Using Gophone handsets on postpaid accounts

There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,
such phones must be scanned at checkout so that the IMEI# will be entered
into Cingular's "live" database. If such a phone is stolen from a store,
attempts to activate it, or use it on a postpaid account, will result in
that SIM (and the attached account) being frozen for suspected fraud.
OK so far.

Now, I'm reading that it works exactly in reverse. When the IMEI# is
scanned at Wal-Mart, or you enter an order online via Cingular, the IMEI#
of that phone is confirmed in the Cingular database as being a Gophone
exclusive handset ... so that any attempt to use it on a postpaid SIM will
result in the account being frozen.

Case in point: I'd like to play with the Pantech C300 on my postpaid
account. They're pretty easy to get for $120 or less in Gophone packages.
If I were to buy such a package, activate it for a Gophone account, and
letter transfer my postpaid SIM to that phone, am I at risk for having the
postpaid account frozen?

---

› See More: Using Gophone handsets on postpaid accounts

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:42:48 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
>their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
>Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
>that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,
>such phones must be scanned at checkout so that the IMEI# will be entered
>into Cingular's "live" database. If such a phone is stolen from a store,
>attempts to activate it, or use it on a postpaid account, will result in
>that SIM (and the attached account) being frozen for suspected fraud.
>OK so far.
>
>Now, I'm reading that it works exactly in reverse. When the IMEI# is
>scanned at Wal-Mart, or you enter an order online via Cingular, the IMEI#
>of that phone is confirmed in the Cingular database as being a Gophone
>exclusive handset ... so that any attempt to use it on a postpaid SIM will
>result in the account being frozen.
>
>Case in point: I'd like to play with the Pantech C300 on my postpaid
>account. They're pretty easy to get for $120 or less in Gophone packages.
>If I were to buy such a package, activate it for a Gophone account, and
>letter transfer my postpaid SIM to that phone, am I at risk for having the
>postpaid account frozen?

Why not just try it, and return it if it doesn't work?

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

Mike S. wrote:
> There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
> their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
> Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
> that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,

Apparently this is correct. Friend bought a Walmart GoPhone and started
swapping SIMs with an another phone. After all the back and forth
swapping, his GoPhone deactivated itself. In a call to tech support, it
was explained the locking reasons.

In article <[email protected]>,
John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:42:48 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>
>>There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
>>their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
>>Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
>>that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,
>>such phones must be scanned at checkout so that the IMEI# will be entered
>>into Cingular's "live" database. If such a phone is stolen from a store,
>>attempts to activate it, or use it on a postpaid account, will result in
>>that SIM (and the attached account) being frozen for suspected fraud.
>>OK so far.
>>
>>Now, I'm reading that it works exactly in reverse. When the IMEI# is
>>scanned at Wal-Mart, or you enter an order online via Cingular, the IMEI#
>>of that phone is confirmed in the Cingular database as being a Gophone
>>exclusive handset ... so that any attempt to use it on a postpaid SIM will
>>result in the account being frozen.
>>
>>Case in point: I'd like to play with the Pantech C300 on my postpaid
>>account. They're pretty easy to get for $120 or less in Gophone packages.
>>If I were to buy such a package, activate it for a Gophone account, and
>>letter transfer my postpaid SIM to that phone, am I at risk for having the
>>postpaid account frozen?
>
>Why not just try it, and return it if it doesn't work?

Because I want to risk having my account frozen.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:19:14 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>
>In article <[email protected]>,
>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:42:48 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>>
>>>There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
>>>their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
>>>Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
>>>that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,
>>>such phones must be scanned at checkout so that the IMEI# will be entered
>>>into Cingular's "live" database. If such a phone is stolen from a store,
>>>attempts to activate it, or use it on a postpaid account, will result in
>>>that SIM (and the attached account) being frozen for suspected fraud.
>>>OK so far.
>>>
>>>Now, I'm reading that it works exactly in reverse. When the IMEI# is
>>>scanned at Wal-Mart, or you enter an order online via Cingular, the IMEI#
>>>of that phone is confirmed in the Cingular database as being a Gophone
>>>exclusive handset ... so that any attempt to use it on a postpaid SIM will
>>>result in the account being frozen.
>>>
>>>Case in point: I'd like to play with the Pantech C300 on my postpaid
>>>account. They're pretty easy to get for $120 or less in Gophone packages.
>>>If I were to buy such a package, activate it for a Gophone account, and
>>>letter transfer my postpaid SIM to that phone, am I at risk for having the
>>>postpaid account frozen?
>>
>>Why not just try it, and return it if it doesn't work?
>
>Because I want to risk having my account frozen.

Have you carefully read both the GoPhone terms of service and your
postpaid terms of service? Cingular would have no right to freeze your
account (and deny you service you're paying for) unless you violated one
or the other. Otherwise, my guess is that you could easily have it
unfrozen. But fair enough, why not just try the phone on GoPhone, and
return it within the trial period? If you then want it for postpaid,
get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

In article <[email protected]>,
John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:19:14 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>
>>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:42:48 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>>>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>>>
>>>>There are scattered rumblings on the net about postpaid customers getting
>>>>their accounts locked out when they put their SIM card into the "wrong"
>>>>Gophone handset. In a thread on HoFo, someone claiming to be a CSR said
>>>>that in order to reduce pilferage from mass-market stores like Wal-mart,
>>>>such phones must be scanned at checkout so that the IMEI# will be entered
>>>>into Cingular's "live" database. If such a phone is stolen from a store,
>>>>attempts to activate it, or use it on a postpaid account, will result in
>>>>that SIM (and the attached account) being frozen for suspected fraud.
>>>>OK so far.
>>>>
>>>>Now, I'm reading that it works exactly in reverse. When the IMEI# is
>>>>scanned at Wal-Mart, or you enter an order online via Cingular, the IMEI#
>>>>of that phone is confirmed in the Cingular database as being a Gophone
>>>>exclusive handset ... so that any attempt to use it on a postpaid SIM will
>>>>result in the account being frozen.
>>>>
>>>>Case in point: I'd like to play with the Pantech C300 on my postpaid
>>>>account. They're pretty easy to get for $120 or less in Gophone packages.
>>>>If I were to buy such a package, activate it for a Gophone account, and
>>>>letter transfer my postpaid SIM to that phone, am I at risk for having the
>>>>postpaid account frozen?
>>>
>>>Why not just try it, and return it if it doesn't work?
>>
>>Because I want to risk having my account frozen.
>
>Have you carefully read both the GoPhone terms of service and your
>postpaid terms of service? Cingular would have no right to freeze your
>account (and deny you service you're paying for) unless you violated one
>or the other. Otherwise, my guess is that you could easily have it
>unfrozen. But fair enough, why not just try the phone on GoPhone, and
>return it within the trial period? If you then want it for postpaid,
>get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.

If entry of the IMEI# into Cingular's "live" database upon valid retail
sale is a requisite condition to prevent triggering their fraud
precautions, then buying a phone from an eBay seller gives no guarantee of
that having taken place. In fact, I'd wager it's more likely that a
Gophone-packaged handset is =not= entered into the Cingular database.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:43:51 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:

>>Have you carefully read both the GoPhone terms of service and your
>>postpaid terms of service? Cingular would have no right to freeze your
>>account (and deny you service you're paying for) unless you violated one
>>or the other. Otherwise, my guess is that you could easily have it
>>unfrozen. But fair enough, why not just try the phone on GoPhone, and
>>return it within the trial period? If you then want it for postpaid,
>>get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
>><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.
>
>If entry of the IMEI# into Cingular's "live" database upon valid retail
>sale is a requisite condition to prevent triggering their fraud
>precautions, then buying a phone from an eBay seller gives no guarantee of
>that having taken place. In fact, I'd wager it's more likely that a
>Gophone-packaged handset is =not= entered into the Cingular database.

I've used lots of eBay phones on Cingular with zero problems.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

In article <[email protected]>,
John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:43:51 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>Have you carefully read both the GoPhone terms of service and your
>>>postpaid terms of service? Cingular would have no right to freeze your
>>>account (and deny you service you're paying for) unless you violated one
>>>or the other. Otherwise, my guess is that you could easily have it
>>>unfrozen. But fair enough, why not just try the phone on GoPhone, and
>>>return it within the trial period? If you then want it for postpaid,
>>>get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
>>><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.
>>
>>If entry of the IMEI# into Cingular's "live" database upon valid retail
>>sale is a requisite condition to prevent triggering their fraud
>>precautions, then buying a phone from an eBay seller gives no guarantee of
>>that having taken place. In fact, I'd wager it's more likely that a
>>Gophone-packaged handset is =not= entered into the Cingular database.
>
>I've used lots of eBay phones on Cingular with zero problems.

You've purchased Cingular-branded phones on eBay, which were retail packaged
as Gophone handsets, and not registered with Cingular by retail sale as
described above? That is what we're talking about here.

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:34:00 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>
>In article <[email protected]>,
>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:43:51 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Mike S.)
>>wrote in <[email protected]>:
>>
>>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>>Have you carefully read both the GoPhone terms of service and your
>>>>postpaid terms of service? Cingular would have no right to freeze your
>>>>account (and deny you service you're paying for) unless you violated one
>>>>or the other. Otherwise, my guess is that you could easily have it
>>>>unfrozen. But fair enough, why not just try the phone on GoPhone, and
>>>>return it within the trial period? If you then want it for postpaid,
>>>>get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
>>>><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.
>>>
>>>If entry of the IMEI# into Cingular's "live" database upon valid retail
>>>sale is a requisite condition to prevent triggering their fraud
>>>precautions, then buying a phone from an eBay seller gives no guarantee of
>>>that having taken place. In fact, I'd wager it's more likely that a
>>>Gophone-packaged handset is =not= entered into the Cingular database.
>>
>>I've used lots of eBay phones on Cingular with zero problems.
>
>You've purchased Cingular-branded phones on eBay,

Yes.

>which were retail packaged
>as Gophone handsets, and not registered with Cingular by retail sale as
>described above? That is what we're talking about here.

No it's not -- the term GoPhone doesn't appear anywhere in that auction
-- that's an assumption on your part. I suggest you contact the seller
to find out.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

John Navas wrote:
>>>>> get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
>>>>> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.

Cingular is offering the Pantech C300 for $100 including shipping. The
last time I bought a pre-paid phone, I got $10 in calling for this price
as well, though I can't find that little extra on the website right now.

By contrast, the URL you show above has the C300 for a Buy-It-Now price
of $120 plus $20 more for shipping. One wonders how this seller sells
anything... Anyhow, we all have (or had!) a significant incentive to
buy a Go Phone and slip a post-paid SIM in there.

In article <[email protected]>,
Jonathan Boswell <[email protected]> wrote:
>John Navas wrote:
>>>>>> get one on eBay for about the same price as from GoPhone; e.g.,
>>>>>> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250038360184>.
>
>Cingular is offering the Pantech C300 for $100 including shipping. The
>last time I bought a pre-paid phone, I got $10 in calling for this price
>as well, though I can't find that little extra on the website right now.
>
>By contrast, the URL you show above has the C300 for a Buy-It-Now price
>of $120 plus $20 more for shipping. One wonders how this seller sells
>anything... Anyhow, we all have (or had!) a significant incentive to
>buy a Go Phone and slip a post-paid SIM in there.

Actually I think that is the way I will go. Order it online for $99 with
no shipping, activate it and used the included minutes, and then switch to
my postpaid SIM.

The value of the eBay sellers is that many of them are already unlocked;
but there are quite a few places - and growing - that can do IMEI-based
remote unlocking of this model.