Sprint HTC Hero and ESN activation

likeminas · #1 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 12:57 PM

Ok. Here's the story.
I had a Touch Pro and I really wanted to try out a new phone, so I went on Craigslist and bought a "Brand New" HTC Hero phone from a guy.
Before going thru with the transaction I requested from him the ESN and proceded to call Sprint to make sure the phone could be activated. After a short 5 min. talk with the Sprint rep. I was told the ESN was "clean" and could be activated immediately.
Having this assurance, I bought the phone from the guy, and later on tried to activate the phone. To my surprise and after reading a few forum posts, I realized that the HTC Hero is not "compatible" (whatever that's supposed to mean) with Sprint Sero plans (discounted plans).
So to avoid having a $300 dollar paper-weight, I posted the item for sale on eBay, where it was sold quickly.
Now after a few days, the buyer has contacted me saying they won't activate the phone.
How could this be, if when I called Sprint everything was alright and told me the ESN was clean and ready to be activated.

Has anybody experienced something like this with Sprint when trying to activate a Hero?

How can Sprint tell you the ESN is clean and later say it cannot be activated?

Tinkturtle · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 01:08 PM

Call Sprint and check the ESN yourself. If they give you a different answer then the guy is trying to scam you. If not talk to them and find out why.

likeminas · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkturtle

Call Sprint and check the ESN yourself. If they give you a different answer then the guy is trying to scam you. If not talk to them and find out why.

I called before buying the phone, and the CSR told me the phone was clear. But I wll call again, once I get home.
I should also add that the buyer requested the ESN prior to me shipping the phone so he could check before receiving it.

I was also thinking about checking with them again via the Chat option, so if they confirm the phone's ESN is clear and can be activated, I can send a transcript of the conversation to the buyer. Is that a good idea?

Tinkturtle · #4 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 01:28 PM

I was also thinking about check with them again via the Chat option, so if they confirm the phone's ESN is clear and can be activated, I can send a transcript of the conversation to the buyer. Is that a good idea?[/QUOTE]

Yes. If the guy who bought from you knew the ESN before hand, I would assume he checked it. And still bought it. Sounds like a scam. Trying to pass off a bad phone back to you while he keeps your good one. I don't know.

likeminas · #5 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkturtle

Yes. If the guy who bought from you knew the ESN before hand, I would assume he checked it. And still bought it. Sounds like a scam. Trying to pass off a bad phone back to you while he keeps your good one. I don't know.

He asked me for the ESN after making his paypal payment.
He's got also a 68 score with 100% positive feedback.
I will check with sprint once again. But assuming the buyers is not trying to scam me, I don't understand how a representative can tell you one thing and then another something completly different. It's just upsetting

Tinkturtle · #6 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likeminas

He asked me for the ESN after making his paypal payment.
He's got also a 68 score with 100% positive feedback.
I will check with sprint once again. But assuming the buyers is not trying to scam me, I don't understand how a representative can tell you one thing and then another something completly different. It's just upsetting

I saw you bought it from Craig's List, missed you sold on eBay. Was thinking you sold it on Craig's list too. Must be a mix up somewhere. Talk to Sprint and find out the problem.

I trust eBay more than Craig's List. Ebay gives you some protection that Craig's List doesn't.

boredmug · #7 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 02:43 PM

The only thing i can think of is since you didn't actually activate the phone and it is possibly still tied to the previous owners account, they may have quit paying their phone bill in the time between you checking the ESN and they guy trying to activate the phone causing the ESN of the phone to be flagged.

likeminas · #8 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boredmug

The only thing i can think of is since you didn't actually activate the phone and it is possibly still tied to the previous owners account, they may have quit paying their phone bill in the time between you checking the ESN and they guy trying to activate the phone causing the ESN of the phone to be flagged.

I'm afriad you might be correct.
I called Sprint again, and now another CSR says the original owner has to call in to de-activate the phone even though the account has been cancelled.
This is very frustrating because, the phone looked brand new. it even had the sticker on it and all accesories wrapped up.
And what pisses me off even more, is that when I initially called sprint to find out if the ESN was clean.
I asked the CSR; Is the phone good to be activated?
to which she answered "yes, I just simulated activating it on your plan, without actually going thru the whole activation, as this is the most precise way to find out wether a phone can be activated, so yes the ESN is clean"
I asked her a second time "Are you sure? because I'm buying a phone from a guy I'll probably will never see again"
CSR: "Yes sir, I'm positive"

Does this make any sense?
I got royally screwed by Sprint's spineless customer service, and by a Craigslist scammer.

What a nice christmas!

boredmug · #9 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 05:39 PM

I feel for you dude.. the same thing happened to me on a palm pre i bought for my g/f. Royally pissed me off!

jman069 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009, 08:14 AM

I agree with the above poster a few comments back in that it definitely sounds like the phone was good to go for a short time and after a few days or however long the original seller let their account go.

Had the original owner just cancelled it wouldn't be an issue to this day however since it is either the new buyer has activated the phone and scamming you or the original seller let his account go past due and since the phone wasn't activated during the time it was still good the window of opportunity has passed. That really really stinks.

You could try to plead out your story with a supervisor but I doubt you'll have luck as how do they know you're not the guy who owes them money and is trying to sell something they themselves haven't even paid off fully. It's a double edged sword.

One other thought is if you bought it with a credit card maybe you are covered to an extent? You could also take your chances and sell on ebay. I seen three listings a month ago for hero's that were on suspended accounts and they were going for around 150.