purchasing safe phones on ebay, crags etc...

[Shorte85]

How do you know what phones are safe to buy on ebay or craigslist?

Like how do you know before buying it works, isn't stolen, or anything like that?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[hilmar2k]

Call VZW with the ESN and ask them.

 

[Shorte85]

Oh OK. Thanks!

 

[66gt350]

I'm looking at buying a phone off Craigslist. And the only way I'll buy it, is if they meet me at the Verizon store to verify the esn and do the transfer. Heard too many horror stories if people getting bad esn phones.

 

[AntimonyER]

I'm looking at buying a phone off Craigslist. And the only way I'll buy it, is if they meet me at the Verizon store to verify the esn and do the transfer. Heard too many horror stories if people getting bad esn phones.

This is always a good idea for craigslist purchases.

 

[BrianJB]

I always do my (local) phone buying/trading at a verizon store during the day. And I word it to the people I am buying or trading with like this

"I would prefer to meet at a verizon store for both of our safety and to verify that my phone is ok, and to verify that yours is too"

(knock on wood) never had an issue thus far. The biggest issue I had was verizons online active/swap phone service was down, so since we werent at an offical verizon store they charged me and this other guy $15 each to swap the phones...bastards.

 

[F34R]

Same here... ebay - check ESN with Verizon. Craigslist - same, PLUS meet at Verizon to do it again.

 

[Bettie Does Droid]

buying a new phone box never opened - is the esn# somewhere on the exterior of the box?? And how would I know that the esn# appears to check with Vzw. Can you check the esn verizon online? I've never purchase a phone from ebay nor craig's list. Oh, I can go into any corp Vzw store to swap & activate the new phone, correct?
Thanks!