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Bad ESN work on WiFi ?

sgrinavi

sgrinavi

Diamond Member
Since my loser step stole all my old phones and hawked them for drug money I need an android device to use in my car for an OBD reader, -but didn't want to spend too much. If I pick up a cheap phone with a bad ESN will the the wifi still function or will it keep popping up messages telling me to activate the phone or something stupid?
 
sgrinavi said:
Since my loser step stole all my old phones and hawked them for drug money I need an android device to use in my car for an OBD reader, -but didn't want to spend too much. If I pick up a cheap phone with a bad ESN will the the wifi still function or will it keep popping up messages telling me to activate the phone or something stupid?
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Ignoring Tom's rudeness,

Yes, you will still be able to use WiFi. The phone may or may not keep trying to activate depends on the device and the carrier.
 
So someone stole your phone, and to fix this you want to feed the market by buying a stolen phone?

The cheapest legit fix that'll run smoothly is probably a Lumia 520/521 for $100.
 
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If you can find Nokia 822/928 then they will work as well as a regular phone on the ATT/TMo network too.
 
Tom said:
Does this mean my Mom was being rude to me back in the day ?
Click to expand...

Without passing harsh judgment one would need a transcript of the conversation to make a logical conclusion.

A bad ESN can be from not paying the bill, lost phone that is found, original owner doing insurance claim then selling it, along other scenarios.
 
Kenmitch said:
Without passing harsh judgment one would need a transcript of the conversation to make a logical conclusion.

A bad ESN can be from not paying the bill, lost phone that is found, original owner doing insurance claim then selling it, along other scenarios.
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1. fraud.
2. type of theft
3. fraud
4. what other scenario ?
 
Tom said:
Do you know how stupid this sounds ?
Click to expand...

I know, right

crashtestdummy said:
So someone stole your phone, and to fix this you want to feed the market by buying a stolen phone?

The cheapest legit fix that'll run smoothly is probably a Lumia 520/521 for $100.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that sounds good

Tom said:
1. fraud.
2. type of theft
3. fraud
4. what other scenario ?
Click to expand...

I dunno, I wasn't really trying to get away with anything, I just wanted to see if it was a viable alternative. I just see a bunch of them on ebay, from sellers with decent feedback.
 
Hey, I don't mean you shouldn't get one, not my business, just putting the first part of your story with the second part didn't sound right.
 
Tom said:
Hey, I don't mean you shouldn't get one, not my business, just putting the first part of your story with the second part didn't sound right.
Click to expand...

I'm not offended and I see the irony - I just don't think every phone out there with a bad ESN is stolen or obtained in a fraudulent manner.

EDIT - maybe I should find a decent used 7" (wifi) tablet....
 
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Why not consider looking into those cheap wifi only Chinese imported tablets, I think a lot of them can be had for less than 200$
 
Rather than looking for something specifically with a bad esn I would probably just grab an Evo, nexus S, etc. Current phones with a bad esn still command a decent price for parts or people who are able to rewrite the esn.
 
zerogear said:
Why not consider looking into those cheap wifi only Chinese imported tablets, I think a lot of them can be had for less than 200$
Click to expand...

If I was going to spend that much I'd get a Nexus 7 (2012). You see the 16 gb variety going for $149

styrafoam said:
Rather than looking for something specifically with a bad esn I would probably just grab an Evo, nexus S, etc. Current phones with a bad esn still command a decent price for parts or people who are able to rewrite the esn.
Click to expand...

Wasn't really looking for that specifically, just didn't want to rule it out. At the end of the day the money is wasted on something I could never activate - might as well get something that I could use someday if I wanted to.
 
That is exactly what I do. I picked up an old crappy optimus for nothing with a bad ESN and use it for Torque and a few other things around the house. I still use a regular dumb phone for actual calls.
 
I just ordered a "like new" Nexus 7 - 16 gb (2013 model) from Amazon for $159. I kinda wanted one any how.
 
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