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Different retailers, so it's not a repost. But this thread sucks as much as the Walmart one: There are no clear instructions on how to get the phone unlocked via a Tracfone plan for those of us who aren't familiar with the process.
Bought from Walmart online yesterday and picked up today. Also bought the TracFone 10$ 30min plan from TracFone ebay store.
Failed activation today after pickup and TracFone CS said take it back to Walmart and ask them to tie the purchase to the receipt. They didn't scan it correctly and hence it's not showing in their system.
So I went back to the store and the guy at CS desk had no idea. But the guy at electronic desk knew the problem. But he said he cannot fix it and CS needs to fix it.
Tried to return the phone and the CS said they don't accept phone reruns at that particular store because they had one explode and I can go to some other Walmart.
I then called the store next closest to me and the lady at the electronic desk knew exactly the problem and solution. I went to that store and she was able to do the return without receipt and rebuy and scan the codes correctly.
Then I tried online activation on TracFone website and thst still didn't work.
So I chatted with TracFone CS and they were able to confirm the phone is now good and then help me activate the plan I bought online.
The online plan gives you a PIN that I gave to CS.
They didn't mention anything about rebrand and neither did I.
You are stronger and tougher than I am.
I congratulate you on getting this done. But I couldn't do it, at this point in life don't have the patience and might not be able to find the one aware, competent person you did.
Avoid walmart, given its bone-headed incompetence. Buy from either Total by Verizon or Straight Talk. Then the deal is easy.
The problem with Walmart is that the training is poor and they don't give associates enough time to learn. Its unfortunate for everyone, except shareholders and the Walmart family.
Bought online through Walmart app. Wouldn't activate because no one scanned the bar codes. Tried to get them to scan at store and had to retrun and buy another phone. Had Tracfone rebrand the phone, they were suppose to call me back to add a card on file to activate but that didn't happen. Bought code off eBay to try and activate, not clear if it's being emailed or shipped. Walmart is the absolute worst for any kind of cell service interaction. Walmart employee was more knowledgeable about the phone issue than the OSL rep.
I know some phones have (or had) different variants of the same phone in the past. Like an ATT version or Verizon of, say, a Moto Z2F or iPhone. Or there are versions with dual sim capability.
Is this still a thing? Is CDMA and GSM still used for new cell phones or are we past that? I just remember in the past some variants, the cheaper ones, getting poor reception because they are missing at least one band that the carrier uses and it made a huge impact, even if they had all the other bands.
For Verizon branded phones (incl. Straight Talk and TracFone).
The most important thing anyone anywhere needs to know about them is they are BOOTLOADER LOCKED.
This means you cannot install an OS firmware of your choosing because the phone doesn't belong to you. Ever. Verizon is your daddy.
My pixel 5a just died a hair short of two years due to the known black screen problems. I could get it fixed but I have to mail the phone in and be witbout one for 10-14 business days. I have been on this train since the HTC project Fi days and this is the third Google phone to come out with known defects ultimately. Before they used to take care of you but not now. I gave up and got an iPhone. I know some people have good luck with the Google phones but I could never get one to last more than two years
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I ordered from Walmart, delivered yesterday. It wouldn't activate - Straight Talk CS said I need to take it back to the local Walmart and have it scanned so it show up on their system. Went to Walmart this am, CS said I needed to return it and buy another in Electronics. Got the refund, went to Electronics, its $199. Decided that I probably dodged a bullet, since it would just be a replacement for my backup Pixel 3, enough effort expended
OK, thank you all for your help, I just called Tracfone @ 1 (800) 867-7183, hit 4, then explained to the guy that I bought a phone from Straight Talk but was told I could get it to work with my Tracfone card. He said of course and transferred me to technical support. It took about 1/2 hour but it got done!
I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and received the message that the phone will be eligible to be unlocked on 1-30-24.
BTW I bought the $15 plan through the EBAY store because they didn't have the $10 one. No big deal, I'm glad it worked!
ordered two phones from ST website. I had to try at least 10 times before the error disappeared. After many attempts, order went through. Waiting for the confirmation. Once I get the order confirmation and shipping confirmation I will get plans (hopefully, 10/15 plans will be available by then).
What version of Google Pixel 6a is shipped directly from Straight Talk website? Is it GB62Z or GX7AS? The differences are in mobile bands support. See here[phonemore.com] version details.
You can check this in phone Settings - System - About phone - Model number. If this is Verizon only version GB62Z, it might not support all or any bands of your area other USA & Canada & International carriers resulting in bad or no signal reception, even if you fully unlock it.
In this case its better to order it from Walmart or Total, as their buyers reported receiving Generic model version, i.e. GX7AS in the promo forums. Phones shipped by Walmart can be activated via ST chat by emailing them the purchase receipt without scanning the code at Walmart Phone department.
PS. I just chatted with Straight Talk CSR, and he confirmed they now ship GX7AS model, which is a good thing for bands compatibility if true. Some buyers reported the phone can be activated at Tracfone website with $9.99 Refill plan[tracfone.com], you don't have to purchase $15 PIN from Ebay if $10 Ebay PIN is sold out. The sub must be active and in good standing for 60 days to unlock it as per ST Terms of Service, meaning you likely have to pay for 2 consecutive months before unlocking.
Last edited by zamar29 December 1, 2023 at 03:42 PM.
Here's my experience in case it helps anyone. So I ordered a 6A direct from ST and bought the $15 plan from ebay[ebay.com] since the $10 one was sold out. BTW my 6A shipped with a SIM card pre-installed, I was confused as I thought I'd need to activate it with TF by eSIM but the SIM card installed is compatible with TF, if you look at the card it's actually TF branded.
I followed the steps to request the phone be "rebranded" to TF via TF's online support chat, that went fine. But I ran into problems creating a TF account on their site after I had entered my ebay plan PIN, etc to activate the phone. At the account creation step where you enter email, password, and pin, I kept getting the error "Target organization/brand is not the same as the ESN has"
I had to chat with a TF agent on their website to fix this, the agent activated the plan on the the 6A using the installed SIM after I provided the IMEI, SIM serial, and plan PIN. Note I didn't provide a CC number during this chat.
After rebooting the phone and waiting a few minutes (you don't immediately get an active TF number right after you go back into the phone), the phone started getting text messages from TF about the new account including your new phone number.
I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and my unlock date says 01-31-2024. If you don't get a response from your initial unlock text try again later as my first unlock text didn't get a reply.
Last edited by Slickdeezee December 1, 2023 at 08:04 PM.
Some buyers reported the phone can be activated at Tracfone website with $9.99 Refill plan[tracfone.com], you don't have to purchase $15 PIN from Ebay if $10 Ebay PIN is sold out.
I wish I saw this earlier as I bought the $15 ebay plan as when I looked at that $10 plan on TF's site, it seemed it was for existing customer's only with an account.
Quote
:
The sub must be active and in good standing for 60 days to unlock it as per ST Terms of Service, meaning you likely have to pay for 2 consecutive months before unlocking.
Based on their unlock policy page, you don't need 2 months of service. It just says 60 days have passed since you activated a new TF service, not 60 days of consecutive service:
Here's my experience in case it helps anyone. So I ordered a 6A direct from ST and bought the $15 plan from ebay[ebay.com] since the $10 one was sold out. BTW my 6A shipped with a SIM card pre-installed, I was confused as I thought I'd need to activate it with TF by eSIM but the SIM card installed is compatible with TF, if you look at the card it's actually TF branded.
I followed the steps to request the phone be "rebranded" to TF via TF's online support chat, that went fine. But I ran into problems creating a TF account on their site after I had entered my PIN, etc to activate the phone. At the account creation step where you enter email, password, and pin, I kept getting the error "Target organization/brand is not the same as the ESN has"
I had to chat with a TF agent on their website to fix this, the agent activated the plan on the the 6A using the installed SIM after I provided the IMEI, SIM serial, and plan PIN. Note I didn't provide a CC number during this chat.
After rebooting the phone and waiting a few minutes (you don't immediately get an active TF number right after you go back into the phone), the phone started getting text messages from TF about the new account including your new phone number.
I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and my unlock date says 01-31-2024. If you don't get a response from your initial unlock text try again later as my first unlock text didn't get a reply.
Thanks! This is very helpful.
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Failed activation today after pickup and TracFone CS said take it back to Walmart and ask them to tie the purchase to the receipt. They didn't scan it correctly and hence it's not showing in their system.
So I went back to the store and the guy at CS desk had no idea. But the guy at electronic desk knew the problem. But he said he cannot fix it and CS needs to fix it.
Tried to return the phone and the CS said they don't accept phone reruns at that particular store because they had one explode and I can go to some other Walmart.
I then called the store next closest to me and the lady at the electronic desk knew exactly the problem and solution. I went to that store and she was able to do the return without receipt and rebuy and scan the codes correctly.
Then I tried online activation on TracFone website and thst still didn't work.
So I chatted with TracFone CS and they were able to confirm the phone is now good and then help me activate the plan I bought online.
The online plan gives you a PIN that I gave to CS.
They didn't mention anything about rebrand and neither did I.
I congratulate you on getting this done. But I couldn't do it, at this point in life don't have the patience and might not be able to find the one aware, competent person you did.
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I know some phones have (or had) different variants of the same phone in the past. Like an ATT version or Verizon of, say, a Moto Z2F or iPhone. Or there are versions with dual sim capability.
Is this still a thing? Is CDMA and GSM still used for new cell phones or are we past that? I just remember in the past some variants, the cheaper ones, getting poor reception because they are missing at least one band that the carrier uses and it made a huge impact, even if they had all the other bands.
The most important thing anyone anywhere needs to know about them is they are BOOTLOADER LOCKED.
This means you cannot install an OS firmware of your choosing because the phone doesn't belong to you. Ever. Verizon is your daddy.
The most important thing anyone anywhere needs to know about them is they are BOOTLOADER LOCKED.
This means you cannot install an OS firmware of your choosing because the phone doesn't belong to you. Ever. Verizon is your daddy.
Just request for a new number during the activation process.
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I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and received the message that the phone will be eligible to be unlocked on 1-30-24.
BTW I bought the $15 plan through the EBAY store because they didn't have the $10 one. No big deal, I'm glad it worked!
Thank you all again!
You can check this in phone Settings - System - About phone - Model number. If this is Verizon only version GB62Z, it might not support all or any bands of your area other USA & Canada & International carriers resulting in bad or no signal reception, even if you fully unlock it.
In this case its better to order it from Walmart or Total, as their buyers reported receiving Generic model version, i.e. GX7AS in the promo forums. Phones shipped by Walmart can be activated via ST chat by emailing them the purchase receipt without scanning the code at Walmart Phone department.
PS. I just chatted with Straight Talk CSR, and he confirmed they now ship GX7AS model, which is a good thing for bands compatibility if true. Some buyers reported the phone can be activated at Tracfone website with $9.99 Refill plan [tracfone.com], you don't have to purchase $15 PIN from Ebay if $10 Ebay PIN is sold out. The sub must be active and in good standing for 60 days to unlock it as per ST Terms of Service, meaning you likely have to pay for 2 consecutive months before unlocking.
Update: I sent another text and this time got the response!
I followed the steps to request the phone be "rebranded" to TF via TF's online support chat, that went fine. But I ran into problems creating a TF account on their site after I had entered my ebay plan PIN, etc to activate the phone. At the account creation step where you enter email, password, and pin, I kept getting the error "Target organization/brand is not the same as the ESN has"
I had to chat with a TF agent on their website to fix this, the agent activated the plan on the the 6A using the installed SIM after I provided the IMEI, SIM serial, and plan PIN. Note I didn't provide a CC number during this chat.
After rebooting the phone and waiting a few minutes (you don't immediately get an active TF number right after you go back into the phone), the phone started getting text messages from TF about the new account including your new phone number.
I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and my unlock date says 01-31-2024. If you don't get a response from your initial unlock text try again later as my first unlock text didn't get a reply.
https://www.tfwunlockpo
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I followed the steps to request the phone be "rebranded" to TF via TF's online support chat, that went fine. But I ran into problems creating a TF account on their site after I had entered my PIN, etc to activate the phone. At the account creation step where you enter email, password, and pin, I kept getting the error "Target organization/brand is not the same as the ESN has"
I had to chat with a TF agent on their website to fix this, the agent activated the plan on the the 6A using the installed SIM after I provided the IMEI, SIM serial, and plan PIN. Note I didn't provide a CC number during this chat.
After rebooting the phone and waiting a few minutes (you don't immediately get an active TF number right after you go back into the phone), the phone started getting text messages from TF about the new account including your new phone number.
I texted UNLOCK to 611611 and my unlock date says 01-31-2024. If you don't get a response from your initial unlock text try again later as my first unlock text didn't get a reply.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!