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CONFIRMED! eBay purchased Verizon Micro-Sim works fine in NEW iPad

RetiredInFl

RetiredInFl

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
2,457
250
FORMERLY NJ now FL
I started a new thread because the previous one was getting off topic. This is the original thread here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1349815/

THIS ONLY APPLIES TO VERIZON IPAD 3 - ATT IS MUCH EASIER TO DEAL WITH!

I purchased TWO sims off eBay. The first was a "full size" SIM cut down with a SIM PUNCHER to micro-size. This sim would not activate even after spending hours on the phone and in the store. Maybe I ruined it, maybe not. Maybe it was the wrong type, who knows, but it did not work.

The second one was an actual Micro Sim (not cut down) on the original VZW display card. Put it into my iPad and was up and running in 10 minutes.

This test solves a couple issues (mostly created by Verizon):

#1) MOST VZW stores will not replace a bad sim card at this time.
#2) VZW says "we don't have PRE-PAID LTE simms." They are wrong. There is no such thing as a "pre-paid LTE sim." It's only a regular sim.

#3) If you are going nuts like I was and didn't want to deal with those VZW morons anymore and are willing to invest $5-$6 for peace of mind just buy a micro-sim off eBay and it will be fine.

The one I got was from this seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290686170016

The return address on the envelope was: Verizon Wireless, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza #213, Chicago IL 60654. Obviously a franchise (if that) and not a corp store.

So if you are frustrated fighting with VZW or just want a couple extras SIMs don't be afraid to get it from eBay (or, at least, this seller) but MAKE SURE you get a micro-sim and NOT a cut down regular sim just to be 100% sure.
 
If it is like a AT&T non corporate store you can walk in and ask for one and they will just hand it to you for free.
 
sekazi said:
If it is like a AT&T non corporate store you can walk in and ask for one and they will just hand it to you for free.
Click to expand...

I can't stand the corporate stores. They have hidden agendas, like saying that the unlimited data plan is non-transferable, when in fact it is.
 
sekazi said:
If it is like a AT&T non corporate store you can walk in and ask for one and they will just hand it to you for free.
Click to expand...
It's not like an AT&T store, that why it's about a VERIZON sim. SOME people have scored one but MOST people have gone through hell and have had to return the iPad for a new one.
 
Okay! Wow this is great to know...thank you. This solves a lot of headache.
 
B.A.T said:
Sorry to be clueless but what will one of these sims do for me and my LTE iPad?
Click to expand...
It won't do anything for you until and unless your sim card gets shut down either by accident or after 5 months of non-use. The problem has been that Verizon both directly and through Best Buy, in most cases, has been unwilling to provide replacement sims after scamming some folks into a POSTpaid account upon activation. So when the user calls Verizon to shut down the POSTpaid account for a PREpaid account the SIM becomes useless and they won't replace it.

This would be one solution. The other solution, which many people (including myself) had to do was return the iPad for a new one with a functioning sim that could be setup for PREpaid. A very few folks were able to get one from Verizon either for free or for $10 or $15.

Be aware that once you use the PREpaid cellular data for the 30 PREpaid days and if you don't use it again for 5 months Verizon will shut down your account and kill your sim. ATT shuts down the account as well but the sim is still usable.
 
Last edited:
GOOD NEWS!!!! :)

Only want to add: the sim should be 3FF model, not 2FF. Micro sim is 3ff. The seller is great and I just got mine yesterday. It came brand new in a Verizon envelope. I have no relation with the seller.

TB07-NJ, thank You very much for the solution. I don't think I need to experiment on my SIM, since You have the result already.
 
Excuse my lack of know how here but why would you need to buy one of these sims and where's the sim slot that is user operable? I'm newb to the 3G 4g iPad. Have only had the wifi iPad 1 and 2.
 
Nychot said:
Excuse my lack of know how here but why would you need to buy one of these sims and where's the sim slot that is user operable? I'm newb to the 3G 4g iPad. Have only had the wifi iPad 1 and 2.
Click to expand...
Read message number 8 in this thread.

The sim slot is on the side of the iPad. Not easy to see but if you look for a tiny "pin hole" you will find it. Also "reading the manual" will help. :) You can find the free manual as part of iBooks. Search for, ummm, iPad Manual. :) This is about the VERIZON iPad, if you have the ATT model ignore this thread.
 
Thanks for posting the info! I just ordered one. I have not activated (to test) my 3rd gen due to these stories. I won't need the service until later this year and didn't want to risk the 5 month expiration.
 
TB07-NJ said:
I started a new thread because the previous one was getting off topic. This is the original thread here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1349815/

THIS ONLY APPLIES TO VERIZON IPAD 3 - ATT IS MUCH EASIER TO DEAL WITH!

I purchased TWO sims off eBay. The first was a "full size" SIM cut down with a SIM PUNCHER to micro-size. This sim would not activate even after spending hours on the phone and in the store. Maybe I ruined it, maybe not. Maybe it was the wrong type, who knows, but it did not work.

The second one was an actual Micro Sim (not cut down) on the original VZW display card. Put it into my iPad and was up and running in 10 minutes.

This test solves a couple issues (mostly created by Verizon):

#1) MOST VZW stores will not replace a bad sim card at this time.
#2) VZW says "we don't have PRE-PAID LTE simms." They are wrong. There is no such thing as a "pre-paid LTE sim." It's only a regular sim.

#3) If you are going nuts like I was and didn't want to deal with those VZW morons anymore and are willing to invest $5-$6 for peace of mind just buy a micro-sim off eBay and it will be fine.

The one I got was from this seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290686170016

The return address on the envelope was: Verizon Wireless, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza #213, Chicago IL 60654. Obviously a franchise (if that) and not a corp store.

So if you are frustrated fighting with VZW or just want a couple extras SIMs don't be afraid to get it from eBay (or, at least, this seller) but MAKE SURE you get a micro-sim and NOT a cut down regular sim just to be 100% sure.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate the work you've done on this thread. I purchased 3 sims off eBay from the same seller you purchased from, on your recommendation.

Anyone else able to confirm that they're able to activate the new sim?
 
randymac88 said:
I really appreciate the work you've done on this thread. I purchased 3 sims off eBay from the same seller you purchased from, on your recommendation.
Click to expand...

No problem, but I never "recommended" that seller, only listed the one I purchased from because it worked. ;) The first one I bought (a full size sim I punched down with a sim cutter) did not from another seller.
 
Thanks for the info OP! Any ideas if these sim cards have expirations? For instance, can I activate it a year from now?
 
gquiring said:
Thanks for posting the info! I just ordered one. I have not activated (to test) my 3rd gen due to these stories. I won't need the service until later this year and didn't want to risk the 5 month expiration.
Click to expand...

That 5 months starts once you activate the sim for the first time. If you never activate the SIM does not expire.
 
I can confirm that buying a new 3FF (3rd Form Factor) micro sim on eBay fixes the problem. Verizon Stores and Reps are clueless. Wish I did this from jump.
 
BFizzzle said:
my bad i was talking about att!
Click to expand...
You mean ATT iPad (or phone?) unlimited? If it's the old original iPad unlimited plan to the new iPad just drop it in the new iPad and you're set. If it's an unlimited phone plan you can't as it is against ATT TOS and your phone sim will work but eventually they will tag you and it will be gone.

If it's a phone unlimited plan why even bother? The unlimited is only good for 3GIG before they throttle you down to 2G EDGE anyway.
 
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