ANY HELP PLEASE, no clue, password or unlock or referral?

I am not phone,tech,contract literate.Its horrible.I have purchased a LG expo from a friend.I did so only because the current telus cellphone I have been using is failing and garbage.I was under the impression and asked "so i can just switch the info over from my phone to this phone,seeing as its telus & I require a working phone asap?" I got a sure u can reponse...I am now a week later,waiting on response from many calls to this friend,for just the freakin password? I am certain the phone is legit as that seems to be the first reaction when asking anyone for input.Their childs picture is on the screen,i know them,its all good.The next response I get is "unlock it".well I have been going in circles with the amount of unlock stuff online.Do I a)call telus? pay fees from what i hear,50 to 70$?I would have bought a new cell if this is the case,right? B)try to navigate through the plethera of unlock stuff online and take chances or C) pay someone to unlock it locally?which is beyond me where to start....really any guidance would be appreciated,im lost & feel dumb.I am in ontario..