How would I switch phones on Verizon?

[Joseph F]

Greetings, I am thinking about one day switching the service on my current phone over to a Droid that I would pick up for cheap on eBay or these forums. My question is: Can I do this? and if so, how do I do this? (on Verizon)

 

[vshah]

call them up, they'll ask you for the ESN of the new device. this can usually be found on a label after removing the back cover or something.

edit: iirc there's even a way to do it online

 

[dlock13]

Uhh... I would avoid eBay, but that's just me. I stay away from buying cellular devices on there for the sole fact that it might have a bad ESN which would essentially render it unusable (unless you just wanted a wifi smart phone).

 

[Yzzim]

Uhh... I would avoid eBay, but that's just me. I stay away from buying cellular devices on there for the sole fact that it might have a bad ESN which would essentially render it unusable (unless you just wanted a wifi smart phone).

I've purchased at least a half dozen phones on eBay and haven't had any problems. Buy from a reputable seller and you'll be fine.

 

[Adramalech]

Can't you add a new phone by dialing a number or going online also?

 

[Bateluer]

For Android devices, I'd check out Swappa. Part of their terms are that ESNs must be clean as well as requiring the device be in good condition. Its a more technical oriented selling site than eBay. I recently sold my Droid 1 via Swappa and had a very positive experience. Best part it, since its users are more tech savvy, you're perfectly fine to sell a phone thats been rooted and has a custom ROM installed. My Droid had CWR and Project Elite 5.x installed when I sold it. Buyer was quite happy.

 

[phantom404]

If you signed up to access your account online you can do it all yourself through your Accounts page. It may make you make changes your plan, especially if you don't already have a data plan. Or like others have said above you can call in and have this done. If the ebay seller displays the ESN you can also call in and check to see if its clean.

 

[QueBert]

Uhh... I would avoid eBay, but that's just me. I stay away from buying cellular devices on there for the sole fact that it might have a bad ESN which would essentially render it unusable (unless you just wanted a wifi smart phone).

*IF* that happens, you can still flash it to work on Metro or one of the other off brand providers. Or sell it on CL as having a bad ESN and somebody who wants the phone on Metro will buy it. Believe it or not, at least in my area phones with bad ESN's sell on CL for exactly what the regular ones do.