Buying a second hand Note 8

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 09:34

Well, not too sure if this is the right place to post, but I need some opinions.

There's currently a Note 8 selling for surprisingly cheap on eBay, 'apparently' in mint condition, but the phone has no service. Now, I haven't gone for it yet, and if I get into contact with the seller i'll ask for pictures. I've never been one for always getting a brand new phone, and this seems like a steal... IF the problem is fixable.

I've seen many supposed fixes for a No Service issue on the Note 8. BUT, I also don't want to buy a phone that i've genuinely got no hope of fixing (Tho it's still usable, and I could probably still sell it again). So if I do buy it, it's not the end of the world, but it would be nice to be able to fix it myself.

My question(s) is; Has anyone else ever had this error? Have they been able to fix it? And do you think it's worth it?

Side note: If this is the wrong forum I apologise.

wedrum · 23 May 2018 at 09:37

more than likely blacklisted. do a checkmend on the serial number first.

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 09:50

wedrum said:
more than likely blacklisted. do a checkmend on the serial number first.

I've sent a message to the seller asking for the IMEI and the SN, hopefully he sends back legit numbers, but I guess we'll see. Thanks for the suggestion btw, I never knew about checkmend!

wesley · 23 May 2018 at 12:39

What does ' no service' means?

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 12:57

wesley said:
What does ' no service' means?

It suggests that the phone has no signal to the any mobile network. So the bars at the top of the screen (Generally next to the battery percentage), are blank or have an X through them, meaning there is no phone service.

Kanpai · 23 May 2018 at 13:07

Honestly, I'd stay well clear of this.

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 13:10

SpartaK said:
Honestly, I'd stay well clear of this.

I think I will too. The lack of pictures in the actual ad, plus the fact that I have had no response. Even still, a note 8 for the price it is at, even if it does not function 100%, still seems a bit low. I'll give it more time.

neoboy · 23 May 2018 at 13:14

"Surprisingly cheap" and "eBay" is normally a recipe for another thread in the future.

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 13:15

neoboy said:
"Surprisingly cheap" and "eBay" is normally a recipe for another thread in the future.

Ha, don't worry, I ain't that bad. I do my research and I don't buy things I don't agree with. I was on the fence at the start, and wanted to confirm by contact.

Mujja · 23 May 2018 at 13:19

Also check the bootloader is locked. If unlocked any Samsung warranty is void and the issue may have been caused by some dodgy firmware modding.

wedrum · 23 May 2018 at 13:22

If it's too good to be true it always is.
Walk away from this one.

Tai Gianninotti · 23 May 2018 at 13:48

Sounds like a good idea to me, walk away it is. Thanks for the help guys!