexus 4 was fine, and I was really wanting a titanium S3.. Found the S3 and bought it.. Sold the nexus 4 to a guy for 310.. The nexus 4 was working great until yesterday.. Guy calls me up thinking i sold him a stolen phone.. As far as I knew it was a good phone, i check the imei and it says its been reported stolen, so i offer to give the guy back his money.. Now im stuck with a blacklisted N4.. Need help. Anywhere I can go to revive the phone? Or anywhere I can sell it to? What are my options? Is it possible to flash a ROM or do something when rooted to change the Imei..? At least make it useable because the guy i originally traded with decided to change his number and now im out $310.. whats the best thing to do? I cant go to the cops, they will tell me im associated with the theft, asked tmobile they want to fill out a bull**** report..
is there a way to flash a Rom or something to maybe hide the Imei or something? Use a different carrier? unlock it even though its unlocked?
Or should i get my mini screw drivers and start to disassemble it to sell for parts? Man i feel ****ty doing this.. I mean im so against stolen things and i just hate to deal with it ugh
abesgs2 said:
Lol sorry guys i probably shouldve added more details..
Ok.. Heres the story... Transaction took place on Craigslist..
So I had a blue color galaxy S3 and didnt like the color, traded it for a new nexus 4.. Nexus 4 was fine, and I was really wanting a titanium S3.. Found the S3 and bought it.. Sold the nexus 4 to a guy for 310.. The nexus 4 was working great until yesterday.. Guy calls me up thinking i sold him a stolen phone.. As far as I knew it was a good phone, i check the imei and it says its been reported stolen, so i offer to give the guy back his money.. Now im stuck with a blacklisted N4.. Need help. Anywhere I can go to revive the phone? Or anywhere I can sell it to? What are my options? Is it possible to flash a ROM or do something when rooted to change the Imei..? At least make it useable because the guy i originally traded with decided to change his number and now im out $310.. whats the best thing to do? I cant go to the cops, they will tell me im associated with the theft, asked tmobile they want to fill out a bull**** report..
is there a way to flash a Rom or something to maybe hide the Imei or something? Use a different carrier? unlock it even though its unlocked?
Or should i get my mini screw drivers and start to disassemble it to sell for parts? Man i feel ****ty doing this.. I mean im so against stolen things and i just hate to deal with it ugh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's unfortunate
Buy an N4 with broken screen for cheap and replace the mainboard. Installing other roms won't help you. Or replace the screen with your phones screen. Do wat is the easiest to replace.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Unjustable said:
Buy an N4 with broken screen for cheap and replace the mainboard. Installing other roms won't help you. Or replace the screen with your phones screen. Do wat is the easiest to replace.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Cool, ive pulled apart phones before so im familiar.. So I can replace the motherboard with a good one and should be good? Ill give that a go
thanks cowboy
Jsparta26 said:
Maybe he got it from craigslist? Never buy anything from Craig's list. You were better off buying your nexus 4 from Google play.
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You can buy stuff off of CL, but you have to be smart. I've bought dozens of phones off CL (and sold) and was only burned once. I bought an Atrix 4G with a wonky touch screen. Actually, I bought an EVO 4G with a wonky touch screen too but that was just my fault, I showed up to meet the guy a little intoxicated lol. Anyway, when I bought my Nexus 4 (new) I had the guy bring the receipt from Google Play and give it to me. I also asked a lot of questions....
abesgs2 said:
Lol sorry guys i probably shouldve added more details..
Ok.. Heres the story... Transaction took place on Craigslist..
So I had a blue color galaxy S3 and didnt like the color, traded it for a new nexus 4.. Nexus 4 was fine, and I was really wanting a titanium S3.. Found the S3 and bought it.. Sold the nexus 4 to a guy for 310.. The nexus 4 was working great until yesterday.. Guy calls me up thinking i sold him a stolen phone.. As far as I knew it was a good phone, i check the imei and it says its been reported stolen, so i offer to give the guy back his money.. Now im stuck with a blacklisted N4.. Need help. Anywhere I can go to revive the phone? Or anywhere I can sell it to? What are my options? Is it possible to flash a ROM or do something when rooted to change the Imei..? At least make it useable because the guy i originally traded with decided to change his number and now im out $310.. whats the best thing to do? I cant go to the cops, they will tell me im associated with the theft, asked tmobile they want to fill out a bull**** report..
is there a way to flash a Rom or something to maybe hide the Imei or something? Use a different carrier? unlock it even though its unlocked?
Or should i get my mini screw drivers and start to disassemble it to sell for parts? Man i feel ****ty doing this.. I mean im so against stolen things and i just hate to deal with it ugh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least you have good karma for giving the guy his money back....
If it doesn't work u replace the screen and u should have a working phone too.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Sorry to hear OP, I bought my N4 off CL and lucked out thankfully.
abesgs2 said:
I cant go to the cops, they will tell me im associated with the theft, asked tmobile they want to fill out a bull**** report..
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Click to collapse
Those are both rather silly remarks.
You're a victim, why would the police be anything but sympathetic to you? And it's not a bs report, it's a report detailing the crime. Maybe they can track the original scammer down with that report. Maybe your insurance co will reimburse you with that report. Don't lose whatever small chance you have by being too lazy to fill out some paperwork.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
You sure the dude just didn't "buy" the nexus 4 and then give you back a non working Nexus 4 and you give him his money back. Did the nexus you get back match up with the one you gave to him. Like serials and stuff
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
If this helps... I'm from Belgium and I bought my phone off someone from England.
Got a pretty good deal too (as it was new)
The catch was that it was blacklisted too...he sent me the reportcard and apparantly that stated that it was only blocked by 2 providers. None of which I am using.
So maybe switching providers could work OR since Belgium has no (or nearly no) providers linked to the phones as they don't come in deals the phone just works, blacklisted or not. So try selling it abroad and buy buy yourself a new one.
I doubt that you can unblock it.
Is it blacklisted by T-mobile or Google? If it is blacklisted by T-mobile it should work on AT&T and it will definitely work overseas.
lowandbehold said:
Is it blacklisted by T-mobile or Google? If it is blacklisted by T-mobile it should work on AT&T and it will definitely work overseas.
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No it won't as all the major US carriers started reporting to a national blacklist database as of October of 2012.
kzoodroid said:
No it won't as all the major US carriers started reporting to a national blacklist database as of October of 2012.
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Click to collapse
The database is launched, but the carriers are not sharing IMEI's yet. Bad ESN Verizon phones work on other carriers and blocked T-mobile or AT&T phones will still work on the others network. The thing is, not only does the IMEI have to be entered into the database, but the carrier manually has to apply that to their own database to effectively block it from their network.
And, a blacklisted phone will most definitely work overseas.
abesgs2 said:
... i feel ****ty doing this.. I mean im so against stolen things and i just hate to deal with it ugh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do the report... you may be able to have the phone you traded blacklisted after all the person you dealt with is the one that has committed a crime not you
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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.
Click to expand...
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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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
Okay so basically this is a question of what to do with a S4 that was shipped to my business. We received a S4 through fedex about a month ago that an old employee was suppose to receive at their home(now living out of state). We have had the phone for a month now and have asked fedex to take the phone back b/c they were suppose to pick it up and they always say they can not take it back without being told to do so by main office. The old employee did receive the phone he was suppose after calling at&t and telling them they sent the phone to the wrong address. Again this all happened a month ago and we now still have the phone. I was wondering how long(if there is a time length) before at&t forgets about the phone. Are we able to take the phone and use it as our own at this point.
What firmware does it have? I'd factory reset my old s4 and put my sim in the new one, given that it had anything older than MF3 installed...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
HORiZUN said:
What firmware does it have? I'd factory reset my old s4 and put my sim in the new one, given that it had anything older than MF3 installed...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I am not sure what firmware, it is at the office at the moment.
It has yet to be activated assuming it's new. Did you have to physically sign for the package from FedEx?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
HORiZUN said:
It has yet to be activated assuming it's new. Did you have to physically sign for the package from FedEx?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Well it is refurbished. It was sent with a new sim card as well. Yes, it was signed for by someone in the office.
Hmm.. If the owner hasn't made a big deal about it in 30 days, I'm sure there is a time period coming up that would leave you free to do what you like with the device. Maybe 90 days? You'll have to check with your local laws to be sure.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
HORiZUN said:
Hmm.. If the owner hasn't made a big deal about it in 30 days, I'm sure there is a time period coming up that would leave you free to do what you like with the device. Maybe 90 days? You'll have to check with your local laws to be sure.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Well the owner had called at&t to tell them the phone was shipped to the wrong address and they overnighted him another one. At that point they said fedex would pickup the one sent to us(again this was a month ago). Another worker does already have an S4 and we put his sim in it yesterday and it worked.
I'd sell it. I'm sure the IMEI is on file somewhere with AT&T. You'll probably be fine with using it, but to be sure you could sell it and get a Nexus 5
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
HORiZUN said:
I'd sell it. I'm sure the IMEI is on file somewhere with AT&T. You'll probably be fine with using it, but to be sure you could sell it and get a Nexus 5
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yes, I do not want to sell it though and then have at&t charge him for it once they see it being used in their system.
Have you called AT&T about it?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
HORiZUN said:
Have you called AT&T about it?
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Click to collapse
No, I was thinking of bringing it to the store and seeing what they say about it.
you're going to have to have the original buyer of this phone call customer care.
since it sounds as if it was purchased by a business acct or online, the store will not help.
business customer care, online sales, and store sales are separate.
Russ77 said:
you're going to have to have the original buyer of this phone call customer care.
since it sounds as if it was purchased by a business acct or online, the store will not help.
business customer care, online sales, and store sales are separate.
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Click to collapse
No, it was not a business account that it was purchased under. It was done over the phone i believe when he did do it. but he already did contact att and all they told him was that fedex would pick up the phone(this was November 20th).
wkw89 said:
No, it was not a business account that it was purchased under. It was done over the phone i believe when he did do it. but he already did contact att and all they told him was that fedex would pick up the phone(this was November 20th).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar situation with a company I worked for a few years back. I was the receiver and FedEx delivered a phone mistakenly to our business. The next day the FedEx driver was told about it, but said he couldn't take it back without approval. I called FedEx no less than 6 or 7 times about it until they finally told me just to keep it, they didn't want to deal with it. I thought about taking it home but had a funny feeling about it so I left it at work. About 3 weeks later, the FedEx driver asks me about it and tells me he is supposed to pick it up. I'm not sure if FedEx was finally told to return it or if the driver was tired of hearing about it and figured he would keep it for himself. I really didn't care. The point is that it isn't worth it. Call FedEx and make them take it back. Make sure you document it when they do. If someone starts asking questions about it, it is on them and not you.
scott14719 said:
I had a similar situation with a company I worked for a few years back. I was the receiver and FedEx delivered a phone mistakenly to our business. The next day the FedEx driver was told about it, but said he couldn't take it back without approval. I called FedEx no less than 6 or 7 times about it until they finally told me just to keep it, they didn't want to deal with it. I thought about taking it home but had a funny feeling about it so I left it at work. About 3 weeks later, the FedEx driver asks me about it and tells me he is supposed to pick it up. I'm not sure if FedEx was finally told to return it or if the driver was tired of hearing about it and figured he would keep it for himself. I really didn't care. The point is that it isn't worth it. Call FedEx and make them take it back. Make sure you document it when they do. If someone starts asking questions about it, it is on them and not you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your input, that is actually why I did leave it at work. We did tell the driver about it probably 5 or 6 times over 4 weeks. I was actually not the one who signed for it but both the person it was suppose to go to and the person who signed for it do not care what is done with the phone so that is why I am on here asking about this situation. Thanks again.
At&t will eventually lock the imei due to lost/stolen phone. I wouldn't keep it as my own. Some states have low felony dollar amounts on theft. They can trace these phones and lock them down. I actually have this hunk of crap because I bought a wonderful tmobile s4 from a second hand store in austin. Worked great for 3 months. Unlocked bootloader and all the custom roms I could flash. Then one day the Internet stops. Call tmo and they say it's locked down due to non payment. I explained how I purchased the phone and they could care less. It was an expensive media player at that point. Thankfully, the store I purchased it at took it back and gave me this pos. I complain, I'm actually lucky as the Internet is filled with horror stories of buying from an individual and losing their phone and money. Anyway, don't be an ass. Give the phone back or throw it in the trash. Or, you could burn it in effigy in front of your local at&t store. Happy holidays.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
wkw89 said:
Thank you for your input, that is actually why I did leave it at work. We did tell the driver about it probably 5 or 6 times over 4 weeks. I was actually not the one who signed for it but both the person it was suppose to go to and the person who signed for it do not care what is done with the phone so that is why I am on here asking about this situation. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also wondering if I were to use it on my at&t account(currently using XT860) would I be seen as stealing it or anything to that effect by at&t.
DevilDog512 said:
At&t will eventually lock the imei due to lost/stolen phone. I wouldn't keep it as my own. Some states have low felony dollar amounts on theft. They can trace these phones and lock them down. I actually have this hunk of crap because I bought a wonderful tmobile s4 from a second hand store in austin. Worked great for 3 months. Unlocked bootloader and all the custom roms I could flash. Then one day the Internet stops. Call tmo and they say it's locked down due to non payment. I explained how I purchased the phone and they could care less. It was an expensive media player at that point. Thankfully, the store I purchased it at took it back and gave me this pos. I complain, I'm actually lucky as the Internet is filled with horror stories of buying from an individual and losing their phone and money. Anyway, don't be an ass. Give the phone back or throw it in the trash. Or, you could burn it in effigy in front of your local at&t store. Happy holidays.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
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Click to collapse
I figured as much. It is just going to sit in the filing cabinet for now then.
I was wondering if any firmware is available to I can get rid of the retail mode. I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong fourm. I'm aware that the phone doesn't have cellular capabilities I want to use it as a wifi only device
XxCyberHackerxX said:
I was wondering if any firmware is available to I can get rid of the retail mode. I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong fourm. I'm aware that the phone doesn't have cellular capabilities I want to use it as a wifi only device
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Click to collapse
"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.
Go into development settings and turn off demo mode.. it's that easy ...
Settings...
About phone...
Tap build number until it says unlocked...
Then back out to setting
Then development settings
Then go down and turn demo off
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
djxn40 said:
Go into development settings and turn off demo mode.. it's that easy ...
Settings...
About phone...
Tap build number until it says unlocked...
Then back out to setting
Then development settings
Then go down and turn demo off
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Click to collapse
I think he's talking about retail mode which is a totally separate thing. There's a Samsung Retail app and a code you have to enter.
Oh sorry ?
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
henrybravo said:
"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.
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Click to collapse
Haha that made me crack up. I bought the phone on eBay. I just need some firmware to put in Odin to flash the phone to factory settings
henrybravo said:
"Received a demo S8" oh really? Maybe ask the store from where it was stolen from, they probably know the process to take it out of retail mode. If you bought it legitimately then it's the sellers responsibilty to provide a working phone. Is the wifi-only mode because the IMEI is blacklisted? I guess you don't live up to your username. Just kidding.
I googled it, there are pages and videos that tell you how to remove retail mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
henrybravo said:
I think he's talking about retail mode which is a totally separate thing. There's a Samsung Retail app and a code you have to enter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to reflash the phone to get rid of all the demo videos and applications
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you go about this?
Thanks!
G_Loc said:
How did you go about this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent you a message
XxCyberHackerxX said:
I sent you a message
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Click to collapse
Hello there
I also have a GS8 + demo unit and would like to know how can you remove or flash a new firmware ??
Thanks
Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.
Mysticales said:
Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very true. I go mine from eBay and will ask for the original invoice. If Samsung ever came asking for the phone I would give it to them
Mysticales said:
Wow.... Its amazing all these Demo phones getting stolen and sold already.
I am not blaming anyone who buys them on Ebay... but realize this. Once the stores send it in, the new blacklisting methods on carriers share among the carriers. Once its listed. Account gets flagged saying you have an unauthorized device. After that, they suspend the account till you put a clean IMEI.
I know AT&T and its network sister partner services do this for sure.
I would say those who buy this from ebay as a Demo device, or from Craigslist. Ask them for the Invoice receipt or proof of purchase. (Claim in case of warrenty issues) if they stutter or make up an excuse. Realize its a stolen store phone which will get tracked. They may not go after the small 100$ or entry level phones but the high end galaxies and iphones... they sure will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*facepalm*.
These are demo units, they are built with no IMEI or any of the cell antennas.
These are bought to use as WiFi only devices usually.
They are not blacklisted stolen units, those are completely different (and do exist a lot on eBay).
Skander1998 said:
*facepalm*.
These are demo units, they are built with no IMEI or any of the cell antennas.
These are bought to use as WiFi only devices usually.
They are not blacklisted stolen units, those are completely different (and do exist a lot on eBay).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
o.0 Where do you work at? Cause the "Demo" phones "I" get are fully functional from samsung. Then I install the retail demo software on it, which has the password. It syncs up with the demo software for that phone and off it goes. I can disable functions, protect it from hard resets and even open it all back up again.
Yes, they quite so have an IMEI.
However in fairness. If you have a wifi only S8 "demo" unit. Please share the screenshot of it showing no imei in the about phone info area.
Mysticales said:
o.0 Where do you work at? Cause the "Demo" phones "I" get are fully functional from samsung. Then I install the retail demo software on it, which has the password. It syncs up with the demo software for that phone and off it goes. I can disable functions, protect it from hard resets and even open it all back up again.
Yes, they quite so have an IMEI.
However in fairness. If you have a wifi only S8 "demo" unit. Please share the screenshot of it showing no imei in the about phone info area.
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Click to collapse
All demo units in Qatar and MENA region are like that (in Samsung shops), I'll get you a screenshot when I go out sometime.
It will show IMEI 0000000000
Here is an example demo phone http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...198937?hash=item3d3ac81fd9:g:HyUAAOSw9OFZE-Kz
The back will have a NOT FOR SALE sticker without the usual IMEI printout even. Just a SRN
I see, so in those regions eh?
I know here in USA, Its a fully working model. Just is softwared to demo mode it.
G_Loc said:
How did you go about this?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you share this also?
Good job
XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello brother can you also help me through inbox
:good:
XxCyberHackerxX said:
*UPDATE* I managed to completely get the phone stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do it?