Hello.

I recently purchased an unlocked 8700c off of ebay.

The phone works fine with my Cingular SIM, however I took the T-Mobile SIM out of a working T-Mobile BB Pearl and my 8700c gives me the "Invalid SIM Card" error.

My questions is: Is there something else I need to do to get the T-Mobile SIM to work, or was the BB I bought really not unlocked.

The selling company had lots of positive feedback and did a lot of business so I feel they are reputable. Dunno.

Thanks and I look forward to posting here. :D

Go to Options >Advanced Options >Sim Card and type "MEPD" (no quotes). If it says "Active" next to Network then your phone is still locked.

Yup, it still says active. :(

Thanks John. Time to take it up with the ebayer.

Glad to help...sorry the result wasn't what you wanted.

Welcome to the forums....

Welcom to the forums.
The other user probally thought unlocked ment it had no password.

I bought my 8700c off eBay as well. It was advertised as unlocked, but based on the results of my "MEPD" test, my phone is locked as well! Oh well, no biggie. I don't plan on switching carriers, and I certainly don't plan on selling my Blackberry!

Kurtis

Yeah, sometimes it's not even worth trying to contact the seller again to remedy the situation. If you don't plan on switching carriers or selling it the best bet is to let it be.

It's pretty common from eBay....Buyer Beware. There seems to be many definitions of "unlocked!"

Right... besides, best case I would have to return it for an exchange, and I can't live without the thing now! <grin>

Oh well... I got a good deal on it anyway. I'm happy.

Kurtis

I also bought the phone off ebay. It was advertised as unlocked. Then, I found out it is not unlocked. I've called Cingular and asked them nicely to unlock my phone. They said they will get back to me within 5 business days. I will let you know how it goes. *fringers crossed*

I am not too worried about it since I only use BB data on cingular.. What I would like to do, is to use different sim cards if I was to go to Canada. I can use it as phone.. I hope that makes sense.

Unless that different SIM has a BB Data plan on it, all you will get is the phone part.

Why purchase an unlocked BB in the first place? You probably spent more for the supposed unlocked device, no? If so, I would request at least a partial refund.

But that's just me! ;)

In my case, I was just looking for the cheapest 8700c I could find. Most all of them on eBay are advertised and unlocked it seems. It wasn't a big deal to me, and I never even would have checked mine if this thread hadn't come up.

Kurtis

I had to stay on cingular about unlocking my phone. They told me five days also, but after numerous calls 3 weeks later they finally unlocked it. Stay persistent!!!

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Please pm me, I have the same situation and I am curious as to whom the ebay seller is. Thanks

I guess no big deal.. But I will stay on top of it!! Thanks.

The ebay dude is in TN.. He has a lot of BB for sale and by looking at the feedback, seems everyone has the same problem...

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I contacted the ebay seller, bluebay electronics. They told me via email that they would not replace the unit with an unlocked unit (claim not to have any), would not provide unlock codes.nor would they give a partial refund so that I could get it unlocked. Their only remedy was for me to return it for a refund.Based on their emails, IMHO they were probably aware of the fact it was not unlocked, and also believed I would not be willing to send it back after using it for 2 weeks (which is true). In fairness, the initial service was very good and I provided + feedback.

Thanks to this forum, I contacted Cingular International on 2 ocassions, yesterday to no avail, but today, the Rep provided the unlock code in about 5 minutes over the phone.

Thanks and ebuyers beware!!!

Bingo.. It is the same guy. However, the deal I got is pretty good.. I am debating wether to give good feedback or not.. By the way, how did you get them to give you the unlock code in 5 minutes? The girl had to fill out a form and will take 5 business days? Do i call them back again? I have not received mine yet.

Believe it or not, the Cingular guy just did it. I was basically honest with him.

The night before I got a wonman who said thje same thing about the form, and couldn't hep because I wasn't the "order person" for my company.

The guy I spoke to the next day, mentioned filling out a request, but said he could provide the number immediately.

I woud never have given the ebayer positive feedback had I know it was locked. Especially after the response they gave me.

Good luck