Where to get a smartphone unlocked

[mahart]

I bought a used AT&T S3 off Craigslist. The IMEI # is clear, but AT&T wants me to sign a contract to get it unlocked. That would defeat my purpose. I'm not going to go back and pester the previous owner.

I'm getting lost in my search to find a local shop I can walk into to get it unlocked. All the ads on Craigslist point me to websites. I don't trust that.

Is there a shop in Ft Worth or a website one of you tech guys trust?

I'm planning on using Straight Talk @ Walmart for a cheap month-to-month provider. I'd appreciate any leads.

[DemonDuck]

I thought you can do it yourself. Look it up on youtube.... should be a walkthrough there somewhere.

[Grinner]

That would be to jailbreak a phone. Gsm unlock from what I recall is a PITA. Last time I went lookin for a gsm unlock there was a website out there for someone that does it correctly. For a certain price, they will unlock the phone and also add that phone to the unlocked server so no matter what it will stay unlocked. Alot of the others will do it but from whatI hear it is kinda like the old school "free"satellite service where for a set price you get an unlocked card that once plugged in will unlock all channels until they send out kill codes and then you were stuck gettin it unlocked again.

[111]

I heard a metro pcs commercial today that said if you bring them your att or other phone they will put their SIM in it for you. I assume that means unlock as well.

[mahart]

After the last beginner ride, I followed someone's advice, I don't remeember who-but thank you, I searched the xda forum. Someone had posted a how to unlock just using the phone. It's now unlocked and on a new, cheaper network.

Thanks you guys.