[Moto X Q&A] KidJoe:
I don't have a problem with those who can't afford a dev edition. I get it. When I purchased mine it was $690 with taxes (free shipping). That is a lot, even for me! (yeah, I've been lucky in that I haven't purchased a device since 2006 (see HERE for my personal devices & dates). I had considered buying the subsidized X from Verizon (since Moto maker wasn't out for Verizon at that time) due to the price. Lets be honest.. $$ is better in my pocket than theirs!!

So let me try and clearly state my issue....

1. If you purchased a Non-Dev Verizon, ATT, Republic Wireless, etc. device where Moto doesn't give out the codes on their web site, you made the choice/decision to spend your money on a locked device.

2. Consider yourself LUCKY that someone decided to risk their job and who knows what else, and the Chinese Website/Middleman popped up, and has returned (even if it is in a limited capacity).

3. If you can't get a code from the Website/Middleman, there is no use complaining.

4. If you are that desperate to get a code that you want to purposely break your device in such a way as to use a warranty claim to get a "2014" device, that is just wrong.

5. If you needed to ROOT that bad (that #4 or #3 apply to you), then you should have spent the money on a Dev Edition, or moved to another carrier. Can't afford that, or can't change carriers, again there is nothing to complain about, as you concluded taking a chance on NOT HAVING ROOT was worth the cost difference.

6. Really need root but can't afford a Dev Edition? Then you do what you can to save money (or make money, like buying a subsidized phone, then selling it for a higher price) to buy the Dev Edition, or you make the choice to do without root so you can at least have a phone. But again, if your CHOICE was to buy the locked bootloader, then don't be upset if you can't root or unlock.

When I purchase a device, as I would expect most users do, I do a cost/benefit analysis. What features/functions do I need? What size fits my hand and pocket best? How important is the camera? Screen quality, etc? And living through Moto and HTC devices in the past, and when looking for a new device for me, seeing how the One M7 for Verizon initially needed sending the phone away to someone to get S-OFF, seeing the exploits patched on the GS4, etc.. I had decided having root, no matter what, trumped cost or customizing the looks. So I saved, and purchased the Dev Edition X. BUT I also decided paying full retail and keeping my UNLIMITED data was worth more to me than buying at subsidized price and switching to tiered data.

I guess I'm getting fed up by all the posts I've been reading about "bummer I can't get the code for my phone", and all the complaining that was happening with no 4.4.2 root being released, then JCASE saying he had something but was waiting, and all the complaints about that, more posts about why someone hasn't found a way to unlock the bootloader yet, etc. The sense of "entitlement" that comes across in all of these "I must have root and write protection disabled", or "I must be able to unlock my bootloader" type posts, and its getting to me. Especially seeing someone that appears willing to commit fraud to do it.

So to those who see my post as "offensive" because you couldn't or didn't get a Dev Edition, I'm sorry, but I also hope you can see where I'm coming from, or the motivation for my post.

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 AM ----------

if you paid full price, can I ask why you didn't buy the Dev Edition? Was it due to the looks/colors? or another reason?

I agree that I'd like to do what I want with something I purchase. I've felt that way all along with my phones, Android or feature phones (you'd understand that, if you new me from Howardforums back in the day). And I don't have a problem trying to buy an unlock code from the middle man. IN fact, if you look, I've pointed MANY people to this, and the original thread... and if you look at the original thread, you'll see how many times I helped people thinking about getting the code, and those who got the code and didn't know what to do, or ran into problems, as well as the FAQ I took the time to post due to all the questions.

Except that you got the phone from Moto (if you got a Moto Maker), not Verizon. And Moto is stuck playing by Verizon's (and ATT and Republic) rules if they want their devices on Verizon's network. So the FRAUD post which set me off, is sticking it to the WRONG company since it sticks it to Moto, rather than VERIZON who set the rules.