yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
Yeah, that didn't work for me.

I called T-Mobile the day after I received my Note 3 that I bought on Swappa. I explained to them that I had purchased the phone online and wanted to ensure that they had the device registered as mine now. I gave them the IMEI and I asked them specifically if the device was on an EIP, and they said that it was not showing up in their system as on an EIP.

Fast forward a couple of months, and my phone was blocked by T-Mobile for non-payment of EIP.

---------- Post added at 11:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 PM ----------

I also have a T-Mobile Note 3 that I purchased on Swappa that was blocked a couple of weeks ago by T-Mobile. I thought about selling it, but the prices I was being offered were way to low after having paid so much only in November.

In the end, I was able to unlock the phone using this thread (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2471742). Then I just bought a Straight Talk AT&T SIM card (actually I had to buy the SIM card first to unlock the phone). In any case, I am now on Straight Talk AT&T, and I can at least use the phone again, even though I lost my wonderful $30 T-Mobile plan.

So I suggest you try that and see if you can salvage the situation.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
I have a motherboard/ Imei from Att S4 factory carrier unlocked. Phone LCD and Camera were Smashed by an angry Woman. Imei is 100% clean. Thinking of posting on EBAY. You could always go that route and replace yours. They are always for sale on there. Had it on T- Mobile 70$ unlimited plan.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
Sounds like a lot of effort.

I'm gonna get a new phone this year anyway (as you can see from my signature, I rarely keep the same phone for more than a year). I'll just get the Note 4 when it arrives. And this time i've learned my lesson. No Craigslist, no Swappa, no Ebay. I'm getting mine direct from T-Mobile (it it's still around and Sprint hasn't destroyed it).
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
Lol. Amen. I had the same thing happen to me on my first s4. Live and learn. You can still get about 250.00 or so selling it on ebay. Check it out and maybe recoup some of that suck. I'll take it if you're just gonna throw it away. Lol.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] BACARDILIMON:
Sprint will never acquire T-Mobile so you will be fine

TWEAKED 1.0 NOTE 3
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] sfsilicon:
Very bad advice. You might get thumped yourself or worse.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
$250? I paid 645 in November. There's no way in hell i'm taking that kind of hit. If anything, I'll keep using it on Straight Talk until I get my next phone (and then head back to my beloved T-Mobile $30 plan), and then keep it as a backup phone.

Damn, why do there have to be scammers everywhere?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
Dude..I don't know what to tell you. You got screwed twice on that deal. As I said...live and learn. Expensive lesson but I bet you won't make that mistake again. I recommend swappa for any future used phone purchases.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Sardonik:
Except for the other thread where a guy got screwed in a similar way on a Swappa purchase. That one involved selling a phone that was still on a t-mobile payment plan and then stopping the payments after the charge-back window had passed.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
Well its a terrible policy on the carriers part. Punish the victim makes perfect sense in the upside down world we live in today. I guess we have no choice but to be butt raped by the carriers charging double what the phone is worth then locking them down so you can't enjoy YOUR property that YOU paid 100's of dollars for. Only in America.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Jfree3000:
Just stumbled on this post while browsing and does it not strike anyone as strange that this guy joined xda just for the sole purpose of finding an imei fix? Not saying dude is a crook but I saw this a lot in the S3 Sprint forums over time. Oh and craigslist sucks.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] 0_oanitsirhc:
I'm a girl ...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] ROADKING17:
Don't sweat it be glad your phone still works even on a different carrier
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] noobtoob:
Not really. I think it would be more suspicious if she joined asking how to do it, or buy software to do it, or offer money... There are many reasons people join here.

The majority of people join so they can ask questions and get help. I'm just saying I found the question legitimate. Not trying to say your paranoid or anything, and this question comes around every time there is a major new phone release. I'm sure if you lurked around the iPhone forums, same question would be around there.

There are a lot of ways imei can be changed, and are easily searchable with our good friend Google. Coming here though is IMO better because it has all been laid out. There truly is no legal way to do what you ask, but there are alternatives. Hope you find the best one.

I think the best one for you to get your moneys worth is to root device, buy chainfires region lock away, and get some straight talk or something. This same situation was what someone else here was in and this was what they did. Legal and safe. Good luck.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] hypersonicx:
Swppa Scam

If you buy a phone on swappa, and the IMEI later on gets blocked, File a claim with PayPal and you can send the phone back and get your money back.

When it comes to buying used phones, if you buy from swappa, your safe because of Swappa and PayPal policies.

If you buy from craigslist, make sure to have them meet you at a TMobile Store.

That simple.

I buy and sale phones on both Swappa and Craigslist all the time. I have done at least 100+ transactions. The best part about it is the times I did get scammed.

Thats all part of life and how you gain the most experience. You live and you learn.

Hate to say it but if you come accross a fake S4 or Note 3, best thing you may be able to do is put it back on Craigslist and just keep that phone in the rotation. If you get a phone with a bad IMEI later on, best you can do is sale the phone for parts, or get the IMEI changed which is not legal.

Good luck.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
Um...Swappa is where I bought my Note 3 that was blocked by T-Mobile.

I think I am the person who started the thread you are referring to. And yes, the seller told me it was fully paid, and Swappa said the IMEI was clean (which I guess it was at the time), but it was actually on an EIP and was blocked 2 months later (2 weeks ago). I also called T-Mobile the day after I got the phone and explained to them that I had bought it online and wanted to check if it was free and clear. Gave them the IMEI number and they said that the phone wasn't showing up as EIP. Too bad their system was wrong.

I am glad that it's not a total waste, but it does suck to be screwed.

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not the case.

I bought on Swappa, and I used Paypal. But Paypal has a 45 day window in which you can open a dispute. After that, you are on your own. I tried to open a dispute after contacting both Swappa and the seller, but Paypal just closed it immediately because it was past the 45 day window.

So no, buying from Swappa doesn't automatically make you safe from scams. I'm glad it hasn't happened to you, but it does happen and sometimes neither Swappa nor Paypal can make it right. I am proof of that.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
That sucks man. I know how I'd handle it but not gonna say it on here. I was under the impression you bought it off Craigslist so my apologies. You did what you could. Perhaps you could call Samsung and tell them what happened. If you have all your documentation they may flash a new IMEI for you. Worth a shot anyway.

From Ebay:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
LOL. I bet that would piss off T-Mobile something fierce if Samsung were to start reflashing IMEIs.

As for Ebay, if the prices are still decent around the time the next Note (4) is released, I may think of selling it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] anraperi21:
Note 3 bad imei

Hi, nighthawk626, I have the same problem with my Tmobile Note 3, can you help me?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] drag&fly:
Had a guy attempt to burn me on a Note2.... well he did burn me but I got his LP# and PublicData.com gave me his home address and in turn I gave his car an overhaul. You just don't screw people over and if you do, be prepared for the Karma bus to be driven right up your ass side ways. You know the type.... $50,000 Hummer H1 with $10,000 wheels and tires and probably only bean bag furniture in his apartment.... That Hummer got turned into a "Bummer". I hate people that screw herd working honest individuals. Pisses me right off.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] kisoon:
how to buy a phone off craigslist

Its difficult to buy phone off craigslist these days. All the major network are beginning to share banned esn/imei numbers.

The scam usually goes like this: people buy phone up to 6 lines either for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint for free. They then turn around and sell the phones on Craigslist. They either not go through with the 2 years comminment or in T-mobile's case just not finish paying the finance payments.

Here are the steps to protect yourself (at least for T-Mobile):

1) Agree on a price before meeting.

2) Tell the seller you want a payoff receipt form T-moible showing the phone being paid-off.

3) Meet the seller at a corporate T-Mobile store.

Check imei (goole and you will find a free site to check imei).

****The seller hasto be the original purchaser of the phone or management will not be able to access finance / account info.*****

Comfirm with manager that the informations on the receipt is correct and account is clear.

***Have manager call insurance to cancel policy.*** Then confirm with manager, making sure that the seller can not reactivate the policy.

Bring a bill of sale form for seller to fillout. Write a check make out the the seller. Have seller sign over the check. The check will be a formal receipt should there be an issue down the road.

And lastly when possible, have manager document the transaction on your account.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] todayzshakespare:
dude these crooks are everywhere, they don't F***** Care for anyone all they want their money for free.

i got ripped too with note3 and feels like there's no solution so im gonna post it on ebay/craiglist as a blacklisted imei phone. see if i can get some back, im sure there's alot of people out there who knows how to fix might they are able to buy at cheaper price. My lost is there gain :)

but i learn a very big and a good lesson that before you buy something from open place you make sure with stores/owners/customer service that that's legitmat

sorry for those ppl who loose their hard money just coz of some crooks.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] JasonJoel:
All of this is exactly why I won't buy used phones.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] treoreloaded:
get it sim unlock from cellunlocker then sell it on ebay to european and asian countries. atleast recoup some of your loses. people on craigslist use this as a scam to get money back and reports it lost and stolen to claim replacement from insurance. happened to me before and never again. best way is to have the seller go to a tmobile store to make sure the phone is not subsidized.

---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 AM ----------

even if you check the imei. it will come out good on checkmend but this crooks will wait for a week or two then will report it lost/stolen for insurance claim. this crooks dont care.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] kgbeezr1:
These are great recommendations. Of course finding a seller on Craigslist willing to do this is slim. I've sent out so many emails just asking if a phone was financed and I've never received even one reply. People can be pretty shady. I've sold plenty of phones on there, but I always include the original receipt and an offer to meet at a store, I don't see anyone else ever offering this.

Although, a week ago I bought a Note 2 (sealed box) as a second phone on Ebay from a 100% positive feedback seller claiming "IMEI will never be blocked" and yesterday it was blocked. The seller claims he will refund the money and i'm ecstatic at the prospect of getting a refund, but i'll reserve final judgement for when it actually happens. The bottom line is it's probably never worth the gamble to save only a few percent off retail.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] kisoon:
That's why you need to read and follow the steps carefully. If you have management at tmobile terminate the insurance on the phone, i am told the seller can not claim insurance afterward. Also you will have bill of sale, a cancal check, documentation on account, and original payoff receipt receipt from tmobile. If imei goes bad you can contact insurance and and have them over turn the bad imei. Lastly, if that doesnt solve the problem then sue the guy in small claims court. OR ELSE PAY RETAIL.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] kka111:
Get money back from a Craigs list seller? Surely, you jest? ;:laugh:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] @rbiter:
Did you get a receipt? Why not try reporting it to the police for a fraud and selling stolen goods?

Sent from my XT1053 using HoFo mobile app.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] cleyward:
note 3

i recently bought a note 3 from tmobile and it turned out to be bad imei can you help me
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Maduro78:
If the phone is in mint condition you can still fetch a good amount on eBay as a bad imei phone. I was actually surprised how much they sell for which led me to believe there's a lot of people that buy them do what they do and sell them as clean

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

You can actually sell the phone as clean if your willing to ship it overseas. Blocked phones over here can work over there no problem. That's your best best for recouping
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] mrej201:
nothing you can do but to root and unlock it and use with prepaid carriers or sell it again lol
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
What do you want to do? Do you want to keep the phone and unlock it and use it on another network? If so, then go to this thread (http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2471742) and follow the directions.

(Wooohoooo! 500th post!!!!! Go Me!!!!)
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] hdwireless:
note 3 imei

how much you want to charge me to fix 2
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] gman411:
No law against changing imei

IF ANYMORE TELL YOU IT IS ILLEGAL ASK THEM TO SHOW YOU THE FEDERAL STATUTE. THERE ISNT ONE. You can search for developers outside here because XDA is now under the control of the major carriers.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] gman411:
Interested email me the info

I am interested
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] DevilDog512:
Check PM
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] WellTrainedVC:
Your Note 3 is covered under Samsung's Warranty. Just sayin'.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Dreamgun:
Just saying if I bought a phone off Craigslist "which i'd never do" and it got blocked, I would take the first opportunity I had to unblock it.

Yeah I know I'd be such a bastard for being a victim and having my money stolen from me, then changing a number and making everything fine.

The one paying for these types of things should be the carriers not random people looking to get a phone and use their service. Find a new way to deal with it. Carries would most likely even benefit from accepting more customers.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] ecs87:
...show me where it says XDA is under control of the major carriers, then I'll believe that there's no federal statute on changing IMEIs. So you're telling me, if you kicked someone out your house (network) because they were being an idiot (non payment) that you SHOULD let them back in because they changed their shirt (imei)? You're nuts.

Sent from my SPH-L900. Please hit the thanks button if I helped you out!
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] cellphonesmaster:
i had the same problem, my was only reported lost, so i call customer service and i told them that my son had miss place his phone and that i waned to remove the report from his phone, and only took me less than 5 min.., "you need an actual tmobile active account to do this"
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Limeybastard:
So in your opinion you can change the IMEI to whatever you want so long as you own it? Can I change my cars VIN to whatever i want also if I own it?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] lancesng:
Yes, it happens all the time. Salvage titles get new Vin numbers after they are repaired, inspected and registered with the state.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] WELz:
Please help me Bad Imei.. Craigslist dupe.

hey soo i deff just been going through the same situation where my phone stops working a day after i got it and then i later discover that its been blackisted. so can you please help me change my imei? N900t Thank you..:laugh::good:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] jub2k3:
Hey wellz ill buy it from u like it is blacklisted.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] vmgc1131:
These kind of scams ruin it for the honest people trying to sell their phones. I've paid my phone off in full. I plan on getting the HTC one m8. However, I feel it will be difficult considering how many people have been scammed and the horror stories going around. What advice does anyone have for me? I didn't go the jump route because I can get more for my phone selling it privately.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] stash9123:
ebay my friend takes a little while to actually recieve the money but its so worth it.

i just sold a bad imei white n3 myself. no stylus battery or back cover. craigslist kept offering $100 i but it on ebay as a 1 day sale. listed the issues did no returns sold for $350 3 days after buyer recieved the phone ebay released the money to paypal from there it took 4 days to get the money deposited to my bank. buyer paid shipping so paypal covered the shipping cost till the money was released.

---------- Post added at 05:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

note in ohio. i know from experience. bmv looks over the vehical making sure lights work ebrake horn all that lovely stuff then you just get a title that has salvage in big bold lettering. vin number stays the same
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] JE_25:
I understand why you feel T-Mobile should have a solution but unreality there is no reason for them to. They can claim you should buy it through them and else where you are taking a risk. Not only that but by now it's considered stolen property regardless of whether you paid or not, it's what was reported. T-Mobile is going to help because it would make them accessories to a crime by unlocking the phone (by law, even though you did not commit one).
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] wilwireless:
Note 3 imei fix

I was interested in fixin imei you have solution thanks would gladly appreciated.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] xile6:
that is no where near the same.

IF you have a phone with a bad imei then you can send it out to get repair. They will asign a new number to it.

IF you change it yourself then your just going to end up coping someone elses.

Meaning if your number is lets say 3060 (small number just for testting,)

And you change it to 4556.

Then that means that you have copy the number of another member on here. So the system will show both of you connected but with different sims. Not a good thing.

A few people have change there numbers to a old none workign sell phone that they have. But thats still like swapping your licenses plate to a old broke down car of yours. Its just not in legal manner.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] stash9123:
i have a question. i have a tmo note 3 with a bad imei due to non payment on the account. a friend of mine wants to buy it and unlock it so he can use it on att. but i wont let him just yet as i dont want my friend mad at me if it dont work out for him. so has anybody else been able to use a blocked imei with att. i have heard some say it can some say no. has any one here had personall experience?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] lancesng:
Well if you buy a replacement motherboard, you could change the imei and not use anyone's numbers, and it's new. I'm not saying to do anything illegal to accomplish your goal. I'm saying, it's legal cause you actually own it and are allowed to change it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] xda23:
I have a tmobile note 3 with the same problem. How much does a replacement motherboard cost? And is it hard to do. Thanks
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] jacqueline robert:
I agree with you. As early as possible get back your money from the seller.:D
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] krelvinaz:
WOW... you parroted my post from Jan, about 70 some posts after the fact to just say that? Of course now it is about 3 months after the fact.

Trying to increase your post count?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] jacqueline robert:
Not really.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] toastido:
Pretty sure that's exactly what this "user" is doing. Them and another user, [MENTION=5708056]Lorettaa[/MENTION], seem to have shown up out of nowhere, and comment on EVERYTHING; relevant or not. This particular user that you quoted, has copied even my posts, word for word, and reposted them as their own. They have done this to multiple people, and seem to be posting just to post.

Sent from my leanKernel 2.3 powered stock 4.4.2 SM-N900T
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Lorettaa:
What's wrong replying to their posts? Someone also accused me as a troll. And I don't remember joining the conversation here in this thread. You are the one who brought me here. I don't see that I'm violating the rules and terms here.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] :
Region unlock might help you
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] bigdreco:
Hey.. I love steak and eggs for breakfast.. lol :D
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] dchen8899:
about the blocked imei

hey, i just got a note 3 on craigslist. apparently it has a blocked imei too. my phone is also tmobile. how did you get your's to work on tmobile again? i spent 500 on a note 3 blocked imei... please help. i don't care if it's illegal.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] jacqueline robert:
Yes, You are right.

---------- Post added at 03:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 PM ----------

I have no idea about your problem. It is too risk to buy a Blocked IMEI Phone.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] Techngro:
I think it's against the forum rules to discuss illegal (at least in the US it's illegal) things such as IMEI cloning/repair. If you google, you can find out how to get it done, but it's gonna cost you a lot more money than just unlocking and taking your phone to another carrier. I know because, in desperation, I researched it myself. In the end, I just figured I would keep it legal and unlock the phone and go to Straight Talk/AT&T.

Absent illegality, some people have said that they have had success calling T-Mobile and making up a sob-story and getting the T-Mobile rep to unblock their phone. You should search around and see if that might work for you.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 3] spannernick:
You can always buy a new board for it with a new imei http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s2/help/imei-board-replacement-t1776768 job done..;)

EDIT:

When they replace the board the imei might not be changed.

Look at post 5 on the post above..??

I have the same problem with my Galaxy S3,imei blocked dam,never buy one online again.But I use Tablet Talk with it just wish it would work with calls(send the call from my other phone to the S3)