This is why you don't buy nice phones on Ebay...

[EvilGenius]

So, I've had a couple of crappy cellphones in the past few months - and unfortunately, my parents pay my cell bill (since i'm at school). The contracts are up, and my parents don't want to be stuck for 2 years. Therefore... I am unable to get a brand new phone.

What did I do? I went and bought a cellphone on ebay. It seemed too good to be true - an HTC Hero for $40. I barely won the bidding. What I FORGOT was that many phones on ebay have dirty ESN numbers - for some reason I assumed that all sellers with 5,000 sales and 98% positive feedback are honest in how they obtain phones.

I can't really complain though - I really just wanted an android device to screw around with (even if it doesn't work as a phone) - and he DID list it as "As-is" and "unable to recieve signal."

My question is... how possible and potentially ILLEGAL is it to swap an ESN from an old phone to a new one?

...and if i don't do that - will it at least work as a development device? (Wifi would be cool)

[Blazur]

I'm a complete cell phone noob, but have always wondered the feasibility of buying a used cell off ebay. Is it possible to buy any phone and simply swap SIM cards? Or are there limitations designed to screw the customers? I hate contracts and always want the cheapest deal.

[spychi]

what

the

FUCK?!

I live in Poland and the only thing that is blocking you from using a phone that was sold in another mobile net is a laughable simlock... you crack it and use it legaly

what the hell you people have there in america?

buying a used phone is normal here

[DemolitionSquid]

My cell phone is 6 years old and still works like new.

[Zeraszana]

what

the

FUCK?!

I live in Poland and the only thing that is blocking you from using a phone that was sold in another mobile net is a laughable simlock... you crack it and use it legaly

what the hell you people have there in america?

buying a used phone is normal here

jep...its like that in all of europe..dunno about usa though...

[EvilGenius]

what

the

FUCK?!

I live in Poland and the only thing that is blocking you from using a phone that was sold in another mobile net is a laughable simlock... you crack it and use it legaly

what the hell you people have there in america?

buying a used phone is normal here

we have the "freedom" to get screwed over by phone providers. gotta love the Communications Act -.-

YAY FREEDOM!

so you guys ARE telling me that a STOLEN phone can be activated by cracking the simlock? (I do have the feeling that mine isn't merely "used." Too bad CDMA doesn't use SIM cards )

[spychi]

yes, it can

[EvilGenius]

...i need to move to europe

I got my phone in the mail today - suprisingly, it has no issues other than the ESN. It works great in "airplane mode." I'm still able to access the Android market, and browse the internet.

I even installed android 2.2 (HTC hero isn't usually capable of this )

Now I just need to figure out the ESN crap >.<

[TheEconomist]

what

the

FUCK?!

I live in Poland and the only thing that is blocking you from using a phone that was sold in another mobile net is a laughable simlock... you crack it and use it legaly

what the hell you people have there in america?

buying a used phone is normal here

Again, I say, Poland has nothing to protect. Why should they care about cracks/piracy?

[SinsWage]

Tychus don't front on poland. Pierogi are the worlds best food; stuffed category.