HTC Hero, I got F*****!!!

hoodride1 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 12:33 AM

I just bought this HTC hero of craigs and i called sprint to activate it for me and they said the phone was reported stolen.

is there any possible way at all for me to activate the phone?
unlock it or just do some stuff so i can use it, or even wait long enough and i can use it after a while?

i just dont want my money to go to waste, and this guy changed his number or something because i dont even get a ring when i call him back.

so if anyone knows what to do i would like to know, thanks.

#2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 12:40 AM

live and learn.... live and learn....

dont really know what to say there, talk to a rep at the sprint store and explain what happened, maybe they can help you out

thelastpoet · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 12:50 AM

nope...you are screwed...i feel for you...you may be able to get a rep that feels sorry for you but i doubt it...we are actually supposed to confiscate stolen phones and try to get them back to their owners

ask for the ESN upfront first, double check the esn on the phone matches what he told you...and call into sprint before any money is exchanged to make sure that phone is free and clear

these are the dangers of buying phones off the net

Red_Cheeks · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 01:18 AM

Sorry that happened to you. But if you want to make up some of your money ill buy it from you. Send me pm....

notrock · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:21 AM

This happened to me with a Treo 650. Everyone I called said there was nothing I can do 'Buyer Beware' so I went ballistic. After a few calls I did get my money back and I never sent them back the stolen unit. I'll never look for phones on ebay again..

I have a question about checking ESN's , what if there is a delay on reporting the phone and you get it, activate it and then it gets reported stolen. Is this a possibility?

**Genjinaro** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelastpoet

ask for the ESN upfront first, double check the esn on the phone matches what he told you...and call into sprint before any money is exchanged to make sure that phone is free and clear

these are the dangers of buying phones off the net

Those are pretty much the guidelines for anything off of Ebay, Craigslist or random stranger with a Sprint or Verizon phone.

Vertigo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 05:08 PM

That is why you don't pay cash... CC or pay pal that way you can do a charge back.

If this was a local transaction I will go to the cops. He either found the found the phone or his the owner and is trying to make a quick buck...screw him back!

hoodride1 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 06:35 PM

if i have the phone on can it get tracked?

i do not want to get in trouble for having this phone.

thelastpoet · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notrock

This happened to me with a Treo 650. Everyone I called said there was nothing I can do 'Buyer Beware' so I went ballistic. After a few calls I did get my money back and I never sent them back the stolen unit. I'll never look for phones on ebay again..

I have a question about checking ESN's , what if there is a delay on reporting the phone and you get it, activate it and then it gets reported stolen. Is this a possibility?

yes its possible and you would be screwed if it did go down like that

shadowmite · #10 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:54 AM

if the esn is stolen you can most likely still get some value out of it. because a lot of people cross-flash them to metropcs etc they still have a good bit of value. I expect if you list it in ebay and make sure to put "bad esn" in the title (be honest!) you'll get most of your cash back... You also could try to locate the guy/press charges...