Whatever information you guys can share, please do so, and I'll collect and update.

I'm a fairly small-time gsm connoisseur, compared with a lot of people out there; however, having been burned I've already learned a valuable lesson, so I'm going to go ahead and share it-among other tidbits of information.

Firstly, as with all sorts of b/s/t transactions the basics are key:
  1. Local Trades, be safe-meet in safe locations, a pal is always good to be with you.
  2. Distance Trades, Heatware or such reputable feedback is Critical. DO NOT deal with anybody without ANY established form of feedback-and if you do, ensure you get PAID, or receive the parcel FIRST, THEN fulfill your part of the deal. I CANNOT stress this enough. As good a deal as it sounds, DO NOT do it otherwise. It's amazing that I got taken for $105 and that was a hard lesson, but I even-last week heard of a couple veteran users on hofo who got taken for ~$1000 from JUST this type of scenario.

TO REPEAT: NO FEEDBACK EQUALS YOU'RE looking for trouble.,


So having set those rules down., here's the low down. (and for now there's a couple holes that I'd welcome feedback from our inhouse cellular sellers).

To get warantee for products you need proof of purchase from an authorised dealer. This is why you pay a premium when you buy it from Rogers (the buy-out/no-contract price), versus buying it from other sources. I should mention however, that unless you have connections, Motorola Canada for example will not do any warantee service without a POP. I am sure everyone would appreciate feedback on all the manufacturers so I can clarify this point.

So for amateurs who are interested in buying cellphones don't bother asking this type of question, because chances are-unless the seller is specifying "POP included, or warantee included" the phone will not have it-this is all a part of the experience of being a cellular connoisseur-on a budget . Mind you, of course there are authorised dealers in Canada that you can buy a phone from & who may offer their own in-house extended policies-so if that is absolutely key to you, that may be the way to go. If you don't really care, then haveatter .

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The following really only comes into play if you're dealing with a questionable person, and you're unsure of what key things to watch out for when buying a cellphone.

Now I'm going to customize this how-to for Motorolas.
Motorolas have a liquid damage indicator on the rear panel (below where the battery sits). It is a chemically reactive white piece of paper that turns red when liquid comes in contact with it. This voids the warantee so if someone is trying to pwn such a phone off on you, say 'buh-bye'. If the sticker is removed, THIS in-and-of-itself voids the warantee. There is another sticker on the interior of the housing fyi.
My Lesson Learned ~ how Bubble.Tea got semi pWnd

There are other things to watch out for such as green corrosion on metal contacts, and such. Really, fairly common sense things, but in the heat of-whatever you may forget about these checks. Of course if you're doing a local trade-I'm sure all reputable dealers would invite you to pull the phone out and make a test call.

Yours,