Phones from ebay

[tomc585]

:scare: Don't get stuck with a brick. Before you buy any used phone make sure you run a check on the phones ESN (electronic serial number). Ask the seller for it and if they refuse..well thats a red flag. If the phone was lost, stolen or from an account that has a balance due you wont be able to activate it. It has to be released from the last account it was activated on and only Sprint can do it. This may apply to what some are pawning off as a "new" phone too.
GSM and iden phones are a little different. You can insert an activated sim card into them (from the proper carrier) and they will work without having to assign the ESN to the account however certain features may not function correctly like text messaging and carrier/account specific add-on features like those associated with Blackberries and similar PDA units.
Be Smart!

[dfwtxpatrick]

Yes,

Be careful when buying from eBay.

HOWEVER, I NEVER give out the ESN during an auction. I DO provide a line in my Auction that states "The winning Bidder will be given the ESN upon completion of the Auction, prior to paying."

That protects me from FRAUD and the Buyer can check before paying if they desire.

I also have EXCELLENT feedback here on SU and ebay, so it hasn't been a problem.

Just be careful!

[anskY]

exactly. always ask for the ESN, if it's a CDMA phone BEFORE you hand over the money, and call your phone company and make sure the ESN is clean and can be activated

[Scrumptious]

Yes,

Be careful when buying from eBay.

HOWEVER, I NEVER give out the ESN during an auction. I DO provide a line in my Auction that states "The winning Bidder will be given the ESN upon completion of the Auction, prior to paying."

That protects me from FRAUD and the Buyer can check before paying if they desire.

I also have EXCELLENT feedback here on SU and ebay, so it hasn't been a problem.

Just be careful!

DITTO I never give the ESN out either. My last buyer asked for it and I told them after the auction ended I would give it to them and they bought the phone at that time. I have 100% feedback and I switch phones like underwear so I sell some here and there. I do not want to turn my phone into a brick by giving that info out to just anyone.

[reemusk]

never give the ESN and I wouldn't buy from anyone who has it published.

[Dan]

Agreed, the ESN number should be only given to the winning bidder, and any auction with it listed is likely to find the winning bidder with a brick.

TEP scams and those who flash an ESN into an otherwise blacklisted phone are 2 reasons that the ESN is just as valable, maybe more so, than the actual handset.

[Wayne 1]

These situations are exactly why one should only buy from Ebayers with years of ONLY positive feedbacks (lots of them) and a history of selling these types of devices. This is your greatest protection other than using a Credit Card which is critical! Don't use any other type of payment. ;)

[Dzalumni]

Has anyone purchased a phone from ja6040?

He has a good price on a Moto Q and 100% feedback, just a little leary of buying a phone from an ebay person for the afore mentioned reasons.

[Wayne 1]

Has anyone purchased a phone from ja6040?

He has a good price on a Moto Q and 100% feedback, just a little leary of buying a phone from an ebay person for the afore mentioned reasons.

Well he's been on there for four years, only a few phones sold recently, but no problems noted by the buyers. IMO after four years and no negatives, he will be careful to avoid trouble. Cell phones deals are so complicated, I would still only pay with a CC, if they won't take them, buy from someone else. :)

[Dzalumni]

Has anyone purchased from: acemedsup
They claim to be a Sprint Dealer

[tublecane]

So I recently got the Q and want to sell my old A900M. My Q is active and my A900M isn't. Do I need to call Sprint and get the A900M 'removed' from my account before the ESN is clean, or when someone else buys and activates it will it be associated with their account automatically? I don't want someone to be able to not pay their account and be responsible in any way b/c it was my old phone. Also is the ESN 'clean' simply because I have always had my account in good standing and activated a new phone on my account or do I need to call sprint and have them do something with it?

[SL-10]

So I recently got the Q and want to sell my old A900M. My Q is active and my A900M isn't. Do I need to call Sprint and get the A900M 'removed' from my account before the ESN is clean, or when someone else buys and activates it will it be associated with their account automatically? I don't want someone to be able to not pay their account and be responsible in any way b/c it was my old phone. Also is the ESN 'clean' simply because I have always had my account in good standing and activated a new phone on my account or do I need to call sprint and have them do something with it?

No, once you switch phones on your account (active and in good standing of course) the new ESN of your "Q" (active) removes the old ESN of your A900M (deactiveated) from your account automatically.. Hence a clear A900M ESN for another owner to activate onto his/her own account... ;)

[Striker911]

i haven't yet bought a cdma phone on ebay i have bought a gsm one and the first phone i bought (V3x) had a bad speaker i was so upset but the seller sent me another one

[clin0048]

No, once you switch phones on your account (active and in good standing of course) the new ESN of your "Q" (active) removes the old ESN of your A900M (deactiveated) from your account automatically.. Hence a clear A900M ESN for another owner to activate onto his/her own account... ;)

Another question along these lines. In the phone, my number, "MSID #," and Sprint email address are still listed in the phone info area... Should this be cleared out prior to sale, and if so, would I just bring it into the Sprint store to take care of it?

I came over from GSM a couple years ago, and with GSM, it's much easier, just take out the SIM card, and put it in another phone, boom, it's done :)

Thanks!

[Blaise01]

I'd like to upgrade to the Motorola Q, and I've noticed lots of good prices on ebay. However, I was wondering if the AT&T and Verizon Q's will work with Sprint? What about if they're unlocked? I called Sprint to check this, and they said it would not work. However, I'm assuming for now that they just want me to buy a new one from sprint :) anyway, if anyone has taken a Q from another carrier to Sprint successfully, please let me know. Thanks!

[abluesguy1990]

If anyone wants a $99 eBay deal on a phone PM me

[Dunpeal]

A seller would be retarded to give out the ESN to everyone that requested for it. Giving out the ESN to people who have not bought the phone would be equal to given the actual phone to such a person with hope they will pay you later.

I sell phones on eBay, I have a 100% feedback with a power seller rating. If a seller does not want to give you the ESN it doesnt essentially mean "red flag". Theres are alot of "FRAUD BUYERS" out there with malicious intentions also.

It would be insane to give someone an ESN for a phone the seller havent "recieved" money for.

[abluesguy1990]

There are three types of ebay phone sellers ones that sell brand new ones from sprint they are authorized dealers. The second ones buy there phones in bulk brand new from a certain source. The third are people like you and me who either get bored with there phone and want to ebay it. The problem with the third is that some are dishonest and sell the phone knowing there is a balance owed or find the phone somewhere and ebay it. I always buy from the first type of seller because you know you always get a new phone from sprint. If anyone wants info on a reputable seller who is authorized PM me.





DITTO I never give the ESN out either. My last buyer asked for it and I told them after the auction ended I would give it to them and they bought the phone at that time. I have 100% feedback and I switch phones like underwear so I sell some here and there. I do not want to turn my phone into a brick by giving that info out to just anyone.

[88jr]

Yes,

Be careful when buying from eBay.

HOWEVER, I NEVER give out the ESN during an auction. I DO provide a line in my Auction that states "The winning Bidder will be given the ESN upon completion of the Auction, prior to paying."

That protects me from FRAUD and the Buyer can check before paying if they desire.

I also have EXCELLENT feedback here on SU and ebay, so it hasn't been a problem.

Just be careful!

This is a good way to do it. I've never thought about doing it that way. That will save me some headaches in the future of selling phones.

[r0fl]

I won't give the esn till after the phone has shipped. what if the buyer does a chargeback before it ships? then the seller is screwed.

[ahfrederick]

Well I just bought a Sanyo SCP-8400 (used) for $40 (BIN) with FREE shipping. So we'll see if I got screwed. LMAO! =P

[Indiguns]

No, once you switch phones on your account (active and in good standing of course) the new ESN of your "Q" (active) removes the old ESN of your A900M (deactiveated) from your account automatically.. Hence a clear A900M ESN for another owner to activate onto his/her own account... ;)
Another peculiar story: I lost a pda phone, and the insurance gave me a new one after the customary deductions and questions and activated it. In about a week's time, found it tucked neatly in the sleeping bag, in beautiful working condition.I approached the Insurance, but there seems to be no procedure to return the phone that I got, or to get my money back. Now, I definitely don't want to sell it, but if I try and switch the PDA for my little girl with her more basic phone, can I get the PDA to work, given that the ESN of the old PDAphone may have been reported as Lost/Stolen? It seems to be such a waste to throw a perfectly usable machine away, esp when the kid would be more than delighted with a PDAphone for her status symbol.

Help?

[ahfrederick]

Well, got the phone yesterday. It was as described in the auction. It was only the phone and charger, no faceplate nor an MicroSD card. But again it was mentioned. NEWayz, I called the CS and they helped with the ESN swap with no problems.
Another happy ebay experience. =)

[PrO...]

Quick question, if i get the phone + new plan from ebay and switch phones with my current one THAN cancel the line, what will happen?will i keep the new phone and get rid of the new plan?

[ahfrederick]

Quick question, if i get the phone + new plan from ebay and switch phones with my current one THAN cancel the line, what will happen?will i keep the new phone and get rid of the new plan?

More than likely you'll be charged with the cancellation fee for the line. But I'm not 100% sure.

[PrO...]

More than likely you'll be charged with the cancellation fee for the line. But I'm not 100% sure.
Even if it's within 30 days?

[Dan]

Even if it's within 30 days?

If you order the phone from an eBay seller to get the price they offer new customers and cancel, the seller will recover all incentives they gave you. You will be billed full retail for the phone on your sprint bill.

These sellers apply credits to your bill to get you the promised price, or have a specific policy on activations that allows them to recover the full retail (and possibly more) from you unless you honor the terms of the agreement.