buying iphone from gumtree

manufc

I bought an iPhone 3g off Gumtree - a few months later I sold it on Gumtree and bought an iPhone 4 off Gumtree. I would advise you too, just be careful as I would only buy a phone with it's original box.
HTH

macleanal

Ive got a problem with my phone and its beyond repair. Im on a sim only contract so the only option I have would be to purchase a new phone. I was initially interested in the iphone but could not afford from the shops so instead tried Gumtree. Found a few at reasonable prices however asking for some advise from other users on here, I was warned against the idea as the seller may report the phone as stole after the sale has been complete which would result it being locked.

Ive now turned my attention to the HTC Desire and again ive found a few at reasonable prices through Gumtree. Does the HTC desires have the same functions at the iphone where if its lost or stolen, it can be locked by the provider? Basically what im looking for is some advice as to whether this type of purchase is a good idea.

MichaelCR

macleanal wrote: »

has anyone or would anyone ever do this? need a new phone and i like the iphone but not got enough ££ to buy one brand new. Im on a sim only contract and my blackberry is beyond repair. Vodafone will not let me cancel my sim only to go onto a new contract where i get a free phone so only option really is to buy another handset.

If i do go for it, anything specific i should check before i buy it?

Also can you unlock an iphone from one network to another i.e. o2 to Vodafone?

Don't do it.

- Many phones being sold at bargain prices are because they have been IEMI Barred, This is generally due to an insurance claim, Stolen Handset, Reported lost handset, Or default on phone contract.

- Alot of the phones are sold from people who have taken out a phone contract, Just to sell the phone to make a quick few hundred quid, and have no intention in paying it off, And guess what ? The phone gets barred after a month or two.

You simply can't trust, Or guarantee where its come from.

Buy at your own risk.

Jon_01

macleanal wrote: »

Does the HTC desires have the same functions at the iphone where if its lost or stolen, it can be locked by the provider? Basically what im looking for is some advice as to whether this type of purchase is a good idea.

All phones no matter which manufacturer can be blocked.

All phones have an IMIE and that's what's used to blacklist the handset.
The first thing the network does when the phone connects is to read it's IMEI, it checks this against the blacklist, if its there the network won't continue.