New to forum - need help understanding ESN

[Droidx2ice]

I'm hoping someone can help me out. I currently use DroidX with a verizon plan, "Unlimited data." I wanted to upgrade my phone but verizon is telling me that I MUST pay retail for the phone if I want to keep my unlimited data...I just missed the cutoff to upgrade by 4 days & verizon won't budge. Unfortunately, I must keep verizon as the company I work for has contracts with them.
I tried looking prices on ebay, amazon, etc...& some phones say "ESN is not clear..." - if I purchase one like that would I have a problem connecting it with my line/service?
Thank you for any assistance. I'm new to forums and if I must post somewhere else pls let me know. thx

 

[ShinySide]

ESNs are basically the same thing as a Vin number on a car. It's how carriers know your phone is allowed on their network. Bad ESNs (not clear) can mean a couple things. Usually someone didn't pay their bill and that phone isn't allowed to be used til the outstanding bill is paid. Or even worse the phone is stolen and has been reported stolen and the carrier it is intended for has black listed that ESN/phone.

My best advice to you is to find one with a clean ESN. If you buy one on ebay before you buy ask for the ESN and then contact the wireless provider and ask for them to do a check on the esn to make sure it is good before purchasing.

 

[Droidx2ice]

Thank you!!! One more question & apologize as I'm learning as I go along.
I have co-worker who is due to upgrade & she only uses calling & texting features. She offered to upgrade (online) to smartphone I would like to get. Once she receives phone:
1) Is she required to connect it ONLY to her line, or would it be possible for me to take that phone to the store & connect it to my service? Or...
2) If she MUST connect it to her line first, can she go back to the store & re-connect her old phone? Which would then allow me to then connect that new smartphone to my line/service?
Thanks again!

 

[johnlgalt]

She can purchase the phone and not actually connect it to her line, but if she upgrades, they usually automatically connect it to her line.

She can then take her old phone and reactivate it on her line, and then the new phone can be used in another manner.

However, you'll both (probably) need to be on the same network in order to use the phone.

Also, if she currently does not have a smartphone, they may also charge her a data plan (VZW does for sure), provided she does not already have a data plan.