Wife needs unlock code for Motorola V3 RAZR

Hi - my wife lost her phone (again) - fortunately she was able to get a friend to give her a rather nice Motorola V3 RAZR. Problem is that the phone was a Cingular phone and we are on T-Mobile. I have read that you can get it unlocked by getting the right subsidy code and then it will work on any network. I tried to call t-mobile to get the code but they said someone at Cingular would have to provide it.

So, where I am unclear is:
a) can anyone with cingular get a code?
b) is there anywhere I could go on the net to get a code without going through cingular?
c) is the code unique to the type of phone?
d) is the code unique to each phone?

I also read that there are services that can do this for like $20. If there is no access to a free code online..... then are these services reliable and effective?

Thanks & Good Day

yes the services are fairly reliable. i worked for a cingular independent agent for awhile, and we had customers all the time who wanted to use their old phones with cingular service. so we sent them down the street to our repair shop to get their phones unlocked. look for a general cell phone service shop in your area that is not provider specific and they should be able to help

try gsm liberty they have unlock codes and are pretty reliable