Cell Phone noob, need some help
 

So I want to buy a new cellphone cause my old one broke.
I'm with a Telus plan...

And on Craigslist, I see these phones that say Rogers phone, or Fido phone, etc

What does this mean? Can I not use those phones and set them up with my Telus plan?


btw, I was using a Krzr K1m... If anyone can recommend me something good I can get for $100~, that would be great.

And... if anyone can give me some tips/advice on what to do when buying cells second hand... so I don't get scammed.

the rogers or fido tag means they are locked to the service

so u need to unlock it to use on telus

please refer to the FAQ stickied at the top

So after some research...
I figured some more stuff about cellphones...

Since I'm on a Telus plan, I can't use anything but Telus.
So I'm looking for a phone that enables internet surfing.
That means I need something with Wi-Fi, correct?
I'm not interest in paying anything extra for internet, like a data plan.

I'm currently looking at the HTC Touch Diamond. It's just something I stumbled
upon on craigslist. I don't know very many cell models so I don't have much to
work with anyway. But this one looks nice.

Also, if I get a phone, it should be easy to transfer my plan to the new phone, right?
Like no special "surprise fee for just using a particular phone" kind of thing? I don't
intend on adding any new features besides getting access to the net (for free).

So what kind of procedures should I do when purchasing a phone off someone to
make sure I don't get a dead phone?

Unless you have a data plan, yes you'll need wifi to do your web browsing. However this only enables you to surf when in range of a "hotspot"

If possible, ask the seller if you can meet at a telus store so they can verify that its not stolen etc. Also when you're there you can have them set everything up for you.

But usually just playing around with the phone, making a few test calls is enough to let you know the phone isnt a dud.

yeah, the wi-fi, finding hotspot is good enough for me. Is it normal, if I were to ask the seller to provide me the serial, so I can check online at the Telus site to see if it's an available/legit phone prior to meeting?

Some of these people live far, and it saves me the hassle.
And I don't think I can make a few test calls before setting up the phone.

I'm not sure if sellers would want to be giving out their imei #'s, but one rule I've always gone by is that if the seller is willing to meet you at a Telus/Rogers/Fido store to set everything up with you to put your mind at ease, chances are they're not trying to screw you over.

If the seller seems rushed with you, just move onto the next item you had your eye on.
Thats how I deal with Craigslist items anwyay..

No matter how much you need a phone, waiting that extra week is better than being out $100

Can anyone tell me about cellphone warranty?
Like if the phone is a few months old, it probably still has warranty, right?

But how do I get the warranty if the phone breaks like a week after purchase?
Do I need a receipt or something/?

talk to telus retentions to see how much of a credit they can give you for a new phone. While you are talking to them you could ask about improving your plan

This guy working at Telus told me it costs $35 for equipment swap fee, + $25 on my bill,
total of $60... wtf??

Then I asked him about smartphones, and he said some Wi-Fi phones are mandatory to have a data plan or it won't activate.
Is this true?? Or is he just trying to force me to get Data Plan to spend more??

I have no intention of getting Data Plan, which is why I'm strictly looking for a Wi-Fi phone.


Is it possible to just ask the Telus store to check the serial to make sure it's a clean and legit one?
And then go home and do the swap myself online (for $10)?

Or should I really get Telus to set everything up before paying the guy I bought the phone from?

i deal with telus for work, if u do equipment swap online, its free, u have to put in a new imei no. save urself $. But that is only for older phone (not using sim cards- i think)
new phones with sim card, u just take ur sim and drop it into the new phone.

How did you do that for free? It specifically said it charges me $10 when I do a swap online. And $25 or $35 (I forgot) when I call them on the phone to tell them to do it.

And apparently, that guy at a store said it will cost $60 if they do it for me
at the store.

What's with these bs prices??