Buying inactivated S7

[daviddlt]

Had a very unusual situation today. I called the local Best Buy mobile to check if they had an S7 available, to my delight they did. Upon arrival I asked to purchase the phone full price unactivated, I was told I couldn't buy the phone outright. When I asked the sales person why, she stated that they don't sell the phone unlocked or without a carrier phone number. I mentioned to them that the website has 2 buying options (finance or unactivated). The rep refused to sell me the phone and after calling corporate office I was told the same. Now I saw to myself, WTF?? I can't buy an S7? What if I broke my phone and needed a replacement..ridiculous!!

They kept telling me you can buy it unlocked off eBay/Amazon but I told them it doesn't guarantee insurance. Has anyone else had this ridiculous situation happen to them at Best Buy?

 

[randun]

On another sub user had exact opposite experience. Bought inactivated & placed old SIM In new phone. That's what he said. It's a BB specific purchase sub.

 

[randun]

Sub name is Best Buy Offer.

 

[daviddlt]

I complained to the district manager and on Twitter, it's bad enough we have to deal w AT&T bloat ware if there are no unlocked versions available..now I can't buy one? Really sucks

 

[DroidN3wbie]

I think you can buy it online with best buy. You have to select unactivated device after you click ''add to package'' and it lets you check out without a plan paying full price for the phone. Its the route im going here pretty soon.

 

[aa6vh]

I bought my inactivated GS7 through Best Buy also by ordering online. I then went down to the store a couple hours later and picked it up. There was no problem with not activating it in the store.

I was going to transfer the SIM card from the GS5 to the GS7, but the GS5 SIM card would not fit in the GS7. So I got the GS7 fully loaded and ready, then called AT&T with the new SIM card number (the new SIM that came with the new phone) and the new phone's EMEI number, and a couple of minutes later, the phone was working.