Could I sell my Verizon iPhone 4?

[CallMeCoach]

I was on my girlfriend's plan, we both have iPhone 4's. Both phones were in her name, and my phone was just an add on phone. Well, we broke up and she instantly disconnected my phone. Since my name wasn't on the account, I can't call and ask if the phone is clean or not.


I bought both phones, but she won't give me her's. I still have mine and want to sell it on eBay, can I do so? I heard if you have a bad esn the phones are useless. I don't want a bad rating for it, but it would be nice to get some of the $450 I spent on the phones back.

[jseah]

I was on my girlfriend's plan, we both have iPhone 4's. Both phones were in her name, and my phone was just an add on phone. Well, we broke up and she instantly disconnected my phone. Since my name wasn't on the account, I can't call and ask if the phone is clean or not.


I bought both phones, but she won't give me her's. I still have mine and want to sell it on eBay, can I do so? I heard if you have a bad esn the phones are useless. I don't want a bad rating for it, but it would be nice to get some of the $450 I spent on the phones back.

If she cancelled your line, and it was not out of contract, then the ESN on your phone won't be released until she pays the ETF. If she doesn't pay the ETF, then you're out of luck. The ESN on your iPhone will be blacklisted until the ETF is paid off, and unfortunately you can't go into a Verizon store, or contact Verizon, to pay the ETF yourself.

[Hesster]

Even if Verizon won't release the ESN (which they won't as long as there is a balance on the account) the phone is not useless. You just can't activate it on Verizon. Since the 4S is a global phone, you can remove the SIM lock and use it on GSM carriers. Verizon blocked the phone from using the US GSM carriers, but I believe there's a way around that. On the CDMA side, MetroPCS and Cricket will both activate phones with bad ESNs from other carriers. If none of those options work for you, people are paying $200+ for iPhones 4Ss with bad ESNs on ebay.

[HF305]

The Verizon iPhone 4 does not do GSM, it is CDMA only. The 4S is dual mode: CDMA or GSM.

If she switched your line to another phone, it will be clean. If she canceled the line it will be clean after she pays the ETF. If she reported your phone lost / stolen, it is blacklisted unless and until she tells them to release it again.

You can call Verizon tell them you're looking to buy this used iPhone and ask if the ESN is clean.

[bsweetness]

Just check the ESN here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...ction=enterEsn

You don't have to sign in or be a Verizon customer.

[CallMeCoach]

Just check the ESN here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...ction=enterEsn

You don't have to sign in or be a Verizon customer.

When I entered it into that site, here is what it said:

Activate Phone or Device
Please contact Customer Service at (800) 922-0204


Am I entering the right number? Where exactly is the ESN/MEID #??

[bsweetness]

When I entered it into that site, here is what it said:

Activate Phone or Device
Please contact Customer Service at (800) 922-0204


Am I entering the right number? Where exactly is the ESN/MEID #??

If you don't have the box for the phone (where it should be listed), you can find it in the settings. Settings -> General -> About if I'm remembering correctly.

[HF305]

"Call customer service" seems to mean that the phone is blacklisted. Entering a number that is not an ESN gives a different error message. If you enter a good ESN it goes to the next page where you'd select a plan.

[CallMeCoach]

"Call customer service" seems to mean that the phone is blacklisted. Entering a number that is not an ESN gives a different error message. If you enter a good ESN it goes to the next page where you'd select a plan.

Man, I hope not!

[kch50428]

Man, I hope not!

Unfortunately, it appears you are SOL. Chalk it up to lesson learned. Never buy the phones when you don't own the account they're on...