Buying an S3 off craigs list.

[lindseybp]

Hoping to get some advice. Found a good deal on a "like new" S3 on craigs list. Never bought a phone off someone on craigs list before. Any suggestions on what to do to make sure the phone is legit? What is the best way to make sure it's a clean ESN? If the guy has a problem with me checking the ESN should that be a warning sign to steer clear? Any other thoughts would be appreciated, don't want to get ripped off.

 

[evilgenyus]

When I bought my phone off Craigslist I had another cell phone on hand and called into sprint and got them to verify the esn and then activate it on my account. You could also meet at a sprint store to do this also. I wouldn't mess with a phone if the seller doesn't want you to verify the esn before purchase.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[clavodulce16]

meet at sprint store for activation / if seller refuse the esn on device might be no good. Or you can call sprint at time of sale

 

[lindseybp]

update: the guy emailed me the esn. I called sprint and they said the phone is still active on an account and would have to be de-activated by the current account holder to activate it on my account. I emailed the guy about this and he said he knew that and could de-activate it today if we meet for me to purchase. I suggested meeting at a sprint store and am waiting to hear back from him....

 

[leftyman]

Definitely meet at a Sprint store, inspect the phone, have the phone activated on your account then hand over the $.

 

[munnarg]

update: the guy emailed me the esn. I called sprint and they said the phone is still active on an account and would have to be de-activated by the current account holder to activate it on my account. I emailed the guy about this and he said he knew that and could de-activate it today if we meet for me to purchase. I suggested meeting at a sprint store and am waiting to hear back from him....

He should have done that before putting the phone up for sale in the first place. Like you said, have him meet you at a Sprint store so you can be certain the phone belongs to him.

 

[lindseybp]

Just emailed the guy and told him when we meet I want to call sprint and activate the phone on my account before handing over the cash. Haven't heard back from him after that yet.

 

[Smooth703]

i bought mine off craigslist and just called to get it checked like you did..also just sold my E4GT on craigslist and when the guy came to pick it up before we exchanged money and phone he called and checked to make sure it was clear

 

[lindseybp]

Well the guy never responded to my last email so it looks like it's a bust. Darn.

 

[jimmiekain]

When I bought my phone off Craigslist I had another cell phone on hand and called into sprint and got them to verify the esn and then activate it on my account. You could also meet at a sprint store to do this also. I wouldn't mess with a phone if the seller doesn't want you to verify the esn before purchase.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

This is exactly what I was going to suggest.

Its funny though. I have bought 4 phones on craigslist and didnt have any problems with them. I bought my original Evo at radio shack and had to replace it twice. Then the GS2 i got at the sprint store had to be replaced too...

go figure!

 

[dad2noah]

And just for future reference, it doesn't matter what the esn # is that is emailed to you.
If I had a stolen phone, and a legit phone, I would just have to email you my good phones esn #, and sprint would say "Yep, that's fine".
Always meet at a sprint store.
Activate it.
Then pay for it.
Anyone selling a legit phone should have no problem with those requests.