Can anyone recommend somewhere online where a cell WITHOUT A PLAN can
> be purchased? Is it even possible?
eBay. I buy phones there all the time. But you have to understand what you need and what you're buying or you're likely to end up with something that for your purposes is only a pricey paperweight.
I'm trying to buy a cell phone WITHOUT A PLAN. I am sending it to a
> relative in another country where they will activate it.
I hope you realize that mobile networks in North America use different frequencies and signalling schemes than everywhere else. Tell us what country, and maybe we can give you some more useful advice.
R's,
John