Virgin Mobile used phone: "Pass It On

[Unicorn Rancher]

So, in theory Virgin Mobile has this "Pass It On" thing where you can activate a used VM phone on a new account. However, when we entered the MEID, it said the phone was already in use, even though the original account is dormant with zero balance. (Beyond Talk)

After filling out the "Pass it On" form on the VM site, and the new owner receiving the email, it still wouldn't allow her to activate the phone.

Does anybody have a suggestion that doesn't involve waiting on hold to talk to customer service?

 

[Scott Kenyon]

So, in theory Virgin Mobile has this "Pass It On" thing where you can activate a used VM phone on a new account. However, when we entered the MEID, it said the phone was already in use, even though the original account is dormant with zero balance. (Beyond Talk)

After filling out the "Pass it On" form on the VM site, and the new owner receiving the email, it still wouldn't allow her to activate the phone.

Does anybody have a suggestion that doesn't involve waiting on hold to talk to customer service?

Sadly, you probably will require the carrier release the phone. It's an issue on the network, not with the device itself. Good luck.

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

Thanks Scott.

VM's online support responded rather quickly but also rather unhelpfully. They said we need to put a new device on the old (dormant) account, to free the old device for a new account.

So now we're discussing her options on other carriers. Preferably unlocked.

 

[Scott Kenyon]

Thank you for posting what VM told you. You could always pick up one of those $20 burner phones and activate that on the dormant account. It'll cost you $20 but you wouldn't have to fool around that way.

Thanks Scott.

VM's online support responded rather quickly but also rather unhelpfully. They said we need to put a new device on the old (dormant) account, to free the old device for a new account.

So now we're discussing her options on other carriers. Preferably unlocked.