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I've read the thread and I have dealt with buying used phones multiple times and you can't get a replacement on a phone you traded for.

I have. Everyone has different stories and situations. It probably depends on the carrier and employee you deal with.
 
Since Verizone iPhones were factory unlocked for GSM SIMs. Could a bad ESN Verizon (bills not paid so marked bad by Verizon) be used with a Prepaid SIM Card from US & EU?
 
hate to say it but I think you're sol. If you try to get it replaced via some kind of warranty or exchange program the bad esn will come up and you'll be sol. sorry. If it was me I'd try to get a hold of the person you traded with and "negotiate" a solution

So much bad information. Warranty exchanges don't transfer ESN status.

Also, someone on a GSM network could use it with no issue whatsoever.
 
Called Verizon today. They said that whoever input the esn number in the system input it wrong. They made the correction and my phone now has a clean esn. I verified by checking the Verizon wireless website esn checking tool, it shows its good. I checked it yesterday and it said it was not eligible to be activated. Got lucky I guess.
Glad it was a simple and easily fixed mistake.
So much bad information. Warranty exchanges don't transfer ESN status.

Also, someone on a GSM network could use it with no issue whatsoever.
I believe what was meant is Apple (or whoever the warranty is with) would check the ESN number with the carrier and deny the exchange if in bad standing. Which they could do.

If they do, I don't know, but it is something that they could do.
 
In regards to discussing AT&T or T-Mobile blacklisting phone remember that there is, so far, no national database of blacklisted phones. CDMA devices only work on the networks they originate from and the carriers maintain white/black lists. GSM phones can roam wherever depending on SIM and antennas.

AT&T may or may not blacklist a phone for whatever reason but that's a completely different issue from whether someone can take a phone from AT&T and use it on T-Mobile's service. That is why GSM phones are so easily stolen and used elsewhere as compared to CDMA devices that need to be taken overseas to be fully useable.
 
Glad it was a simple and easily fixed mistake.

I believe what was meant is Apple (or whoever the warranty is with) would check the ESN number with the carrier and deny the exchange if in bad standing. Which they could do.

If they do, I don't know, but it is something that they could do.

they don't do it. Apple doesn't care about ESN/IMEI status. They do check for activation lock however.
 
This exactly

What's the difference between the two?
Who does the ESN/IMEI lock (carrier I am guessing?)? Who does the activation lock?
How can one identify between the two?
i.e. Buying a used iPhone (that might be stolen or blacklisted) or one that was just 'ESN disabled' by Verizon because someone did not pay the bills.
 
What's the difference between the two?
Who does the ESN/IMEI lock (carrier I am guessing?)? Who does the activation lock?
How can one identify between the two?
i.e. Buying a used iPhone (that might be stolen or blacklisted) or one that was just 'ESN disabled' by Verizon because someone did not pay the bills.

Activation lock is new to 7.0 where it's tied to your Apple ID and find my iPhone.if lost or stolen and trying to be activated iPhone will ask for password.
And an imei/esn block is carrier level.
 
Reminded me when I traded my iPhone 5s for a Note 3. It was my first iPhone after being with Android for 3 years. First 3 weeks was fine but I started having Android/big screen withdrawals. Found a guy on Craigslist and we did a straight trade. But 2 days later I found the same guy on Craigslist trading a Note 3 for another iPhone 5s and then a iPhone 5s for a Note 3; the guy had 4 different ads. Really blew my mind that this guy was swapping phones like a madman. Thought for sure my ESN would be black listed. Called Verizon just to triple check and they told me that I should not have any issues. I was even able to add insurance just in case. Been almost 5 months and still no issue and still enjoying my Note 3.
After that experience I will not trade my phone like that anymore. You just don't know other people intentions.
 
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