Author Topic: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?  (Read 2899 times)

MVal

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 844
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Missouri
Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« on: October 14, 2017, 05:38:22 PM »
Can anyone recommend the most cost effective way to unlock a cell phone? I have a Lumia 435 I bought off eBay that was supposed to be unlocked, but it appears not to be after all once I put my Airvoice SIM in it. I'd rather not pay $20 for an unlock code. Are there other solutions?

hyla

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 177
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2017, 09:01:59 PM »
If you bought it from ebay, you should be able to return it from a refund.  ebay has buyer protections that let you file a dispute and get a refund if the item was not as described by the seller (not unlocked in your case), even if the seller does not allow returns

MVal

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 844
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Missouri
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2017, 09:13:53 PM »
If you bought it from ebay, you should be able to return it from a refund.  ebay has buyer protections that let you file a dispute and get a refund if the item was not as described by the seller (not unlocked in your case), even if the seller does not allow returns

The seller has offered to give a refund if I send it back, but I already started putting my contacts and things on there and would rather not mess with ordering another if I can easily unlock this one.

elaine amj

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 5532
  • Location: Ontario
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2017, 10:25:32 PM »
$20 is not bad for an unlock code - depending on which provider it is locked to. Search around via Google and eBay and you might find it cheaper. If it's all about the same rate then that is the going rate. It all depends on Phone type + provider. I have waited up to 1-2 years to unlock some of our phones just waiting for rates to drop to a more reasonable level. One time I had to pay $50 to get an unlock code for a Cdn provider.

Sent from my STH100-1 using Tapatalk


Villanelle

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6614
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2017, 10:50:41 PM »
See if the seller will just refund you $20 and let you keep the phone, or even $15 or $10.  I would think they would be on the hook for return postage since the phone was not as promised, and they have to deal with trying to sell it again (knowing it not an unlocked phone) so they may be willing to work with you.

MVal

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 844
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Missouri
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2017, 10:07:17 AM »
See if the seller will just refund you $20 and let you keep the phone, or even $15 or $10.  I would think they would be on the hook for return postage since the phone was not as promised, and they have to deal with trying to sell it again (knowing it not an unlocked phone) so they may be willing to work with you.

Well, I actually only paid $10 for the phone. :) So not really worth anyone's trouble to send it back. I might try the idea of getting an unlock code on ebay.

elaine amj

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 5532
  • Location: Ontario
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2017, 06:06:19 PM »
In the meantime, u can try to use it on wifi only. Thats what my kids do (my DH has a data only plan). I installed an app (like Talkatone) that gives them real phone numbers so they can call/text while on wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MVal

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 844
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Missouri
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2017, 04:02:48 PM »
In the meantime, u can try to use it on wifi only. Thats what my kids do (my DH has a data only plan). I installed an app (like Talkatone) that gives them real phone numbers so they can call/text while on wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I might do that too! I could just carry both my dumb phone and this new Lumia and make calls with the old one and use the wifi on this one. At least for a little while. I have a big purse. ;)

elaine amj

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Walrus Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 5532
  • Location: Ontario
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2017, 04:33:50 PM »
In the meantime, u can try to use it on wifi only. Thats what my kids do (my DH has a data only plan). I installed an app (like Talkatone) that gives them real phone numbers so they can call/text while on wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I might do that too! I could just carry both my dumb phone and this new Lumia and make calls with the old one and use the wifi on this one. At least for a little while. I have a big purse. ;)
Glad it was a helpful suggestion :) In general we often find we are in wifi spots when we need to make calls.

Sent from my STH100-1 using Tapatalk


FoundPeace

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 199
Re: Cost effectively unlocking a locked phone?
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2017, 08:32:19 PM »
I’ve had success calling the phone company that the phone was registered with with the previous user and telling them I just bought the phone used and if they could please unlock it for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!