REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

AzNightmare · 01-13-2012, 04:33 PM

I'm planning to buy a BNIB iPhone4 from craigslist.
But I'm not too sure about what kind of things I need to be aware of.

I'm with Rogers, and there are a few options on CL, but I can't find any BNIB Rogers iPhones.

So should I be looking for an unlocked phone, or does it matter if it's an iPhone with another carrier?
Will Rogers unlock and activate the phone for me (or can I just unlock it myself and then bring it to Rogers)?

What's the difference between an unlocked phone vs a locked phone for another carrier?

And if I were to buy from the apple store, would the phone be an unlocked phone?

Is there any other info I should know about when dealing with "unauthorized" sellers.
I assume buying BNIB should be safe, but I know some sellers claim their phones are unlocked,
but is there any way to know?

Thanks.

jeedee · 01-13-2012, 04:35 PM

So should I be looking for an unlocked phone, or does it matter if it's an iPhone with another carrier?
You should be looking for a locked phone since you're looking for a BNIB phone. All BNIB boxes will be locked to a specific carrier. Unless the person opened the packaging, unlocked the phone and put it back in the box, that wouldn't be considered "BNIB"

Will Rogers unlock and activate the phone for me (or can I just unlock it myself and then bring it to Rogers)?
No, they won't. I don't get your other question. If you unlock it on your own, it's ALREADY unlocked. Once it's unlocked, it stays like that. You don't have to bring it in

What's the difference between an unlocked phone vs a locked phone for another carrier?
Unlocked phone: The phone will be able to use any carrier
Locked Phone: The phone will only be useable to the carrier its locked with. (eg. If it's locked to Telus, only Telus sim cards will be able to use the phone. If you're with Rogers, you won't be able to use it if its locked with Telus)

And if I were to buy from the apple store, would the phone be an unlocked phone?
No. All phones are locked when purchased from the Apple Store

I know some sellers claim their phones to be unlocked, but is there any way to
know?
Bring your sim card with you and have another friend come along who has a different sim card carrier and test out if the phone is unlocked.

parm104 · 01-13-2012, 05:09 PM

Be aware when buying a "BNIB" phone these days...

...You may feel safer buying it BNIB but these days, crooks have access to shrink wrap equipment and are sealing up boxes with shit in them.

I would rather buy a open box phone so that I can test it out than to buy a BNIB for generally more money...Too much risk these days.

AzNightmare · 01-13-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeedee

Will Rogers unlock and activate the phone for me (or can I just unlock it myself and then bring it to Rogers)?
No, they won't. I don't get your other question. If you unlock it on your own, it's ALREADY unlocked. Once it's unlocked, it stays like that. You don't have to bring it in

Oh, I was under the impression that I have to bring an unlocked phone in order for Rogers to activate my phone. But I guess the best thing to do is
unlock the phone myself, and then activate it myself as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeedee

And if I were to buy from the apple store, would the phone be an unlocked phone?
No. All phones are locked when purchased from the Apple Store

So when I purchase an iPhone from apple, they will ask me which carrier I am with, and set it to that carrier? (making it impossible to have an unlocked BNIB)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by parm104

Be aware when buying a "BNIB" phone these days...

...You may feel safer buying it BNIB but these days, crooks have access to shrink wrap equipment and are sealing up boxes with shit in them.

I would rather buy a open box phone so that I can test it out than to buy a BNIB for generally more money...Too much risk these days.

I was hoping to be able to open up the box on the spot as well to make sure the content inside isn't stuffed with just weighted crap.

Craigslist seller I contacted just got back to me with this email reply:

Spoiler!

IMASA · 01-13-2012, 06:03 PM

When you buy a phone from Apple, the phone is unlocked in terms of provider, meaning you can use it on any provider. You just need to put in the appropriate micro simm card.

sekin67835 · 01-13-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNightmare

Oh, I was under the impression that I have to bring an unlocked phone in order for Rogers to activate my phone. But I guess the best thing to do is
unlock the phone myself, and then activate it myself as well?

So when I purchase an iPhone from apple, they will ask me which carrier I am with, and set it to that carrier? (making it impossible to have an unlocked BNIB)?

I was hoping to be able to open up the box on the spot as well to make sure the content inside isn't stuffed with just weighted crap.

Craigslist seller I contacted just got back to me with this email reply:

Spoiler!

Posted via RS Mobile

That guy who emailed is you is a scammer. No one is you going to sell you a brand new iPhone for 250-300 dollars

BillyBishop · 01-13-2012, 06:24 PM

I'm always apprehensive of BNIB stuff, like Parm said

ddr · 01-13-2012, 06:31 PM

I read on the news that the RCMP has been in touch with Apple Canada about stolen iphones and their serial numbers. I'm not sure how you can confirm if your serial number / IMEI has been blacklisted, which can be quite a problem if you ever bring it to a store for warranty.

Sky_High · 01-13-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeedee

And if I were to buy from the apple store, would the phone be an unlocked phone?
No. All phones are locked when purchased from the Apple Store

As for the $250-300 e-mail you received. I would stay far away. I wouldn't even buy it at $450.

Just to be clear, are you looking for an iPhone 4? or iPhone 4S?

!Aznboi128 · 01-13-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

And if I were to buy from the apple store, would the phone be an unlocked phone?
No. All phones are locked when purchased from the Apple Store

WAIT!

all iPhones that are bought out right from Apple store unlocked, as long as its full price they paid and they didn't sign a 3 year contract with anyone.

IF you sign a contract, then it'll be locked

parm104 · 01-13-2012, 07:09 PM

I've bought half a dozen iPhone 4's from Craigslist. Today, I wouldn't spend anything more than $400 for a used iPhone 4 16GB maybe a little more (max $50) for a BNIB unit.

Out of all my transactions, I never had a problem finding someone LOCALLY...You don't need to have some guy from the "U.K." aka Nigeria sending you emails explaining how GSM frequencies work when all you wanna know is if the box has headphones in it lol.

Find one from Craigslist, meet up with the person, but your micro-sim in it and then make one test call. Ask the person if they can hear you fine, if they can...hang up, buy the phone, go home.

If you want to be on the super-safe side, meet during the day, meet at Oakridge/Richmond Center, walk to the Apple Store, confirm serial number. You can also confirm serial numbers online I believe, but the information found online is limited ie: Warranty Start Date/Expiration, Carrier Information, etc.

AzNightmare · 01-13-2012, 08:43 PM

Thanks for all the helpful responses.
I was actually posting for a friend who doesn't have an account.

My friend absolutely wanted it brand new and too complicated to deal through CL.
In the end, just forked out the extra cash and bought it from apple store
to have peace of mind.