Tips for Replacing 3GS from eBay

[Andrew W]

My daughter had her 3gs stolen. I still have 9 months on the original ATT agreement and we might as well use it so I want to buy a replacement 16gig 3GS from ebay. What should I watch out for?

My intention is to go only with listing that say "New" and "ATT". Is there a firmware version that I must have? Are there things that I have to look for to not get ripped-off or the wrong phone?

We got her the first 3GS at the ATT store in May 2010. I just want a phone in flawless working order that we can you to end the ATT original contract.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[IllusionEntity]

My daughter had her 3gs stolen. I still have 9 months on the original ATT agreement and we might as well use it so I want to buy a replacement 16gig 3GS from ebay. What should I watch out for?

My intention is to go only with listing that say "New" and "ATT". Is there a firmware version that I must have? Are there things that I have to look for to not get ripped-off or the wrong phone?

We got her the first 3GS at the ATT store in May 2010. I just want a phone in flawless working order that we can you to end the ATT original contract.

Any help would be much appreciated.

I think what you're getting at is giving the phone from eBay to AT&T so you can end the contract? If so every iPhone is identifiable by their serial number. If that phone has a different serial number (which it will) they will send you on your way

 

[Andrew W]

IllusionE I'm not sure what you mean when you say: "If that phone has a different serial number (which it will) they will send you on your way" Can you explain?

I've already confirmed with ATT that if I bring in another iPhone, they will activate it and we can finish the contract with that 2nd phone. Are you saying that this isn't possible?

What I want to do is buy an iPhone, take it to ATT and say: "My original iPhone ws stolen, I suspended the service. Please activate this phone I got from ebay on the suspended account." I have to pay for the service until the contract runs out, I might as well have a phone to use the sevice.

I want to make sure that I get an iPhone that ATT wil activate and will work on their network and with all the apps and music.

 

[Andrew W]

IllusionE, thanks very much for trying to help. But if you read my post, I wasn't asking if ATT would activate the phone, I was asking how to make sure that the phone will work okay. What kinds of things in the ebay description should I look for? What kind of questions should I ask? Do you have any experience with buying iPhones on ebay?

Is there anyone experienced with buying iPhones on ebay and getting them acitvated on an existing contract with ATT?

 

[Kgd0630]

I have bought and sold a lot of phones on eBay. 100% feedback rating. It's best to make sure the seller has good feedback rating, is in your country, and has a good descriptive listing with pictures. I know you want NEW, but you can find a lot of used but in MINT condition for less $ especially for your daughter. eBay and paypal have gotten very good at protecting buyers lately in case of rip offs. So, it's really safe.


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[IllusionEntity]

Just look for a seller with good feedback and an AT&T locked iPhone 3GS in good condition

 

[Kgd0630]

Forgot, most people ship quickly and you just take to AT&T and tell them you need a new SIMM card and to use that phone on that phone #. Takes about 15 minutes at AT&T.


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