Jim,

You are about to throw money down a rat hole. Post #2 will probably be your only economical option, and even then, the phone may not last very long.
I worked for a Sprint dealer for eleven years, only buy from a reputable source that you can return the phone to when it does not work (you will eat the shipping both ways).

Be VERY CAREFUL, if $175 is that dear to you, the last thing you want, is to spend ANY MONEY and be 'no where'.