I just took delivery of a new 7100g that I bought off a guy who was "handed" it two weeks ago from RIM directly. He claimed the unit was unlocked. It is not. I put my T-Mobile SIM in and the phone rejected it with an "invalid SIM card" message.

I don't want to pay $100 or even more to either of the only two sources I have found online that can unlock this phone - there's got to be a cheaper way. Anyone have any advice??

Thanks.

caveat emptor

unfortunately I think you got a bit taken...
If RIM handed out unlocked devices that would create a significant political nightmare and anger the carriers. The "g" connotation on the device specifically implies that it is locked to Cingular's network, so only Cingular can unlock it unless you go to one of the websites that you mentioned.

Will the seller take it back? If youhave something in writing from him that stated it was an unlocked device you might have a shot.

Good luck!

mk1151 - I am not sure I agree with your post.

The 'g' stands for generic. The 7100g is being marketed by 3 and CSL in Hong Kong, Cingular in the United States, Optus in Australia and StarHub in Singapore.

In the past, all Cingular BlackBerrys were unlocked. If the seller misrepresented themselves, that is one story. Of course, before I bought a 7100g I checked to see if it was locked (and it was), so I didn't buy it.

hartford - I know of no other way to get a BB unlocked. Sorry.

NJBlackBerry - you are 100% correct. The seller misrepresented the product in terms of it being locked versus unlocked, but it has nothing to do with the "g" meaning locked to Cingular. All of Cingulars' world phones come unlocked, or at least used to.

Also, when I said that the seller was "handed" this unit, what I meant to say is that he works for a company that was invited to a RIM event somewhere, and at this event several pre-released 7100g's were handed out to attendeees. The unit came to me in a RIM box - not a Cingular box, and one of the attendees at this party had told him that the phone was carrier unlocked, so he believed it. Turns out the guy was wrong, and my only two choices are to either spend another $100 or so to have the phone unlocked, or sell it to someone who is on Cingular.

That is unless someone, somewhere, comes up with a more cost effective way to unlock it.

I was referring specifically to the North American market, given the username of the poster and his/her chosen flag...

Cingular is now locking all new devices. Just got a new batch of 7290's and they are locked. This is true for their Blackberrys and phones. If you get lucky and buy some "old stock" it is unlocked - but everything is now locked.

Cingular is locking all of it new devices (since the merger). But it will supply the unlock code if you are a customer in good standing and have been with Cingular for more than 90 days. All you need to do is find a friend who has Cingular and have them ask for the unlock code.

Sounds crazy, but all my friends are on T-Mobile or Verizon. If I amy be so bold as to ask, are there any kind souls here who are Cingular users and would be willing to call in and get me the unlock code? I would be more than willing to pay anyone who would do this for me. PM or email me private @ and perhaps we could arrange something.

Thanks.

yeah give me that unlock code too!!

I'm willing to pay the unlock fee tho because T-mobile's phone/BB plan gives you 1000 anytime minutes and unlimited SMS and BB for 69 bucks! Cingular's is $59 for 900 minutes PLUS $45 for BB unlimited with NO SMS. That's 35 bucks less from TMobile for more minutes and full SMS every month. Cingular's a ripoff compared to that . . .

That would mean I would spend about $400 more a year to get LESS from Cingular. So the $100 unlock fee is still going to save me in the long run . . .

FYI guys... there is hope... Cingular has been able to give me the unlock codes for any phone... of course you have to be a Cingular Wireless customer... look for my new post about possibly getting your phones unlocked... Cingular customers ONLY!!!!

OFF THE RECORD... let's just say, I work with customers all day long at a "retail" store + we only use Cingular = (hopefully you can fingure it out) hint: I do not work for 3rd party dealers. I can not say anymore as it would be a conflict of interest for me and my employer. ;-P

You stated "... Cingular customers ONLY!!!!"

I am considering purchasing Cingular's 7100g to work with my current T-Mobile BB acct. Can you unlock it for me?

TIA

hey i just got da blackberry 7100g and i get it for an exchange work dat i did
but whebn i put my t-mobile card it wouldnt let me go true
u think u can help me out with da code

U need da code for yur Bb for it to work.

I feel like I am communicating with my daughter

wut u dunt understand iz dat whebn u got da blackberry 7100g it iz locked to cingularz netwerk and u can't use ur t-mobile card. u needz to hit up bongowireless and drop them a benjamin and they will unlock the motherf*cka for ya

Wow. Multilingual. Impressive.

"Airplane": Stewardess, I speak jive.

See a broad to get that bodiac lay'er down an' smack 'em yack 'em.

(Yeah, I had to look that one up, but it's my favorite line.)

Chump don't want no help,
Chump don't get no help.
Jive ass dudes ain't got no brains nohow.

Sadly, I didn't have to look that up

has this been posted already?

Oh, this thread just keeps getting funnier.

I remember 9balla4life. I wonder where that hack bullsh1t artist is now?
If I had to guess, I'd say he's been fired by Cingular and probably living in his mommy's house now.

I thought he was some big wig from Legg Mason? Who knows??

His father was with Legg Mason.

That's right........knew it was something like that.......haha.