activating a samsung galaxy s5 spory

[Erik Ebberoth]

So I bought a new Samsung galaxy s5. It had been purchased by the previous owner for his upgrade and he chose something else. I purchased the phone on ebay, unfortunately they had register the phone to him when he bought it and I can not activate it now. Apparently he may need to deactivate it from his account according to sprint which he claims he has already done. But when I swap my sim card and try to activate the phone it does not work. Is there any way for me to activate this phone or am I dead in the water?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I remember reading a similar post a year or two ago, and unfortunately, I don't think that person had much success either. Did the seller have any kind of return policy? If not, and if he doesn't want to help, then you may want to contact eBay and see if they can help. eBay is pretty good about protecting the buyer.

 

[Erik Ebberoth]

Great. That's what I was afraid of :/

 

[B. Diddy]

When you talk to Sprint, can you ask them to contact the seller to sort it out? That is, if the seller is being on the level. One possibility is that it's a stolen phone, and the actual owner never reported it stolen (so that the IMEI was never blacklisted).

 

[Erik Ebberoth]

Called sprint and they said I had to get a hold of him myself. Luckily it was through eBay so I filed a claim this morning to get a fire under his ***

 

[B. Diddy]

What a pain. This is why I'm always cautious of eBay transactions for devices!

 

[colyn1353]

Called sprint and they said I had to get a hold of him myself. Luckily it was through eBay so I filed a claim this morning to get a fire under his ***

I've said this before but I would never buy a smartphone off eBay. Most are in fact stolen or phones still under contract that the owner stopped paying on so they got blacklisted. Even the so-called reputable dealers sell stolen phones..

The only "real" way to buy used is to buy off Craigslist but only if the seller will agree to meet at the carriers store and I stress the carriers store (not a phone resellers store) so it can be verified..

 

[Erik Ebberoth]

The only reason I bought it was because the phone was nib. Still was in the original box :/ live and learn I guess

 

[AZgl1500]

I've said this before but I would never buy a smartphone off eBay. Most are in fact stolen or phones still under contract that the owner stopped paying on so they got blacklisted. Even the so-called reputable dealers sell stolen phones..

The only "real" way to buy used is to buy off Craigslist but only if the seller will agree to meet at the carriers store and I stress the carriers store (not a phone resellers store) so it can be verified..

In the past, I have bought several cellphones off eBay and all were legally ready to be registered to anyone.

but, I only bought from dealers with huge transaction numbers, and only IF the item stated specifically that the item is legally unlocked and ready to be registered.

but, that was before smartphones arrived on the market. Even now, I would do it again under my criteria.

 

[colyn1353]

In the past, I have bought several cellphones off eBay and all were legally ready to be registered to anyone.

but, I only bought from dealers with huge transaction numbers, and only IF the item stated specifically that the item is legally unlocked and ready to be registered.

but, that was before smartphones arrived on the market. Even now, I would do it again under my criteria.

There was a time when a persons word was trustworthy. Not so much anymore.

There have been at least 2 recent posts from people who bought phones from dealers on eBay who fit your bill only to find they could not be activated.

As for me I prefer to buy in person and only under my terms stated in my previous post.. If you buy one off eBay and it turns out to be stolen or whatever you now have to jump through hoops to get the issue resolved..

 

[captfbgnet]

Consider using Swappa.com. Great transactions and lower prices. Phones 'pre-checked' by Swappa folks before allowing listing/sell. Surely worth a look.