[bigmutt]

Hello:
Some sellers on ebay have said that their 8100 from TMobile can be unlocked just by asking TMobile for the unlock code.
I need to buy an unlocked model because I'm with a different carrier, namely TelCel in Mexico;
so I'm trying to figure out which is the best way to go;

And I don't even know if there are ever any potential problems with phones originally locked to a specific carrier but then unlocked;

And then there's the unlock services listing themselves on ebay and elsewhere: charging $50 to $100 for the service.

any suggestions? thanks.

[kasperapd]

Yes, but I'm pretty sure you have to have an existing account with them and be in good standing for at least 90 days.

[Ljay]

Originally Posted by bigmutt

Hello:
Some sellers on ebay have said that their 8100 from TMobile can be unlocked just by asking TMobile for the unlock code.
I need to buy an unlocked model because I'm with a different carrier;
so I'm trying to figure out which is the best way to go;

any suggestions? thanks.

I'm a long time T-Mo user and I had it done after my last contract expired...doubt they would do it for a non T-Mo subscriber. This phone is really hot rite now...suggest you buy from seller with lots of pos feeback or wait for a price drop...jus my .02

Ljay

[paulyras]

Originally Posted by bigmutt

Hello:
Some sellers on ebay have said that their 8100 from TMobile can be unlocked just by asking TMobile for the unlock code.
I need to buy an unlocked model because I'm with a different carrier;
so I'm trying to figure out which is the best way to go;

any suggestions? thanks.

T-Mobile has given me unlock codes for my last two blackberrys and I would anticipate would give me the code for my current Pearl. That said, I have kept an account for about 2 and a half years, and have asked nicely, while maintaining a contract, only because I was going out of the country and wanted to be able to use my phone with another carrier if neccessary while I was there (though frankly, I have just used T-Mo roaming anyway).

If you don't have an account, I would highly doubt they would give you an unlock code. The carriers take a loss on the phones, and I would doubt that they would do it out of kindness. I would recommend only buying one which is already unlocked if you need to go with another carrier. If nothing else, you avoid the debate about who's problem it is if T-Mo decides not to unlock it.

Good luck.

[froggy55]

Originally Posted by kasperapd

Yes, but I'm pretty sure you have to have an existing account with them and be in good standing for at least 90 days.

T-Mobile will provide one unlock code after 3 months of service and if you have multiple lines they will provide one very three months after the initial request. All you need to do is call customer care to let them know you want it and they will process your request and e-mail you the code with directions (average turn around time is 3 buiss. days).

[JerryD]

I had AT&T as a cell provider, and was generously given a T-Mobile BlackBerry (I had a company provided text only BB at the time). It took two visits to the T-Mobile store to get a phone number, and then a LONG wait on hold, but I did ultimately get the unlock code. I had it happen a second time with pretty much the same results.

This was about three to four years ago.

[flash24]

Originally Posted by froggy55

T-Mobile will provide one unlock code after 3 months of service and if you have multiple lines they will provide one very three months after the initial request. All you need to do is call customer care to let them know you want it and they will process your request and e-mail you the code with directions (average turn around time is 3 buiss. days).

cool.. thanks for the info :D

[casmer]

Originally Posted by bigmutt

And I don't even know if there are ever any potential problems with phones originally locked to a specific carrier but then unlocked;

There are no issues with using an unlocked phone on any other carrier with one exception. If you break the phone you are pretty much SOL unless you buy third party insurance. I had an 8700c unlocked and running on Tmo. I recently broke it. Tmo won't help because it is a cingular phone. Cingular won't help because I am a Tmo customer. And blackberry says I have to deal with a provider. So, pretty much screwed on it at this point.

[Gibeon]

The following is from T-Mobile's website and expands on Froggy55's post...


SIM Unlock Requests:

T-Mobile customers must meet the following eligibility requirements before contacting Customer Service to request your SIM Unlock code.

The following restrictions apply to all account types:

* T-Mobile can provide SIM Unlock Codes only for handsets sold by T-Mobile USA, with the exception of Danger Sidekick devices. T-Mobile can obtain SIM Unlock Codes for companies acquired by t-Mobile USA (VoiceStream, Aerial, Omnipoint, SOL, Digiph, PCS One, and Powertel).
* SIM Unlock Codes will only be provided after your account has been active for 90 days. Only one unlock code may be provided per customer every 90 days.
* No SIM Unlock Codes will be provided within the 14-Day Buyer's Remorse period. Customers who purchase phones in CA California or via Amazon.com are granted a 30-Day Buyer's Remorse Period.
* SIM Unlock Codes are not always available from the Manufacturer. However, T-Mobile will make a dedicated effort to obtain the SIM Unlock code. Note: Other restrictions may apply depending on account type.

[mas90guru]

I just requested one for the 8100. I meet all the criteria other than the phone is still in the 14 day period. We will see if there are any issues.

[fiubc]

I requested one for the first pearl I got the same day. Next day got an email with the code and it worked fine. I just changed out 4 8700's for 8100's yesterday and called those in last night. Should have the codes anytime now.

[jrdul6748]

I remember having to unlock my father's phone with T-Mobile, and all I had to tell them is that he was going overseas and had a different SIM card for different countries and they did it just fine.

[mas90guru]

I just received my SIM unlock for my newly purchased 8100. It took about 24 hours exactly. I called in to the regular t-mobile number and requested the unlock telling them that in two weeks I was going overseas and I wanted to use a prepaid sim card in the phone.

The people on the phone both responded "that was a good reason" and asked for the IMEI code and my email.

About 24 hours later I get an email with the unlock and instructions from T-Mobile -- the return address is .

I have been a subscriber for about 11 months, no unpaid balances and have never requested an unlock code from t-mobile before.

Hope this is helpful.

[flar]

I called 611 on Monday, spent 6 minutes on the phone and had my unlock code by email early on Wednesday. The only info I gave them was the IMEI number so you don't need the PIN, but you do need to be a customer in good standing and verify your password/personal info.

BTW, in contrast to what others were saying, I'm still in my 14 day buyers remorse period and yet I got the unlock code just the same. I imagine if I return it, they can probably relock it for the next customer or just not worry about it.

Also, I once returned a phone that had gone bad about 3 weeks after I got it. I did a handset exchange at a local retail store and told them that I had unlocked it and wanted to unlock the replacement and so they noted on my account that I had returned the unlocked handset. I ended up not doing the unlock on the replacement until much later so I can't be sure the note helped, but T-Mobile has always gone out of their way to help me out with things like this so I'm sure it would have been fine.

[BlissX]

Originally Posted by flar

Also, I once returned a phone that had gone bad about 3 weeks after I got it. I did a handset exchange at a local retail store and told them that I had unlocked it and wanted to unlock the replacement and so they noted on my account that I had returned the unlocked handset. I ended up not doing the unlock on the replacement until much later so I can't be sure the note helped, but T-Mobile has always gone out of their way to help me out with things like this so I'm sure it would have been fine.

Once unlocked, always unlocked.

[MorningZ]

To give another "success" story, my boss got his Pearl unlocked and working on his Cingular account

Different than above though, he was only a customer of T-Mobile for 13 days (from the time he purchased the phone), so that goes against the T-Mobile site's "SIM Unlock Codes will only be provided after your account has been active for 90 days" and "No SIM Unlock Codes will be provided within the 14-Day Buyer's Remorse period"

I guess more than anything it all depends on who you get on the phone over there