What do I need to know before buying an iPhone 4S from craigslist?

**mruiz408** · 08-24-2012, 01:16 AM

So I have a crappy cell phone from '05 and I want to get something better like an iPhone. Since data plans are expensive, I just want a phone that I can use that is newer and better. I'm going to buy either a Nexus or iPhone soon from craigslist so that I can use it unlocked without a contract. Is there anything I should look out for when buying a used phone that is potentially stolen? I know that I should check to see whether it is CMDA or GSM but what else is there to look out for?
Thank you

**veriztd** · 08-24-2012, 09:37 AM

If you plan on using Verizon make sure the seller shows you that it is branded as such. You won't be able to use an At&t iPhone on Verizon.

In addition call Verizon to verify the phone is not blacklisted as stolen.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

**technoevil** · 08-26-2012, 10:35 AM

Verizon will most likely make you add the data plan, even if you did not buy the phone directly from them.

**mruiz408** · 08-26-2012, 03:09 PM

Why would they make me buy data if I don't have a contract Im pretty sure they cant force me to buy data.

**veriztd** · 08-26-2012, 03:20 PM

The data requirement has nothing to do with having a contract. All smartphones sold after 2008 are required to have a data plan, especially when using an iPhone. Not even negotiable and no manager will override that. It is enforceable under the Terms & Conditions of Service.

If it was tied to the contract only, folks could drop their data features upon completion of their contract and it doesn't work that way.

**eastercat** · 08-28-2012, 07:22 AM

You would be wrong and obviously haven't been paying attention. If you want to use an iphone without data, you need to use at&t's pre-paid or another pre-paid service.