pacific bell >>> cingular = no more cheap phones??

[tkim]

i know there have been a few posts in the hot deals section about cheap phones but i just need some info. as i found oout today when i went to my local cell phone store, no more cheap phones. what they used to do was cut the phone prices by eating their commission. for example, if a phone cost $100 for the customer and the store gets $150 in commission from the cell company, they give the phone for free and make only $50. however, since pacbell turned into cingular, the guy at the store said we cant do that anymore because cingular is cracking down. no more phones that are cheaper than m.s.r.p. anyone know if this is everywhere??? i need a phone!!

 

[trmiv]

They are still offering cheap phones as far as I know. They have the Nokia 5190 for free when you sign up for service. I just got the Nokia 8290 for $99.95 when I upgraded my service. I was on an old Pacbell plan, so I switched to a newer Cingular plan and bought a new phone too. I'm pretty sure the regular retail value of this phone is over $200.

 

[Hawk]

I *believe* that you can't advertise at a lower price, but I am sure some stores still offer lowered than MSRPs. Yeah, worked at a cell phone store. =)

 

[tkim]

i used to work for one too but i jsut cant seem to find a place that will do it. i want to 8890, which retails for 550. last time i checked the phone was less than 300 with activation. now they want atleast 350!!! anyone know a place??????

 

[tkim]

oh yeah...TRMIV....the 8290 they were actually giving it away for free at certain places but now we have to pay!!!! this really bites!

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

i got the 8290 for free at a place in Cerritos. Go to one of the little stores in Monterey Park or Alhambra and they offer the same type of deals.
This is LA area of course


late.


TDP

 

[trmiv]

Damn, I thought you wanted a cheap phone! I'm pretty sure that phone was $299.95 at the place I bought mine, Parrot Cellular. That's a really cool phone, just a bit too pricey for me. The 8290 is cool for me, I love the size!

 

[tkim]

yo TDP..when did you get it??? i called this place in alhambra and that's where they raised the price of the 8890. it's still cheaper than a pacbell store but its not the same awesome deal that they used to have. can you give me the number??

 

[tkim]

oh yeah...what city??

 

[tkim]

bump

 

[Ranger X]

Or you can always go to a certain store and get a free Nokia 8290 with activation.