AMAZON.COM CELL PHONES...SHOULD I BUY?!?!?

[ibeatdrums]

So I'm looking at Amazon's Sanyo 6200 for $200.

Amazon has two rebates: $70 from sprint for new service and $100 from amazon themselves.

I am a new customer so I qualify for both rebates. However, Amazon requires that I purchase a plan along with the phone, so if I get the cheapest plan, I'll pay..

$34.99 for plan
$34.99 for activation
$30 for phone (AR)

That's $100. My question is...

can I pay the $100,
get my phone/receipt,
send in my rebates,
then cancel the plan (within 14 days)
and save $35, maybe $70??

are there any problems with doing this? a quick response would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!!!!

 

[MrDingleDangle]

what good is the phone without a plan?

the amazon rebate requires u to sign up for a plan through amazon?

 

[hoihtah]

if you're planning on having a cell phone for some time...
then, i'd recommend that you look into local store's warranty coverage.

we all know that cell phones are worse than computers.
at least with a computer, once you purchase one, you can stick it out for about 3 years before purchasing another one.

however with cellphones... it either breaks 'cause you drop it, battery dies out in 6-12 month, or newer models make your look like a schoolbus.

this is where warranty services can come to the rescue.

i purchased my cell phone about two years ago at BB. (i normally hate BB)
and i purchased 2 year BB warranty along with it.

the rep informed me that if for any reason during the 2 year period,
i am not satisfied with the phone... i can just bring it back and get a store credit.

since my initial purchase, i've changed my phone about 4 times.
you just have to give them a simple reason of, i don't like the phone and i'd like another one.

and if you go in when the carrier's rep is in...
they'll even waive the activation fee.

all in all, it's an investment... rather than a purchase.

 

[ibeatdrums]

hrmm....hoihtah...

that's a good point about the warranty. do you know if i can get the phone off amazon.com and bring it in to sprint to get their insurance on it? or do i have to purchase it from the store to get it?

yea, i want to make an investment with this phone....and i DO want a good replacement plan (BB sounds really good, but they don't have the 6200).


Mrdingledangle,
well, let's say that my friend has a plan and i want to add a new line of service (same as add-a-phone??) then i wouldn't need a plan...
tell me if i'm wrong with that...


thanks for the info!

 

[olouie]

oh ... good info guys

 

[MrDingleDangle]

well what im asking is if amazon says in their rebate that u need to get the plan from them

i was abotu to do this deal, but sprint wont let me get their rebate because i am simply getting a new contract

u can just buy the phone from amazon, unless in their rebate they say u cant

 

[ibeatdrums]

mrdingledangle,

i see what you're saying....but i really don't know...

from just clicking through and coming to the last screen before completing the order...

it seems that i can't just buy the phone. i emailed amazon asking them if i could....so i'm waiting on a response. but in order for you to add this to your cart and checkout, you have to get the plan as well....unless i'm not seeing something...

but does anyone know if i can get the sprint pcs insurance/replacement plan without buying a phone FROM them? in the options list on amazon.com, i chose the PCS equipment replacement program from sprint for $4/month. (BB's deal seems much better) is this the same thing as the insurance?

again, thanks for the info!

 

[hoihtah]

Originally posted by: ibeatdrums
hrmm....hoihtah...

that's a good point about the warranty. do you know if i can get the phone off amazon.com and bring it in to sprint to get their insurance on it? or do i have to purchase it from the store to get it?

yea, i want to make an investment with this phone....and i DO want a good replacement plan (BB sounds really good, but they don't have the 6200).

i'm not sure if sprint has a good insurance plan... do they even have one?

anyhow... check out OfficeMax as well... i know they have one.
see if they have a phone there.

the other thing to keep in mind is..
if BB or OM don't have the phone that you want...
just get something that you can get by with ... until the phone comes out.
and then you can switch.

 

[ibeatdrums]

thanks, mrdingledangle!

does OM have the same type of plan as BB?

and...how does the phone replacement plan at BB work? do i get a replacement for any phone of the same value? what if it's cheaper than my originally purchased phone? heh...i bet all these questions could be answered by making a few phone calls...but i'm thinking getting your opinions is much better than talking to a CSR who will only try to confuse me.

thanks in advance!

 

[MrDingleDangle]

amazon

at the bottom of the page, under the plans, it says "phone only purchase"

 

[Tominator]

The 5$ per month charged by Sprint is for breakage or loss and is available on any phone.

You cannot cancel your plan after buying a phone under the agreement. You must start service withinn 14 days and continue the service for one year or considerable fees will result from the cancellation.

 

[ibeatdrums]

i called a guy at office max who says he also work for sprint pcs. i asked him about the bb replacement policy and (as a former employee of bb) he told me that the sales reps only say that you can bring in your phone to get switched just to sell the plan...the phone can only be switched if there's a problem...AND if the problem can be reproduced. but...coming from an employee that works at OM, i was little skeptical.

mrdingledangle,

i see the option to just purchase the phone...but i guess i don't qualify for the rebates, do i? heh..

 

[hoihtah]

as for BB's plan...
say you purchased a phone called X75

X75 = $100.00
2 year warranty = $40.00

about 6 month later.. your x85 comes out ... and you want to switch.
bring your x75 in the original box.. with every thing... manual.
you get credit for $100.00

x85 cost $150.00

so you pay $50.00 and walk out the door with x85.
your 2 year warranty now has 1 year and 6mo left.

if the csr wants a reason... just tell them your reception isn't good.
they won't argue with you.
they just need something to write down for the form.