Sprint Representative Ignoring Me and Refusing to Unlock

And it's because the OP is referring to a hybrid CDMA/GSM device that probably throws a wrench in the plan. My gut feeling is that this particular handset may be grandfathered (or considered an 'exception') and not subject to this voluntary process by the carriers. Admittedly though, I am the least familiar with Sprint's policies/hardware since they are low man on the totem pole per se. It was hard enough dealing with all the other carriers/hardware to have to also deal w/ the walkie talkie Nextel crowd .

Hmmm....I wonder if this 'voluntary' system forces another CDMA carrier to accept a 'flashed' device if that were to happen(?)

Can't nail down what exact model it is. There are those hybrids and for a time Cricket in this area would just flash it to their system and no one would talk to Sprint. That was last year so probably out of date info.
Bob

That you would take the phone to the carrier that you are going to and they would flash it to the new carrier. Unlike GSM, no unlock required. I wonder if folk know about this area? Or even care.
Bob

so is there a way to take your own equipment to another carrier or not? The All-American way is to make things as difficult for the consumer as possible which ensures that there is a buck to strip from us to attain a profit in my opinion.

I'm going to write no. While I could take it to my new carrier to figure it out you seem stuck in some position and can't move.
Bob

Ok Bob. Since it appears that you have knowledge in this arena where as I do not, do tell. How does the average consumer determine which type (CDMA vs. GSM) of set up a phone has? Can an individual change this aspect within a phone? If it is possible, can you, oh guru Bob, tell me how to do it? AT & T says I need the unlock info from Verizon before my friend can use it thru his AT & T contract. What is this verbage about flashing? Because I moved Bob, moved right to the AT & T store and they didn't mention flashing. He did explain that AT & T charges $15 bucks to unlock an AT & T phone to that a consumer can switch to a different service provider and continue to utilize their existing equipment.

The full make/model of the phone usually is enough for OTHERS to sniff out what the phone is.

You asked a lot of questions in your post so when you do that, number them to keep questions with answers.

No as to changing a CDMA to GSM and back (without replacing the phone.)

What is flashing? In the case of any CDMA phones that's how the new carrier puts it on their CDMA network. No unlocking required. Can really confuse those that are demanding an unlock and well, no unlock required here.

I can't guess why we would expect an ATT store employee to know CDMA since they don't have such a network or sell such a thing.
Bob

*Which* version of the RAZR M did you obtain? As Bob hinted, if it's a CDMA phone, he should be able to activate it w/ Verizon w/ no problem.

That said, if you don't want contracts, why not look into Prepaid/MVNOs? It's a lot better than it used to be.

FWIW, a couple years agao my homeowners insurance policy replaced a smartphone a family member dropped into the toilet. The deductible was either $50 or $75, much less than what ATT wanted. For most, the cost of insurance rarely pays off if you throw in the high smartphone deductible. It can often be cheaper to simply add a line and receive a fully subsidized (new) phone. YMMV.

As an average consumer, I feel technically challenged to begin with. To the novice, Motorola Razor M is where it ends. Either this info that you suggest is kept from the people that we typically deal with either in a retail store or on the phone with customer service or technical support or they are very well trained not to reveal this deep dark secret. What is it beyond 'M' that indicates what you need to know and where is this info located on the phone so that I can share it with the world

Instead of going the smug route, why not pull up a chair? I'm fairly certain you have encountered more detailed serial & model numbers of a particular electronics product at least once in your lifetime.

If you open up the battery compartment, you should be able to see some numbers/codes/info listed there underneath the battery. This will narrow it down since quite often (especially with the RAZR line of handsets), there are a myriad of different types, some only compatible with carriers using a certain type of technology. In the United States/North America, the two different technologies are often *generically* referred to as GSM (ATT & T-Mobile) vs CDMA (Verizon, US Cellular & Sprint). The same handset can sometimes be released w/ multiple versions. But more often than not, you can't use one type of carrier's phone on another's network due to that difference in technology. And some handsets/carriers have elements of both technologies under the hood, further complicating the matter.

The following may be your phone if it's the Verizon issued RAZR M-
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_razr_m-4973.php

But there's also at least one int'l version of this phone that won't work on Verizon's network, but could work on ATT's if it's unlocked. So as you can see, we need more specifics from you on what actual hardware you are working with.
<div>
</div>

You have to do a little work yourself to get help here. We can't reach out through the internet and solve your issue without more information. I assure you that the model information is available in the settings menu and without that you will remain stuck.