Canada

Hi i just got a Samsung e638 from Hong Kong. I tried to get the phone activated but it wouldnt work. When you put a SIM card into the phone the service provider menu pops up, it does a search then it says no service on the top left corner. I talked to a guy that works at a phone store and he says he "thinks" it could be that the phone is locked. I dont want to spend 250$ to unlock the phone only to find out that was not the case. Anyone ahve any ideas or confirmations on what phones do if they are locked?

Kent