This Guide is meant to be a basic guide to buying a cell phone on eBay for use on Sprint PCS.  If you want the short version, just read the first sentence of each section and you will have the must know information, if you are interested in the details, read on. 

The Guide addresses two main issues:  1) What Type of Phone do I need; and, 2)  How do I Know that the Phone I Choose will be a good one.  Finally, as a practical matter, you can’t go wrong purchasing a cell phone from an experience eBay seller, they reputations are hard earned and they stand behind the items they sell.  Despite any press to the contrary, eBay is the safest place on the internet to purchase a cell phone if you follow these simple suggestions.  If you find this guide helpful, please help others find it by clicking "Yes" below. 

A. What Type of Cell Phone do I need.

Step one is to get a cell phone that has the features that Sprnt PCS requires for activation.  As a special note, Sprint is by far the most demanding wireless carrier in terms of activating cell phones.  These requirements are really a must and there is very little if any flexiability in there system.  Below are the four MUST have characteristics: 

1) It Must WLNP Compliant.  In approximately June of 2006, Sprint starting requiring that all phones be WLNP Compliant to be activated, look for this designation in the add that it is WLNP compliant or call Sprint 888-211-4727.  Ask if the phone model is WLNP Compliant with out the need to upgrade the software, if it is not, choose another model.   

WLNP stands for Wireless Line Number Portability and means that the phone can be programmed with a ported number.  Generally phones manufactured after April 1, 2004 has to be WLNP compliant because of a law that was enacted that required carriers to release phone numbers to the user to be taken (ported) to another wireless carrier if the user so choose.  Phones manufactured before this date are more problematic.  There are phones that were manufactured before that date that are compliant, ones that can be upgraded with software that makes them WLNP Compliant, and ones that are just not capable.  I have spent many hours with technicians with Sprint, the only way to upgrade the software is to take into a service center that has the particular software, in essence, it does not exist.  I can't over emphasis this enough, don't buy a phone that is not WLNP Compliant without the need to upgrade it.   All Cell Phones sold by JustCellular for Sprint are WLNP Compliant.  Standard Sprint PCS Cell Phones  Flip Phones for Sprint PCS

2)  It Must have A Clear ESN Number.  All Cell Phones are assigned a number by the FCC that is unique to that phone called an ESN Number and it is printed on a sticker that is placed on every phone under where the battery is inserted into the phone.  Every time you make a call, your phone sends the unique number to Sprint and they use that number to keep up with your account.  Sprint also keeps a list of ESN numbers that it will no longer activate because either the phone’s prior user did not pay the phone bill or the previous owner made an insurance claim on the phone.  This list is commonly called the Lost or Stolen List.  If your phone’s ESN number is on that list, Sprint will not activate the phone.  This problem is more common than you would think, look for the ad to say that the ESN number has been cleared or check it before you purchase the phone.  JustCellular checks all of the esn numbers with Sprint to insure they are clear.

3)  It Must be Programmed for Sprint.  This may be obvious, but, phones have to be programmed to a particular carrier, so you should only buy a phone that is set up for Sprint.

B. Which Phone Should I Purchase.

Once you have selected the right type of phone, the next step is to select who to purchase it from and some pit falls to avoid.  Here are some of the things that you should look for.

1.  Assessing the Seller. 

A)  Pick an Experienced Cell Phone Seller.  Cell Phones are one of those categories on eBay that is too complicated for the casual cell phone seller and I would suggest purchasing a cell phone from one of the many experienced seller’s of cell phones on eBay including that perennial eBay favorite JustCellular (it’s a free plug for my eBay site, but I did write the Guide).  JustCellular Cell Phones for Sprint Traditonal Style Cell Phones for Sprint 

B)  Avoid Large Number of Mutually Withdrawn Feedbacks.  As with all purchases, you should look at the seller’s feedback paying close attention to comments that the item was misrepresented.  More importantly, look for a large number of “mutually withdrawn feedbacks”, which can indicate that a seller has a practice of leaving retaliatory negative feedback as way to coerce the unhappy buyer to withdraw their negative feedback.  Some mutual withdrawals are to be expected, but if the number is high as a percentage of the total feedback (3% or more), that is a sure sign that the seller pushes the edge and you may get something you are not expecting.  Not to overstate this, eBay keeps a tight reign on its sellers and frequently suspends sellers who repeatedly act unscrupulously, just these sellers will run closer to the edge than others.   

C)  Don’t Buy “As Is” Phones.  This one is easy to understand, only buy from sellers that stand behind the phones they sell including a reasonable inspection period of at least a week or two. 

2.   Assessing the Particular Phone.   Cell Phones condition can be broken down into three categories.  1) New, 2) Refurbished, and 3) Used.   All three have their pros and cons, and here some things to consider about each.

A) New.  If price is not an issue, this is the way to go.

B) Refurbished.  Because of the high cost of cell phones, there are many companies (including JustCellular) that professionally refurbish their cell phones that turns a used phone into almost new.  Not all refurbishing is the same, but, generally it includes changing the housing of the cell phone with a new one and doing a more thorough diagnostic of the mechanical condition of the phone.  Cell phones are like mini computers that have software on them (they call it firmware).  Like all software, the first version usually has some bugs, causing the phone to freeze, drop calls, have poor reception in certain conditions, etc.  The manufacturer gets feedback from the users and makes revisions to the software.  Thus, the software version that comes on the phone can effect its performance.  Ideally, you want the latest version and you want it freshly loaded onto the phone.  There are only a few sellers that have this ability and I wouldn’t consider it a Must, but, it is better to have than not. 

C) Used.  This is a category that can mean one thing to the seller and something else entirely to the buyer.  Look to see if there is an actual picture of the phone or if it is an industry photo.  If it is an industry photo, look for feedback that says that says the phone was not accurately described.  If you don’t see any or just a few, the seller can be trusted, if there are a lot, it can be a hit or miss proposition.   Used phones are cheaper and if price is of paramount concern, it may be the way to go.  Just make sure you are buying from a reputable seller and you should be OK.

D) Most Phone Problems are Caused by old Batteries.  Batteries become less effective over time causing them to hold a charge for a shorter period as well as loose power (amperage) that effects the phones ability to send a strong signal.  New batteries can be expensive, but to the extent that you can buy a phone with a new one, it is generally a very good value.

I hope this guide was helpful to you.  eBay is the best place to purchase replacement cell phones for Sprint.  You just need to follow the outline above and you should get a phone that you are happy with at a price that can only be found on eBay.   

Please check out JustCellular on eBay for a wide variety of dependable cell phones for Sprint as well as other carriers.   If you found this guide helpful, please click on yes below, thanks for reading.

Refurbished Cell Phones for Sprint  Flip & Camera Phones for Sprint