Potential issues with phone bought under someone else's account?

[Ashyukun]

Though I alread have (and am quite happy with) my 32GB 4S, I've been offered a NIB 16GB 4S as a trade for a MacBook I'm selling. The seller is planning to get one using an upgrade on his account and doesn't want the phone themselves- but I'm curious as to what problems that this could potentially cause for whoever gets the phone (whoever I sell/trade/give it to).

When the phone is activated, won't it activate under the number it was originally bought for?

I'm sure there has to be a way to deal with this otherwise people couldn't/wouldn't be selling/buying all the phones that they pre-ordered, but I just want to confirm before I go forward so I don't end up getting burned (or burning someone unintentionally...). Thanks!

 

[Carl G35c]

What type of network, GSM or CDMA?

If its gsm, remove their SIM card and insert yours. If its CDMA and you want to use it on your Verizon or Sprint acct, you need to make sure it is removed from their acct and has a clean ESN (not stolen or reported lost) so you can activate on yours.

 

[Ashyukun]

What type of network, GSM or CDMA?

If its gsm, remove their SIM card and insert yours. If its CDMA and you want to use it on your Verizon or Sprint acct, you need to make sure it is removed from their acct and has a clean ESN (not stolen or reported lost) so you can activate on yours.

AT&T, so should be GSM with a MicroSim. I forgot about that. -_-;

Thanks!