anything need to look out when purchase used BB

[bighead]

Hi all:

it's time for me to get a new phone as the existing phone is start acting up. I was debating either get the E-71 or BB BOLD. i have been compare the price for the BOLD(craiglist, kijiji, ebay etc).
is there anything i need to look out for the ppl selling BB online(i have been searching for BNIB BB, not used or been register). my friend did inform me it will be a nightmare if i get a BB that is been register the BBM already as the PIN only assign once. if the seller lie to me that phone is never been register but it was register before. is that mean i'm screw and it's impossible to activate again? it will be easier to check if the phone is lock to certain netowrk but my questions is if the ad shows the phone is unlock, how could i proof the phone is never been register for the BBM. just base on luck?? i'm sure there is some way we can check this.
besides the BBM, is there any other thing i need to be aware? will that be a problem in case i got a phone that still have contract or even the phone is stolen??

i know the best is buy brand new from store but i can't scarfied $600 for a phone(i know i'm cheap)

Pls give me some advice. thank you in advance

[PUPPY]

sorry for bumping an old post but no point making another thread on the exact same thing
in this situation, and am looking at a bnib blackberry
any advice? i can't try out the text/call/bbm/browsing because its unopened ..
how else can i tell if it is a stolen device and has been reported

[TOPEC]

Call up rogers/fido/which ever carrier the phone came from and give them the serial/imei/pin and asked if its stolen
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[ilvtofu]

Check the lifetimer, go to status under settings and type buyr iirc. The seller might be trying to pass off a newer housing as a brand new phone etc.