blackberry activation issue!!1!

importhondaz · Thread Author #1 01-27-2010, 10:14 AM

so i bought a blackberry off of craigslist since i have another year before im due to upgrade, and the phone was in mint condition, came with box hard case, the verison pamflits and even the verizon bag it came in, so i figured it was all legit, i went to activate it and its a terminated line but still semi active...... (assuming the kid just stopped paying his bill) if i wait long enough do u think they will just kick the phone off the plan (meaning i can then activate it?)

Heavy Fluid · #2 01-27-2010, 10:51 AM

Still semi activated? What does that mean? Is the PIN attached to an account? Is the ESN not clear for activation? Is there an outstanding balance on the account? Need more information in order to help you out.

amavit · #3 01-27-2010, 11:21 AM

More than likely you wont be able to activate it ever. However that does depend on what the case is. If the bill wasnt paid or it was lost or stolen or theres a bad esn you wont be able to use it. We really need more information however in most cases like this you just paid for a paper weight.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Username5300 · #4 01-27-2010, 11:24 AM

Yes it sounds like you own a very expensive paper weight, do you have any conatact info for this person you bought it from? Go back on them and let them know that they have duped you and you are willing to do something about it. Small claims court or something like that.

importhondaz · Thread Author #5 01-27-2010, 03:17 PM

i actually cant get ahold of them, i met up with his sister who seemed nice over the phone (ended up being a welfare appartment) sister all bruised up the arms, i knew in my head somethin was up, i bought it, came home, went to activate it the next day, and they said it was still tied into someone elses account but the line was terminated, which means the kid would need to activate another phone in place or pay the cancelation fee.......... i didnt kno if there was a way to wipe the phone and start over (or possibly wait for verizon to kick them off their plan), or throw it out my window?

Heavy Fluid · #6 01-27-2010, 07:53 PM

Until that outstanding balance is paid off, you have a paperweight on Verizon. I am not even sure that you could take care of it for him or not. You would need to contact customer service about that.

Your other options are to unlock it and use it on AT&T or T-Mobile, or take it to Cricket, MetroPCS or Page Plus possibly.

importhondaz · Thread Author #7 01-27-2010, 10:29 PM

hmmm well i just went from at&t to verizon due to service issues, verizon is all im willing to use due to my location, but what are Cricket, MetroPCS and Page Plus. (sorry for seeming extra noobish, im new with this stuff). and to unlock the phone, would that be to much of a hastle? and thanks again for being helpful in this. greatly apprieciated

Heavy Fluid · #8 01-28-2010, 09:24 AM

Unlocking it would allow it to be used on T-Mobile or AT&T. It doesn't need to be unlocked to head over to Cricket or Page Plus. They will flash the phone to work on their network.

importhondaz · Thread Author #9 01-28-2010, 11:08 AM

so what it all comes down to is that i can only use it on alother network other than verizon? and i can unlock it then just sell it since it will be uaeless to me considering i only like verizon

Heavy Fluid · #10 01-28-2010, 12:02 PM

Until the balance is removed from the account, your options are:

Unlock the phone, use it on AT&T or T-Mobile
Unlock the phone, sell it. Be sure to mention that the ESN is bad.
Use it on Cricket, MetroPCS or PagePlus (check into those first)

importhondaz · Thread Author #11 01-28-2010, 05:25 PM

ok well then that means i can either wait for the balance to be paid, OR i can unlock the phone and sell it with a bad ESN. i think selling it and waiting for my upgrade would be smartest unfortunately, not familiar with unlocking phones, and specific site you recomend to get me the unlock code (and you can unlock an unactivated phone right?)

Heavy Fluid · #12 01-28-2010, 06:09 PM

I would try to contact the original owner again, and see about getting either your money back, or the debt paid off on the account. Did Verizon say how much it was? Can you pay it off?

Sometimes selling a phone with a bad ESN can be difficult, as a potential buyer might be scared off because of the ESN.

You should be able to unlock an unactivated phone. There are several online unlocking services, from eBay to places like HorizonWirelessOnline.com - Horizon Wireless, The World’s Cellular Repair Center ß who are running a special on unlocking right now.

importhondaz · Thread Author #13 01-29-2010, 12:47 AM

sweet, thanks for your help man, id try contacting the previous owner but he knows what he did to me, (lets just pray i never see him in person again) i think im gonna try unlocking it, and selling it to my buddy (who already knows the situation im in with the phone) your knowledge is greatly apprieciated!