[Q] sprint Note 3 on Ting - unlock issues topic

Hi all,
I bought a Sprint Note 3 on swappa. Work well no issues BUT I am now travelling overseas and need international unlock.

I asked Ting and they followed up with sprint - the response "they will not unlock for international use"

I am stuck - what can/should I do ? the phone is not rooted. And from various threads I read I need sprint to do the international unlock

(once that's done a domestic unlock would be nice - again threads tell me international unlock needs to be done first)

Can I do this myself ? or is sprint the only one ? (and how come they don't do the unlock ? the IMEI is clean etc...)

thanks, Sammy