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[Q] Best Way to Return VZW SGS3 due to locked bootloader? (And Alternatives?)

So if I want to return the Verizon SGS3, what's the best way to do this? The only reason is the locked bootloader, and I haven't received the box yet (nor obviously opened it.)
Is it best to return it as a defective device? (Without opening it, as I was relying upon the assumption that it would be unlocked like all of Samsung's previous devices, which have been all unlocked, including other carrier's SGS3s, and furthermore that it would be substantially similar to the SGS3 available to other carriers.)
Is there a good way to avoid a restocking fee?
Would it be better to ebay it and pick up a Nexus (though I hear that the camera sucks.)
Would it be better to switch to another carrier? Is there an obvious ETF loophole? Do I avoid ETF if I just return the device before activating it?
Sprint has unlimited and they have an unlocked SGS3. Does it have LTE inside? Will it work with their upcoming LTE network?
This bootloader lock is ridiculous. I want to go as close to AOSP as possible on the best possible hardware, which appears to currently be the SGS3, but I don't intend upon sticking with the carrier's software update strategy over the next 2 years of a contract.

I suppose you could refuse the package. Then it goes back to them and I don't believe they can charge you the restocking fee, as you never accepted the package to begin with.
Good luck with that 30 activation fee though.

The Nexus camera isn't that bad.
Just sell the GS3 online and you'll make a killing from someone who has no upgrade to use.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I second the package refusal. They can't charge you if you never received it. How much is the restocking fee anyway?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Has yours even shipped? If not go to the pre order page hit check status and type your information in then hit cancel and enter the last 4 of your SSN.

No need to return.................
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1756885

I called their Online Sales.. 1-866-338-7390
My order has completed, but hasn't shipped yet, so they will create a ticket to *see* if the warehouse can cancel before it ships, then will send an email to you...
So you can try .. I'd do it ASAP if your looking to do this .. they just opened for the day..

bbeelzebub said:
I suppose you could refuse the package. Then it goes back to them and I don't believe they can charge you the restocking fee, as you never accepted the package to begin with.
Good luck with that 30 activation fee though.
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I will be returning it in 14 days if Verizon doesn't officially unlock. It is a defective unit in my opinion so I will NOT be paying restocking fee. I am considering switching to Sprint...so much cheaper and will meet my needs just as well...

macdroid01 said:
I will be returning it in 14 days if Verizon doesn't officially unlock. It is a defective unit in my opinion so I will NOT be paying restocking fee. I am considering switching to Sprint...so much cheaper and will meet my needs just as well...
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Same here, i'm waiting to see what happens, if it is in fact encrypted i'm returning (it would be a long while b4 anything happens w/ an unlock, if it happens at all) if its not encrypted and just locked i'll wait until one of the marvelous devs of the XDA community crack it, hell they already got root.
But if its encrypted i will politely and firmly tell VZW to shove it and refund me or give me a nexus, no way in hell i'm paying restocking fees

Since it appears that we can write to the internal flash, AND boot from an unsigned recovery partition, (and also write a modified system.img!?) I think we're going to be ok here. Booting from an unsigned recovery means that we can basically do anything. It's still a pain, but much less of a PITA than if booting from unsigned partitions at all was restricted. (So it appears this is somewhere between a HTC-esque S-ON and S-OFF.)
Mine has already shipped.

macdroid01 said:
I will be returning it in 14 days if Verizon doesn't officially unlock. It is a defective unit in my opinion so I will NOT be paying restocking fee. I am considering switching to Sprint...so much cheaper and will meet my needs just as well...
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Does the unit work as intended in Verizon's eyes? Are you trying to do something you shouldnt but a designed protocol is preventing you from doing it? If the answer is yes to either question, then its not defective.

I took a long shot and took my never turned on S3 to the Verizon store to see about swapping for a Nexus. Since I bought online they could do nothing in store. The only two options are returning using the pre-paid shipping label included with the phone or selling. A return is guaranteed to incur the $35 fee. From what I've read the bootloader is probably encrypted and therefore will never be broken by the devs. The current level of enthusiasm reminds me of 2 years ago when I bought my DroidX, and we all know how that turned out. Sure they finally figured out 2ndinit and enabled some non stock kernels, but it was really like running a VM on an underpowered PC and basically sucked.We enthusiasts need to come to terms with the fact that verizon doesn't want or need us. They currently are and will continue to do quite well financially without us. I plan on seeing how this playsout over the next several days and then I'll probably return mine and buy a used Nexus. The next step, and I'll guarantee you it's coming, will be for them to not allow you to change devices if you're on unlimited data, unless you purchase at full price directly. Get ready to decide whether you want a superior network and be treated like an iSheep, or to be an android enthusiast.

My plan is buy the phone on the 10th, if this isn't fixed by the return window I'll return it as defective and be asking for my money back for the SD card I purchased, along with anything else I buy for it, since I won't need them with the Galaxy Nexus.
Sent from my DROIDX

burpootus said:
I took a long shot and took my never turned on S3 to the Verizon store to see about swapping for a Nexus. Since I bought online they could do nothing in store. The only two options are returning using the pre-paid shipping label included with the phone or selling. A return is guaranteed to incur the $35 fee. From what I've read the bootloader is probably encrypted and therefore will never be broken by the devs. The current level of enthusiasm reminds me of 2 years ago when I bought my DroidX, and we all know how that turned out. Sure they finally figured out 2ndinit and enabled some non stock kernels, but it was really like running a VM on an underpowered PC and basically sucked.We enthusiasts need to come to terms with the fact that verizon doesn't want or need us. They currently are and will continue to do quite well financially without us. I plan on seeing how this playsout over the next several days and then I'll probably return mine and buy a used Nexus. The next step, and I'll guarantee you it's coming, will be for them to not allow you to change devices if you're on unlimited data, unless you purchase at full price directly. Get ready to decide whether you want a superior network and be treated like an iSheep, or to be an android enthusiast.
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I hope I will be able to swap mines out for a nexus. I pre ordered mine in store. What really grabbed me about the s3 was being able to watch videos while texting. I have a really long story about how my pre order went down as well, but I won't get into that.
I don't even have my phone yet, and I feel extremely disappointed.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

What if my phone is accidentally dropped before the 14 days are up? Can I still return it and get charged only the restocking fee? Maybe the fed-ex wasn't careful with the phone?

burpootus said:
I took a long shot and took my never turned on S3 to the Verizon store to see about swapping for a Nexus. Since I bought online they could do nothing in store. The only two options are returning using the pre-paid shipping label included with the phone or selling. A return is guaranteed to incur the $35 fee. From what I've read the bootloader is probably encrypted and therefore will never be broken by the devs. The current level of enthusiasm reminds me of 2 years ago when I bought my DroidX, and we all know how that turned out.
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This is exactly what has me worried. I have a DX that I am greatly anticipating getting rid of (even though Jonman's CM9 port is rockin') and I pre-ordered the SGS3 largely BECAUSE it had an unlocked bootloader.
Sure they finally figured out 2ndinit and enabled some non stock kernels, but it was really like running a VM on an underpowered PC and basically sucked.
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2nd-init doesn't allow you to run a custom kernel. There are other methods that will allow you to boot a custom kernel, but they lack basic functionality, like CDMA radios, partly because much of that is built into the kernel. 2nd-init does allow you to run a custom OS on top of the stock kernel. This is where a lot of the difficulties come in. Right now, for example, I am running a GB kernel with an ICS rom (CM9). Getting drivers that talk to the GB kernel and the ICS API is tricky, to say the least. Again, Jonman's CM9 is BOSS and continually getting better, but it is noticeably crippled because of the locked/encrypted bootloader.
We enthusiasts need to come to terms with the fact that verizon doesn't want or need us. They currently are and will continue to do quite well financially without us.
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Unfortunately, I agree with you. IHMO, they should be sued for anti-trust violations. They have the best product, in terms of their network, and they are using that as leverage against their customers and preventing an open market. Pretty much all the major carriers do this to some degree, but Verizon is the worst offender.
I plan on seeing how this playsout over the next several days and then I'll probably return mine and buy a used Nexus. The next step, and I'll guarantee you it's coming, will be for them to not allow you to change devices if you're on unlimited data, unless you purchase at full price directly.
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As of 28 June, 2012 (about a week or so ago), this is already true. That's why I pre-ordered the SGS3 when I did. I was eligible for a contract renewal (and therefore a subsidized phone) on July 20th, and I pre-ordered on the 21st. You can continue on the same contract indefinitely, but if you want a subsidized phone, you have to switch to their "shared everything" plan.
Get ready to decide whether you want a superior network and be treated like an iSheep, or to be an android enthusiast.
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Part of my point on the anti-trust violation, especially when you consider the practice of subsidized phones and the issue mentioned directly above.

ez unlock
satadru said:
Sboatloader with an app calledc want to return the Verizon SGS3, what's the best way to do this? The only reason is the locked bootloader, and I haven't received the box yet (nor obviously opened it.)
Is it best to return it as a defective device? (Without opening it, as I was relying upon the assumption that it would be unlocked like all of Samsung's previous devices, which have been all unlocked, including other carrier's SGS3s, and furthermore that it would be substantially similar to the SGS3 available to other carriers.)
Is there a good way to avoid a restocking fee?
Would it be better to ebay it and pick up a Nexus (though I hear that the camera sucks.)
Would it be better to switch to another carrier? Is there an obvious ETF loophole? Do I avoid ETF if I just return the device before activating it?
Sprint has unlimited and they have an unlocked SGS3. Does it have LTE inside? Will it work with their upcoming LTE network?
This bootloader lock is ridiculous. I want to go as close to AOSP as possible on the best possible hardware, which appears to currently be the SGS3, but I don't intend upon sticking with the carrier's software update strategy over the next 2 years of a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can now unlock your boatloader with an app called ez unlock!

Rbh0909 said:
You can now unlock your boatloader with an app called ez unlock!
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Click to collapse
why did you necro this thread? im sure after 2mo that person figured out what ez unlock is lmao

[Q] Verizon Bogo?

Ok so here it is, i have three iPhone 4s's. Do not want them anymore so I'm trading them in for the new htc one m8. my total value is $600. As verizon states you can buy one and get one free. As i am buying this off-contract but still putting this on my phone number, does the deal still count or do i have to actually completly sign a whole new 2 year contract. Im asking this because I'm wondering if i do get another one free that i can give to another family member in my family. Knowing verizon there is probably a catch, Thanks for your replies.
Btw: if i do get another one for free i do have another line to put that phone on.

It requires a 2 year contract.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app

It requires either A) two brand spanking new Verizon contracts, B) one existing line with an upgrade and a new Verizon contract, or C) two existing lines each with their own upgrade. Verizon's HTC One M8 BOGO deal only applies to devices purchased via contract, so buying both out of contract (from either Verizon or HTC) will not allow you to take advantage of this deal. There is no way around any of this, I personally have checked, tried, and failed.
EDIT: After purchasing these devices, you may play as much musical chairs with them and their respective lines as you like, but in order to purchase them in the first place, your current Verizon Wireless phone plan must fit into one of the above three categories.

Sevinex said:
It requires either A) two brand spanking new Verizon contracts, B) one existing line with an upgrade and a new Verizon contract, or C) two existing lines each with their own upgrade. Verizon's HTC One M8 BOGO deal only applies to devices purchased via contract, so buying both out of contract (from either Verizon or HTC) will not allow you to take advantage of this deal. There is no way around any of this, I personally have checked, tried, and failed.
EDIT: After purchasing these devices, you may play as much musical chairs with them and their respective lines as you like, but in order to purchase them in the first place, your current Verizon Wireless phone plan must fit into one of the above three categories.
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That is correct, and just to clarify, both lines must be on the same account.

skaforey said:
That is correct, and just to clarify, both lines must be on the same account.
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Thank you for that @skaforey!
@nty123, while I am unsure of your current data situation, what you could do, and this may be a long stretch, is actually purchase two upgrades from someone off of Craigslist (or other website, it does not matter), and use those to access this BOGO deal. I actually considered doing this for my HTC One M8, if upgrading through another line on my phone plan didn't pan out. The way it would work is you either create a post, or find a post, of someone willing to sell their upgrades for cash (a reasonable price would be $100 per upgrade, though your mileage may vary). Meet them at a nearby Verizon store and pay them for 1) the two upgrades, 2) the two phones themselves, and 3) the upgrade fee. You would be surprised at how many people would jump on a deal like this.
EDIT: I realize that this may be more expensive then you were originally considering, however you would be getting two brand new phones, out of contract, for (very close to) the same price as it would cost to get them through the regular upgrade process. This my not seem all that logical at first, but for people like myself (where I currently have unlimited data and wish to retain this), this is Christmas morning.

Damn.... Guess I'll just wait until my contact is up then, still really happy with the m7 so it's not that much of a deal breaker for me. Thanks for All your replies.

nty123 said:
Damn.... Guess I'll just wait until my contact is up then, still really happy with the m7 so it's not that much of a deal breaker for me. Thanks for All your replies.
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I would still trade in the iPhones now, though. It's possible to get a bit more than $200 for each, maybe like $250 depending on the device's condition and all that, but their $200 credit is actually pretty good for a 4S now.

How to keep unlimited data.

This worked for me. I upgraded to the HTC m8 on black Friday weekend 2014 through best buy. I hope it helps you. I used method #6
www.droid-life.com/2014/09/25/upgrade-verizon-keep-unlimited-data/

Darn! I used Method One and paid $500. Using Method Six would have required me to cut down my S3 MicroSIM to a NanoSIM. I thought I might have to that anyway so I bought a SIM cutter. Method Six would have saved me $500 but if caught I imagine I would definitely have lost my unlimited data.
I am starting to understand why the Japanese are going back to Flip Phones.

I've used method 6 in the past with no issues. I purchased through BB.
Sent from my HTC One M8

schneid said:
Darn! I used Method One and paid $500. Using Method Six would have required me to cut down my S3 MicroSIM to a NanoSIM. I thought I might have to that anyway so I bought a SIM cutter. Method Six would have saved me $500 but if caught I imagine I would definitely have lost my unlimited data.
I am starting to understand why the Japanese are going back to Flip Phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You live in Japan?

chowner said:
You live in Japan?
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No but I get it.

I believe Verizon has now made a policy change so that you can no longer use options 2-5 don't quote me on that but I have seen that on another forum, option 6 is risky as hell wouldn't even go there but then again I'm just paranoid. When I upgrade to the M9 (hopefully there is a plus) I'll be buying full price.

The Stig 04 said:
I believe Verizon has now made a policy change so that you can no longer use options 2-5 don't quote me on that but I have seen that on another forum, option 6 is risky as hell wouldn't even go there but then again I'm just paranoid. When I upgrade to the M9 (hopefully there is a plus) I'll be buying full price.
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And then can you S-Off it?

schneid said:
And then can you S-Off it?
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If something like the sunshine method is available yes. Verizon likes to play the difficult one and not allow their phones be unlocked via htcdev.

The Stig 04 said:
I believe Verizon has now made a policy change so that you can no longer use options 2-5 don't quote me on that but I have seen that on another forum, option 6 is risky as hell wouldn't even go there but then again I'm just paranoid. When I upgrade to the M9 (hopefully there is a plus) I'll be buying full price.
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Just used option 5 a couple months ago. Caveat: if you purchase a smart phone with the extra line, you have to keep a smartphone data plan on that line for 2 years or pay ETF. If you aren't going to be using that extra line, it's cheaper to just buy a new phone for full retail.

I bought my last two phones off of Swappa. Still rolling strong with Unlimited Data here.

Has anyone tried (lately) getting a device via BestBuy dot com, and doing the "keep current plan" option, to upgrade a device without losing Unlimited Data? I'm trying to help a friend update his device (to a Galaxy S5, currently available for $1), and I'm not seeing any place to keep current plan. I suspect they (at Verizon's behest) fixed the loophole, but I'm looking for confirmation.

Freedom First said:
Has anyone tried (lately) getting a device via BestBuy dot com, and doing the "keep current plan" option, to upgrade a device without losing Unlimited Data? I'm trying to help a friend update his device (to a Galaxy S5, currently available for $1), and I'm not seeing any place to keep current plan. I suspect they (at Verizon's behest) fixed the loophole, but I'm looking for confirmation.
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You might see what happens for a few different devices. I bought my m8 that way and a few months later I bought my wife's 2013 Moto X and saw that the galaxy s4 mini (I think) didn't give the keep-your-existing-plan option while the Moto X and m8 still did.

I just got one from best buy and one from Amazon. I swapped the sim cards between the devices, activated online and still have unlimited on both lines so far.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using XDA Free mobile app

I have no idea how they're still allowing this to happen, yet are closing other loopholes like having extra lines for dummy phones. It seems like it shouldn't even be a thing. Can't Verizon just get the info from best buy when someone buys a phone at subsidized rate and then make the change on their end? Likewise, when a phone gets returned Verizon would restore the previous plan.
It must not be that simple, because if so it would have been long resolved by now. I'm definitely not complaining as I still have unlimited and hope this loophole is still around next year but I guess I'm worried it won't be. It seems too obvious for them to fix.

Echo5Kilo said:
I bought my last two phones off of Swappa. Still rolling strong with Unlimited Data here.
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Ditto to Swappa, 2nd phone from there now and both good so far. New phone requires a NanoSim, old phone has MicroSim. The new phone came rooted with custom rom, and I didn't want to take it in to show the Verizon tech, so I got on Verizon Live Chat, they are mailing me a NanoSim. Also ordered a Nano to MicroSim adapter off Amazon so I can switch between phones if I want.
And yes I know I could have cut my MicroSim down, but figured I'd be safe and wait 2 days for a new sim.

Guide to buying S9+

As the title would suggest, I going give my opinion on buying S9+. Again this is my experience and my opinions. I understand most of the community here is smart and don't need financial advice about how to spend their cash. I'll try to break it down into parts so people understand my opinion. So let's start:
So as many as you know S9 and S9+ was release 3/16/2018. There is 2 version of this phone you can get bloat or no bloatware. What do I mean? In San Diego where I live, my carrier is AT&T. They sell the S9+ at $789.99 if you do one of their payments plans. However if you want buy the device out right then the price is $940.99 this is the att version. I believe the same for Verizon and Tmoblie. But Tmoblie sell it at $839.99. If you are willing g to buy the unlocked version without carrier then it $839.99 however you have to buy it from a retailer like bestbuy or amazon.
My suggestion is to buy the phone out right and unlocked. The main reason is there is no bloatware. If you buy carrier version of the device out right from they add $100 more just to have bloatware. There is no difference hardware specs on the device. So why pay more just to have the carrier bloatware?
Now if that is not an option and you want to make payments, still buy the unlocked version and do payments with credit card. If you cant do that and you have to go thru your carrier then understand the payment plan and I advise against it. Right now all of the major carriers have deal where you can trade in your old Samsung up to $350 towards the S9 & + and its good. The catch is that credit goes towards your bill and not the device. That is crazy. Plus they give you an $150 Visa gift card. So in reality they are only giving $150 for the phone. I'm talking about AT&T. I'm pretty sure it's the same for the other carriers as well. Now my advice is to sell your device yourself and use that money towards the phone or come with at least half when you upgrade setup the payments wait a bill cycle and payoff the other half.
Honesty, buying this phone unlocked is the way to go. There is no reason to buy the carrier version since they just add bloatware and slow down performance. Plus you have the option of leaving your current carrier if they **** up your bill or there is a better deal out there.

I bought the ATT carrier locked version. The only "bloat" I see is a couple of games which I was able to uninstall. Not just deactivate, but actually uninstall. The ATT apps themselves I either uninstalled or use. Again, not disable but uninstall.
If you have the money to buy unlocked, good for you. However, the payment plans are 0% interest. Buying a 800-900 dollar phone on credit, your now paying more than what your claiming to save by buying it unlocked. Again, all the "bloat" I've noticed is uninstallable. On my last phone you could only disable them.

In my case I was able to sell my old device and only pay the difference. I considered just going through the carrier. Honestly I don't want to be held to a two year contract of paying off the device. Your right, buying a device on credit compaired to the carrier is cheaper with 0% interest. That not always going to be the case in the future. Again I'm just suggesting there options out there.

Certain cards, like best buys, offer 0% over 12 months. I upgrade every year with that and sell past generations phone and it covers about ⅔ the cost of the new phone
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

Though this doesn't apply to everyone, I agree with OP on going the unlocked route to ensure faster official updates directly from Samsung. I am actually going a step further and getting international unlocked model (with unlocked bootloader) as I can't imagine buying a phone that has manufacturer/carrier enforced locked boot loader.

Not really followed the Galaxy Series as of late but I'm thinking of importing the SD 845 variant (for emulation) and wondering how long until bootoader can be unlocked? Would love project treble ROMs on it.
And does the Google camera work on the SD 845 variant?

There are ups and downs to each way of doing it. Though you mention the upside of doing unlocked, there is a downside if you want to use some functions too.
One upside you didn't mention on the unlocked versions is you get the Caller ID function stock! Most carriers will charge $3 a month for their "supreme" service.
Downside of doing unlocked is you might miss out on additional carrier features as well.
- HD Calling (hit and miss on this odd one at least with Verizon on past phones)
- Wifi / VoLTE Calling
- Hotspot (there can be work around to this)

Anywhere to get a refurb rootable Pixel3?

Got one from Amazon, said nothing about it being a Verizon phone, and I can't unlock the bootloader. Other vendors are saying they can't guarantee theirs won't be Verizon-locked either. I really don't mind a refurb for the savings, but I've got to have my hotspot! Any ideas on where to get one that's not Verizon?
Thanks a ton!

Wrote a review about a post like that on Amazon.
eBay seller
Wrote to these guys asking the same thing.
They told me they only sell Canadian stock and they can say that their phones are NOT Verizon since they don't have Verizon in Canada.
Canada Pixel 3 / XL are bootloader unlocked. (Basically anywhere that isn't the US)
I personally just bought from Google.
Enjoy.

Man, what a life saver!! Thank you so much! Going to give it a whirl. Definitely seems worth it to pay nearly half the price for a lightly used Pixel3! I really appreciate you taking the time to post this!!! Have a great rest of your day.

Try Swappa.com
its a good site to buy phones and such, thats where i got my pixel 3 (unlocked)
its easy to navigate the site, if you want the unlocked version they got it and etc!

meechieballer said:
Try Swappa.com
its a good site to buy phones and such, thats where i got my pixel 3 (unlocked)
its easy to navigate the site, if you want the unlocked version they got it and etc!
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Fi is doing a half off sale today. I was tempted to do it and sell my Verizon one, but I can't in good faith right now. Wife would castrate me, since we just had our first born and on only my income ?

Yeah, I just saw that!!! But I'd have to use it with Fi and not Verizon, right?

thetastycat said:
Yeah, I just saw that!!! But I'd have to use it with Fi and not Verizon, right?
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You have to activate it on Fi but you can cancel after a day and pay prorated fees.

No kidding - any idea how much we're talking on the prorated fees? It's a heck of a great price for a new P3...

Um so Swappa is AWESOME - too afraid to jack up grandfathered Verizon unlimited to I got one there, definitely not Verizon. I owe you guys!! Thanks a ton.

I'd stay away if you care about unlocking BL. Had a refirb p2 (straight from Google) that couldn't be u locked. OEM unlock was able to be checked off however once I entered the command it would fail. I dread if my pix3 ever needs to be serviced because that experience had a bad taste in my mouth. 2 returns and 2x no root same behavior