Well here is my experience from buying the T-Mobile Galaxy S4, paid in full. Online and in the store, they would not let me purchase the phone, even if paying in full, without a plan..... When I called customer care, they seemed to indicate that I could buy it over the phone with them, pay the entire price for the phone, they would ship the phone to me with the T-mobile sim. All I would have to do was to either activate it, or call T-mobile and tell them that I'm not interested in activating the phone. They said something like I would only have to pay for the service used, but without activation, I guess I wouldn't have to pay anything. But I didn't feel like I was truly getting a clear explanation..... The unlocking part might be another issue.
I found a better deal for it on Shopnbc.com and bought my phone from there. When BYOD came into Florida, I went into a Metro store with the T-mobile Galaxy S4. First issue was that they didn't have the cutters for the Metro sim card at the moment. Then they began asking me if I had unlocked the phone. I explained that I didn't need to unlock it because it was from T-mobile, but they told me it didn't matter. Something like they didn't have the system to test the IMEI or some junk like that. But since they weren't able to put in the sim card, I just had to leave. Called up T-mobile to have it unlocked, but even though I paid for it completely, they told me they couldn't unlock it because I had to have service with them before they could do that.... Thankfully, Shabbypenguin was able to help me with steps to unlock the phone. Took into another MetroPCS store the next day and I was set to go.
I don't know 100% if the T-mobile phone has to be unlocked or not to work on MetroPCS, maybe someone can confirm this. These companies just make it a little difficult for you to unlock your phone even if you pay for it in cash.
If the T-mobile phone doesn't have to be unlocked to work on MetroPCS, then call T-Mobile and order it from them, best way to get it without needing a plan. Look for a store that might sell that phone cheaper than t-mobile. I found a better deal on Shopnbc for the T-mobile Galaxy S4..... If they need to be unlocked to work on Metro, then look at the phone you want to buy and see if there are steps that will help you unlock it yourself.
