Who do you buy your cell phones from?
Dec 11, 2009, 5:19 pm
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: on the Llano Estacado
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Who do you buy your cell phones from?
Company store? (AT&T, VZW, Sprint, etc. stores)
Local multi-carrier cell stores? (Joe's Cell Shop, etc.)
Other brick & mortar stores? (Wal-Mart, etc)
Online from carrier? (verizonwireless.com, sprint.com, etc)
Online from other websites? (letstalk.com, newegg.com, etc)
I'm about to buy a bunch of phones. I can save $50/ea + $35 activation fee by going with online websites like letstalk.com & newegg.com.
Pros & cons of going around local store folks. First hand experiences, good & bad, with online outfits?
Local multi-carrier cell stores? (Joe's Cell Shop, etc.)
Other brick & mortar stores? (Wal-Mart, etc)
Online from carrier? (verizonwireless.com, sprint.com, etc)
Online from other websites? (letstalk.com, newegg.com, etc)
I'm about to buy a bunch of phones. I can save $50/ea + $35 activation fee by going with online websites like letstalk.com & newegg.com.
Pros & cons of going around local store folks. First hand experiences, good & bad, with online outfits?
Dec 11, 2009, 5:53 pm
#2
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Amazon.com - I only will buy factory unlocked phones (quad-band smartphone and regular phones) with US warranties.
Amazon.com - I only will buy factory unlocked phones (quad-band smartphone and regular phones) with US warranties.
Dec 11, 2009, 8:52 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
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Most of my phones have been purchased at Sim Lim Square, Singapore -- wide variety of the latest phones, all unlocked, with dealers on six floors competing with each other. A great environment!
That said, I have also bought the odd phone here and there from Expansys and even one on eBay. I just make sure it's unlocked and at least a tri-band for round-the-world travel.
That said, I have also bought the odd phone here and there from Expansys and even one on eBay. I just make sure it's unlocked and at least a tri-band for round-the-world travel.
Dec 12, 2009, 11:08 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
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I have always in the past bought my phones directly from my service provider (ATT). I feel that even though I am getting locked into a contract they do a good job with the warranty stuff and I have need it a few times, plus the cost is usually right.
More recently I am been buying them from the Apple store, which if you don't need your brand new iPhone the week it comes out is a rather painless process and they are very good with the warranty stuff as well. I am on my 3rd iPhone 3G right now with very little hassle.
More recently I am been buying them from the Apple store, which if you don't need your brand new iPhone the week it comes out is a rather painless process and they are very good with the warranty stuff as well. I am on my 3rd iPhone 3G right now with very little hassle.
Dec 12, 2009, 11:16 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,652
I have always in the past bought my phones directly from my service provider (ATT). I feel that even though I am getting locked into a contract they do a good job with the warranty stuff and I have need it a few times, plus the cost is usually right.
More recently I am been buying them from the Apple store, which if you don't need your brand new iPhone the week it comes out is a rather painless process and they are very good with the warranty stuff as well. I am on my 3rd iPhone 3G right now with very little hassle.
More recently I am been buying them from the Apple store, which if you don't need your brand new iPhone the week it comes out is a rather painless process and they are very good with the warranty stuff as well. I am on my 3rd iPhone 3G right now with very little hassle.
I've put myself in that position with my unlocked Nokia Euro gray market phone, but I knew the risks. I think that most people don't fully appreciate that they will be shelling out $700 if their iPhone gets nicked.
Dec 12, 2009, 8:41 pm
#11
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Well Amazon supplied my last phone Quad Band Samsung not smart phone (sim free & unlocked) after Expansys said they couldn't in the colour I wanted (supplier issues) but I think the phone before that was Expansys. Otherwise I buy from whoever has the cheapest deal on the handset that I want and that might be a carrier a shop like Carphone Warehouse or a supermarket.
Last edited by Jimmie76; Dec 12, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Dec 12, 2009, 11:02 pm
#12
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I have pretty much gone the subsidized route. 14 months ago, I slightly strayed from that path when I upgraded through Costco (although T-Mobile never re-upped my contract). Then I bought Mrs. Swede a new, unlocked Treo 680 off eBay (seller seemed reputable--and the phone works great) about a year ago.
Then this past Black Friday, I bought an unlocked phone from Newegg. They said free 3-day UPS, it took 5.
Then this past Black Friday, I bought an unlocked phone from Newegg. They said free 3-day UPS, it took 5.
Dec 13, 2009, 12:18 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DTW
Posts: 234
I bought my phone online at Sprint.com. I would check the prices online. You can probably qualify for business discounts so call the business sales department of the carrier.
VZW Business Sales 1 (800) 899-4249
Sprint Business Sales 1 (800) 827-1180
AT&T Business Sales 1 (866) 429-7222
VZW Business Sales 1 (800) 899-4249
Sprint Business Sales 1 (800) 827-1180
AT&T Business Sales 1 (866) 429-7222
Dec 13, 2009, 10:22 pm
#15
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I'll only buy them from company owned carrier stores.
Its easier to get things done than when purchasing from a reseller. Not saying that it can't be done, but I've had a couple rough instances, no desire to go thru that again.
Its easier to get things done than when purchasing from a reseller. Not saying that it can't be done, but I've had a couple rough instances, no desire to go thru that again.