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Gotchas with buying a VZW phone on eBay

Forum Mobility Networks : Verizon - Gotchas with buying a VZW phone on eBay

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Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.

(Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)

Hera

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Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I have bought phones off ebay a number of times. Just make sure you buy a
phone that says it is
for Verizon and you won't have any problems. It doesn't do anything with
your contract or your bonus. You can go to Verizon's website and activate it
yourself or just call customer service and they will activate it for you.
There is no charge for it. If they ask, just tell them you are replacing
your kids phone because it was damaged.
I have never had any problems with ebay myself but just make sure you
read the feedback on the person your buying from. Hope this helps.

<hera> wrote in message news:2du021tvurn80jp0ios705he8udhl1t5i9@4ax.com...
>I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
> NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
> VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
> NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.
>
> (Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)
>
> Hera

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I'm only using voice, data may be different. Generally Verizon and Alltel
are interchangeable. I am still on one of several Motorola 270c's. also
have used Nokia 3285 and 5185 with success. The 270c is a bit larger, I do
have the BT module on it.

<hera> wrote in message news:2du021tvurn80jp0ios705he8udhl1t5i9@4ax.com...
>I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
> NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
> VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
> NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.
>
> (Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)
>
> Hera

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I purchased a phone off of eBay a couple of years ago. Like others in
this thread have said, make sure the phone says Verizon. That will
help eliminate problems.

Alltel *might* work as well, but stay away from Sprint since their
phones tend to be subsidy locked and getting the passcode is next to
impossible (on the other hand, Verizon phones tend to be unlocked and
easy to change).

You can do an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) swap on the web. Its free
and works great. Just wait about 15 minutes, do a *228 SEND, press 1
when prompted. It worked like a charm for me!

Dave

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Check the ESN of the phone with the previous service provider. If there're
any outstanding charges, they might have to be paid before Verizon will
activate the phone.

<hera> wrote in message news:2du021tvurn80jp0ios705he8udhl1t5i9@4ax.com...
> I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
> NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
> VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
> NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.
>
> (Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)
>
> Hera

Reply to john

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

hera wrote:
> I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste
> my upcoming NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but
> reading how proprietary VZW can be, will I run into
> problems activating it? Will it negate my NE2 bonus if I
> buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.

"How proprietary VZW can be"? VZW is not proprietary.
Their network is CDMA. Their phones are not locked. They
will activate any phone compatible with their network (with
the qualification that they may require a tri-mode phone
when getting new service with an AC plan).

Things to watch for on used phone purchased elsewhere:
It needs to be a CDMA phone (not TDMA or GSM).
It should not be locked (like a phone from Sprint).
It should not be "black listed" (stolen or payments due).

-Quick

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

<hera> wrote in message news:2du021tvurn80jp0ios705he8udhl1t5i9@4ax.com...
>I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
> NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
> VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
> NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.
>
> (Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)
>
> Hera
--------------------------------------------------

I've got a couple of Motorola phones just replaced under NE2. They were the
kid's phones, Model 120E. I'd take $20 each plus shipping if you are
interested. Both are used, but certainly not abused. I've got the
instruction books, and chargers for both. They have been out of service
since early January, but just turned one on, and battery is still fully
charged. No battery problems.

Both are labeled Verizon, so no compatibility issues. Nothing fancy to be
sure, but good serviceable phones. Contact me at
toybox(dot)dale(at)verizon(dot)net if you are interested.

DS

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I think VZW sells used phones for relatively low prices.

<hera> wrote in message news:2du021tvurn80jp0ios705he8udhl1t5i9@4ax.com...
> I need to replace my kids' Nokia and don't want to waste my upcoming
> NE2 bonus on them. I'm considering eBay but reading how proprietary
> VZW can be, will I run into problems activating it? Will it negate my
> NE2 bonus if I buy a phone outside VZW? I'm not going fancy here for
> them, no camera or anything, just a sturdy small phone.
>
> (Recommendations welcome for that, too, thanks!)
>
> Hera

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Wow, you are all the bomb! Thanks for the great info and advice!

Hera

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

In article <NL6dnSvngP72ab3fRVn-tw@comcast.com>, dalbrich@uoregon.edui says...

>Of the phones I purchased that were dirty, they had a deceptive picture
>associated with them. The seller clearly snagged an image of same model
>phone in perfect condition from someone else, then sold me something that
>didn't resemble the picture.

If you have any doubt, ask the seller if the picture is of the actual item.
------------
Alex

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Alex Rodriguez wrote:
> In article <NL6dnSvngP72ab3fRVn-tw@comcast.com>,
> dalbrich@uoregon.edui says...
>
>> Of the phones I purchased that were dirty, they had a
>> deceptive picture associated with them. The seller
>> clearly snagged an image of same model phone in perfect
>> condition from someone else, then sold me something that
>> didn't resemble the picture.
>
> If you have any doubt, ask the seller if the picture is
> of the actual item. ------------

Yea, right. They tried to deceive you with some other
picture but If you ask them they will come clean.
"No, since you asked, the actual item does not
resemble the picture at all... still want to buy?".

-Quick

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Quick <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> spewed:
> Yea, right. They tried to deceive you with some other
> picture but If you ask them they will come clean.
> "No, since you asked, the actual item does not
> resemble the picture at all... still want to buy?".

That's not always the case. The seller might not have a digital camera or
some other means of getting a picture of the actual item online. You will
see that many auctions feature "stock images" of the product that is being
sold. You should ask questions until you feel sure enough to make a
purchase... on any item.

--
Visit My Site: http://www.rubbertoe.com

Reply to Anonymous

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I think if they have good feedback you should be pretty safe. I wouldn't
accept any negative feedback if over $100.00. Also, just email them with any
question to see how fast you get an answer.

"Robert J Batina" <rbatina@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:54hXd.1268$jW6.825@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
>
> Quick <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> spewed:
>> Yea, right. They tried to deceive you with some other
>> picture but If you ask them they will come clean.
>> "No, since you asked, the actual item does not
>> resemble the picture at all... still want to buy?".
>
> That's not always the case. The seller might not have a digital camera or
> some other means of getting a picture of the actual item online. You will
> see that many auctions feature "stock images" of the product that is being
> sold. You should ask questions until you feel sure enough to make a
> purchase... on any item.
>
>
> --
> Visit My Site: http://www.rubbertoe.com
>

Reply to Anonymous

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