Bad esn problem??

**The Only 1** · 07-26-2012, 05:35 PM

Ok so I bought an lg optimus v from a person on ebay who resells phones that were returned(the one I got looked like new) so I guess the old owner forgot to cancel his account, because when I tried to activate, a week after I got it, it turns out the phone's account wasn't deactivated and it's too late to return it now. I haveemail virgin mobile about it and they keep saying I have to contact the previous owner (which is impossible).. So what are my choices here? they obviously know that the phone isn't stolen since they never mentioned that, but they don't want to help me, maybe they want me to buy a new phone? I was thinking of calling them and make myself sound like the victim

lol so maybe they can help me.

I also read that if you wait 120 days then the account it's cleared, but the problem it's that I don't know when it was last used so it could take longer than I would like to, and my old phone it's pretty worn out... Is it possible to transfer my old phone's esn into this one by hacking it or something?....

Anyways thanks for your advices guys

**idbl_fanatic** · 07-26-2012, 05:48 PM

Contact the seller, if they wont do anything about it, open a complaint with ebay

**The Only 1** · 07-26-2012, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by idbl_fanatic

Contact the seller, if they wont do anything about it, open a complaint with ebay

well that's the problem, the time he allowed me to return it, it's now over... I wasn't at home the week we received it so I didn't know about the problem until a couple days later when I tried activating it and dealing with virgin mobile..

**tcross8361** · 07-26-2012, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Only 1

well that's the problem, the time he allowed me to return it, it's now over... I wasn't at home the week we received it so I didn't know about the problem until a couple days later when I tried activating it and dealing with virgin mobile..

File a Buyers Protection claim through Ebay. No matter if the seller says "no returns" at all, this will protect you. If the seller advertised it as a fully functional and able to be activated phone then it is a "not as described" claim.

**vmobi** · 07-26-2012, 08:47 PM

sounds like too much trouble for a used phone.

your options:
1. wait.
2. buy a new phone (there are some great deals on new Older Models like the Optimus V).
3. Check craigslist for an Optimus V at a reasonable price. (for temporary use while your ebay phone clears).
who knows you might get lucky and find one with less than 12months on it.

VM will not help you if you do not have the Old Acct info (including the PIN/Vkey).

**Yakuman** · 07-26-2012, 09:44 PM

Why would an ESN matter on a VMUSA phone?

**cpcollector** · 07-26-2012, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Yakuman

Why would an ESN matter on a VMUSA phone?

That makes no sense. you do know VM phones have esn's right? also don't wait for the esn clear. The phone you have could be a phone that someone got a replacement for, and didn't send back.

Sent from my Triumph using HowardForums

**Joplin T-Mobile** · 07-26-2012, 11:55 PM

An Ebay seller's stated return timeframe means nothing. You have 45 days from date of purchase to file a SNAD (significantly not as described) claim with Ebay. If the seller is not willing to cooperate with the return, Ebay will give you authorization to return the phone to the seller and you'll receive an automatic refund once the phone shows delivered via tracking info. The seller has no say in the matter. Ebay will automatically take the funds from them and refund you.

If I received a phone via Ebay with a bad ESN, I most certainly wouldn't hesitate filing a SNAD claim with Ebay. I wouldn't count on VM clearing the ESN after 120 days. Chances are good it's a brick... and will always be a brick.

**hershey_squirt** · 07-27-2012, 02:17 AM

The OP never said the seller misrepresented the item. If it was a liquidator, most sales are as is, and aren't or can't be tested (cdma). If I had to guess the auction said "powered on, no other testing done, as-is".

If this was the case. Filing a fake claim against the seller because it was your mistake (or just rolling the dice), is just dropping a ton of fees on the seller, and hurting his or her reputation. If he scammed you, then more power to ya.

Thats why they have esn checkers: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=564

**tcross8361** · 07-27-2012, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by hershey_squirt

The OP never said the seller misrepresented the item. If it was a liquidator, most sales are as is, and aren't or can't be tested (cdma). If I had to guess the auction said "powered on, no other testing done, as-is".

If this was the case. Filing a fake claim against the seller because it was your mistake (or just rolling the dice), is just dropping a ton of fees on the seller, and hurting his or her reputation. If he scammed you, then more power to ya.

Thats why they have esn checkers: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=564

Nope! I sold a Palm TX that worked fine when I shipped it. The buyer got it and Filed a "not as described" claim because the touch screen" didn't seem responsive enough". Ebay took the money out of my Paypal account and made me pay the return shipping. I listed it as-is too. I'll never sell on Ebay again because of it. When you looked at the lady's history she had bought several others and returned them too. I still have that Palm too.

Edit: Also did you know that you cannot make a buyer pay for shipping insurance either? The lady said the package was damaged when she got it. When I brought that up to Ebay, they said I as the seller was responsible for the item till the buyer receives it. They said basically I was responsible for the insurance.