Expert: DebiN - 8/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: My current cell phone was under a contract with Cellular One who is now AT&T. My Cell One phone died and it is not replaceable by AT&T without going ahead and renewing my contract  which is not up until beginning of December. AT&T says my SIM card will not work in their phones and they offer no other advice except to renew. What phone will it work in so I can get a replacement without having to renew my contract early? Will any unlocked phone work?

ANSWER: Any SIM unlocked phone will work with your SIM card. Be sure that it is a SIM unlocked, quad band GSM phone. Keep in mind that WAP (internet) and MMS will not work, but you will have a phone until you can get a new one when you renew your contract which is by far your best bet. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN

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QUESTION: It does make sense that it should work that way but I have bought my daughter a phone from ebay before that was supposed to be unlocked and her SIM card never worked in that phone. It had a Tmobile SIM card in it when we received it but TMobile said they couldn't help her and her carrier said they couldn't help her so it was a waste of money, it was a used phone so it didn't cost much. Should I steer clear of phones from online stores? If I have a problem once I purchase another phone can I come back to this website for help?

Answer
It sounds like the phones you purchased previously on eBay were either (1) not really SIM unlocked, (2) broken or defective. Personally, I do think that for the most part, buying a phone on eBay is a waste of money and time and I always prefer to buy from my carrier so that I can a phone that is warranteed. Since you have to buy a phone now, then just look for one that was designed for the US and is either an AT&T or Cingular unlocked device. That would probably be your best bet. Yes, you are welcome to ask my opinion when you find a phone and I am happy to help advise you. Thanks. DebiN