I bought a tracfone locked iPhone 13 pro from Swappa. I called tracfone so they could unlock it, but they said I need a phone number on the device in order for them to unlock it. They said I could use my active Mint sim to do this. The problem is, I can’t use any other sim with the phone until it is unlocked. Should I purchase a tracfone plan for the phone so they can unlock it? I have seen those carrier unlock sites but they all seem sketchy. What should I do? If I need to clarify anything, please let me know.
Comments
ToffeeCoffee t1_j93dfzd wrote
You've been scammed. Seller got a discounted or free phone on contract, but sold it to you without seeing out his contract. Very common scam, there's nothing much you can do aside from trying to get a return/refund but that's probably unlikely - gone with the wind. Maybe small claims, but you'll have to track seller down.
NoDa12345 OP t1_j93dq9m wrote
Shit that really sucks. I will try to get a refund. Thanks man. How do I avoid stuff like this in the future? I guess I could just use a Tracfone plan but that would suck.
dskatter t1_j93h6ye wrote
Don’t buy used phones in the future.
NoDa12345 OP t1_j93jrdb wrote
Good plan.
ToffeeCoffee t1_j941egb wrote
That's the risk with private sales, I'd buy from verified sources with a firm guarantee - from reputable store fronts, or Amazon refurb etc. Might cost slightly more but can be cheaper.
TheMacintoshGeek t1_j9498x2 wrote
Or, if you really want to unlock the phone, ask tracfone how many months of service are left on the 12 month contract before they will unlock it, and you could switch to tracfone and keep your same phone number by having them port it from Mint to Tracfone. Then just stay on trackfone for how many months is required to have them unlock it. Or, just sell it and mention to the buyer and in the add that it's SIM-locked to tracfone for "X" number of months. A tracfone user may buy it. This is why I never buy used phones.
NoDa12345 OP t1_j949dhu wrote
Good advice. Apparently none of the 12 months have been payed.
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[deleted] t1_j93cz7u wrote
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NoDa12345 OP t1_j93clkb wrote
UPDATE: I called them again and they said I have not met the 12 months of active service, I had hoped the seller had already done that but I guess not. Would a sim unlocking site fix this or am I screwed?