Buying A BlackBerry Online Privately Or Via An Auction....

[stevetaz]

If you want to buy online from a private seller, eBay or Craig's List, keep the following in mind and do this before you make any kind of a bid or an offer:
Ask the seller:-If new and in a sealed box?
-For photo evidence.
-If new, is the device locked to a carrier and if so which one?
-For the IMEI number. If provided, call the carrier to make sure the device has not been reported stolen. If the seller won't provide, think long and hard.
-Also ask the carrier if the device has been released?

If the device is used, in addition to the above ask:-What is the guarantee it will work when it arrives?
-Is there an IT Policy installed? This can make full usage difficult.
-Has there been any water damage (internal water sensor stickers intact)?
-Are the pictures in the ad the actual device or a "sample"? Satisfy yourself you know what you are getting.

Is It Really Unlocked:If you are told a used BB is unlocked, ask the seller to take a photograph of the following screen, which should prove what they are saying. Note that you should also do this when the device is received to make sure it is unlocked:
1) On the BlackBerry device:
Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card.
2) In that screen type MEPD on the keyboard.
3) A new menu will pop up.
4) Look for Network.
5) If your device is really unlocked, you should see Disabled or Inactive.
6) If Active is displayed next to Network, it is still locked to a carrier.

Note that CDMA devices cannot be unlocked. The above applies to GSM devices and hybrids such as the Storm (and possibly the 8830 World Edition), which include SIM slots and work on both CDMA and GSM. AT&T and Verizon devices that are unlocked will not receive a 3G signal outside their networks.

[Sav]

Steve, the Bold is not a hybrid. It only supports GSM networks.

[stevetaz]

My bad...Corrected.

Thanks for the head's up Sav....