[coachmarino]

Okay, I've been a member of forums like this for other subjects and they sometimes just tell the newb to do a search, but I am such a newb I'm having trouble...

I'm looking to buy a Blackberry, but my finances are not allowing me to enter into a new contract or get a brand new one for $500. So I need some advice on the alternative products...

First, I have to use Sprint...I know that sucks...but I'm on a friend's family plan, so the service itself is cheap....

Second, What is the better way to go? Used? Refurb? I'm not picky, used or refurb is fine.

Next, should I go the ebay route? Are there any dependable stores that do refurb or used phones? I would far prefer to just get one refurb or used from a dependable store versus ebay...

Which model should I get? I'm a power emailer...the reason I'm going for the Blackberry is that my stupid Rant sucks as far as email goes. I email all day...I would love to be able to do web surfing as well...open documents for review, no need to edit on my phone...I don't need a great camera, but not having one I think would seem inconvenient...not sure I need to take videos with it, but isn't that sort of a recent Blackberry thing now?

I guess it's a Curve I probably need to get? Or would one of the older models do me proud?

Can I get the most recent version of Curve cheap in a refurb?

What else should I know about the alternative markets? What questions do I ask if I go the Ebay route? How can I avoid being screwed by an online retailer?

Thanks to anyone willing to help...

[devnull]

Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ