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eBay question?

T

timelord65

Android Enthusiast
I just bought a new factory sealed android. However the seller says the phone has a per-existing number. Says I have to call Verizon and have that number ported over to my account. The seller says they already called Verizon and granted me permission to do so and that they have released their liability on the phone.

Does this sound right? or will I have problems activating this phone?

Thanks
 
how would a factory sealed phone already have a number on it? i'd be leery of it IMO. but definately get the ESN and call VZW and confirm that its a legit phone.

even if it was a refurb, it still shouldnt have a number associated with it due to the number being placed on the new phone that it replaced.

good luck with it!
 
If the seller used a line upgrade w/VRZ to get the phone it may be associated with that line.
As long as they are being honest with you though it should be no problem to activate it on your line.
 
According to the seller, a company ordered phones on their account. I guess some of the phones were never opened or activated. I'm supposed to call Verizon and give them the phone number associated with the phone so they can transfer it to my account or something?

Again does anyone think this isn't quite right. I just want to have a better idea when the phone arrives and I do call vz cs support.

Thanks again for all the replies, and help.
 
angldvl81 said:
Call before you get it. Or have you bought it already? If it ends up being a scam, make sure you report it.
Click to expand...

I already bought it, the seller told me to call Verizon when it arrived. Then do the above mentioned steps to get it transferred to my number.

Thanks
 
I have heard of that situation before. As long as the phone hasn't been stolen or associated with an unpaid account, you should have no problems with it. If you do, Ebay and PayPal/ Credit Card companies are usually pretty good about making sure you get your money back at least. Please post to let people know how it works out for you.
 
Update: The seller contacted me with, "we have released liability of the phone to you. You can now register it on your account.
What does this mean exactly? Good, bad?



Thanks again
 
timelord65 said:
Update: The seller contacted me with, "we have released liability of the phone to you. You can now register it on your account.
What does this mean exactly? Good, bad?



Thanks again
Click to expand...

Assuming they are not lying it means that they covered any conractual requirements that came with receiving the phone. For example, if I upgrade (personal plan, but same idea) and sell the new phone without having activated it, it will cause problems for the buyer and me. I have a contractual requirement to activate the phone on my account, and if I do not do that VZW charges me and will give the buyer heck for trying to activate a phone with which other obligations were associated.

This might be a bit paranoid (and I do not know what you paid), but online escrow services charge as little as $25 for a $300 purchase. Not a trivial amount, but also worth the protection if you have any doubts. Paypal and CC will help if you are cheated, but escrow is a preventative measure, not a fix after the fact.

-Nkk
 
Ok, I'd have to agree to an assumption of liability to port (add) the number that came pre assigned with the phone. The seller says that isn't a problem, but Verizon says I'd be assuming the account along with the number? Something I'm not comfortable with.

So the seller is going to get the account owners to deactivate the phone, that way I could then just activate it on my current line. Assuming the phone still has a clean ESN once they deactivate the phone. Everything should work out. The seller has agreed to refund my money if they don't get the phone deactivated.

Any comments/help is still appreciated.

Thanks
 
assumption of liability means the phone and number will be put on your account as a 2nd line (since i'm assuming you already have a 1st). when i broke up with my ex, i had to do that to take my phone off his account and have my own separate account. if having a 2nd line isnt what you want, then yes, the seller will have to have the previous owner deactivate the phone from his account, thereby releasing the ESN.

hope that helps
 
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