On Ebay, these carrier specific iPhones did their contract expire?

I'm not from the US and is a bit lost.

On Ebay you can find "AT&T, Verizon, Sprint" etc iPhones. How did they get like that? Did the owner purchase it on contract for $199 for example, and has now switched their phone on the same contract and is selling the old iPhone?

I don't know how this works.

As you're from outside US, make sure you buy unlocked iPhone, rather than AT&T / Sprint / Verizon version. People can buy iPhone with contract at discounted price and then sell at higher price. Some people use the phone for a while and then sell them. Whatever you buy, make sure you're buying unlocked iPhone. If you need unlocked iPhone at very reasonable price, mail me.

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