Is there any way to have a lost phone activated with Bell Mobility?
Hi all,
I bought a used Motorola Razr2 via Kijiji the other day for 20 bucks. Now I think I'm starting to see why it was so cheap.
I tried to activate my phone via Bell's online service. However, right in Step 1 where it asks for the ESN or MEID, when I punched in the MEID, the service said that the serial number is not recognized as a Bell phone. I then brought the phone to a Bell store and asked if I could have it activated under my account (I've been with them for almost 2 years now). The service lady asked where I'd gotten the phone from, and I explained that I'd bought it used off someone through Kijiji. She looked up the MEID and the phone number that was still listed on the phone. As she called what I assume to be head office, she asked the person on the other end why the phone had a "negative file". When she got off the phone, she informed me that the phone had been reported as lost, and that they could thus not unlock and activate it for me.
Is there any way I can get the phone off the "negative file" and activate it? Or am I simply out 20 bucks?
Thanks!
- Joe
- 8 answers
- Answer this question
OMG I just called bell to switch phones with one I just purchased from kijiji for 500.00 Samsung note they said i have a negative imei i never had this problem before. I purchased the phone six months ago and have been using it with my old sim card no problem. Then I was going to give my daughter my old phone and bell told me if i switch my imei that my Samsung note will not work anymore.ARRRRRR!!!!
HELP!!!!
As someone involved in the cellphone recycling business, this is something I find extremely frustrating.
While GSM phones (Rogers/Fido, newer Bell/Telus/Virgin/Solo) have IMEI numbers that can be looked up through a worldwide database to see if they are blacklisted, the only way to check an older CDMA phone for lost/stolen status is through each specific carrier... it's a major pain and one reason why used CDMA phones are worth a lot less.
I would be very happy if there was a lost/stolen directory I could access to ensure that the rightful owner is notified when I come across a used cell... I don't know for sure but I suspect that the carriers never return lost phones to the rightful owner... after all, they have a vested interest in selling you a new handset for full price.
PS: Here is the owner of the FB pages I mentioned, for everyone's reference: http://okcalls.com (if you're in the US) and http://okcalls.co.uk
I bought cellphones from the web dozen of times before-- in fact, I buy a lot of stuff from the web, and maybe I was very lucky for picking good sellers. The most recent cellphone purchase was from a page which I added on Facebook. Just for everyone's reference, here they are: http://www.facebook.com/cellulars (if you're in the US) and http://www.facebook.com/cheapmobilephones (if you're in the UK). I have not met the sellers personally but so far, all our negotiations have been very good. It is very important to know the person you buy your stuff from.
As for your phone, why don't you try to file a complaint on kijiji about the person who sold you the phone? They might have records
I just bought a used BlackBerry 8830 World from a friend and have the same problem. Luckily I bought it from a friend and she will call Bell.
Is it possible to unlock the phone and then activate it?
Sorry Joe,
You are pretty much out of luck. Once a phone is added to Bell's Negative file only the person who reported it lost can have it removed. The good news is that you only paid $20 for it...
I've bought my last contract free cell phones online from cellarama.com and have had good experiences.
Next time, if you are buying a phone from someone you don't know ask them for the ESN in advance and check it through Bell customer service.
Good luck!
Branden,
I don't have anything helpful to say but I totally agree and have been saying that to anyone looking to buy a phone these days.
Thanks for the post Branden.
Joe,
Unfortunate. But...yes. Unless you have a bill of sale from the previous owner of that Bell account, they will not unlock the MEID. If the phone is listed as lost, perhaps you can let Bell contact the owner. Maybe he'll offer up a $20 reward.
Warning to those buying used phones: Always make sure the phone is from the same network (bell won't accept a telus phone and vice versa) and always make sure you get a bill of sale that shows the esn number. Even better, before you hand over your money, call to the carrier with the ESN and make sure it isn't blocked in any way.
Good luck and thanks for sharing your story Joe.