A refurbished Atrix is $99. Saving $100 is good. But is it riskier? Refurbished phones are just phones people return within 30-days because they don't like them, right? So I'd have to be pretty unlucky to get a dud, right? I'm just trying to verify my logic here.
Also, I'm planning to upgrade to an Atrix through my mom's line, then I'll just put my SIM into the phone and she'll keep her phone. Will this work? Or do you need some new SIM card for HSPA+ phones? My SIM is more than two years old.
Id say do it, even if you get a dud, you can go and swap it out
regarding the sim, i think you will have to change it, because most were getting a new sim with the atrix, it shouldnt be a problem tho.
Costco. IIRC, they have it at that price, or near it, and give a better warranty/return policy. And a free car charger and p.o.s. pouch holder thing....
I know that isn't really responsive to the post, but I hate to see people waste money.
And a new sim is not necessary.
MdX MaxX said:
A refurbished Atrix is $99. Saving $100 is good. But is it riskier? Refurbished phones are just phones people return within 30-days because they don't like them, right? So I'd have to be pretty unlucky to get a dud, right? I'm just trying to verify my logic here.
Also, I'm planning to upgrade to an Atrix through my mom's line, then I'll just put my SIM into the phone and she'll keep her phone. Will this work? Or do you need some new SIM card for HSPA+ phones? My SIM is more than two years old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I buy a lot of refurbed electronics and to this day they all still work flawlessly. Check amazon, Got mine for 150 there brand spanking new. Regarding the sim-You will get a new sim with the phone and Att is very lenient about upgrades. My bro used my mothers upgrade to get an atrix so he could get rid of his iphone 4. He had unlimited data on his line and my mother did not have a data plan. they allowed him to use her upgrade and still attach it too his line with unlimited data. The atrix is a flagship device, they are willing to work with you. I recommend going to an actual store, makes the process easier.
Edit: They did however say it was necessary to used the new sim. I tried the one from my blackberry and it worked fine but, Att insisted i used the new sim. Might as well use the new one, doesnt make the process any harder. The sim is slightly different than older ones.
It's 99 at Radio Shack new. They we're running a deal for lapdock with purchase, but unsure of that n e more.
[Edit] agree with above post. Sim is no extra, at least at radio shack, and just just enter the sim 8901new bla bla number instead of your old 8901 sim number into att portal. Not trolling but one of my jobs is radio shack. Got the atrix n lapdock outright for 700 and unlimited everything for 20 a month so if u know anyone who works there the price is probably even lower =D
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Isn't the new sim just for LtE! Of which the Atrix does not get.
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sdlopez83 said:
Isn't the new sim just for LtE! Of which the Atrix does not get.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are SIMs that don't support HSPA+. They are pretty old though. It's best just to get a new SIM rather than worry about it. They are free with each new phone anyway. At&t doesn't have any LTE tech out there yet, even SIMS chips.
Keep in mind that refurb phones only carry a 90 day warranty as well.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
It definitely wouldn't hurt to get a new free sim. Mine was a year and a half old and had been in an iphone and nexus one... I'm about 90% sure that for some reason I was having some data connectivity issues because of it. At least, customer support said to replace it and the issue magically went any.
Besides, no real reason not to get a new one.
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I just had a "duh" moment. SIM cards are blank until you activate them. So even though I'll order the phone through my mom's upgrade, I can just activate the new SIM on my line. Duh. Never mind that question.
Both Radioshack and Amazon are offering the phone for $149 new. I think I'll go through Amazon just because I like Amazon.
Thanks for the replies, guys! Is there anything else I should keep in mind?
dubyajaysmith said:
It's 99 at Radio Shack new. They we're running a deal for lapdock with purchase, but unsure of that n e more.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: Nevermind, just checked the Radioshack site. It'd be $269.99 for me. Wow.
A refurbed "anything" may have just been returned because someone didn't like it, or because it wasn't working. Either way it is supposed to get completely tested, repaired if necessary, and confirmed 100% working before it goes back out. So if a company is doing this properly you get a 100% tested and working phone. Except...
The new phone usually has a one year warranty, the refurb sometimes only 30 days. What's a warranty worth?
And no one will answer if you ask them whther you're getting an old used battery, or a new one, in a refurbed phone.
A refurb can be a bargain is there's some warranty and the price is right.
But if you buy the phone on your Mom's account, remember that price is usually only good if the phone is activated on her account, with a data plan, within 30? days. And she's going to keep paying that plan+data rate even if she stops using the phone. And contract renewal, if they require one.
Now when you put your SIM in the phone, AT&T will also charge you a smartphone rate, once they recognize the phone. You may or may not already be paying this, but they don't support all plans for all phones, so they may change your plan.
Rred said:
A refurbed "anything" may have just been returned because someone didn't like it, or because it wasn't working. Either way it is supposed to get completely tested, repaired if necessary, and confirmed 100% working before it goes back out. So if a company is doing this properly you get a 100% tested and working phone. Except...
The new phone usually has a one year warranty, the refurb sometimes only 30 days. What's a warranty worth?
And no one will answer if you ask them whther you're getting an old used battery, or a new one, in a refurbed phone.
A refurb can be a bargain is there's some warranty and the price is right.
But if you buy the phone on your Mom's account, remember that price is usually only good if the phone is activated on her account, with a data plan, within 30? days. And she's going to keep paying that plan+data rate even if she stops using the phone. And contract renewal, if they require one.
Now when you put your SIM in the phone, AT&T will also charge you a smartphone rate, once they recognize the phone. You may or may not already be paying this, but they don't support all plans for all phones, so they may change your plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering I can get it for only $149 new, I'd say the much longer warranty is woth the extra cost. And brand new is brand new.
My mom has an iPhone 3GS, so she already has data; that won't be a surprise. Of course, me using her upgrade will throw out her unlimited data. But she hardly uses 100MB a month anyway; it'll actually save her money. I'll then get a DataPro 2GB plan on my line for the Atrix.
But are you saying that she'll have to actually use the Atrix on her line for the upgrade price to remain valid? I hope not. I thought that once you have the phone in your hand, you can do with it whatever you want.
I would agree that the longer warranty is well worth the additional vost.
You can activate the phone on your line using her upgrade. Also, she does not need to lose her unlimited data and you can get it for yourself if you have access to an iphone 2g.
"But are you saying that she'll have to actually use the Atrix on her line for the upgrade price to remain valid?"
I don't think they care is she uses it, but they will make her pay whatever the "Atrix plan price" is, i.e. a minimum data plan and possibly a minimum minute plan as well. IF she's already paying the "Atrix rates" they won't care.
That's what I've been given to understand, but your mileage with AT&T apparently varies with whoever actually activates things. One rep said I couldn't keep my old misers' voice plan I'd have to upgrade, another one said "You're good to go" with no changes. Either the reps are inept, FOS, or just plain nuts.
All you can do is do the upgrade in person, ask the rep about any rate/plan changes, and see what happens.
MdX MaxX said:
Considering I can get it for only $149 new, I'd say the much longer warranty is woth the extra cost. And brand new is brand new.
My mom has an iPhone 3GS, so she already has data; that won't be a surprise. Of course, me using her upgrade will throw out her unlimited data. But she hardly uses 100MB a month anyway; it'll actually save her money. I'll then get a DataPro 2GB plan on my line for the Atrix.
But are you saying that she'll have to actually use the Atrix on her line for the upgrade price to remain valid? I hope not. I thought that once you have the phone in your hand, you can do with it whatever you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check best buy they had it for 99$. You can use your mom's upgrade and then switch the phones around by calling customer service, you wont loose unlimited data. I just did this same thing
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Whoa, thanks for the heads up! Best Buy still has it for $99.
Honestly, I don't really care about keeping unlimited data. My mom doesn't need it, I never had it, and I have no access to a 1st Gen iPhone. Whatever happens with that happens.
I think I'm set for information.
Related
I am considering getting a Samsung Vibrant these days. There is one thing that bother me a lot.
I am a student from China. And I am getting a prepaid SIM from T-mobile without any kind of plan right now for the price reason.
I was wondering if I got a unlocked Samsung Vibrant from eBay and use it on the T-mobile network, do I have to pay for the data plan?
The thing is I owned a AT&T Fuze before and everything works fine on the T-mobile network except for the 3G. That's okay for me cuz I don't use 3G anyway. But there is one time that my friend who is on AT&T network borrow my Fuze for couple days, and AT&T just added the data plan for it automatically. My friend try to call the staff in AT&T and they said that since HTC Fuze is a smart phone from AT&T, it require a data plan so he cannot cancel it. And they can tell when he insert the SIM card and AT&T will get the IMEI from him automatically.
I just wondering will the same thing happen in T-mobile? 30$/month is way to much for me.
BTW, there is another question for you guys. There is a lot of unlocked Galaxy S on eBay, which is nice. I was wondering how they get it unlocked? Can I get them unlocked right in the "carrier shop"? Or there is other ways that I can get the unlocked code?
Thx you guys anyway for answering these questions. BIG HAPPY FACE
You might have to spoof the IMEI, you're in the same boat as my friend. He wants to use his old Sidekick plan with the phone but since's it's not a Sidekick he can't use the data at all because they know he's using a smart phone. Discussing IMEI's is not usually allowed on xda because it's illegal in some countries. I think that's your only solution though.
Wait a few months until the phone is more popular and you'll be able to easily find ways to spoof the IMEI. So far I have found none.
you have to have the android web spoofed or not. Without it TMO will lock you out of the market and mms
Sent from the best phone from TMO... Vibrant
as long as you use t mobile prepaid, you won't be charged for a data plan.
Why do you want to buy those expensive vibrants from ebay? I'd rather buy it from tmobile with 2 year contract, then cancel the plan and pay the ETF.
You can try to ask a t mobile online csr for the unlock code. Just tell him you will travel outside of us.
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neasoon said:
as long as you use t mobile prepaid, you won't be charged for a data plan.
Why do you want to buy those expensive vibrants from ebay? I'd rather buy it from tmobile with 2 year contract, then cancel the plan and pay the ETF.
You can try to ask a t mobile online csr for the unlock code. Just tell him you will travel outside of us.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said he is a student from china so I assume he does not have a SS# and without one he cannot sign up for a contract.
The best thing you can do OP is buy a Galaxy S i9000 off ebay. Tmobile only has the IMEI for the vibrants. That way you can pop your sim into the international version and they wont know.
Or get a sim card from mysimplemobile.com $60 a month for unlimited everything and it uses tmobile service. That is what I switched to and it works with my vibrant without an unlock.
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PathogenX said:
He said he is a student from china so I assume he does not have a SS# and without one he cannot sign up for a contract.
The best thing you can do OP is buy a Galaxy S i9000 off ebay. Tmobile only has the IMEI for the vibrants. That way you can pop your sim into the international version and they wont know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. You are right. I don't have the SSN right now so it's difficult for me to sign a contract.
The international version which is the i9000 is not bad. But I notice the price for the international version are significantly more expensive than the vibrant, for like 100-200$.
Anyway, thx for the suggestions.
j0eyred said:
Or get a sim card from mysimplemobile.com $60 a month for unlimited everything and it uses tmobile service. That is what I switched to and it works with my vibrant without an unlock.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for the suggestions. But 60$ still seems to be a lot for me.
So I might try to figure out another way to make it happen. lol
Im using the vibrant on tmo after upgrade. you can go online and remove the service. I paid for one month and canceled. you just change the type of phone to one not requiring android data plan ie a non android phone and it will let you remove it. I'm using it purely on wifi. just remember you will need it unlocked or w/ 3g to activate it initially or after wipe.
vnamee said:
Im using the vibrant on tmo after upgrade. you can go online and remove the service. I paid for one month and canceled. you just change the type of phone to one not requiring android data plan ie a non android phone and it will let you remove it. I'm using it purely on wifi. just remember you will need it unlocked or w/ 3g to activate it initially or after wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, Hmmm I paid the full 500 and today is the last day I can return mine. How much was the termination fee out of curiosity?
Another question, I have been using mine prepaid for almost a month now and TMO hasn't given me any trouble with it. (Aside from the reps in the store when I went to buy it).
Do you think I should bother to spoof my IMEI? Is that something that can get a fellow into trouble in this paranoid new world?
From what I've read everywhere else, it seems that TMO needs your business and won't give you any trouble using a prepaid sim in the phone. Whose to say that won't change in the future though.
lianglqufo said:
Thank you for the suggestions. But 60$ still seems to be a lot for me.
So I might try to figure out another way to make it happen. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can usually get a contract from T-mob with your passport and your F1 student visa (assuming you're on a F1). You'll have to wait for about an hour in order for them to get approval from headquarters, but it works fine. Got my Vibrant that way, and while the charges are high at least you get unlimited data (as in really unlimited), so watching videos, listening to pandora and all that is a non-brainer..
djupp said:
You can usually get a contract from T-mob with your passport and your F1 student visa (assuming you're on a F1). You'll have to wait for about an hour in order for them to get approval from headquarters, but it works fine. Got my Vibrant that way, and while the charges are high at least you get unlimited data (as in really unlimited), so watching videos, listening to pandora and all that is a non-brainer..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh. I do have the F1 VISA with me. But I think I need to pay the deposit for don't have the SS#. At least my friend told me so.
SquareBare said:
Ahh, Hmmm I paid the full 500 and today is the last day I can return mine. How much was the termination fee out of curiosity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing I don't understand. I paid $199 for my Vibrant on a 2-year contract. I have a $200 ETF, which means that I can cancel, and get the phone for $400. For a non-contract, I would have paid the full $500.
So what one can do is use the Even More for one month (which is +$10 from the Even More Plus). Then cancel, pay the ETF, and move to the same Even More Plus plan. Which would mean you would get no contract for $400.
Am I missing something?
cparekh said:
So what one can do is use the Even More for one month (which is +$10 from the Even More Plus). Then cancel, pay the ETF, and move to the same Even More Plus plan. Which would mean you would get no contract for $400.
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this really possible? amazon currently has the vibrant for $0.01 with a new contract. so in theory, one could sign a new contract, cancel and pay the ETF of $200, and get the phone for $200.01?? then sign up for an even more plus plan with no contract? (i also thought EM was $20/month more than EM+)
any input would be appreciated. this sounds too good to be true
You can buy a Vibrant and use it on prepaid you are just going to pay $500 for the phone. T-Mobile doesn't care they wont and can't charge you extra.
I would recommend checking out flexpay, you can get a monthly plan and get data if you want it. If not go with prepaid $15 a month gives you unlimited SMS and $0.10 a minute and just use wifi when you need data.
One last thing is do not recommend imei spoofing as its illegal here.
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lolcopter said:
is this really possible? amazon currently has the vibrant for $0.01 with a new contract. so in theory, one could sign a new contract, cancel and pay the ETF of $200, and get the phone for $200.01?? then sign up for an even more plus plan with no contract? (i also thought EM was $20/month more than EM+)
any input would be appreciated. this sounds too good to be true
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you cancel with amazon within 6 months you pay an added 250$ ETF to them. So it would be 450$ all day.
I got mine from costco for $99 and canceled for 200$ after ETF. So $300 total. You also get a free cheap case car charger and bluetooth from them. Oh and no activation fee.
Texted While Driving
sl0play said:
If you cancel with amazon within 6 months you pay an added 250$ ETF to them. So it would be 450$ all day.
I got mine from costco for $99 and canceled for 200$ after ETF. So $300 total. You also get a free cheap case car charger and bluetooth from them. Oh and no activation fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice. i'll look into something like this. i wonder if best buy / radioshack / car toys also have ETF fees of their own... (no costco membership for me)
I am kinda confused by this.
So I am in a stick situation here.
My parents have a family plan and I bought a Vibrant adding onto their Even More plan, which requires the $5 add a line and also $30 data plan. But I kinda think I don't really need data plan/3G cuz I am mostly home and don't quite use 3G unless I am not home, which isn't too often. $30 is a little money wasting, so I was thinking of just getting my phone without contract by paying $500 and just adding to my parents' Even More plan without data plan to save money.
But since I got my phone from Costco for $200 (when did this $99 deal start? I got mine a week ago...), does that mean I can just cancel and save money instead?
Important question though: Is it really true that there is no Android Market access without Tmo smartphone data plan? Why is this so? If so, is there any way of my getting away with it in my case?
Thanks,
FYI, if you have an F1 visa or any student visa you can do a contact with T-Mobile with no deposit and no ss#. This is something relatively new to t-mo. Just go to any corporate store location and they should be able to set it up for you. It takes about 45 minutes to process. That is the only down side.
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seojuhwan said:
Important question though: Is it really true that there is no Android Market access without Tmo smartphone data plan? Why is this so? If so, is there any way of my getting away with it in my case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a data plan, and I can access the Android Market just fine via WiFi. With Wifi at home and at work and most every place in between, the data plan is really pointless for me
I got the G2 a few days prior to release at Radio Shack.
I got the upgrade price and didn't need a rebate or anything...
I found out yesterday that T-Mobile didn't register this purchase as an upgrade....
Nexus S... here I come.
Really a Nexus S? My dad just returned his second one and got a mytouch4G.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Maybe if I didn't have a G2 I would consider the MT4G... But since I already have what I consider the best T-Mobile phone for my personal use, I can get the Nexus S solely to be on the bleeding edge of google updates and not bother rooting it or anything.
True. Just a heads up my dad has a loud car and the noise canceling would cause some weird issues. When he was driving the person on the other line would hear my dad with an echo, muffled, or choppy. In the loud car it was choppy, in all other cars it was echoy and muffled. This was on both phones.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
lucky bastard.
Since you have one of the latest phones, I would hold out on the nexus S and just wait til Feb and get a dualcore phone
kkevin94 said:
lucky bastard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x2!!!
The Nexus S isn't of interest to me. The G2/DZ is a lot better give or take a few tiny things that I don't really care about much.
I'd probably purchase whatever phone gets the best price on eBay and sell it for profit.
durps said:
Since you have one of the latest phones, I would hold out on the nexus S and just wait til Feb and get a dualcore phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Second this. CES is less than a month away and there's sure to be some new phone announcements there - I'd give it a few weeks and see what happens - might be nothing, but it'd suck to get the Nexus S and then something cooler come out in February.
You took my upgrade, lol
sinistersai4d4d said:
I got the G2 a few days prior to release at Radio Shack.
I got the upgrade price and didn't need a rebate or anything...
I found out yesterday that T-Mobile didn't register this purchase as an upgrade....
Nexus S... here I come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's sooo not cool! I had the opposite thing happen.
I returned my wife's G2 from Radio Shack after having called before and from Radio Shack to see if I would then be able to get the $100 from Costco and they said yes. The upgrade never got removed, They even said that 3rd party upgrades sometimes NEVER get removed. I wrote a letter to corporate and everything and it took 10 days to get the matter resolved and a G2 for $100.
You're sooo lucky!
I have the plan with NO chance of an upgrade But considerably cheaper every month. Had to get the G2 with the monthly no interest payments on the account. My school offers at 15% discount on the full plan with upgrades, but even with that I'd be paying more.
What I hate is that they put a gun to your head to get a data plan with an android phone! My house gets horrible data coverage, and she doesn't have much use for it anyways. When she does, I just tether to her. So I really hate that. She's stuck on a G1, I'm trying to get her a My Touch Slide.
Though when the rep asked "how necessary is an android device?" "mandatory"
I used 2 work at radioshack... when district (or whoever audits their t-mobile transactions) finds out that that employee didn't qualify the upgrade that store is going to get hit with the difference idk $200-400 loss bahahahha!
theratdude64 said:
I have the plan with NO chance of an upgrade But considerably cheaper every month. Had to get the G2 with the monthly no interest payments on the account. My school offers at 15% discount on the full plan with upgrades, but even with that I'd be paying more.
What I hate is that they put a gun to your head to get a data plan with an android phone! My house gets horrible data coverage, and she doesn't have much use for it anyways. When she does, I just tether to her. So I really hate that. She's stuck on a G1, I'm trying to get her a My Touch Slide.
Though when the rep asked "how necessary is an android device?" "mandatory"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You *do* realize that's not RadioShack's policy, but the carrier's, right? In fact, all 4 major carriers now *require* a data plan with any smartphone. It's not even an option to the salesperson - the system detects the IMEI and automatically adds the data plan along the way.
theres alot of talk of switching from this phone to that, but how do they do it? My dad has always handled the purchasing and contract stuff with tmobile, so i dont know. Theoretically if i wanted to switch from my vib to the G2 (NEVER!), would i just sell my vibrant and buy the G2 at full price?
note: this is just an example, G2's are stupid (for me)
Buying the phone outright, at least on T-Mobile, will give you cheaper rates. Part of your monthly bill is to pay back the difference between what the carrier paid for the phone and the discounted price they sold it to you for. For example, my Evo cost Sprint about $450 to buy it from HTC, however in exchange for a higher bill, they can sell it to me for $200 and make back the money about halfway into my contract. Like I said, I think only T-Mobile will give you lower rates if you choose not to buy the phone at a discounted price from them.
So yes, people usually buy them outright or they buy them for cheap off of friends or idiots on craigslist. If you do the math, most of the time it would cost you less to buy the phone for the full price if it means lower service cost. But most people want instant gratification and think...well they don't think lol.
A job helps. I buy my phones outright because the get more plus plan does not give upgrades, but over the long term, it saves money.
me i actually wait until the store is closed and "let myself in" and its usually a alot of phones out on display.
If you did not buy the phone outright (i.e. as an upgrade for cheap), and wanted to sell it and buy a different phone used, would that cause a problem for your account? Or would it just be as easy as logging into your T-Mobile account and selected a different device for "my phone"?
Terrier Hockey said:
If you did not buy the phone outright (i.e. as an upgrade for cheap), and wanted to sell it and buy a different phone used, would that cause a problem for your account? Or would it just be as easy as logging into your T-Mobile account and selected a different device for "my phone"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you pay for it, it's yours. You can do whatever the hell you want with it. Sell it, destroy it, whatever. As long as T-Mobile's getting their money, it doesn't matter.
dligon said:
me i actually wait until the store is closed and "let myself in" and its usually a alot of phones out on display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DEBO! lmao
IMHO, I'd say once a year is more than sufficient to upgrade your phone in terms of the technological jumps. Anymore than that seems like a waste of money. No one says you have to keep upgrading, its just a matter or preference. If you find a phone you love and works for you, stick with it. If you love having the cutting edge stuff and its worth it to you to spend the money, then by all means, spend spend spend.
a job and full price. lol. i haven't had a contract with tmob for like 4 years anyway...
but then again, i went from a g1 to the vibrant, but i typically get a new phone once a year. had a bb curve, wanted android and got the g1, cm wasn't cutting it on the g1 anymore, so i got the vibrant, when a substantially better phone comes out (dual core, better screen, honeycomb, etc), or the vibrant just isn't working for me i'll get a new one (likely the former).
that or my wife needs a new phone (she has a cliq...), so i may pawn my vibrant off on her and grab an sgs2 or vibrant 4g.
I have enormous piles of money all over my mansion. That's how.
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If you don't have any connections, then the best way is to go on T-mobile's cheap plans and then buy the phones used from a site like ebay or craigslist.
The typical cost for a new-ish smart phone is going to be right around $300... so you are paying more than the $200-with-contract price that T-mobile charges.... but you break even on the extra cost in 5-6 months by avoiding the extra monthly cost for service on a contract (since you buy the phone without signing up for a contract).
You can also usually sell the old phone for ~$100 after you unlock it, and put that money towards your next upgrade.
Right now, I plan to see how the battery life on the dual core phones goes. If battery life is improved, then I will shoot for device running "Ice cream" or whatever comes after honeycomb.
If battery life still sucks, then I will keep my Vibrant (and the 3 spare batteries I have for it) in the short term and keep an eye out for cheaper plans
Im in a college town and I can get things cheap off craigslist. I bought my second vibrant for 120 brand new with accessories. Just got an hd7 for 150 and ive bought 4 hd2 plus a couple broken ones from 40-150.
Key to buying phone monthly is patients, checking craigslist every couple hrs, and lowballing. I love to see a listing up for a couple days because its usually the green light.
Every phone i buy i usually see for 2x what I paid for.
Ive been living off my first real phones tmobile mda, samsung blackjack, and moto milestone. Ive been selling and buying since my mda. I try not to use my own money.
And all but not least I dont care for light cosmetic issues, thats what silicon cases are for.
imitebewrong said:
I have enormous piles of money all over my mansion. That's how.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
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intruda119 said:
Im in a college town and I can get things cheap off craigslist. I bought my second vibrant for 120 brand new with accessories. Just got an hd7 for 150 and ive bought 4 hd2 plus a couple broken ones from 40-150.
Key to buying phone monthly is patients, checking craigslist every couple hrs, and lowballing. I love to see a listing up for a couple days because its usually the green light.
Every phone i buy i usually see for 2x what I paid for.
Ive been living off my first real phones tmobile mda, samsung blackjack, and moto milestone. Ive been selling and buying since my mda. I try not to use my own money.
And all but not least I dont care for light cosmetic issues, thats what silicon cases are for.
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Click to collapse
Exactly. Thats what I do. Just buy phones, make profit, and keep the cycle going until you have the Phones you want and they cost nothing.
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serban954 said:
Exactly. Thats what I do. Just buy phones, make profit, and keep the cycle going until you have the Phones you want and they cost nothing.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
yup all my phones are a result of selling my PSP years ago.
xD
scrizz said:
yup all my phones are a result of selling my PSP years ago.
xD
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Click to collapse
only thing I really paid for was my moto miletone. I loved that phone and it was perfect for me. Everything else is from my original purchase of my mda. I get mad when I hear people trying to choose phones or game systems ect. I just bought a newer white 360 with 20inch moniter for 65 bucks on craigslist. Now I got a 2nd moniter and my girl got another 360 exclusive for kinect. Or just sell it and make 200+ for it.
Next I will get atleast 300+ for my 32gb vibrant( this title will make me alot of moniesssss) soon.
funeralthirst said:
a job and full price. lol. i haven't had a contract with tmob for like 4 years anyway...
but then again, i went from a g1 to the vibrant, but i typically get a new phone once a year. had a bb curve, wanted android and got the g1, cm wasn't cutting it on the g1 anymore, so i got the vibrant, when a substantially better phone comes out (dual core, better screen, honeycomb, etc), or the vibrant just isn't working for me i'll get a new one (likely the former).
that or my wife needs a new phone (she has a cliq...), so i may pawn my vibrant off on her and grab an sgs2 or vibrant 4g.
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Click to collapse
Not really. All it takes is a brain. T-Mobile is addicted to promotions. I just upgraded my Vibrant to a HD7 for $200.
Free Online Promotion:
1. Order HD7 from T-Mobile as an Add-a-Line for $0 (they waive the Activation Fee) with a $15 Data Plan and Insurance.
2. Swap the SIMs in the Vibrant and HD7s.
3. Wait 2 Weeks.
3a. Sell the Vibrant for $200+
4. ETF the Line you added when you got the HD7 (it's using your older SIM*).
5. Total Price: $200 (Price of the phone for a new customer).
* You will still qualify for upgrade pricing when you would have if you had kept the Vibrant, because you still have the Vibrant SIM, you ETF'd the new SIM instead
If you're on T-Mobile, watch the promotions and wait. The only time you should feel like you have to get a new phone early is if you've been burned with an earlier purchase - like many [US] Galaxy S users feel they were.
intruda119 said:
only thing I really paid for was my moto miletone. I loved that phone and it was perfect for me. Everything else is from my original purchase of my mda. I get mad when I hear people trying to choose phones or game systems ect. I just bought a newer white 360 with 20inch moniter for 65 bucks on craigslist. Now I got a 2nd moniter and my girl got another 360 exclusive for kinect. Or just sell it and make 200+ for it.
Next I will get atleast 300+ for my 32gb vibrant( this title will make me alot of moniesssss) soon.
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Click to collapse
The newer 360s aren't White, they're black.
Unless you meant a newer white 360 that isn't guaranteed to fail on you sooner or later?
The new Black "S" or pre-"S" Elite Models are fine, though.
The white ones... I wouldn't spend anything on them.
Buy a phone from craigslist and sell your old one on craigslist.
N8ter said:
Not really. All it takes is a brain. T-Mobile is addicted to promotions. I just upgraded my Vibrant to a HD7 for $200.
Free Online Promotion:
1. Order HD7 from T-Mobile as an Add-a-Line for $0 (they waive the Activation Fee) with a $15 Data Plan and Insurance.
2. Swap the SIMs in the Vibrant and HD7s.
3. Wait 2 Weeks.
3a. Sell the Vibrant for $200+
4. ETF the Line you added when you got the HD7 (it's using your older SIM*).
5. Total Price: $200 (Price of the phone for a new customer).
* You will still qualify for upgrade pricing when you would have if you had kept the Vibrant, because you still have the Vibrant SIM, you ETF'd the new SIM instead
If you're on T-Mobile, watch the promotions and wait. The only time you should feel like you have to get a new phone early is if you've been burned with an earlier purchase - like many [US] Galaxy S users feel they were.
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Click to collapse
yeah, you could do that. but you pay more monthly on a contract plan than a no contract plan. plus, if i have a problem with something (or want to go to a contract for a phone), tmob is much more receptive to what i want when i'm off contract (and they check how long i've had service with them).
and i think you mean cancel the new sim/line and pay the etf on that. otherwise you lose future upgrade capability on the existing line. you physically swap the sim card between the two phones, but you cancel the sim that came with the <new phone line>. sim cards can't be reused, so you wouldn't be able to make your old sim use the new line's number and i'm pretty sure a sim has to be associated with a line.
why wait 2 weeks and why buy insurance? or is the two weeks to make sure the imei of the new phone takes for insurance (i don't have phone insurance, it's pointless)?
the hd7? that's a downgrade... and 'get a new phone early'? two years (22 months) between new phones is ridiculous, or at least is for any smartphone. once a year is about right with how technology is moving on phones.
i'm much happier just paying full price than doing some 'activate new line, call and ***** they didn't waive the activation fee, make sure the imei transfered for insurance, cancel line, pay more each month, etc.' dance.
xmrtarox said:
Buy a phone from craigslist and sell your old one on craigslist.
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Click to collapse
That depends on where you live. Since this is the Vibrant forum I'll assume we're talking T-Mobile...
Not many people around here have T-Mobile, and their coverage is worst than Boost and Virgin so there are probably more people on Boost than on T-Mobile. Trying to sell a T-Mobile phone here won't get you anywhere.
Plus, the Value of these phones have gone down quite a bit.
Most people don't really see a point in buying a phone at off-contract prices, or anything close, because even if you buy at contract price and ETF 2 weeks later, the phone is cheaper.
So I rather buy on contract knowing I'm not poor and can ETF at any time on T-Mobile than buy a $500 phone and act like I'm better off because I'm off-contract.
$499 off contract, or $199 (with rebats) + $200 ETF fee two a few weeks later to end the contract?
Don't see a point in paying those prices for off-contract phones...
The contract prices only matter if you stay on the contract the entire time, but it's ALMOST ALWAYS cheaper to buy at contract price and ETF on T-Mobile later, than to buy an off-contract phone. You're actually throwing money away if you buy it off-contract.
That is precisely why AT&T and Verizon raised their ETF prices up about $100 bucks. To make the contract price + ETF = retail price. T-Mobile still hasn't, so it's cheaper to buy on contract and ETF break the contract after the first two weeks or month (depending on if you're waiting on rebates).
Hi, I am new around here. Been lurking around for a little while.
I recently lost my iPhone 3Gs so I have been looking around to replace it with an Android phone bc I am kinda bored of iOS.
I dont have an upgrade til at the end of the year so I decided to call the customer relations and see if they can work out something for me. I remember reading in a "how much did you get your atrix for?" thread where the guy said he was leaving unless they gave him a killer deal and got his for $130 +$180 in credit and no renewal of contract which is hard for me to believe. I tried and the best they gave me was $199 with extension.
I am having a hard time deciding whether to move to verizon or t-mobile but they dont have any phones that i am interested in at the moment although it seems like there will be some interesting phones on the way soon.
but I need a smartphone again ASAP bc the 'dumbphone' is makin me feel dumb.
Would it be worth it to try to hustle them a bit more for a better deal or just move on to a different network? I thought they'd give me a better deal since i been with them for a decade now but i do think $199 for the atrix is still pretty reasonable. It is just that I can always use a better deal.
Sorry if this thread is pointless but any input will be appreciated. Thanks.
$199 for an Atrix off-contract is a killer price considering that you can still take your business elsewhere and get at least $400 on ebay for the Atrix if you decide to move.
that's a great deal! go for it, you'll love the atrix
awesome deal
worst case u can still sell it on craigslist for 450+ and u are not in a contract
Honestly... I'd hold off for another month or so and wait for the SGS2. The atrix is a good phone. I jumped on this bandwagon a little early and regret it; I'm waiting for the SGS2 international (I-9100) and jumping ship as soon as it's out.
Don't get me wrong though - if you're not a tinkerer then this is a great phone. And coming from an iphone I assume you don't care about the phone being locked up seeing as how that's Apples M.O. It could be a good phone for you but personally, I want to customize it more than I'm currently able to.
alphamancer said:
Honestly... I'd hold off for another month or so and wait for the SGS2. The atrix is a good phone. I jumped on this bandwagon a little early and regret it; I'm waiting for the SGS2 international (I-9100) and jumping ship as soon as it's out.
Don't get me wrong though - if you're not a tinkerer then this is a great phone. And coming from an iphone I assume you don't care about the phone being locked up seeing as how that's Apples M.O. It could be a good phone for you but personally, I want to customize it more than I'm currently able to.
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Click to collapse
Isn't the SGS2 International like $950 off contract lol.
Yep that's a great deal!!!
It is great phone and hopefully in couple months or sooner the boot loader will get crack which im hopping for it because that will unlock tons more enjoyment from it and with the docks imagine what you can do with those. And even Motorola might even release something or unlock the boot loader when they see sales going down because everyone wants too unlock the full potential of this device!!
I got the atrix laptop dock also which is pretty nice but it just needs a bit more speed.
I tried and the best they gave me was $199 with extension.
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Click to collapse
So I read this as, $199 for a 2 year contract (EXTENSION)..
That's the same as everyone else.. How is that a good deal?
you can get atrix for 119 in costco.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
i was about to say the same thing
i was about to say the same thing. bought it few days ago for $120. The good thing is if I dont like the phone I can return it within 90 days without any charges and if something good comes by then (lets say Iphone 5,6 or whtever)..all I have to pay is the difference which is $80...
the price is with contract extension so basically the same price anyone can get. I just said that they would give me the contract/upgrade price now instead of waiting until the end of the year when I will be "eligible" for an upgrade. My bad for the misunderstanding. I'm not sure if I will be able to get the costco price since I can't get it for $199 even from the corporate store. As far as i know, AT&T will only allow me to get it at a discounted price through the customer relations department.
I guess I'll try if I can have the customer relations put a note on my account so that any at&t carrier can see my eligibility.
Hell, you should just buy it outright for the price; if you don't like it you can just sell it for 400+.
The phone is great though, I only took mine back because of the locked bootloader, the galaxy s 2 is coming out, and I just got bored with it.
Amazon's web store has it for $149. You'll lose your unlimited data plan if you have one, but I read that if you badger them enough they'll give it back to you.
That's what I'm going to try anyway!
do you mean if you get it from amazon?
Yes, they force you to change your data plan. Last night I found out you can also get that price at Radioshack, but I don't know if the data plan hassle remains.
moktarino said:
Yes, they force you to change your data plan. Last night I found out you can also get that price at Radioshack, but I don't know if the data plan hassle remains.
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I bought mines from radioshack and yes i was forced to convert to one of their new DATA plans, After the changes were done i called up at&t to have my unlimited databack. They submitted a case to their so called "BUFU dept" and they switched my unlimited back in 3 days.
Keep in mind i called before the changes and confirmed that they will put back my data plan
Got mine at Radio Shack for $149. No hassle at all with data plan or setup. Took less time than it typically does at an ATT store.
Hey guys
I want the Nexus 6P. I've decided nothing else is desirable.
But carriers aren't selling it in the US. I'm on ATT next program - for those who don't know what that is I pay ~$26 a month on top of my phone bill for 12,16, or 24 months. I've enjoyed it, I get an upgrade every year and don't have to houce my pockets. It's just what my bill is.
However I don't have that option with the Nexus. But I want it.
My thought was I'll just upgrade to an iPhone 6S and flip that on CL or swappa or something to get the funds in cash to pay for a Nexus 6P. Of course I'd be without a phone for a day or two, not a big deal in the grand scheme.
Except I talked to someone at work who said the problem with that is the phone you get through ATT is "financed" thus if I sesell it whoever buys would have issues and it would be labeled stolen.... I wonder if anyone can confirm this.
Are there any other people in a similar position to me who are lookin at ways to get a Nexus 6P?
I don't have the cash up front which is why I don't just order it.
Thanks guys.
Matt
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk
CoNsPiRiSiZe said:
Hey guys
I want the Nexus 6P. I've decided nothing else is desirable.
But carriers aren't selling it in the US. I'm on ATT next program - for those who don't know what that is I pay ~$26 a month on top of my phone bill for 12,16, or 24 months. I've enjoyed it, I get an upgrade every year and don't have to houce my pockets. It's just what my bill is.
However I don't have that option with the Nexus. But I want it.
My thought was I'll just upgrade to an iPhone 6S and flip that on CL or swappa or something to get the funds in cash to pay for a Nexus 6P. Of course I'd be without a phone for a day or two, not a big deal in the grand scheme.
Except I talked to someone at work who said the problem with that is the phone you get through ATT is "financed" thus if I sesell it whoever buys would have issues and it would be labeled stolen.... I wonder if anyone can confirm this.
Are there any other people in a similar position to me who are lookin at ways to get a Nexus 6P?
I don't have the cash up front which is why I don't just order it.
Thanks guys.
Matt
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try here?
http://www.gethuawei.com/affirm
They have a financing option, but the interest is brutal if you don't care about that type of thing.
Semantics said:
Did you try here?
http://www.gethuawei.com/affirm
They have a financing option, but the interest is brutal if you don't care about that type of thing.
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Click to collapse
Definitely not an option for me... I already pay an arm and a leg for loans as I put myself through paramedic school... Don't need another!
But thank you
Matt
CoNsPiRiSiZe said:
Definitely not an option for me... I already pay an arm and a leg for loans as I put myself through paramedic school... Don't need another!
But thank you
Matt
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Click to collapse
I totally agree. I hear you can get it financed with Google FI for no interest but I can't confirm it just read it here. Was just throwing out an option for those people who don't mind paying upwards of 30% interest.
Semantics said:
I totally agree. I hear you can get it financed with Google FI for no interest but I can't confirm it just read it here. Was just throwing out an option for those people who don't mind paying upwards of 30% interest.
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Click to collapse
I see that.
Do you know anything about the NEXT program doing that to a phone if you sell it?
I don't need another phone plan just to finance a phone, though I am interested in Project Fi I am not interested in it at this very moment.
I have looked on the ATT forums. It appears I can sell a phone that is on the NEXT program, however the buyer must be on ATT service...
I am still on the hook for the payments on the phone as well. Despite the risk this is an option. I do not want it to be the only option. Still searching..
The NEXT program and others like it are a rip off to consumers, before they subsidized the phones so you'd sign a 2 year agreement, now you pay the full retail price over time AND you sign a 2 year agreement? RIPOFF.
You've locked yourself into buying their phones, so you are stuck buying their phones.
The only 2 ways to get the Nexus 6P right now is through Google or Huawei.
Big Cam said:
The NEXT program and others like it are a rip off to consumers, before they subsidized the phones so you'd sign a 2 year agreement, now you pay the full retail price over time AND you sign a 2 year agreement? RIPOFF.
You've locked yourself into buying their phones, so you are stuck buying their phones.
The only 2 ways to get the Nexus 6P right now is through Google or Huawei.
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Click to collapse
I have 4 other lines in the account, it's not a ripoff. One other is on NEXT.
We would renew anyways, however there's no problem there. However now I'm looking at the Nexus and there lies the problem you bring up..
I think I might look into project fi, but then I'm paying 25% of my bill right now for one line. Not really interested.
Thus my thought was I'll get an iPhone 6s and sell it to someone who has ATT but no upgrade or something. Doubt there's a huge market for that..
I'm guessing you could unlock it and use it on another network though they say you can't. If someone buys it, it's no longer my issue. I'll pay the bill every month as I have for 3 years. They want to try and cheat the system that's not my doing..
Then I'd have the money to get a Nexus. However I don't have it without something like that. So, I'm stuck. Really looking for options here but I don't see a whole lot of them.
Matt
CoNsPiRiSiZe said:
I have 4 other lines in the account, it's not a ripoff. One other is on NEXT.
huge market for that..
I'm guessing you could unlock it and use it on another network though they say you can't. If someone buys it, it's no longer my issue. I'll pay the bill every month as I have for 3 years. They want to try and cheat the system that's not my doing..
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually think this is probably your best route, I think you'd be surprised the market for a brand new phone like the 6s.
If you ask a little under retail, I bet that'll sell quick, those who broke theirs but don't have an upgrade. On Verizon there is always a market for those who still have unlimited data. I bought my last two Verizon phones this way because I can't change my contract or I lose unlimited, does AT&T still have people on grandfathered unlimited plans? Or did they axe those?
Either way I think you'll easily get $500+ for an iphone 6s, which would help you recoup the cost of the Nexus.
Big Cam said:
I actually think this is probably your best route, I think you'd be surprised the market for a brand new phone like the 6s.
If you ask a little under retail, I bet that'll sell quick, those who broke theirs but don't have an upgrade. On Verizon there is always a market for those who still have unlimited data. I bought my last two Verizon phones this way because I can't change my contract or I lose unlimited, does AT&T still have people on grandfathered unlimited plans? Or did they axe those?
Either way I think you'll easily get $500+ for an iphone 6s, which would help you recoup the cost of the Nexus.
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Click to collapse
I do not know, I was on T Mobile for close to a decade before we finally got tired of losing signal strength every time you walk into a building, among other things.
I will look at going that route then. It may be a month or so, and that will leave me with some time to see if carriers may indeed sell the phone, though it doesn't look to be the case.
I want to look into other routes here, but I don't see any that are jumping out at me. Thanks for your replies
Matt
CoNsPiRiSiZe said:
I'm guessing you could unlock it and use it on another network though they say you can't. If someone buys it, it's no longer my issue. I'll pay the bill every month as I have for 3 years. They want to try and cheat the system that's not my doing..
Then I'd have the money to get a Nexus. However I don't have it without something like that. So, I'm stuck. Really looking for options here but I don't see a whole lot of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sell the phone if you can unlock it. I have AT&T NEXT, also. As long as you keep making payments on it they won't do anything. You just keep making payments as if you're "keeping" the phone. So you can sell it, you're just responsible to pay it off still if you have time remaining on the contract. I have a HTC One M8 that I got through AT&T and converted to a Google Play Edition. Once my 6P comes in I'll sell the M8 and continue business as usual paying it off monthly. When you go to de-activate your current phone and activate the Nexus just tell them you're keeping the phone and continuing to pay it off. They won't care.
EDIT: I should add I did talk to AT&T about this. The rep said if I sold the phone I can continue paying it off monthly as usual and wasn't required to pay it off in full to sell it. He said I wouldn't need to pay it off or anything to de-activate it and add the Nexus, either. You're not required to pay the phone off in full unless you're keeping it and want to upgrade to a new phone early through AT&T. Since you're upgrading through Google by buying the phone from them and just activating it on AT&T, you do not have to pay anything to AT&T. You just need to make sure the old phone is de-activated before you sell it, obviously.
Only problem, swappa won't sell it because it's financed. If you are honest with people, only an idiot will buy it for anything close to retail, because nothing is stopping you from cancelling service and there by blacklisting the phone.
Not saying you would stop service, but how would a potential buyer know.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Thanks. @Zeebz
I might have to do this. Seems a bit much for a phone. But it is a Nexus.
@_Dennis_
I'm looking to sell third party... And I understand that. I plan to be up front to potential buyers -- someone will need it. Only giving myself a few days to handle this when/if I go this route. I don't want to go through all these steps.
Matt
I heard a rumor that carriers may have the 6P sometime later this year. Whether or not that's true though, I can't really say. So, if you don't find a way to get it now, you may be in luck in another few months.
sfreemanoh said:
I heard a rumor that carriers may have the 6P sometime later this year. Whether or not that's true though, I can't really say. So, if you don't find a way to get it now, you may be in luck in another few months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone I have isn't currently paid off for another 4. I have to pay the little remainder off if I upgrade early.
Matt
Still searching for another option... Hope ATT does carry it
Matt
I don't see that anyone mentioned this, but if you buy the Nexus 6P from Huawei's website you can select to do a payment plan. If you don't have the cash up front to fully pay for the phone then that may be a viable option.
This is like Verizon's new setup... I switched our plan over to their new plan system to get cheaper data... however I've never bought a phone through their little gimmick.... so I don't currently pay any extra/month for a phone. I also never will play their little game.. I'll take their savings and buy my phones elsewhere like my new 6P and just swap sim cards or go get a new sim card if they change again in the future. So really I got a pretty good deal switching while I already had a phone I bought lol.
Zeebz said:
I don't see that anyone mentioned this, but if you buy the Nexus 6P from Huawei's website you can select to do a payment plan. If you don't have the cash up front to fully pay for the phone then that may be a viable option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already mentioned, however the interest is outrageous. 30% or something I believe.
I did call ATT just out of curiosity, they can't confirm anything about the N6P. Will have to wait it out and just let it play out.
Matt