Moderator warning about the AT&T Nokia Free2Go Phone for $39.99 W/ $50 Cash M/R

[Tipster]

I didn't expect it till next week, nor did I expect them to email me back. Kudos STAR69!


Just received this email! ( Well....... I got my 3 phones first, then I posted this ) Good Luck to everyone

Free2Go Phone Deal

(Email received from Star)

IT'S BACK! The Nokia Free2Go Phone for $39.99 with the $50 cash rebate is now available for ordering. http://www.star69.net/prepaidspecial.html

Please use the zipcode search to make sure the Free2Go Plan is available in
your area. Free2Go currently covers about 63% of the zipcode areas.

Please note: Effective Feb 16th. there will be a total of only 300 phones
available per day. Once 300 phones have sold, the special will be
unavailable until the following day.

---

~~~ MODERATOR WARNING ~~~

Phoneshark's account has been deleted and banned from our forums because two separate accounts were registered. The second was shilling for their "deal." This account was also deleted.

From what we are reading in this thread, this is now a very questionable offer.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Dipboy]

As I recall, the $50 rebate required that the purchase be made from a authorized ATT Wireless retailer. Is Star69 an "authorized" ATT Wireless retailer????

 

[k000]

If you click on the link...it takes you to www.phoneshark.com /blah-blah-blah................ so it is actually Phoneshark...

But the question now is - Why have they changed their name ?????

 

[GoRaptors15]

Dipboy has a very good point. I am not so sure about phone shark being an authrized reseller. Here are my reasons.

1) I check the phoneshark address ( 4905 Belfort Rd, Jacksonville FL, 32256) at AT&T website authorized dealer list. ITS NOT THERE...

2) I know when the deal started, it was $40+free shipping. Then it becomes $40+$5 shipping. Then $40+$10 shipping THEN $70.. (all within 24 hrs) Guess what, now its back to $40. Something fishy??

3) I have never see Tipster in the forums before.. I also know that phoneshark is aware of Anandtech, just for a thought.... ( I apologized if this is just a coincidence)

I personally got one the last time and just got my phone today. and I guess I will still be happy even if the MIR does not go through because I need a phone. But I wouldn't purchase one just because its free.. Personally I think something is not right....Any follow up comments on my thoughts will be appreciated.....

 

[corinthos]

i'd try to get a pricematch at staples to be on the safe side...
the changes in price and adding shipping when it was free before is whacked....

 

[Tipster]

I think Phoneshark is the parent company of Star69, OR vise versa. I dont think it really matters, as long as you have a reciept and a S/N on the phone, "your in".

 

[Technogeek]

So, Do you guys think this deal is "phoney"?? Just a thought.

 

[MarkM]

<< I think Phoneshark is the parent company of Star69, OR vise versa. I dont think it really matters, as long as you have a reciept and a S/N on the phone, "your in". >>



that's the rub. I just got my phone today and -- no invoice or receipt (needed for rebate). I have contacted phoneshark, but no response yet. That is another concern beynd the authorized dealer one.

Boy I've been burned by this "authorized dealer" clause befoer (most recently when buying from computergeeks), hope I'm not burned again.

 

[GoRaptors15]

MarkM, You are not the only one. I did not receive a receipt or invoice too. I would advice others not to jump on this deal till someone ( better yet, SOMEONES) comfirm that they have receive the receipts.

 

[rage27]

<< Dipboy has a very good point. I am not so sure about phone shark being an authrized reseller. Here are my reasons.

1) I check the phoneshark address ( 4905 Belfort Rd, Jacksonville FL, 32256) at AT&T website authorized dealer list. ITS NOT THERE...

>>


I guess the list is not complete.
I know Amazon.com is also advertising this product.
But I didn't find them on the list

 

[wiin]

Phoneshark is an authorized dealer. go to their site amd u will see the "Authorized Dealer" thingy

 

[ckb21401]

When I wrote to phoneshark about no invoice, they said to use the order confirmation email. I actually sent in the warehouse shipped email. Since I activated the phone, I am hoping that Nokia will honor the rebate.

 

[GooberedUp]

<< Phoneshark is an authorized dealer. go to their site amd u will see the "Authorized Dealer" thingy >>



Well, if phoneshark is shady, they could put up whatever they want and it could be a misrepresentation.

 

[MamBo]

Can someone call Nokia rebate center and found out ?

(I can't do that myself.. I don't speak Eanglish. I mean I speak Eanglish.. but most people don't understand

 

[clunk]

I just talked to a CSR at the ATT rebate center (888-458-4239) and she said that an invoice/packing slip was REQUIRED and a copy of the e-mailed receipt would not be adequate. Also, a separate call to an ATT wireless CSR (800-888-7600) could not confirm or deny the "authorized ATT wireless" status of PhoneShark.com. She said to ask for their dealer number to verify status.

I just dashed off an e-mail to PhoneShark's customer service advising them that I needed an actual invoice with my order as well as requesting their ATT dealer #. If they can't provide those two items, I requested cancellation of my order.

To be on the safe side, I printed a copy of their home page that clearly advertises the 5165 offer with the $50 rebate (and claims authorized ATT status). If the rebate fails to go through, I will turn the matter over to American Express to get the charges reversed.

 

[bonk102]

you know, i really wish they'd expand to western and upstate NY so i could get one of these, my Cingular service is starting to bother me.

 

[MamBo]

so, what you are guys doing with rebate ?
phoneshark still has advertisement on they site, but tey don't respond to my e-mails anymore....

 

[OrlandoTiger]

MODS- request you provide the id of 2nd phone shark account so we can review and know which messages are legit.
In case you arent aware,another thread still exists on this subject that may give the deal validity...other thread with some apparent verification of rebate status as okay
Its entirely your call but it appears that some have got the word thru the rebate center that Phone shark is okay for the rebate.I think if we know the id of the shill then we can make more sense of what we really know at this point.Im guessing its "junior" at the top of this thread,but if not it would be helpful to know...My intent is to make sure you see the other posts on this issue which seem to paint a better picture about the rebate.Thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

Kudo's to the mods for getting involved with this questionable deal.

Maybe we can stickify it at the top for all to see?

 

[Nightwatch]

I bought this phone. I have not received it yet. What is the problem with the deal?

 

[freeabc]

I talked to Nokia at 1-888-458-4239 this morning about no invoice. The person first asked me to get a receipt from the store. I told him that the store said the email confirmation works as an invoice. She put me on hold for a minute and told me that the email invoice is fine.

After reading this thread, I spoke to Jennifer at above 888 number this afternoon. Without thinking, she said Photoshark is an authorized ATT reseller. About the invoice, she said she was not familiar with it. But if the store said it is the invoice, it is ok for rebate.

Can someone double check with Nokia?

 

[MamBo]

From the Sunday I sent 3 e-mails to phoneshark asking about this rebate thing, and still no replays. I tried to call nokia, and with my limited English got impression that e-mail print out IS NOT WALID.

P.S. there are NO junior member that have any solid info?

 

[clunk]

Not sure if this will make anyone feel more comfortable ...

I just spoke with Doug Glenn at PhoneShark.com (actually answered the phone ... I had left numerous unreturned e-mail/phone messages) and he stated the following.

- Nokia has allowed the e-mail receipts in the past (Holiday gift card promotion) and will accept them for this curret promotion. I plan to call Nokia's rebate # again and see if I can get a CSR to acknowledge this fact. BTW, Doug said that uif he printed out a receipt (from their automated system) it would look just like the e-mail version.

- I ordered Saturday and the phone went out today (no tracking # on website, but the real ESN is there) so he couldn't cancel the order directly. He told me that if I had too many doubts, I should just refuse delivery and the order would be cancelled.

- He also said (though you'd have to get this in writing for it to mean anything) that if the rebate was rejected, he would take the phone back. Again, that doesn't mean anything, but it will help my case if I need to get AMEX involved in recovering my money due to a rejected rebate.

Not sure if I'm going to refuse delivery or not, but it made me feel a little better talking to a live person. Doug seemed interested in making sure that I was comfortable with the transaction.

Let me know what you guys think ...

clunk

 

[MamBo]

I'm not exactly sure, if printed e-mail will look like similar to real packing slip. in the e-mail is few lines like this:

If you would like to re-create your last order, we have a nice feature to speed you through the process. Just click here!

BTW if don't get your rebate it woun't be too late for CC claim ? I mean we can expect rebate in 2-3 month only

 

[clunk]

I plan on calling Nokia's rebate center after a couple of weeks to verify that they've gotten the paperwork and that it is acceptable. My experience with rebates is that they will approve your submittal and then sit on the check for 6-8 weeks. If they are going to deny the rebate, I should know that relatively soon.