LG G2 for $0 at BestBuy (2 years). Great deal?

[GoodEnough]

Why would BestBuy sell this for $0 ?
What is in it for them??

LG G2 for $0 at BestBuy (2 years). Great deal?
Much lesser phones are like $100+ on this site.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-g2-4g...contract_desc=

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Not on Verizon... lol

 

[GoodEnough]

Not on Verizon... lol

What are you trying to say?
That YOU aren't a VZ customer?

I'm a VZ customer.
Good deal for me?

 

[Insomniator]

What are you trying to say?
That YOU aren't a VZ customer?

I'm a VZ customer.
Good deal for me?

Its just a 'good' deal, not great. The phone has been free before, and usually hovers around $50-$100 online. I think its always cheaper simply because its less popular - kind of an oddball phone with the buttons on the back. It does have great specs and amazing battery life though. I'd probably choose it over an S4/S5.

Don't worry about the haters, they will cry about any 2 year contract deal despite verizon having by far the best coverage in many areas.

 

[openwheel]

Good Deal

 

[webdave]

Best Buy gets a cut from Verizon for signing you to a 2 year contract.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Best Buy gets a cut from Verizon for signing you to a 2 year contract.

That's pretty much what BB gets OP. Verizon gives them a kickback.

It's a good deal. If verizon has superior coverage in your area, you can get an excellent device for no money down.

I don't mind signing a contract with a carrier because honestly I don't change my device every time something new comes along, I choose my provider carefully based on coverage area, and I don't fancy paying $600 for the device. So I can sign up for the carrier who provides the best coverage area for me, get a new device free or for significantly less than I'd pay off contract, and I know I won't need to upgrade every 4 months? I'll sign up. I'm sorry if that ruffles anyone's panties.

 

[sweenish]

Its just a 'good' deal, not great. The phone has been free before, and usually hovers around $50-$100 online. I think its always cheaper simply because its less popular - kind of an oddball phone with the buttons on the back. It does have great specs and amazing battery life though. I'd probably choose it over an S4/S5.

Don't worry about the haters, they will cry about any 2 year contract deal despite verizon having by far the best coverage in many areas.

And if you need the coverage, that's great to go with Verizon. If there's actually competition where you live and work, and find yourself going to areas also covered with competition, Verizon is the last choice. In my opinion.

I ditched them because my city has coverage from all major carriers, I save $50/month, got more than double the data, and am not on an oversaturated network (so I actually get good data speeds again). I also got to choose my phone. No hoping that Verizon will grace me with the device I want.

People definitely have their reasons for choosing what they do, but your flavor or haterade is no different from that which you're decrying.

 

[sweenish]

That's pretty much what BB gets OP. Verizon gives them a kickback.

It's a good deal. If verizon has superior coverage in your area, you can get an excellent device for no money down.

I don't mind signing a contract with a carrier because honestly I don't change my device every time something new comes along, I choose my provider carefully based on coverage area, and I don't fancy paying $600 for the device. So I can sign up for the carrier who provides the best coverage area for me, get a new device free or for significantly less than I'd pay off contract, and I know I won't need to upgrade every 4 months? I'll sign up. I'm sorry if that ruffles anyone's panties.

No ruffles, but your argument is nothing but a very sweeping over-generalization that ignores way too many points.

If you keep a phone longer than two years (or whatever your term length is) while under a hardware subsidized contract, you're throwing money away. Literally. If you think that phone is free or somehow discounted, congratulations, the carriers have successfuly brainwashed you. You are definitely paying for that phone. These phones are not free as in beer.

You're not considering savings over the long term when you put down the price of the phone versus the cheaper plans that people generally choose when they bring their own device.

You also assume that people who do this constantly upgrade. If they do, they resell and recoup a large percentage of the hardware cost. Outside of the initial investment, the money they drop to upgrade isn't so different from what you pay to lock yourself in. The big difference is that they have the freedom to change when/if they want. You don't.

But what about people who decide to keep the phone longer? They aren't throwing money away paying for hardware that's been paid off already thanks to the cheaper plans that people who buy their devices outright usually get. Keeping the phone longer drastically increases the amount of savings.

At the end of the day, the whole BYOD mentality is what needs to happen in the US. It provides the customers with freedom and power and forces the carriers to actually compete instead of the pretend competition they engage in to keep Uncle Sam off their backs so they can maintain their oligopoly.

I save $600/year because I switched plans and bought my own devices. The phones AND ETF will be completely paid for in about 18 months. My wife and I are keeping these for at LEAST two years. Considering new hardware costs from a carrier, I break even a lot faster. As time marches on, I will be saving a money. And having the freedom to choose when I upgrade my device all the while without giving free money to a carrier.

 

[apac]

OP asks whether a phone at a certain price is a good deal. Almost every response bashes Verizon instead of answering OP's question. Sigh...

 

[openwheel]

G2 is a fantastic device and in many ways better than the newer phones like S5 and HTC One 2014. Top notch camera and overall hardware. I have bought and released almost all latest Verizon phones including S4, iPhone 5S and Lumia 928. The best two phones are Note 3 and LG G2 but LG gets no love from general public due to lack of marketing. So G2 can be purchased at deeper discounts.

 

[cmdrdredd]

No ruffles, but your argument is nothing but a very sweeping over-generalization that ignores way too many points.

If you keep a phone longer than two years (or whatever your term length is) while under a hardware subsidized contract, you're throwing money away. Literally. If you think that phone is free or somehow discounted, congratulations, the carriers have successfuly brainwashed you. You are definitely paying for that phone. These phones are not free as in beer.

You're not considering savings over the long term when you put down the price of the phone versus the cheaper plans that people generally choose when they bring their own device.

You also assume that people who do this constantly upgrade. If they do, they resell and recoup a large percentage of the hardware cost. Outside of the initial investment, the money they drop to upgrade isn't so different from what you pay to lock yourself in. The big difference is that they have the freedom to change when/if they want. You don't.

But what about people who decide to keep the phone longer? They aren't throwing money away paying for hardware that's been paid off already thanks to the cheaper plans that people who buy their devices outright usually get. Keeping the phone longer drastically increases the amount of savings.

At the end of the day, the whole BYOD mentality is what needs to happen in the US. It provides the customers with freedom and power and forces the carriers to actually compete instead of the pretend competition they engage in to keep Uncle Sam off their backs so they can maintain their oligopoly.

I save $600/year because I switched plans and bought my own devices. The phones AND ETF will be completely paid for in about 18 months. My wife and I are keeping these for at LEAST two years. Considering new hardware costs from a carrier, I break even a lot faster. As time marches on, I will be saving a money. And having the freedom to choose when I upgrade my device all the while without giving free money to a carrier.

Yet for me I'd rather buy a phone for $200 from a carrier and spend the other $400 on ammo for my other hobby. The cost per month is inconsequential to me, it's the up front cost of the device. I suppose it depends on how you look at it.

 

[sweenish]

Yet for me I'd rather buy a phone for $200 from a carrier and spend the other $400 on ammo for my other hobby. The cost per month is inconsequential to me, it's the up front cost of the device. I suppose it depends on how you look at it.

Since that was the bulk of my post, yes. It does matter how you look at it. I look past the "right now" and at the "I save $600/year." Factor in hardware and the actual length of your contract, and I save more.

My situation's math:
On Verizon:
The plan: 2 lines, Unlimited talk + text, 2 GB shared data
The damage: $157/mo
Upfront hardware: $500 (1x$300, 1x$200)
24 month cost: $4,268

On T-Mobile:
The plan: 2 lines, Unlimited talk + text, 6 GB (3 per line, no overages)
The damage: $107/mo
Upfront hardware: $900 (1x$400, 1x$500) (2xNexus 5, one from a third party)
24 month cost: $3,468

Monthly costs include taxes and fees on both carriers. Both rates also account for my work discount. T-Mobile is way faster than Verizon in my city, nearly 3 times as fast.

So, go ahead and spend that $400 on ammo. If we had the same hobby, I'd get to spend $800. Go ahead and factor in sales and "free" phones. I still save more money (~$300) than you. And I'm not even pre-paid. Saying that any recurring cost is inconsequential, especially in light of how badly they may be bilking you, exudes ignorance.

Obviously you may be on some ancient, cheap grandfathered plan and your numbers might not crunch into a savings. But for people getting new phones (and typically plans), your mentality does nothing but throw money away.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I am on unlimited first of all. Second for what amounts to "just a phone" paying more than $300 for a device up front is ridiculous to me. The monthly cost is easier to digest than $600 for the latest galaxy device. Not because I can't afford it or am cheap, it is because it is still just a phone to me and isn't worth that initial cost in my mind.

 

[cronos]

How are you still on unlimited without buying your phone full price? I thought that plan was gone more than two years ago.

Even if you are still on it, you won't be able to keep the unlimited plan if you want your subsidy the next time your contract is up, right?

 

[cmdrdredd]

How are you still on unlimited without buying your phone full price? I thought that plan was gone more than two years ago.

Even if you are still on it, you won't be able to keep the unlimited plan if you want your subsidy the next time your contract is up, right?

Cause last time I upgraded I used my second line and transferred the phone to my main line. I have never used my line for an upgrade. Some people say it still works. I dunno...I'll probably lose my unlimited I think.

 

[Insomniator]

I had tmobile for a year and had service for probably 50% of the time. Not in the house, or under trees, or if it was cloudy out. Sorry, Verizon unlimited for 80 bucks a month is worth it to me.

G2 is and will be a great phone for 2 years.

 

[GoodEnough]

I don't mind signing a contract with VZ.
VZ has the best coverage in my area.
I have been with VZ for 14 years now.
Don't have the time or interest to shop for constant deals and changing plans.
I just need my cell phone plan to be invisible.

I agree that I'm paying a premium for the phone subsidy,
but I don't really care. I don't trust these 3rd party subprime carriers.

Under the loyalty program, I am paying $60/mo, and I get the free $500 phone.
Puts it pretty close to the ghetto wholesalers, and I get a decent phone.

I have an Inc2, and I would need to replace that sooner or later anyway.
So, 2 year contract and FREE LG G2, here I come...

 

[alkemyst]

Yet for me I'd rather buy a phone for $200 from a carrier and spend the other $400 on ammo for my other hobby. The cost per month is inconsequential to me, it's the up front cost of the device. I suppose it depends on how you look at it.

you aren't making sense other than saying buying a new phone is a waste of money until it dies.

 

[bearxor]

I don't mind signing a contract with VZ.
VZ has the best coverage in my area.
I have been with VZ for 14 years now.
Don't have the time or interest to shop for constant deals and changing plans.
I just need my cell phone plan to be invisible.

I agree that I'm paying a premium for the phone subsidy,
but I don't really care. I don't trust these 3rd party subprime carriers.

Under the loyalty program, I am paying $60/mo, and I get the free $500 phone.
Puts it pretty close to the ghetto wholesalers, and I get a decent phone.

I have an Inc2, and I would need to replace that sooner or later anyway.
So, 2 year contract and FREE LG G2, here I come...

The G2 is a great phone.

This just isn't a great deal. All the year-old phones will be free on contract within the next few weeks.

 

[GoodEnough]

The G2 is a great phone.

This just isn't a great deal. All the year-old phones will be free on contract within the next few weeks.

So, what do you advise?
If it's not a GREAT deal, but it can't get cheaper than $0.

So, are you saying I should wait for a better phone for $0 in a few weeks?
Which one?

 

[cronos]

No, it can't get cheaper than $0. What everyone is saying is that it's not a *great* deal considering it's been that much several times before, pretty much across all the major carriers.

Now, the phone is pretty damn good, and while it's only about six months old, it's also considered 'last year's generation' (it's on a similar cycle with Samsung's Galaxy Note, just like the G Pro series is on a similar cycle with the Galaxy S). However, if you are comparing it with a Inc 2 it is definitely light years better.

I say get it and forget about all the naysayers. You already mentioned that you don't believe the 'subprime carriers' (lulz) and you don't mind paying the Verizon tax, so go ahead and enjoy your awesome phone! You won't be disappointed. Just don't fool yourself thinking you're getting this with an awesome super deal

 

[GoodEnough]

Got it. It's just not a NEW deal.
It's the same GOOD deal that's been around before.

It's funny that 6 months old is now considered "old".
I am sure it will serve me well for the next 2-4 years.

 

[bearxor]

So, what do you advise?
If it's not a GREAT deal, but it can't get cheaper than $0.

So, are you saying I should wait for a better phone for $0 in a few weeks?
Which one?

Only of there's another one of the flagship devices you're interested in. The Galaxy S4 is already at $50 and I suspect prices of the HTC One M7 will bottom out in the next month.

But, basically, what cronos said. The G2 is a great phone. In fact, I think it's the best device of the previous generation. But take note that it is previous generation. Six months old is a long time in the Android world, but it's a lot better now than it would have been two years ago. The specs on the G2 are still top-notch even compared to this years flagship models.

But don't think this is even a "good deal". Essentially clearing out last years models pulls it out of the "deal" category and more in to "clearance". Let's just say that if you posted this "deal" on slickdeals, you'd be buried under negative comments asking where the "deal" is.

But ignore all of that. If you're upgrade eligible and you don't want to spend any $ out of pocket for an upgrade and you want something really nice, this is probably the best you're going to be able to do.

 

[GoodEnough]

But ignore all of that. If you're upgrade eligible and you don't want to spend any $ out of pocket for an upgrade and you want something really nice, this is probably the best you're going to be able to do.

I think this sums it up.

• I'm upgrade eligible.
• Don't want to bother switching carriers.
• Already in for 1 year for the $60/mo deal.
• Currently have an Inc2 that's 4 years old.
• Seems like the Lg G2 for "free" is a big win.

Thanks.