Selling/buying contract phone?

[Anonymous]

Hi if I buy/sell a contract iphone can the imei be barred for non payment?

I don't want to buy a phone that gets blocked because the seller hasn't paid their bill!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi

Any phone can be imei barred by a network due to fraud or if it's been stolen / insurance claim.

It's rare to have one barred for non payment.

It's a risk of buying off auction sites.

[jonsie]

If you aren't sure then leave it alone.

Phones aren't barred for non payment, only the original sim card. However we have seen so many instances of sellers receiving your money and then a month later claiming on their insurance, reporting the phone lost/stolen.

[MI5]

Buy from any reputable shop that provides a warranty and you'll be fine. EBay and the like are risky for many reasons, blocked phones are just one of them.

[Cleoriff]

Risky business this one...as many threads on here will show...If spending lots of money better go to a reputable company....:smileywink:

[Anonymous]

One business I use is called CEX.

They test phones before buying them and only buy off members. They then place their own 12 Month warranty on the handset.

If it does get blocked then taking back the phone and receipt should result in you being given another. (As long as you're the original buyer from CEX)

Just one alternative avenue I hope you don't mind me mentioning.

[MI5]

Decide for yourself which reputable outlet you go to though

[Anonymous]

If the phone is bought on a refresh plan, the IMEI does get barred. And with O2 now only offering refresh plans from O2 direct channels, it will be more common.

[MI5]

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@Anonymous wrote:
If the phone is bought on a refresh plan, the IMEI does get barred. 

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Interesting......

[jonsie]

I wouldn't like to put it to the test....