Using a financed iPhone from eBay

[ZircoBen]

I bought a T-Mobile iPhone 12 mini from eBay. It was sold as being for T-Mobile, and T-Mobile only, and had the eBay refurbished badge and guarantee.

However, after owning it, I called T-Mobile and asked about unlocking, because why not. As I started to get down the call chain, they told me that the phone had been financed and was not paid off, and that I should speak to the original owner. Thus, it is not eligible for unlock and never will be.

I'm using the phone on Tello, which uses T-Mobile towers, but I can't say I don't feel uneasy about using a financed phone and the difficult situation that will put me in when I want to sell the phone and have to describe that to the next owner.

Has anyone had experience with phones like this? Are they 'safe' to use indefinitely? Or should I cut my losses and just get rid of the phone? I think I'm still within the return window too.

 

[VineRider]

Personally, I would return it if you are still in the return window.

 

[jenelemond]

No it's not safe! Better get rid of it! It's a risk for sure. And the phone can also be blacklisted!

 

[ZircoBen]

What would cause it to be blacklisted? It's clean for now and T-Mobile says it is good to activate.

 

[VineRider]

If whoever is paying it off decided to quit making payments that could cause it to be blacklisted

 

[ZircoBen]

I just sent it in for return. It’s so dumb that this is not even in the fine print of these phones on eBay…

 

[JPack]

That's why most informed people prefer not to buy used with an unknown history. Or else they risk holding onto a brick a few months later. You're lucky you can return it.