[Taikun]

Okay...I have been corresponding with a BB 8700 seller...I asked them to send me the IMEI to verify that the phone was not stolen (is this really important) well I received an email from the seller that said: I do not have the original cingular box but I do have another box I am putting everything in. Please know that this is brand new and the blackberry still has the plastic on the outside, and the accessories are still sealed.

My question is should i still go on with this deal...what is the likelihood its stolen...is the IMEI number on the blackberry itself...so when and if i meet with the seller...i can call cingular and verify?

[coreyg510]

IMEI is listed under the battery in back. It is a good idea to make sure that it is clean. you dont want any part of a possibility of something wrong

[lgreenberg]

It's also listed under OPTIONS, STATUS on the device itself.

[dc/dc]

Or the old school *#06# in the phone app.

[cschrage]

Yes...smells like a scam...or the seller is very stupid!

[justin.culp]

Unless this is the best deal ever (financially)....just go get one legit...at least you'll be able to sleep at night!!

On the other hand...if the seller is dumb enough to not know where the number is...chances are seller is not smart enough to wipe the device in which case you would get a bb with other peoples info on it.....a sure sign of thievery.

[DuckWingDuck]

Even if the item is new, you can still look at the IMEI number from within the plastic covering.

[zero1]

if they had an 8700 let alone a blackberry, theyve DEALT with the imei number!

[DuckWingDuck]

Every single cell phone in the world has an IMEI number.

[billclark]

Originally Posted by whatdafuhk

Every single cell phone in the world has an IMEI number.

Not true... IMEI is specific to GSM, as far as I know. CDMA (Verizon) uses an ESN. Same idea, different term.

[DuckWingDuck]

Originally Posted by billclark

Not true... IMEI is specific to GSM, as far as I know. CDMA (Verizon) uses an ESN. Same idea, different term.

:P

[ceebz]

Brand new but in a different box?

Smells like a refurb to me.......

[Fireproof]

The point is, this deal seems shady. If it's brand new in plastic, then why doesn't he have the box? And why does he not seem to know about the IMEI?

If it were me, I'd (a) ask where it came from and why he doesn't have the box (I know he could make something up, but I would ask anyway, and (b) I'd ask for a picture of the inside back of the phone with the battery removed.

[DuckWingDuck]

As my mother always told me, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

[Taikun]

great points...i plan to call cingular right there and then...and i am under no obligation to buy if it seems shady...but ya...the photo included has the cingular box but on further inquiry there is no box??? even if it was refurbished would there not be a box...goodnes...