Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

greenwire · 01-23-2007, 08:19 PM

I bought cell phone(Spny Ericsson w810i) from letstalk.com, I recieved the phone with phone numbers and personal pictures in it. I called them and told them that this is a preowned phone and not a brand new which I ordered. They asked me to send it back to them, which I did. Now is there anyway to find out if the next phone they send me is a brand new phone or just the same(deleted pic and numbers) or similar pre owned phone?

Thanks for your help.

Eisenbart · 01-24-2007, 08:02 AM

You could have written down the IMEI number (usually printed on the compliance plate under the battery), so you would have been able to tell whether they are sending you the same phone again. If it is possible to associate an IMEI number with a previous owner, you can anyway check whether your "new" phone is a preowned one.

countryhomes · 01-25-2007, 09:02 AM

You can usually contact the tech support department of the carrier and have them do a history check of the IMEI/ESN/MEID.

**Robb4248** · 01-25-2007, 02:42 PM

Wasn't EBGames sued not too long ago for selling used items as new ones?

tavenger5 · 01-25-2007, 02:49 PM

I bet the company that letstalk buys their phones from is a refurb company. They probably don't even know if the phones they sell are new or refurbs. Sometimes all that needs to be done is replace a scratched case. It's strange that they wouldn't clear out previous contacts though. You'd think that would be a privacy issue for a phone company. Especially if the phone was originally taken from a customer and then given a new one.

Funny, EBGames headquarters used to be right across the street from me, then they picked up and moved to texas. A lot of people were out a job.

Eisenbart · 01-25-2007, 03:24 PM

I have just found out that at least some NOKIA phones have a lifetimer that tells you the total amount of time that the phone has been used. Some people say that it is reset proof, others say that it can be reset by a software update. It has been said that the lifetimer can be retrieved by typing: *#92702689#

If Sony Ericsson phones have a lifetimer too, then it may provide a clue as to whether the phone is a new or rather a used one.

wirelessfan · 02-24-2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenwire

I bought cell phone(Spny Ericsson w810i) from letstalk.com, I recieved the phone with phone numbers and personal pictures in it. I called them and told them that this is a preowned phone and not a brand new which I ordered. They asked me to send it back to them, which I did. Now is there anyway to find out if the next phone they send me is a brand new phone or just the same(deleted pic and numbers) or similar pre owned phone?

Thanks for your help.

I'm with Eisenbart. Always check the master lifetime timer.

Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phon

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?

Re: Is there anyway to find out if cell phone is a preowned or a brand new cell phone?