Sell VZW GS3 pre-order to get Inc4g help

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I know there will be a number of people in the exact same boat as me, and since I'm a moron, I could use the guidance before making a fatal error...

I pre-ordered the S3 prior to June 28th on Verizon to use my available upgrade and lock-in my unlimited plan for another 2 years. However, I do not want this phone and want to get the Inc4G instead.

I know I'll have to sell the S3 and buy the Inc4g off-contract. What I don't know is if I have to activate the S3 on my line prior to selling it. I see all these ebay listings saying the S3 is new and never activated, but when I asked vzw support over email they sort of insinuated that I had to activate the S3 first before selling it as part of the agreement process. Does that sound right?

If so, I guess I activate the S3 when I get it then box it all back up and send it to the eventual CL/eBay buyer - do I have to do anything to wipe the phone at that point for the person that buys it from me?

Originally Posted by H-508

I know there will be a number of people in the exact same boat as me, and since I'm a moron, I could use the guidance before making a fatal error...

I pre-ordered the S3 prior to June 28th on Verizon to use my available upgrade and lock-in my unlimited plan for another 2 years. However, I do not want this phone and want to get the Inc4G instead.

I know I'll have to sell the S3 and buy the Inc4g off-contract. What I don't know is if I have to activate the S3 on my line prior to selling it. I see all these ebay listings saying the S3 is new and never activated, but when I asked vzw support over email they sort of insinuated that I had to activate the S3 first before selling it as part of the agreement process. Does that sound right?

If so, I guess I activate the S3 when I get it then box it all back up and send it to the eventual CL/eBay buyer - do I have to do anything to wipe the phone at that point for the person that buys it from me?

If I understood you correctly, you already upgraded your line, and so you can activate the s3, and then do whatever you want with it, as long as you keep the line active and pay your monthly bill. I've gotten phones as upgrades, then sold them soon after, the esn remains clean as long as the person who originally bought the phone as upgrade/new line keeps maintaining the line, or they pay the full etf.

In terms of preparing for sale, factory reset the phone before you sell it, that way your personal info is erased. Also, don't forget to wipe the SD card (if it came with one).

You don't have to ebay it. If you go to an actual VZW store and have them do an exchange which comes nicely along with a 35 dollar restocking fee, and not a return/replacement which they will want to do because it gets the sales rep a commission but screws you, you can swap it out in the store and keep unlimited data. The only thing you have to do is before you bring it in to swap it out it must be activated at least once, then you can wipe it or what ever.

Just make sure you talk to a sales rep that isn't a dope.

Originally Posted by jvward

You don't have to ebay it. If you go to an actual VZW store and have them do an exchange which comes nicely along with a 35 dollar restocking fee, and not a return/replacement which they will want to do because it gets the sales rep a commission but screws you, you can swap it out in the store and keep unlimited data. The only thing you have to do is before you bring it in to swap it out it must be activated at least once, then you can wipe it or what ever.

Just make sure you talk to a sales rep that isn't a dope.

This! Definitely try an exchange at a Verizon Corporate store before you go through the trouble of selling your GS3 on eBay. There have been numerous people in this forum who've successfully exchanged phones without having their data plan changed, but a few folks haven't been as lucky. It's definitely worth a shot though.

Originally Posted by dbrits

There have been numerous people in this forum who've successfully exchanged phones without having their data plan changed, but a few folks haven't been as lucky.

...it's that part that worries me and after it's all said and done, they're like 'whoops, you lost unlimited. sorry bro, you only need 2gb anyway so what's the big deal - it's totally better this way'

I'll definitely go the exchange route first, though, before dealing with eBay - although it looks like I'd come out ahead $-wise with eBay.

Thanks for the help.

Thanks, I also plan to do this when I get my phone. I pre-ordered to retain my unlimited data.
Since the Inc4g is $149 and the GS3 is $199, do you get $50 back (then the restocking fee)?

I may still do the ebay route depending how much money I can get for it and how much cheaper I can buy an inc4g for. I also noticed the ads all say "unopened" "clean esn" "ready to activate"

If you are required to activate your phone prior to switching, then how do these ebay people do it?

Once I get the Inc4g, do I just activate using the setup on the phone or do I need to call in? If I activate the SG3, then buy an inc4g and activate that, then does that mean the SG3 now has a "clean esn"

Correct me If Im wrong , but I was under the impression if you go and EXCHANGE your SG3III box UNOPENED they will NOT charge a restocking fee.

Originally Posted by Johnnybee

Correct me If Im wrong , but I was under the impression if you go and EXCHANGE your SG3III box UNOPENED they will NOT charge a restocking fee.

I heard that if you do that (or any exchange), you lose your unlimited. But I've heard different stories.

When I called my local verizon store and asked if I could retain my unlimited data when exchanging the phone they said no. I guess I could try calling a different location or something...

Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.

You should be fine with not losing unlimited. The only way you can lose it is if you upgrade your phone with a new contract. I would assume if you upgraded the line already the contract should be in place. You can log into your account and see when the upgrade dat eis.