Bad ESN, now what?

---

So I found a person on Craigslist who had a Droid 2 for sale, good deal. So I met up with him, checked out the phone, everything looked good. I called Verizon before making the exchange for the phone and verified the ESN was clear. I get home and try to activate the phone and can't. I called Verizon back and this time I'm being told the phone is still allocated to an account but not active, probably someone who didn't pay a bill would be my guess. It's still early and I haven't tried contacting the person I purchased it from, but providing that falls through what are my options? Or are there any?

I've had verizon for almost 12 years now, can't say I've had the best experience but this just takes the prize. First guy says yes, second person says no, I'm probably out money. ><

Be careful. It could either be stolen or his and he could be filing a claim that the phone was stolen so document everything from the transaction to ensure you don't end up in the wrong. I'm not sure if anything can be done if you have a linked but not active ESN.

Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Originally Posted by newk8600

Be careful. It could either be stolen or his and he could be filing a claim that the phone was stolen so document everything from the transaction to ensure you don't end up in the wrong. I'm not sure if anything can be done if you have a linked but not active ESN.

Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Yea I kinda figure that I'm out some cash and got a nifty paperweight now. I'm calling VZW to raise hell since one person told me it was clean, and the other told me the truth about it. Nothing will probably come of it, but at least I get to bitch at them for it. I did manage to get the guy I bought it from to tell me earlier today that it was on his wifes account and that she needed the money from getting rid of the phone to buy another and have it activated. Of course he hasn't returned any of my follow up calls asking when this is going to happen. Unfortunately this isn't someone I know, but do feel like giving him the ass beating of his lifetime.

Oh well, I should have tried to activate it myself on the spot so I guess you live you learn.

By the way, I've got this new thing called an Android Paperweight that runs OS 2.2 if you're interested in buying it let me know :P (j/k)

Originally Posted by StirCwazy

Yea I kinda figure that I'm out some cash and got a nifty paperweight now. I'm calling VZW to raise hell since one person told me it was clean, and the other told me the truth about it. Nothing will probably come of it, but at least I get to bitch at them for it. I did manage to get the guy I bought it from to tell me earlier today that it was on his wifes account and that she needed the money from getting rid of the phone to buy another and have it activated. Of course he hasn't returned any of my follow up calls asking when this is going to happen. Unfortunately this isn't someone I know, but do feel like giving him the ass beating of his lifetime.

Oh well, I should have tried to activate it myself on the spot so I guess you live you learn.

By the way, I've got this new thing called an Android Paperweight that runs OS 2.2 if you're interested in buying it let me know :P (j/k)

Honestly, if it ends up being a bad ESN and you aren't ever able to activate it you could probably sell it to a developer to recuperate some of the cost. You probably wont get it all but I'm sure you could get a nice chunk back.

Originally Posted by kwheel596

Honestly, if it ends up being a bad ESN and you aren't ever able to activate it you could probably sell it to a developer to recuperate some of the cost. You probably wont get it all but I'm sure you could get a nice chunk back.

I wouldn't even know where to start, but good suggestion, thanks.

I called VZW a few minutes ago to complain and found out that the person I spoke with last night didn't log anything in our account indicating a call and regarding what. The person I spoke with earlier today did. I just wish everyone knew how to do their job properly to make sure everyone in my situation ends up with the best possible results, and not out some money that could be used elsewhere.

So if life I guess

How much does it take to buy the phone..... paper weight

Originally Posted by rdking

How much does it take to buy the phone..... paper weight

At risk of being ridiculed over what I paid for the said item I'll take offers via PM :P For the time being I'm still holding out on the dream it will one day soon be functional.

put it on ebay you can still get a couple hundred bucks out of a droid 2 with a bad esn

Good luck man, I hope it will be activated soon!

Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App