Verizon won't activate my droid

[ehaz]

So, I bought this droid new on ebay, but it turns out that the droid is "locked" because the original buyer of the droid didn't honor his two year contract and the customer service rep said the original owner of the droid had to sign a two year contract before the phone could be activated. I sent an email to the ebayer who sold me the droid, but i don't think he'll be too keen on adding a two year contract. Is there anyway around this, like another way to unlock the phone? Basically I can't get out of the "touch the droid to begin" screen because that just takes me to the activation dialer with verizon and I can't get past that. Any other options, or am I just going to have to fight for my money back on ebay?

 

[LOGAN1204]

had this problem with another phone. just pass the problem along to someone else. list it on ebay and ship it out.

 

[goldz28]

To me thats not cool to pass the problem to someone else. Why can't you sign a 2 year agreement with verizon and have them unlock the phone?

 

[OMJ]

I would go to ebay/paypal and try to get a refund from the guy.

 

[skipster]

I would go to ebay/paypal and try to get a refund from the guy.

Bottom line is that you have been scammed. You should definitely go thru the ebay/paypal route to get a refund.

One way to avoid this in the future would be to get the ESN/MEID from the seller first, to see if it is truly clear.

 

[DaddyJosh]

When the phone boots to the "touch the android to began" screen touch each corner from top left clockwise to bypass the Verizon activation screen....like this:

http://answers.oreilly.com/uploads/monthly_06_2010/post-14-127611454978_thumb.jpg

 

[BlueIce5249]

I would go to ebay/paypal and try to get a refund from the guy.

Do what he said ^^. Make sure you go through paypal AND ebay.

 

[Aquineas]

Do what he said ^^. Make sure you go through paypal AND ebay.

Start with eBay...

 

[gwlaw99]

Did you use a credit card when you used paypal. You may want to call your credit card company.

 

[Flahusky]

When the phone boots to the "touch the android to began" screen touch each corner from top left clockwise to bypass the Verizon activation screen....like this:

http://answers.oreilly.com/uploads/monthly_06_2010/post-14-127611454978_thumb.jpg

I understand that will get him into the phone to play. BUT how does this help him get service how? The ESN/MSN is locked in VzW`s system.
He basically has a Droid Media player.

 

[digdug1]

yea, you gotta be careful when buying a phone on ebay. i have bought and sold phones there. did the seller advise you the phone had a clear esn or was ready for use? if so you will have to send a email to the seller via ebay telling them what verizon said. next file a complaint with ebay/paypal advising them of your situation. keep in mind ebay will look at all emails between you and the seller to determine what actions to take.

 

[stewart1champ]

If you are interested in selling it, I would be interested in it. Locked is fine with me. I know it doesnt help you, but maybe you can re-coup some of your $$$.

 

[ehaz]

If you are interested in selling it, I would be interested in it. Locked is fine with me. I know it doesnt help you, but maybe you can re-coup some of your $$$.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to try to get a full refund thru the seller/ebay first. If it doesn't work out, I'd be glad to let you know.

 

[inssane]

I would start with paypal - the money is more important right now.
Negative feedback - he knows why he sold it
Report to EBay

FYI - getting money back with paypal is a process. Paypal does have a telephone number but you really have to look. I would call them and get it going faster.

 

[sbursik]

PayPal Customer Service - 1-888-221-1161

4:00 AM PST to 10:00 PM PST Monday through Friday
6:00 AM PST to 8:00 PM PST Saturday and Sunday

 

[ehaz]

Alright thanks for the advice! I've decided to give the seller a day to respond to my messages and in the meantime start talking to ebay. I've had other problems with ebay purchases before with different items and ebay always has refunded everything and the page did have buyer protection this time, so I think I'll be OK to get my money back. I guess next time I'll just have to be more careful and confirm the ESN with verizon before... Again thanks.

 

[Jeff_T]

Hope everything works out for you, sounds like a big hassle. Now you'll know to be sure to ask for ESN to check in the future.
If eBay/paypal don't solve your problem you could always check craigslist in your area, I know a lot of people around here buy locked/bad esn droids and have them flashed to Cricket... I guess it'd be a last resort.
@ LOGAN1204 That's so shady and lame. Why would you suggest doing that?

 

[deftdrummer]

I am a long time buyer and seller on eBay and I think unfortunately for you your situation is rather opaque. Unless the seller clearly stated that it would be ready to use on the Verizon network, or said it was free and clean then you will not win this argument. Ebay will look at the facts. If said phone was sold as a "working" unit that is quite different than a phone ready specifically to use with Verizon. He did not list the ESN, you did not ask for the ESN and their records indicate this. Given as such, you essentially agreed to buy a Droid that is guaranteed not to be DOA. It's hard to examine your case 100% without seeing the auction, and you haven't divulged much information except that you got a bum phone. Also, Paypal is under no obligation to refund your money if you used a checking or savings account to complete the transaction in the case of fraud. If fraud, you would need to fill out an affidavit and your credit company would refund it in full as mandated by Federal Law.

All coming from first hand experience. Best of luck to you fight the good fight.

 

[sesso]

Hope everything works out for you, sounds like a big hassle. Now you'll know to be sure to ask for ESN to check in the future.
If eBay/paypal don't solve your problem you could always check craigslist in your area, I know a lot of people around here buy locked/bad esn droids and have them flashed to Cricket... I guess it'd be a last resort.
@ LOGAN1204 That's so shady and lame. Why would you suggest doing that?

ya logan thats lameeeeee...


Ebay should give the money back. Always check ESNs for sprint and verizon. I am in AZ too people steal phones and flash them also.

 

[kratos]

had this problem with another phone. just pass the problem along to someone else. list it on ebay and ship it out.

If you have had this problem with another phone, then you should know first hand the frustration and disappointment that would come along with it! Why would you just "pass it along" to someone else? Seriously?

OP: I know that ebay has buyer protection on most products sold and you have stated that you remember seeing this on the auction page. As everyone else has stated, I would talk to the seller first. If that doesn't work, talk to ebay. Finally, if all else fails, go here: Classifieds - Android Forums and I'm sure you'll find someone who will be willing to take it off your hands for testing purposes and be able to recoup at least some of your lost money.

Good luck.

Kratos

 

[Hegemony]

It always bothers me when I see this happen to people. I wish CDMA carriers would lighten up with the ESN blacklisting. It doesn't hurt the person that didn't pay their bill, just the person that they con into buying their phone.

 

[ehaz]

The seller responded to me. He said he did not realize Verizon would lock the phone and that he'd give me a refund. Thank God...

 

[bufftallica]

The thought of getting negative feedback probably provoked the seller into doing the right thing...either way, after reading this horror story, I'm glad to see it had a happy ending. Good luck with your next phone!

 

[bamaredwingsfan]

Question, my wife just recently upgraded to the LG ally. If she decided to downgrade back to her old phone which was the LG Dare, would they blacklist the Ally? Mind you she wouldn't be dropping service, but downgrading it?

 

[gruss]

no it would not be blacklisted. Phones are only blacklisted when they are attatched to a huge unpaid bill or reported lost/stolen.