To buy or not to buy from 3rd party vendors!

[Robin621k]

Don't do it!

There is a major problem when buying from 3rd party Vendors, Amazon, Ebay, Back Market. You have no idea what you are getting , they might advertise the device as being UNLOCKED, when in fact it is only carrier UNLOCK. It will still have the previous carriers Service Provider Sotware version on it, thats fine if it s your carriers software. It's not fine when its not. You will not be able to get updates. 

.

This community is full of hundreds of posts from distraught members who have unwittingly bought a phone from an unscrupulous vender who doesn't have the ability to flash the phone to make it a factory unlocked phone.

Be fair warned, proceed at your own rick.

[patriciostarr]

According to certain AMAZON they said renewed products are sold by 3rd parties

[Robin621k]

Hundreds of posts on this board because people can't update their phone, what do they all have in common, they were bought from 3rd party sellers, mostly Amazon.

[patriciostarr]

Like i mentioned i had that issue before and i just returned the device

[Robin621k]

Most people realize too late and the return window has expired.

Looking further into these listings some say carrier unlocked, thise are the ones you need to w a tch out for.

[LongHiker]

@Robin621k I think the main thing to get across is for the buyer to beware and be diligent. Sometimes what looks like a good deal isn't. 

But also... Even though there are many posts on this area from people with issues you have no idea how many people make purchases and are successful. Those people don't post here. 

[Robin621k]

There are enough posts here to have cause for concern. Samsung should also devise a system for these 3rd party vendors who purchase these bulk trade-ins to be able to wipe carrier firmware off of these devices legitimately to insure future functionality on any carrier. The BYOP program is still way too broken.

[DTs24ultra]

I have written a letter to Amazon about the sellers advertising factory unlocked phones ,that are not true factory unl9cked phones. After sending one back I asked two sellers to send me the model number so I could tell,(U1) they refused .

[Robin621k]

Never buy from them!

[DTs24ultra]

Nope,and I told them so.im going to stick with my old unlocked 21+ 😊 for a bit.

[Robin621k]

Some of them are I legit sellers!