Database Info

[Q] General Question about Verizon/Ebay

If I buy a NEW phone on ebay (example HTC Touch Pro or Blackberry Storm), and it is defective, could I go to a Verizon store and return or exchange it without a receipt (assuming I still have the box).
Does anyone know if this is possible?

Hi. Keep in mind I'm sure they track serial #'s / ESN's & such so even if they are nice enough to exchange it (which I've never had the gonads to try) you run the risk that the phone was reported stolen, is under contact on someone else's account or who knows what, you're standing there with your pants down. Then again I suppose they wouldn't let you activate the phone on your account if those were true.. (Sorry I've been in the GSM world too long where you move your SIM as needed.) Anyway I'd say you're taking some big chances there since they surely link phones with accounts or service it was purchased with. I'd love to hear of anyone who has succeeded in this.. It's not like you're buying a toaster & returning it to Kmart for a merchandise credit or something. lol
Bill

by the phone being on someone else's account, does that mean for example they bought the phone at the 2yr contract price only to turn it around and sell it on ebay for profit?
The ebay buyer did nothing wrong in that case, the ESN was clean and ebay purchased cells are easily activated.
thanks for responding.

Yeah that's what I meant but you are assuming best case scenario.. As I said who knows, the phones could have been stolen from a reseller or dealer (I do computer support for a sprint/nextel dealer & they've had many stolen even by employees who turn around & sell them on ebay. The store definitely figures it out eventually & they get reported as stolen & flagged. Maybe within days or weeks or months.) or who knows. That is one of biggest risks of buying off ebay. You may not know the history. Not trying to scare you just saying remember you'll be the one in the store holding stolen merchandise. Again, you risk the same trying to add the phone to your account so I guess they'll track you down either way. lol
As far as your original question, I wish I could say I knew but I don't. I assume there is virtually 0 chance of a return with refund and only a slight chance of an exchange assuming the phone is not flagged & you have a good story. Maybe someone else could chime in who has tried it. Again we are talking expensive phones normally bought with a contact linked to an account so easily traceable so don't be surprised if they scan it in & call you by the name of the guy who sold it to you. lol
Bill

It's just amazing that Verizon makes it so hard to upgrade your phone before your contract is up (even if you're willing to pay full price!!). The only way you can really do it is by buying a phone off of ebay and activating it yourself.

Yeah I'd imagine. That is one nice thing about GSM: Just move your SIM, assuming the phone isn't locked to another carrier which is usually pretty easy to get unlocked. I have bought about 50 phones off ebay (That would have been like 2 had I needed to call AT&T every time I wanted to switch! lol) & for the most part I've had pretty good luck with some duds. (Incompatible model missing 850 band, broken or more worn than expected) If you are in a pinch you might not have much choice but just make sure you buy from someone with high & good feedback & you should be OK. Better yet make sure they have a good return policy or even their own warranty. Not sure if the trick will work for you but I've bought 'Pay as you go' phones & put my SIM in when I needed a phone quickly. Maybe verizon has such a thing too but the prepaid phones are usually pretty awful. Of course there is a chance they'd refuse to add it to your account too. Buy yeah I wouldn't chance buying something on ebay hoping you can return to the local store if needed. I'd say buy new & hopefully sealed, not used (especially for expensive phones unless you want to risk it. Of course you can always try selling back on ebay if needed) from a good seller like I mentioned above & you should be fine. Btw the other thing to consider is go to an authorized Verizon dealer (vs a real Verizon store). You might find them much more likely to work with you on selling you a phone without a contact. I know they make big bucks signing up people but if you're willing to pay retail for a phone I'd imagine they won't turn you away especially if you suggest you'll be back when renewal time comes.
Bill

Ok, so believe it or not, I called Verizon and the rep told me that even if you don't have the original receipt, the verizon store uses the proof of purchase barcode to tell when the item was purchased. If your item is defective you can exchange it, and she even said in some cases they'll even let you put the money towards a new phone, although they prefer to have a receipt.
I'm shocked as I thought they would have a very strict return policy.
Also, any cell purchased in the last month is returnable until Jan 15, which means blackberry storms and htc touch pros and omnias bought on ebay can simply be returned to a verizon store if they are defective!

Wow! Did you get that in writing? lol Guess they have a very lenient return policy. Sounds like they do track them big time but instead of holding it against you they actually HELP you with the info. Geesh, if that really works I'd say they have some killer customer support policies! Makes me want to break a phone to try it & see. Then again I'm on ATT & they'd prolly laugh as they escorted me out the store. :|
Good luck with that, I'd love to hear follow up if you end up needing to try it but then again I'm sure you'd rather NOT have to try. Anyone else ever actually do this with any carrier?

Anyone return their phone for warranty?

(service is AT&T)
When I bought my phone, I got full warranty on it (been paying $5 for it monthly)
Its all scratched up and now I want to return it for a new phone or a refurbished one. My current phone has been flashed with a new ROM, which was against the warranty policy.
Has anyone returned a phone like this for warranty after flashing back the original software/ROM? Were they able to find out?
Also, would it be easier if I just threw my phone into the lake and just asked them for a replacement? (I'm fully insured)

flash it back to the original rom.
and restore the SPL
and.. you should be all set.. you do need a good reason to have it fixed...

I can't just say that it's been banged up and has scratches? And that I've been paying $5/monthly for this?
Also, what would happen if I said I lost it,and they send me a replacement raphael, and ended up finding my orginal one under my bed. would they be able to find out that I still have my old one?

banged up and scratched is a normal thing. unless there is something broken in some way shape and form, then you can use that warranty. that's like saying the manufacturer have to give you a new car if your car has a scratch from daily use.
dunno what you can do if you say it's lost, but your phone does has an IMEI which is a very unique and if it ever connects, they can technically make an inquiry...and you might get charged for the price of the full phone. (only a possibility, but don't leave it to chance) Live with the scratches and next time, get yourself something like Bodyguardz or invisible armor...

theomni said:
I can't just say that it's been banged up and has scratches? And that I've been paying $5/monthly for this?
Also, what would happen if I said I lost it,and they send me a replacement raphael, and ended up finding my orginal one under my bed. would they be able to find out that I still have my old one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wear and tear is not something that's covered under the $5 a month insurance plan.
If you tell them you lost it (and that acutally DID happen to me) they'll bill you the $125 dedcutable on your next bill - and they didn't replace the SD card mine came with either (they did send me a SIM card and another wall charger though).
Once you've lost the phone, that flag the unit so it won't work anymore and yes they will find out you still have it if you try to use it by putting yer new SIM chip in it. Plus techically this is considered 'insurance fraud' which is a crime you can get in a LOT of trouble for. There was an article I read about 2 weeks ago that said these companies are now keeping an eye on forums like this one trying to catch people doing such things. I suspect if everyone was honest we'd be paying $1 a month instead of $5...
Anyway - I know you can buy replacement screens pretty cheap - heck of a lot cheaper than the $125 deductable as matter of fact.

I really want to get this thing replaced. What if I accidentally drop this on my driveway and run it over with my car. WIll they still charge me anything extra? This phone has plently scratches on the screen that it becomes annoying to use the touch screen. Also, the face plate over the home, back, call send and end buttons is coming off, and the sliding mechanism has become a bit herky jerky.
So I guess whatever happens, I will have to pay up to get it replaced or fixed, despite their "fully insured" that I'm paying?

you need a probably cause to have it replaced... not just suddenly a car ran over it. trust me.

theomni said:
I really want to get this thing replaced. What if I accidentally drop this on my driveway and run it over with my car. WIll they still charge me anything extra? This phone has plently scratches on the screen that it becomes annoying to use the touch screen. Also, the face plate over the home, back, call send and end buttons is coming off, and the sliding mechanism has become a bit herky jerky.
So I guess whatever happens, I will have to pay up to get it replaced or fixed, despite their "fully insured" that I'm paying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said - even if they replace the phone it's still going to cost you $125 for the deductable. Just spend 30 bucks and order a new screen and face plate.

Fuze Owners: ATT Warranty Service - advice?

So my ultimate goal is to try and get AT&T to give me a new phone - a Touch Pro 2. Silly, I know. But I have known many Fuze owners who got AT&T to offer them Blackberriers or iPhones after dealing with them and a few refurbished phones.
So I'd just like some advice. My 1-year warranty expires November 19th. Do you think it's possible? Or worth it? Have you done it? Any advice? I love my Fuze, but I don't want to spend another year with it when the Touch Pro 2 is out, and I'm not paying 350 dollars just to get it.
Alternative plans? Maybe speculation on when I'll be able to buy it somewhere else cheaper? Just advice in general.

thehyecircus said:
So my ultimate goal is to try and get AT&T to give me a new phone - a Touch Pro 2. Silly, I know. But I have known many Fuze owners who got AT&T to offer them Blackberriers or iPhones after dealing with them and a few refurbished phones.
So I'd just like some advice. My 1-year warranty expires November 19th. Do you think it's possible? Or worth it? Have you done it? Any advice? I love my Fuze, but I don't want to spend another year with it when the Touch Pro 2 is out, and I'm not paying 350 dollars just to get it.
Alternative plans? Maybe speculation on when I'll be able to buy it somewhere else cheaper? Just advice in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T will replace it with another Fuze as long as they're available.
If you want to get out of your contract with AT&T, there should be something in the fine print regarding "if AT&T changes your plan w/o notification, a person can opt out of their contract". The surcharge that they bill changes every month and they establish it so therefore its a change to your contract that they did. They will try to agrue but legally they can't.
AT&T usually charges more for their hardware than their competition.
Another thing you may want to consider is insurance. Its about $7/mo. and if you time it right, you can get an upgrade.

Not likely. My friend did make them upgrade from my tilt to the fuze. It took him nearly 6 months. I do not recommend it but this is what my friend did to upgrade to the fuze.
- You will have to damge your phone in a way they can't tell. Shoving hand sanitizer in the usb or sdhc slot will ruin it but not register any alarms.
- They will send you another one. Wait a couple months... Damage it.
- Damage the second one after a few months
- After that your on your last. Damage it.
Finally they MAY let you pick a new one. I cant say if they will offer the T2 I do know they will offer a Samsung Epix, and/or a Blackberry. FYI: This is fraud. It is illegal. I do not support or have any responsibility for what you choose to do. This is a story. This took about 6 months for my friend to complete. Up to you if you wanna risk your life.

What you do is fraud and illegal. Telling AT&T that the Fuze gets extremely hot during phone calls or internet usage is not. It's true about the Fuze. I think you can get them to take it and send it back via that. And it's not lying - it really does get egg frying hot.

thehyecircus said:
What you do is fraud and illegal. Telling AT&T that the Fuze gets extremely hot during phone calls or internet usage is not. It's true about the Fuze. I think you can get them to take it and send it back via that. And it's not lying - it really does get egg frying hot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you want it hot, enable GPS, wifi, 3G, data connection....
just with GPS + iGo, power draw seems to be between 300-500mAh...

they warrantied mine cause of a wobbly slide.... kinda wiggled some, but everything else worked.... i kind of got hooked up tho... i work at a phone place near a device support center, and we send customers to each other.... so i just wore my work shirt up there, and they gave me no problems... easy to tell i dropped it some...
had a friend warranty his sony when he busted his lcd.... couldnt tell it was busted while it was off, so *someone* unhooked it during a flash, and killed it somewhat... they replaced his phone no problem, and at the retail store... so maybe flash it dead? read something about the microwave trick too... up to u whatever u do....

@ jesusishere WTF?
Scamming a company to get a new device?
It's called FRAUD, it's not acceptable.
You are not a customer but a thief!
See this as your first and FINAL warning.
EqX

Bricked Captivate

Ok. So I was going to flash back to stock and it froze during the install. After I pulled the batterybi get nothing but a black screen. Not even a charging icon when plugged in. I have bricked it before but always had something come up on the screen and was able to unbrick. Long story short the home button was giving me issues anyway so I shipped it to samsung. What do you guys think? I a, sure they will be able to get into some sort of diagnostics mode and see I have been jacking with roms???? Do you think they will charge me for a new motherboard? Oh well just needed to share please don't flame. It should be at the repair center Friday. I will let you knownthe progress.

They should be able to tell that you were flashing ROMs on the phone. I've read stories of phones being replaced under warranty for no-charge at first, and then customers getting like a $500 on their cell bill a few months later after Samsung figured out the phones bricked during a ROM flash.

500? Seriously? Or are you just screwing with the newb don't mind paying a 100 or so, but 500 is a bit steep.

MSRP/No commitment pricing is $500.

I find it pretty hard to believe that a stealth charge of $500 would show up months after the fact.
There should always be the option to decline the service due to a charge and it should be stated explicitly before a single dollar changes hands.
I'd like to see some sort of proof or reference to someone getting charged like that, otherwise......screenshot or it didn't happen.

evoic said:
I find it pretty hard to believe that a stealth charge of $500 would show up months after the fact.
There should always be the option to decline the service due to a charge and it should be stated explicitly before a single dollar changes hands.
I'd like to see some sort of proof or reference to someone getting charged like that, otherwise......screenshot or it didn't happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be damned if im going to search through the hundreds of "i bricked my captivate" threads for when I remember reading about that but i've seen it mentioned a few times.
Honestly though, i just pay the $5 a month for the insurance. I figure if I am jacking with flashing the phone and I brick it, $125 is a small price to pay to replace it. Not to mention, its my fault, not samsungs.

evoic said:
I find it pretty hard to believe that a stealth charge of $500 would show up months after the fact.
There should always be the option to decline the service due to a charge and it should be stated explicitly before a single dollar changes hands.
I'd like to see some sort of proof or reference to someone getting charged like that, otherwise......screenshot or it didn't happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I had time, I'd dig up those references for you. I guess my point is this, if you try to make a warranty claim on a bricked phone deliberately withholding some of the facts as to why it was bricked in the first place, you are potentially leaving the door open for ATT to stick you with the bill. By all means this isn't something that's going to happen every time, but I'd just like to share that the possibility is out there...that's all!

Never asked for a replacement, but your right I didn't tell all the truth Don't mind them billing me, I just want the flakey home button fixed. If it's excess of 150 I will probably just have them scrap it and ask them to bill me for the shipping cost they incurred I would gladly pay more if I knew I would have a working gps but still have my trusty backup iPhone 4. By the way I payed full unsubsidized price for the phone. They received it already I will let you know how it unfolds.

I returned my phone today and they gave me a new one. I just got the phone off ebay so there is no way they can bill me for 500 bucks. I told the guy this and he took it back saying it was under warranty.
They cant just stealth charge you 500 bucks. Especially when they dont ask you at the counter when you returned the phone.

Well its fixed and has been shipped. Hats off to samsung for the quick turnaround. Shipped it to them Wednesday and it was repaired and returned Saturday. I should have it Monday or Tuesday. Maybe the fixed the GPS

Charge vs Razr

I was offered a razr in exchange for my charge. How does the razr stack up against the charge. Particularly the camera but everything in general. I understand it has a locked bootloader. Still learning about all that stuff because ive always had a sammy phone and could flash things very easily.

Razr. I don't know about the camera but everything else is better. They got around the locked bootloader with dual booting.

Razr. It works and it has a future. Our devs have done a fantastic job but Samsung & Verizon have ensured that this phone will hit EOL in the not too distant future.
Still Charged Up

Reilly1812 said:
Razr. It works and it has a future. Our devs have done a fantastic job but Samsung & Verizon have ensured that this phone will hit EOL in the not too distant future.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I kinda think it's an embarrassment for them. I knew I was buying a sub-standard phone before I bought it. The reviews said it had garbage for software and nowhere near enough ram. But they also said that it showed some promise with better software. I thought about waiting for a better one to come along but there was also the talk of Verizon ending unlimited data for new users. It was truly a case now or never. Sure enough just a few weeks after I got it they ended unlimited data.
All it had going for it was it was better than the Thunderbolt and that other phone that came out just after it did. I think it was HTC but I forgot the model. Anyway the T-bolt ate it's battery too fast and wouldn't stay running. I got to compare the HTC phone side by side with my charge and the display looked washed out. The good thing that came from my decision is that I have unlimited data.
Sure enough our developers have turned it into a good phone. Now it's hard to decide whether to keep it or get a better phone. The battery life of the Razr Maxx looks mighty good. Getting around the locked boot loader by dual booting looks good too. They say Motorola has better radios than Samsung.
The big deal is a phone with this little ram really looks bad compared to the new phones. I think that's why they are trying to sweep it under the rug.

stueycaster said:
Yeah I kinda think it's an embarrassment for them. I knew I was buying a sub-standard phone before I bought it. The reviews said it had garbage for software and nowhere near enough ram. But they also said that it showed some promise with better software. I thought about waiting for a better one to come along but there was also the talk of Verizon ending unlimited data for new users. It was truly a case now or never. Sure enough just a few weeks after I got it they ended unlimited data.
All it had going for it was it was better than the Thunderbolt and that other phone that came out just after it did. I think it was HTC but I forgot the model. Anyway the T-bolt ate it's battery too fast and wouldn't stay running. I got to compare the HTC phone side by side with my charge and the display looked washed out. The good thing that came from my decision is that I have unlimited data.
Sure enough our developers have turned it into a good phone. Now it's hard to decide whether to keep it or get a better phone. The battery life of the Razr Maxx looks mighty good. Getting around the locked boot loader by dual booting looks good too. They say Motorola has better radios than Samsung.
The big deal is a phone with this little ram really looks bad compared to the new phones. I think that's why they are trying to sweep it under the rug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to a Verizon store the other day and they still had an ad playing on the tv for this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

JihadSquad said:
I went to a Verizon store the other day and they still had an ad playing on the tv for this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They still have a bunch of them in stock cause nobody wants them.

Undzis said:
I was offered a razr in exchange for my charge. How does the razr stack up against the charge. Particularly the camera but everything in general. I understand it has a locked bootloader. Still learning about all that stuff because ive always had a sammy phone and could flash things very easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you get offered a Razr, and which one is it (the regular, new M, or Maxx)?

jco23 said:
how did you get offered a Razr, and which one is it (the regular, new M, or Maxx)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was the reg razr.
First they sent out new sim cards to see if that would fix the issue. it didn't so they did put in a trouble shooting ticket to see if it was the network since both my phones had the same issue. the trouble shooting ticket came back fine and that it must be my phones.
Ive been sent 8 different charges in the last yr. Ive gotten clnr that had everything from blown speakers, constant fc that wasn't solved by factory rest, to different screen issues. I calmly and politely argued my point that somebody clearly isn't doing their job. I told them that i wouldn't except another clnr charge. I have no faith in the device that was gonna be sent to me would be in good working order. They keep telling me that it was policy to replace it with the same model. I told them that they could offer a different device if they really wanted to and in fact i was offered other devices in the past since i had gone through so many clnr charges that were sent out to me defective. I just refused to take any of the other devices (at the time the other devices offered wasn't as good imo). It would be up to their manager to authorize it. The tier 2 tech keep insisting that he could only give me the same device. So i asked to speak to his manager.
The manager repeated the same spill. So i keep telling her that after 8 charges i wont take another. she suggested that i use my upgrade. i told her that i shouldn't have to buy a new phone when im under warranty to get a fully working phone and use the service i pay for. I also noted that if i did use my upgrade. I would have to spend more money on 2 new phones (since mine and my wifes phone was having issues). I would lose my unlimited data, which would cause my monthly bill to go up and would open up the possibility for data overage charges. Lastly i would have to pay 30x2 to use my upgrade. This was asking way to much of me just to get a working phone. As a new customer i wouldn't have to pay out so much. The manager replied that even new customers would have to pay the $30 activation fee. I told her that with all due respect Its very easy to get the new $30 activation fee waved. If verizon didn't want to do. then you could easy go to best buy or some other 3rd party retailer and they will do it and offten times can get a better deal on the phone or combo pack that you wouldnt get through verizon.
She kept insisting that she could only send out the same device. So i told her i understand her view point but please understand mine. I added That I feel as if im being treated differently because now im off contract and i either upgrade to put me back on contract or go through the nightmare of clnr charges that i had already experienced.. Where as before, when i was going through all the bad clnr charges i was offered different devices multiple times but i declined to take them. But at the time i was still on contract. I also told her that it was disheartening to feel this way since im still a paying customer and have been loyal to verizon for yrs now regardless of contract or not. Afterwards I told her that ill let her go since we cant seem to find a solution and i don't want to waste anymore of her time. Ill call back later after i figure out what to want do next.
Thats when she asked me to hold for one min. After maybe 30-60 secs she came back and said that she could replace it with a reg razr only and that it was the best she could do. I told her that i really didn't know that much about the razr but if its at least as good as the charge then that would be fine. she told me that it was actually better because and it used newer hardware. I told her that it would be fine and that i really appreciate her help and was glad that we could come up with a solution. Then she went through the clnr process but for razrs instead of charges.
i called around lunch time. But i noticed that late night they seam to be more willing to work with you. Just food for thought though. i hope this helps ya. sry for any typos im trying to watch my kids, help with homework and type at the same time.