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It costs $549, and I want just the phone itself, no business with AT&T what so ever. I wanted to buy it from AT&T store, but they said I can't buy just the phone at no-contract price, I still have to open a wireless account and pay monthly service. If I order the phone from Amazon, I don't have to pay anything else to AT&T? Will it turn on without a simcard (or it already has dummy sim without service)?
No Need
You don't need any business with AT&T. The phone turns on great without any sim & if you buy it on Amazon for the full price 500$ something, your free to do whatever you like. Worst case scenario, buy a dummy sim from AT&T @10$ max if your phone requires a sim when booting.
You welcome.
Cool, thanks a lot!
!? I've bought about 6 phones from several AT&T corp stores, never had an AT&T plan, ever.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So I was told that the Verizon Wireless Casio G'z One Phone would work. I paid 70 bucks for it on Amazon and when I went to activate it, Verizon said it was not compatible. I just want to know if I can get around this anyway because one I was told it would work and two I am super rough on phones and need a strong durable one and prepaid doesnt offer any.
Thanks!
I'm assuming you bought the phone non subsidized, probably used at that price? Not sure how Verizon's prepaid plans work but you could look into Page Plus. They are a prepaid service that uses Verizon towers and they allow Verizon Android phones on their prepaid plans as long as the ESN is good.
spunker88 said:
I'm assuming you bought the phone non subsidized, probably used at that price? Not sure how Verizon's prepaid plans work but you could look into Page Plus. They are a prepaid service that uses Verizon towers and they allow Verizon Android phones on their prepaid plans as long as the ESN is good.
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Click to collapse
I will definitely look into it, thanks!
If you buy from the Play Store, you are paying full price (although a VERY good price) for an unsubsidized phone. But Sprint does not give you any break on the plan price, you still pay the same rate as the guy who got his N5 through Sprint for $49. So WHY stay with Sprint? Why not one of the much lower priced Sprint MVNO's? Just asking....
Good Reasons..
The $49 phone will likely be SIM-locked. In addition to getting the ability to use the phone on any GSM network in the world, this would likely increase the resale price in ebay when you get your next phone.
You will not pay the $36 activation with the Play Store phone, further reducing the differential.
Plus, in California, you would have to pay sales tax on the full Sprint retail price of $449, reducing the differential by another $9 or so.
You can buy an Iphone 5s at the subsidized price, never open the box, and sell it on ebay. You will get far more than the differential between the $149 and the $349.
There is absolutely no evidence to support an idea that the Nexus 5 bought through Sprint is sim locked. As to the MVNO question is there an MVNO that has triband access to Sprint?
jalanjkcarp said:
There is absolutely no evidence to support an idea that the Nexus 5 bought through Sprint is sim locked. As to the MVNO question is there an MVNO that has triband access to Sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
History often repeats. Sprint has never sold a phone that was SIM unlocked for US use. They have in the past sold some phones that were unlocked for internatioal use, but morw recently they have been sold locked for all GSM networks.
I would bet a signficant sum of money that it will be locked.
ronwi2 said:
The $49 phone will likely be SIM-locked. In addition to getting the ability to use the phone on any GSM network in the world, this would likely increase the resale price in ebay when you get your next phone.
You will not pay the $36 activation with the Play Store phone, further reducing the differential.
Plus, in California, you would have to pay sales tax on the full Sprint retail price of $449, reducing the differential by another $9 or so.
You can buy an Iphone 5s at the subsidized price, never open the box, and sell it on ebay. You will get far more than the differential between the $149 and the $349.
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Click to collapse
I did this yesterday. Bought a 32gig iphone 5c for $199. Walked in gamestop and got $582 for it... Net $382 profit for me to pay for my Nexus5 outright.
ronwi2 said:
History often repeats. Sprint has never sold a phone that was SIM unlocked for US use. They have in the past sold some phones that were unlocked for internatioal use, but morw recently they have been sold locked for all GSM networks.
I would bet a significant sum of money that it will be locked.
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Click to collapse
The guy at sprint when I was buying the 5c said the sprint Nexus5 will be locked to sprint only. I asked why the price difference for a less desirable phone? He was like, hey, I only work here... I would buy the Nex5 from google if you can afford it.
jalanjkcarp said:
There is absolutely no evidence to support an idea that the Nexus 5 bought through Sprint is sim locked. As to the MVNO question is there an MVNO that has triband access to Sprint?
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Click to collapse
Ting and Ringplus currently offer access to Sprint LTE and both say they will support the Nexus 5 (unless Sprint vetoes it).
Tomeygun said:
I did this yesterday. Bought a 32gig iphone 5c for $199. Walked in gamestop and got $582 for it... Net $382 profit for me to pay for my Nexus5 outright.
The guy at sprint when I was buying the 5c said the sprint Nexus5 will be locked to sprint only. I asked why the price difference for a less desirable phone? He was like, hey, I only work here... I would buy the Nex5 from google if you can afford it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys at the Sprint store have also said in recent days that you can't activiate a phone on Sprint unless it has a Sprint logo.
All I'm saying is Sprint appears to be a new ballgame under Softbank ownership. With the pressures from T-Mobile's new attitude and stodgy attitude of the big gorilla Verizon, don't assume anything about Sprint right now in my opinion.
jalanjkcarp said:
Guys at the Sprint store have also said in recent days that you can't activiate a phone on Sprint unless it has a Sprint logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are already multiple threads with people getting Sprint SIMs for the Play Store version as well as news reports from reputable sites stating that the Play Store version can be activated on Sprint.
The real question is, how many people who lose their Sprint subsidized Nexus 5 will then pay $449 to Sprint (for a likely locked phone) instead of $349 to Google?
---------- Post added at 07:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------
How did you get that price? Gamestop website says they will pay $378: http://www.gamestop.com/recommerce/...ducttitle=Apple+iPhone+5S+32GB+Sprint+-+A1453
Tomeygun said:
I did this yesterday. Bought a 32gig iphone 5c for $199. Walked in gamestop and got $582 for it... Net $382 profit for me to pay for my Nexus5 outright.
The guy at sprint when I was buying the 5c said the sprint Nexus5 will be locked to sprint only. I asked why the price difference for a less desirable phone? He was like, hey, I only work here... I would buy the Nex5 from google if you can afford it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ronwi2 said:
[/COLOR]How did you get that price? Gamestop website says they will pay $378: http://www.gamestop.com/recommerce/...ducttitle=Apple+iPhone+5S+32GB+Sprint+-+A1453
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Click to collapse
That link is the 5s, I bought the 5c:
http://www.gamestop.com/recommerce/...ducttitle=Apple+iPhone+5c+32GB+Sprint+-+A1456
Trade in is $448 (store credit), plus if you buy ANY used game(even one for a dollar).... they will give you 30% more for your trade in. 448 x 1.3 = $582.
Then you just use all that store credit for gift cards. I got all shell gas cards... I spend about 400/month in fuel, so its like pre-paying for my fuel, and using the funds I would have spent on fuel... for my nexus.
I even bought a few used 4s models off craigslist, met at sprint... then traded them in at gamestop for a profit same day.
Beware gamestop has google PLAY gift cards, but they cannot be used for hardware.
ronwi2 said:
You will not pay the $36 activation with the Play Store phone, further reducing the differential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that true? I thought activation charge was mandatory on every phone that hasn't ever been activated on Sprint's network
jj14 said:
Is that true? I thought activation charge was mandatory on every phone that hasn't ever been activated on Sprint's network
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Click to collapse
This is not true. Only phones you buy from sprint or places representing sprint like best buy and radio shack have activation fees.
Only reason I'm staying with Sprint is due to an employee discount. My second choice would be T-Mobile. Sprint reception in my area isn't really THAT bad. I don't ever get dropped calls. But, the data is slow as balls though, so that's kind of a disappointment. For some reason too, I keep having faith that Sprint will implement LTE in my area (Sacramento) which I've been receiving little bits of. I'm not looking forward to activating my Nexus, though.. Seems like it'll be a pain.
lafester said:
This is not true. Only phones you buy from sprint or places representing sprint like best buy and radio shack have activation fees.
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Click to collapse
I certainly hope you are right (Some of the Sprint reps usually have no idea what they are talking about).
In the past, I've bought unactivated phones from craigslist, and have had to pay activation fees (but they likely bought it from Sprint in the first place). Hopefully, Google play purchases are exempt from this charge. I'll update this post once I receive and activate my phone later this week.
illek46 said:
If you buy from the Play Store, you are paying full price (although a VERY good price) for an unsubsidized phone. But Sprint does not give you any break on the plan price, you still pay the same rate as the guy who got his N5 through Sprint for $49. So WHY stay with Sprint? Why not one of the much lower priced Sprint MVNO's? Just asking....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give you my two reasons:
1. Still on contract
2. Have Sprint Family Plan, so the economy does work out
Why stay on Sprint at all?
Sprint is the only carrier that has a tower in the perfect place to penetrate signal where I work (in basement level offices).
Tomeygun said:
I did this yesterday. Bought a 32gig iphone 5c for $199. Walked in gamestop and got $582 for it... Net $382 profit for me to pay for my Nexus5 outright.
The guy at sprint when I was buying the 5c said the sprint Nexus5 will be locked to sprint only. I asked why the price difference for a less desirable phone? He was like, hey, I only work here... I would buy the Nex5 from google if you can afford it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you live in a state with no sales tax? I'm in California, so the $199 Iphone 5c is actually $271. However, the 30% bonus combined with buying some sort of stored value card is a great idea. Unfortunately, I don't drive a gasolin car, so the Shell cards won't work for me, I'll have to see what else they have in stock.
ronwi2 said:
Perhaps you live in a state with no sales tax? I'm in California, so the $199 Iphone 5c is actually $271. However, the 30% bonus combined with buying some sort of stored value card is a great idea. Unfortunately, I don't drive a gasolin car, so the Shell cards won't work for me, I'll have to see what else they have in stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no, sales tax only on the amount spent - so like $12.
A friend of mine got all google play gift cards... and because you cant buy hardware with google play credit, he called and got a "one time" refund of his entire play balance in the form of a check. Boom, cash for his Nex5
Ps - got my nex5 yesterday. paranoid to even carry it without a case, still rocking the evo lte...
Tomeygun said:
I did this yesterday. Bought a 32gig iphone 5c for $199. Walked in gamestop and got $582 for it... Net $382 profit for me to pay for my Nexus5 outright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing you did that when you did. Gamestop is showing only $250 trade in value for a Sprint 32 GB 5C now, which would be only $300 with the 30% bonus.
illek46 said:
If you buy from the Play Store, you are paying full price (although a VERY good price) for an unsubsidized phone. But Sprint does not give you any break on the plan price, you still pay the same rate as the guy who got his N5 through Sprint for $49. So WHY stay with Sprint? Why not one of the much lower priced Sprint MVNO's? Just asking....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the guy getting his N5 for $49 is joining Sprint as a new customer and porting his/her number to Sprint as well otherwise he is paying $149 not $49 and a $36 one time activation fee as well. Also, this person can only be a new customer once and not everytime. We were all new customers to a carrier at one time and got to benefit from the subsidy model at some point.
I'm not one to play the song and dance of bed-hopping from carrier to carrier every few months or thereabouts. Longetivity sometimes counts, in my case, counts for a lot. Been with the same carrier going on 14 yrs now. Guess what i pay including taxes, ~$58, i get 500 anytime, unlimited N/W @ 7pm, unlimited M2M, unlimited SMS/MMS, unlimited data 3G/LTE, roaming etc.
A plan like this would typically run double, and for the MVNO, you get rationed on the data (which still meets most people's needs anyway).
When new stuff comes out, i can either choose to re-up, get the subsidy price and continue with my plan, or buy the phone outright and continue with my plan. I'm usually never in a hurry to have the cool stuff on day one. For example, rather than re-up for a Note 2 at whatever the 2yr extension price was when it was all the rage (it still is :fingers-crossed: ), i just bought it off CList for 300 mint in box. Either way, in my case, i'm just peachy.
ronwi2 said:
Good thing you did that when you did. Gamestop is showing only $250 trade in value for a Sprint 32 GB 5C now, which would be only $300 with the 30% bonus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah saw that. Stopped my little business cold (buying on craiglist, selling to gamestop). Seems like someone got caught paying too much... hehe
I have what I think may be a complicated question which I can't seem to find the answer to regarding T-Mobile's promo with paying your previous carrier's Early Termination Fee. I'm thinking of switching from Verizon to T-Mobile and currently have a Galaxy S4. I understand in order to qualify for the promotional phone prices you need to trade-in your old device.
Here's the Question of the day...
Before switching over to T-Mobile, can I just swap/activate my (Verizon) Samsung Galaxy S4 with my old (Verizon) Samsung Stratosphere, so THAT'S the phone they take from me? Because I would love to keep my Galaxy S4 to sell or even for just play!
So, in other words...
Does the phone you trade in to T-Mobile NEED to be the exact same model that you had when starting/renewing your most recent 2 year contract with Verizon you think?
calebcabob said:
IDoes the phone you trade in to T-Mobile NEED to be the exact same model that you had when starting/renewing your most recent 2 year contract with Verizon you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently made the switch from Verizon to T-Mobile (best decision I've made in my life). I didn't do the ETF promotion, since I made the switch the day after my contract was over and was bringing my own device. I don't remember exactly what was involved, but I remember that they needed access to my Verizon account info (not just my phone number). I remember having to go to VZW's website on my phone, looking for a previous bill that had my full account number on it, so they could put it in their computer and port everything over to their service.
Seeing as how the Stratosphere is 4 years old, and they'll have at least some access to your account information, I really doubt that they'll take your old phone instead of your S4. I can't say for certain, obviously, but I really, really doubt it. I would venture to guess that when you grant them at least some access to your account, they can also see what phone you're on contract with. While the way to "sway/activate" your device is simply swap which phone your SIM card is in, I think they'll still know that you're on contract for the S4, and not the 4 year old Stratosphere.
FWIW, paying the ETF fees for Verizon might be better than simply turning over your S4, but that depends on how much you have left on your contract. If it costs, say, $250 to break your contract, and your phone is in good condition, it might be prudent to pay the ETF and sell the phone after making the switch. But I don't think you'll be able to pull one over on T-Mobile and give them your dinosaur phone. Either you'll have to finish your contract or pay the ETF to keep your phone, or you'll have to turn in in to T-Mobile to have them pay the ETF.
I happily stuck it to "Big Red" when I switched. I needed a warranty replacement on my Droid Razr Maxx (the battery was about to explode). So I went to the store, but the entire country was out, so they had to send me a Razr Maxx HD instead. The day I received the replacement was the day my contract was up, so I switched to T-Mobile, sent back my Razr Maxx, and sold the Maxx HD on eBay for $275. Speeds and coverage in Tucson with T-Mo is better than Verizon, it's cheaper, and I have UNLIMITED EVERYTYING. Best decision of my life.
Like 23 right now compare that to 6 AT&T and 7 Verizon branded units. What exactly is the deal with T-Mobile?
maybe people who are stuck in twrp bootloop?
Tmobile service sucks maybe
Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk
Sub-Negro said:
Like 23 right now compare that to 6 AT&T and 7 Verizon branded units. What exactly is the deal with T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A good number of All but one of 'em are unopened/New,they probably bought 'em to take advantage of the $200 Rebate & headphone offers.
As long as they have a net gain from purchase price/rebate/sale price,I suppose it's a worthwhile endeavor.........
KOLIOSIS said:
A good number of All but one of 'em are unopened/New,they probably bought 'em to take advantage of the $200 Rebate & headphone offers.
As long as they have a net gain from purchase price/rebate/sale price,I suppose it's a worthwhile endeavor.........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is basically giving these things away. If they used the trade in thing, it makes the phone either free or less than $200. They probably have another phone they are using and don't plan on leaving T-Mobile, so they just got one and are selling it. T-Mobile, effectively, puts you in a contract doing this. They take the price of the phone and give you bill credits for the whole term of the EIP. If you terminate service, you owe the phone. Combine that with the free line promotion they had a few days prior, I am guessing this is what is happening. The contract does not say anything about using the phone. As long as they keep their bill current and keep their service, it will be able to be used (I think...). I would be careful buying one of these V20s in case you are not allowed to use the phone on a line that isn't associated with the account, but that is me being a worry wort.
EDubs11 said:
T-Mobile is basically giving these things away. If they used the trade in thing, it makes the phone either free or less than $200. They probably have another phone they are using and don't plan on leaving T-Mobile, so they just got one and are selling it. T-Mobile, effectively, puts you in a contract doing this. They take the price of the phone and give you bill credits for the whole term of the EIP. If you terminate service, you owe the phone. Combine that with the free line promotion they had a few days prior, I am guessing this is what is happening. The contract does not say anything about using the phone. As long as they keep their bill current and keep their service, it will be able to be used (I think...). I would be careful buying one of these V20s in case you are not allowed to use the phone on a line that isn't associated with the account, but that is me being a worry wort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swappa won't let you sell a phone that still has anything owed on it. They check the IMEI.
I assume the bill credits wouldn't affect this as long as the phone is free and clear.
Sub-Negro said:
Like 23 right now compare that to 6 AT&T and 7 Verizon branded units. What exactly is the deal with T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought one unopened for $485. It was purchased with the T-mobile employee discount for $285.
Evilv2 said:
I bought one unopened for $485. It was purchased with the T-mobile employee discount for $285.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice find,congratulations! ?
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi Mix using XDA Labs
KOLIOSIS said:
Nice find,congratulations!
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi Mix using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume lot of the unopened were bought with significant discounts. They are being sold for $500 +/- $15.
Watch out t-mobile is the carrier that's gets the lg partner purchase program phones. They can not be carrier unlocked. That's why there up and cheap.
aknotts415 said:
Watch out t-mobile is the carrier that's gets the lg partner purchase program phones. They can not be carrier unlocked. That's why there up and cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you can use a paid SIM Unlock service to override this........................
KOLIOSIS said:
I'm guessing you can use a paid SIM Unlock service to override this........................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't work. When they go to get the unlock code from T-Mobile the imei isn't in their system so they can't get it and it can't be done. Trust me. I've seen this happen on the v10 and g5. Just look it up.
aknotts415 said:
Won't work. When they go to get the unlock code from T-Mobile the imei isn't in their system so they can't get it and it can't be done. Trust me. I've seen this happen on the v10 and g5. Just look it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the case, I'd think the sellers would know better than to post a listing on Swappa.
Guess we'll find out soon enough how many of the listings are fraudulent.....
KOLIOSIS said:
If that's the case, I'd think the sellers would know better than to post a listing on Swappa.
Guess we'll find out soon enough how many of the listings are fraudulent.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There not fraudulent. Not sure why u think that. Theres nothing wrong with selling lg partner purchase program phones. They just can't be carrier unlocked and the sellers don't go out of their way to tell you. They just say their not sure.
aknotts415 said:
There not fraudulent. Not sure why u think that. Theres nothing wrong with selling lg partner purchase program phones. They just can't be carrier unlocked and the sellers don't go out of their way to tell you. They just say their not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full disclosure is a given when selling on Swappa,anything less would be fraudulent,if not to the letter of the rules,it certainly would be in spirit/practice.
This is some good information though,glad you brought it up. :good:
I'm betting a lot of folks have never heard of such a thing.
Yeah ur right. Lol I wast trying to buy a v10 and g5 earlier this year and ran into this situation. Very difficult to deal with. Most sellers selling them do t really understand them selves and they blame T-Mobile. It probly is T-Mobile fault since it's branded T-Mobile. Just want everyone to be aware they can't be unlocked, even a third party unlock service can't. Having it on ur account for 40 days doesnt matter either. It's a crappy situation lol
aknotts415 said:
Yeah ur right. Lol I wast trying to buy a v10 and g5 earlier this year and ran into this situation. Very difficult to deal with. Most sellers selling them do t really understand them selves and they blame T-Mobile. It probly is T-Mobile fault since it's branded T-Mobile. Just want everyone to be aware they can't be unlocked, even a third party unlock service can't. Having it on ur account for 40 days doesnt matter either. It's a crappy situation lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd heard of employee deals/mfg-partner phones/etc..,but,I didn't know about the SIM Unlocking issue.
Again,many THX for bringing this up,you've no doubt saved some people a lot of trouble. :highfive:
FWIW,here's Swappa's policy on clean ESN's:
https://swappa.com/faq/sell/share_esn_numbers
Bulletproof,no,but,it sounds as if they're doing their due dilligence w/researching the ESN/IMEI,perhaps w/more tools than the general public is armed with.
Some sharp individuals here on XDA/Swappa running the show,I'm guessing/hoping they have this scenario covered,enough to ensure the buyers are protected in a worse-case scenario.
A little bit off topic, can you get square trade insurance for phones purchased at swappa?
aknotts415 said:
Yeah ur right. Lol I wast trying to buy a v10 and g5 earlier this year and ran into this situation. Very difficult to deal with. Most sellers selling them do t really understand them selves and they blame T-Mobile. It probly is T-Mobile fault since it's branded T-Mobile. Just want everyone to be aware they can't be unlocked, even a third party unlock service can't. Having it on ur account for 40 days doesnt matter either. It's a crappy situation lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um I'm not trying to be a pain but I bought my G5 from Tmobile and had it unlocked in 24 hours as I was traveling out of the country. I used the app on the phone and the code the rep gave me. I've traveled to 7 countries since then and used sim cards from each one no problem.
seanmfield said:
Um I'm not trying to be a pain but I bought my G5 from Tmobile and had it unlocked in 24 hours as I was traveling out of the country. I used the app on the phone and the code the rep gave me. I've traveled to 7 countries since then and used sim cards from each one no problem.
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Click to collapse
Ur probly wasn't a lg partner purchase program one then lol.