Buying iphone 3g w/o contract, questions and confused. please help

[flyhen]

Hello,

So I found a buyer that will sell me 2 iphone 3G 16gb, a black and a white for a good price. We agreed to meet up in person next week for the transaction.

So I asked him why is he selling his iphones, ahd here is what he said, and I do wonder..
======================what he said========
the reason I am selling my iphones is that I cancelled the service within 30 days, I did it by calling AT&T and cancelled my service over the phone. All I did pay was the 299 for each and the pro-rated service plans, I got my activation fee back. they do say that I have to return the phones to wherever I purchased it from in order to get my 299 (for each phone) back. But I am not going to, and hence, selling it for a profit.
=================end of what he said========

Now here are my wonderings..
1. If he said is true, would I get into trouble for taking over those two phones? would at&t track me down and/or disable those phones?

2. is what he said true? you get to keep the phones like that?

3. really? am I missing anything


I know this is somewhat "illegal" or jumping thru the loopholes, and quite a sensitive topic to talk about. But please let me know what you all think about this.

Also, if this discussion is not suited for public viewing, please send me your opinions over PM and I will get back to you asap.

Thanks!!

[TheMBC]

Nothing's illegal about buying a phone from a vendor through a legal site...usually, but there are rules and the site is looked through for illegal selling.

And there's also nothing illegal about buying a phone and contract and then ending that contract and selling your phone. Yes it's a loophole, but I expect many people will do this once AT&T releases the prepaid iPhones for $400 more than the subsidized price, since it's actually cheaper to do it that way.

[flyhen]

So, let me get this straight, if I were to sign up for a plan, and cancel it within 30 days, I can keep the phone? I thought they make you return your phones upon cancellation?

How did my seller get thru with this? I dont want to get stuck with 2 illegal phones for sure

[TheMBC]

If that were the case, then I don't think they would've canceled his contract if he didn't give back the phone.

But, I'm not the best person to talk on this subject.

[deftdrummer1]

there will be a software unlock soon from the iPhone dev team, so I would just use their unlock if you are really that worried about AT&T pitching a fit about. Than again it's still kinda risky.

[dmiZe]

If you cancel your contract before 30 days is up, AT&T WILL NOT let you keep the phone. If you cancel after 30 days, it's yours.

[flyhen]

well, how do they make sure i "dont keep the phone", i am sure one can always cancel the contract via phone, yes?