Buying unwanted iPhone 6s plus upgrade

[Hannah6408]

I've bought an unwanted upgrade 6s plus from a Vodafone customer. It's locked to Vodafone which he says he has requested the code to get it unlocked. Once this is done is this phone completely mine? Can I use my giffgaff sim in it straight away? If he decides to stop paying his contract will this affect me in any way? Please HELP!!!

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi,

it can take approx 20 days to unlock. 

Through this timeframe put your giffgaff sim in and hook up to iTunes. When you see the pop up message confirming the unlock that's the process completed. 

If a person stops paying their contract then usually the persons contract is restricted. Not the phone. An imei bar is usually placed if a person claims its lost or stolen and makes an insurance claim. 

[AnnS]

@Hannah6408

If you have been sold an unwanted upgrade, it may be worth bearing in mind that the phone is not the sellers property until 6 monthly clear payments had been made.  Until then Vodafone own the phone.

Please see the clause below taken from the Terms and Conditions.

G, Mobile equipment ownership. When you choose a bundle, we may provide you with mobile equipment. You will only own the mobile equipment following the successful payment of your first six bills, unless we tell you otherwise (see clauses 4i and 4j). At all times you must keep your mobile equipment in a good condition (subject to normal fair wear and tear) as if you owned it. Until you own the mobile equipment, we reserve the right to charge you for any mobile equipment which is returned to us.

This is something you will need to take up with the seller, quite sure the seller would have needed to make 3 months clear payments on the contract before being able to get the phone unlocked.  There would also be the added problem when the IMEI is not being used on the original owners account.

[BandOfBrothers]

AnnS would a person be able to go the Payg Route by using the iPhone on the Network, making calls etc for 30 days ,and then pay the unlock fee of £19.99 in this scenario. 

[AnnS]

@BandOfBrothers

I would have thought it unlikely, Vodafone own the phone until the 6th monthly clear payment.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@AnnS wrote:

@BandOfBrothers

I would have thought it unlikely, Vodafone own the phone until the 6th monthly clear payment.

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Thank you for that. 

This scenario could then get a little confusing as Vodafone state in the NUC FAQs if the phone is purchased 2nd hand all a person needs to do is use it in the Network for 30 days and pay £19.99. 

[Hannah6408]

So basically, get a refund ASAP? 😕

[kids]

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@Hannah6408 wrote:

So basically, get a refund ASAP? 😕

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Definitely.

[BandOfBrothers]

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@Hannah6408 wrote:

So basically, get a refund ASAP? 😕

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Do you know the seller ?

Was it from eBay ? If listed as locked to Vodafone they wouldn't have to offer a Refund. 

[Hannah6408]

Don't know the seller. It was a private sale on gumtree