I loved my n810, although it was kind of slow due to the lack of hardware acceleration, I liked having a real Linux computer in my pocket. My current phone is an HTC HD2, which is a neat phone for hacking, it runs all sorts of mobile OSs and also will run Ubuntu (badly) but still not a computer-in-your-pocket. So I went to eBay and got an n900. I see from the threads here that the Hong Kong seller I bought it from, cellphonesforever, has a bad reputation, I hope mine turns out OK. Got it for $162, but I paid ~$10 in order to get expedited shipping. I feel some regret getting it from a seller that I now see is problematic, but there really aren't that many other sellers of n900s on eBay other than "used" (i.e. not refurbished) ones at that price. I am reluctant to get a used one, as not only might it not be in good condition in general, there's the USB port problem to worry about.

I hope it will be OK. Let us know if there's any problem or you have any questions!

Someone on IRC said I should ask for a checklist of things to look for as far as damage goes. Rather than start another thread, I'll try asking here in my thread about the new device. Anyone want to post one?

I'd be looking for these:

• flaking paint on keypad
• scratches, nicks, etc on display bezel
• two bright points about 2.5cm (one inch) apart near center of display
• obviously non-standard IMEI sticker in battery compartment or one that doesn't match IMEI shown by phone's software.
• CSSU already installed (not damage but a 'not going to happen on a new one' sort of thing.)
• battery that looks, or acts, like it has been around the block more times than the postman.

The bright points would be the best give-away that this is a recycled device as they do not usually show up immediately, as I recall. There is a thread or two about these elsewhere on talk.maemo.org (TMO).

A new device should have a clean crash log:

mtd2 doesn't get wiped on a reflash.

There are problems, I charged it to full successfully, flashed it in order to wipe it (it wasn't wiped when I got it), then used it for a bit until it was fairly low in charge. Then I put it on the charger, while it was on the charger, it said it needed charging and shut down. Now all it will do is either boot-loop on the charger, or off the charger not turn on at all.

try charging the batt using an external charger. may be you're on a flat batt.

Unfortunately I don't have an external charger. Any recommendations? I just got one on eBay for $5, but I'm scared I'll get burned a second time by an eBay merchant like I did with the phone. I didn't see any chargers for this battery that looked better via google or Amazon though.

The cellphoneforever phones are fraudulently sold as new but are actually used/repaired but they do have a new plastic shell and new non-standard fake Nokia accessories. AFAIK the repaired board is the only Nokia thing in the whole package. Some will work fine for years mine worked badly for two weeks then bricked, but if you ever open one up you will see the scorch marks from the sloppy repairs.
You will probably want to flash the phone to clear off any unwanted porn, files, apps , contacts, and call history from the previous user.

It sounds like the phone came with a broken USB port, typical cellphoneforever. Contact eBay and Paypal to at least leave an amended comment.

I just contacted the seller. If they give me the usual B.S., which I'm sure they will, from what I see now on this forum regarding this seller, I'm going to send it right to paypal. I do have to contact them first though according to paypal,so I guess I should so paypal will give me less grief about it.