Question about buying a used Esteem

[daydreamingby]

Hi, quick question. If I buy a used phone, would it make any difference if the previous owner simply stopped paying for his account, as opposed to canceling his account?

The reason I ask is because I want to buy a used one and used *228 to simply switch my account into that used phone, but I don't know if it's as simple as that.

(Assuming the phone has a good IMEID, and has never been reported stolen or lost)

 

[MetroPOS]

They would have to deactivate the used Esteem from their account (by switching another phone to their account), or they would have had to completely cancel their account.

Then you could do a factory reset on the phone and then be free to activate it. If you're that concerned about it, you could ask them to meet by a Metro store so that you could confirm/do all of that right there.

 

[daydreamingby]

Thank you, in that case my only problem is that I don't know the person because I would buy it from Ebay from a stranger.

So assuming that they simply stop paying their account, I guess that wouldn't quality as cancelling it, and the phone wouldn't be of much use to me.

 

[ShinySide]

As long as the phone is removed from the account its fine. Ask for the ESN to make sure its clean (to make sure its not stolen or anything) and you can call metro and they should be able to tell if its attached to an account and/or if it was stolen or anything

 

[nuttmeg]

ask him for the med number and you can call metro 888 number or *228 and give them the med number and they can verify it.

 

[MetroPOS]

If you're looking for a used one though, I really think you're better off going through craigslist or something local so you can meet up and actually examine the phone yourself while the seller is there in front of you. Saw them on there in the range of $170 - $200 but I coughed up the extra 50 bucks for a new one from wirefly just for peace of mind not getting a molested hand me down

 

[BRIAN5337]

Hi, quick question. If I buy a used phone, would it make any difference if the previous owner simply stopped paying for his account, as opposed to canceling his account?

The reason I ask is because I want to buy a used one and use *228 to simply switch my account into that used phone, but I don't know if it's as simple as that.

(Assuming the phone has a good IMEID, and has never been reported stolen or lost)

Yes you should certainly be cautious.HERE is a place to verify the ESN but don't depend on it solely, if it says its has a good ESN then continue to call to verify it.If it says its bad it is most likely still bad. I wouldn't even continue the transaction at that point.

Hope this helps.

Same go's for all of Metropcs and others.

 

[redhook]

As long as the phone is removed from the account its fine. Ask for the ESN to make sure its clean (to make sure its not stolen or anything) and you can call metro and they should be able to tell if its attached to an account and/or if it was stolen or anything

This, and if it turns out to be stolen/bricked PayPal will get your money back.