Anyone ever buy a cell phone off ebay?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Anyone ever buy a cell phone off ebay?
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:41 PM
Curious because I want to upgrade but can't cause I have 8 months left. The phones I want are like $200 to $350 currently from sprint. I looked on ebay and can get them about the same price maybe up to $100 more brand new. It seems better to not have to be stuck in a 2 year contract.
Dec 31, 2009 1:41pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:42 PM
ya I bought a blackjackII once.
Dec 31, 2009 1:42pm
S

Society

Senior Member

1,146 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:45 PM
Not a good idea to buy Sprint phones off of ebay. Unless the seller is willing to give the esn# before buying, which is highly unlikely, then it's not a safe transaction. You won't know if it's a "lost or stolen" phone until you get it.
Dec 31, 2009 1:45pm
C

Crew Love

Senior Member

242 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:45 PM
I bought an enV2 a few years ago for use through Verizon. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller, that the phone is listed as having a clean ESN, and is compatible with your network.
Dec 31, 2009 1:45pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:46 PM
Crew Love wrote: I bought an enV2 a few years ago for use through Verizon. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller, that the phone is listed as having a clean ESN, and is compatible with your network.
Ditto. Clean ESN and you are clear.
Dec 31, 2009 1:46pm
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:47 PM
Yeah I'm looking at listings that show a clean ESN.

I'm torn though between the Palm Pre, Touch Pro 2 and the HTC Hero.
Dec 31, 2009 1:47pm
S

Society

Senior Member

1,146 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:48 PM
Ytowngirlinfla wrote: Yeah I'm looking at listings that show a clean ESN.

I'm torn though between the Palm Pre, Touch Pro 2 and the HTC Hero.
Do you think they are going to say it's not a clean esn?
Dec 31, 2009 1:48pm
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:49 PM
Yes there are some that actually say bad ESN.
Dec 31, 2009 1:49pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Dec 31, 2009 1:49 PM
Society wrote: Do you think they are going to say it's not a clean esn?
That's why you should ask for the ESN# before hand, have it checked personally with Sprint to verify, if that ESN is clean, make sure the ESN# is saved in an e-mail from the seller. Once the phone is received verify the same ESN # is listed on the phone as is in the e-mail, if not, open a claim with eBay and pay through PayPal so you can dispute through them also.
Dec 31, 2009 1:49pm
S

Society

Senior Member

1,146 posts
Dec 31, 2009 2:20 PM
Keebler wrote:
Society wrote: Do you think they are going to say it's not a clean esn?
That's why you should ask for the ESN# before hand, have it checked personally with Sprint to verify, if that ESN is clean, make sure the ESN# is saved in an e-mail from the seller. Once the phone is received verify the same ESN # is listed on the phone as is in the e-mail, if not, open a claim with eBay and pay through PayPal so you can dispute through them also.
You give me an ESN off of you phone. I call to swap phones on my account with that ESN, without even having the phone, and the next day call to make an insurance claim on the phone. Now the phone that you have is worthless because I claimed that the phone was stolen.
Dec 31, 2009 2:20pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Dec 31, 2009 2:26 PM
Society wrote:
Keebler wrote:
Society wrote: Do you think they are going to say it's not a clean esn?
That's why you should ask for the ESN# before hand, have it checked personally with Sprint to verify, if that ESN is clean, make sure the ESN# is saved in an e-mail from the seller. Once the phone is received verify the same ESN # is listed on the phone as is in the e-mail, if not, open a claim with eBay and pay through PayPal so you can dispute through them also.
You give me an ESN off of you phone. I call to swap phones on my account with that ESN, without even having the phone, and the next day call to make an insurance claim on the phone. Now the phone that you have is worthless because I claimed that the phone was stolen.
Because that activity couldn't be tracked or anything.
Dec 31, 2009 2:26pm
McFly1955's avatar

McFly1955

Senior Member

1,441 posts
Dec 31, 2009 2:33 PM
Make sure the feedback of the seller is good, get an ESN # after the auction ends but before you pay, and call your provider to verify if it is a clean ESN if possible, be sure it's from a non smoker (unless you want a phone that smells like a chimney), be sure there are a lot of pics of the actual phone you will receive.
Dec 31, 2009 2:33pm
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Dec 31, 2009 2:40 PM
Yeah that is what stinks with ESN numbers instead of sim cards. I have found a few brand new and guaranteed clean ESN auctions. I've been on ebay for 10 years and wouldn't buy from anyone with bad feedback or few transactions. I don't think I'd buy a used phone cause I know what happens to my phones(accidental drops, etc).
Dec 31, 2009 2:40pm
S

Society

Senior Member

1,146 posts
Dec 31, 2009 2:57 PM
Keebler wrote:
Society wrote:
Keebler wrote:
Society wrote: Do you think they are going to say it's not a clean esn?
That's why you should ask for the ESN# before hand, have it checked personally with Sprint to verify, if that ESN is clean, make sure the ESN# is saved in an e-mail from the seller. Once the phone is received verify the same ESN # is listed on the phone as is in the e-mail, if not, open a claim with eBay and pay through PayPal so you can dispute through them also.
You give me an ESN off of you phone. I call to swap phones on my account with that ESN, without even having the phone, and the next day call to make an insurance claim on the phone. Now the phone that you have is worthless because I claimed that the phone was stolen.
Because that activity couldn't be tracked or anything.
It's been done. That is only a small example of what people do to get new phones to sell.
Dec 31, 2009 2:57pm