Used Verizon iPads: Previous owner's payment history can brick the device
I'm wondering whether anyone else has encountered or considered this issue: because Verizon doesn't use SIM cards to associate a device with a paying account, their method of shutting off service to nonpaying customers is to block the device from accessing the network.
I'll spare some of the details of my personal experience with this for simplicity: I just bought a used Verizon iPad from a Pawn Shop. It was in pristine condition, but the original owner is in some trouble with Verizon. As a result, the iPad is prohibited from accessing the Verizon network. I can wipe the device, set it up with my own details, etc. But the device's MEID (device identifier) stays the same, and that's what Verizon has used to prohibit network access. Functionally, it's a WiFi-only iPad. I've spoken with several Verizon representatives, and the summary of those conversations is that the device will never be allowed to access Verizon again unless the original account holder comes into compliance with Verizon. (They wouldn't divulge the nature of the original owner's problem, but it could be nonpayment, fraud, bad credit card, or something else.)
By contrast, an AT&T iPad that uses a SIM card can have a different SIM card inserted, and it's a functional device in good standing with AT&T's network again.
This discrepancy (specifically Verizon's practice) seems problematic for Apple. They regard my 2nd-hand Verizon iPad as a device under warranty, and I've been told by an Apple employee that ultimately they'll have to replace it for me, because it doesn't work as intended. But that's obviously not Apple's fault. The device is capable of functioning as intended; Verizon refuses to let it.
Any thoughts on this? Anyone had similar experience? Any advice? Do you think this would also apply to Verizon iPhones? I see no reason why it wouldn't. (The pawn shop employees actually mentioned they don't buy Verizon phones, for that very reason.) As a result, some poor Verizon iphone can be converted into an expensive iPod Touch due to nonpayment by a previous owner.
tl;dr : I bought a used Verizon iPad. The previous owner is sketchy, and Verizon won't let the iPad use the 3G system as a result. Implications are discussed.
Resolution: Apple did indeed replace it, though they certainly didn't need to (morally speaking). I'd hope that they have some way of updating or clearing the cellular device ID for reuse, but they didn't attempt any such approach at the store. I spoke to a different person the second time around, though, and he basically just followed the first guy's instructions to replace the device, so he couldn't offer much input on how/whether the ultimate issue would be resolved.
Posted Dec 5, 2011, 7:23 PM UTC · edited
It's the same thing for iPhone's as well, makes buying a used Verizon phone a terrifying experiente.
Apple will replace it though? Really?
The employee didn't say with certainty, but that seemed to be where he was going. He asked me to try to work it out through Verizon first, and I haven't yet been back to Apple for followup. He was first to bring up the idea that I'd bought it legitimately and that it was under warranty, so it seemed like there shouldn't be any barrier to replacement if it doesn't work. But I'll have to find out.
Generally carrier issues aren't acceptable reasons for a replacement through Apple (at least under direct policy), but hopefully he feels for you and decides to CS it.
That's good to know. It's clearly an issue that is not Apple's fault, and I was pretty surprised at even the suggestion a replacement could happen. I don't know whether it would be entirely exploratory, or just an outright nice service replacement, though. We'll see what happens.
I'm betting they can reprogram the device ID and sell the unit as refurbished, or maybe just give it to you. You might want to bring a recept with you to verify you bought the device from someplace legit, and aren't just the original owner's friend trying to pull a fast one on them.
I'd hope they can reuse the device, but it really depends on whether a device ID (the MEID specifically) can be updated by software. Ultimately, they just replaced it for me, though.