Mua25

Q: NEW-SEALED iphone with bad ESN??

So I read (in places like here: http://www.ebay.com/gds/What-is-a-bad-ESN-cell-phone-and-should-I-buy-it-/100000 00175264001/g.html) that iphones with bad esn could be used as an ipod touch, or as a camera. (I was looking for a cheap 4k camera) and I decided to purchase this brand new tmobile iphone se with bad esn. see ebay link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322271884717?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STR K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

now since the iphone is apparently new, this means i'll have to go through the setup screens in order to use it as an ipod... but since the esn is bad, im afraid maybe i'll get stuck here. does anybody have advice on this?

 

solution 1: By having the iphone sealed in its original box, could this perhaps help me clear out the bad esn with tmobile or apple?? or is there perhaps another legal way to unlock this phone??

 

solution 2: (not trying to do anything illegal) I read that a used and disabled sprint SIM would allow me to set up the phone as an ipod, because apple does not enforce sprint's blacklist... but what does 'disabled' exactly mean here? does it refer to a sim that isn't currently on a plan, or a sim that is blacklisted? and how am i gonna find a blacklisted sprint sim?? lol

--------------------------------------------------------------------

what intrigues me is how can a brand-new iphone have a bad ESN?? Apparenlty, bad esn phones are usually either stolen or from unpaid bills. but those pictures on ebay and the info clearly shows this is a sealed iphone se.... hmmm

 

in case you are thinking i should first try and then ask. I would like to know more before i open the box. Since i could still re-sell it for a larger amount if the box is still sealed.

 

Thank you.

iPhone SE

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 2:05 AM

Close

Q: NEW-SEALED iphone with bad ESN??

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by imobl,

    imobl imobl Sep 27, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Mua25
    Level 5 (7,045 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 27, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Mua25

    Walk away from that deal. If the seller knows the esn is bad, the iPhone is

    not new. Being in a sealed box is not a guarantee that the iPhone is new;

    a sealed box does not even guarantee there is an iPhone in the box.

     

    Not everything you read on the Internet is true. It is a known scam for someone

    to post this is how to get around situation x so they can point to that bogus solution

    when trying to sell an iPhone suffering from situation x.

  • by Mua25,

    Mua25 Mua25 Sep 27, 2016 8:38 PM in response to imobl
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 27, 2016 8:38 PM in response to imobl

    Thats the type of reply that I'm not looking for. Basically someone telling me what to do as opposed to someone helping me learn more about the topic of interest. Why do people talk to others as if they were their parents? Lol I have been using eBay for 6 years and have never been scammed.

     

    But well, back to the issue: I sent a message to the seller and he kindly replied the following.

     

    Yes you will be able to go through the entire setup procedure and use the camera and all other features on the phone . The reason we sell the phone as bad esn is we were unable to verify with T-Mobile if there is a bill attached to this phone . So to be safe we just list the phone as bad esn. The phone can be unlocked n used with other carriers but mainly outside the country . If you have any question please call 305 988 6906 and we can help you setup up the phone.

     

    So thats comforting.

     

    Aside from that, since most likely imobl isn't aware of how eBay works: When you receive an item that is not as described you are protected by ebay buyer protection. Also this seller has very positive feedback. If this were a scam he wouldn't have 100% positive feedback from 145 transactions. I appreciate that you're trying to give "good" advice, but if your advise were informed, maybe you would have clicked on the link I provided and seen the details about the specific item in question, as opposed to making a blanket statement and solidly encouraging me to walk away from that deal. Also you failed to notice I said I "purchased" the item. Which means your suggestion is not even an option.

     

    But thanks, for making my discussion a little less lonely here.       ✨           

     

    Iill post again with the results once I receive the iphone. More input is appreciated.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Sep 27, 2016 9:45 PM in response to Mua25
    Level 9 (54,676 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 27, 2016 9:45 PM in response to Mua25

    So long as that phone is unlocked and you are not in a country that shares blacklisting with the US then you should be able to use a SIM that will work in the phone with a local provider and activate it which will allow you to use it as an iPod. You will need to use the SIM again if you need to update or restore the phone.

     

    imobi is correct, this is not a new iPhone. Hopefully you will be in a situation where you can activate it and use it if not you can deal with the seller.

  • by imobl,

    imobl imobl Sep 28, 2016 3:17 AM in response to Mua25
    Level 5 (7,045 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 28, 2016 3:17 AM in response to Mua25

    You are correct. I did not notice that you had made the purchase already.

    Enjoy your iPhone.