I don't know if this illegal, but at best, it's unethical.

[androidluvr2]

I use my note 2 to check for deals, some of which last only a short time.

You sure got a great deal on your GNote2!!!

 

[jdbii]

But my wife would not be happy, and rightfully so. I had to go through hoops to get my note 2 for $37. If i had paid $600+, I would probably be in the dog house for some time.

ATT was selling the Note II for a penny yesterday. Don't tell your wife, you'll be on the couch for a month..

 

[androidluvr2]

ATT was selling the Note II for a penny yesterday. Don't tell your wife, you'll be on the couch for a month..

He's on VZW with unlimited data plan. He can never leave.

 

[androidluvr2]

I use my note 2 to check for deals, some of which last only a short time.

Speaking of deals of sorts, I was late hopping on the smartphone train. I was occupied trying to navigate the stock market crash and couldn't pay attention to techie things for awhile. The only smartphones I knew of were the iPhones my relatives had and I wasn't about to buy an Apple product and didn't know anyone with an Android.

Anyhow, I missed unlimited data on VZW. Then they had the double the data promotion so I got 4GB for $30 and thought that was pretty good. Then I didn't know how to use the phone to maximize its potential so I found android central to read up on it and low and behold I found out about the back door trick to get unlimited and got it! I consider that one of my best "deals" ever! From what I have read VZW closed that loophole in March of 2012.

But speaking of loopholes, there are still ways to get subsidized phones on VZW when you have unlimited data plan - check the VZW forum on AC to read about them. I am sure that these loopholes will be closed eventually.

 

[Aquila]

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon/227608-instruction-how-keep-unlimited-data-verizon.html

 

[dchawk81]

I didn't reinforce your point. My point was that the smartphones are desirable and some employed people can get one if they use the workarounds but can't if they don't. So for them, the hassles of the workarounds are worth it because otherwise they couldn't have one at all.

You reinforced my point that they aren't a necessity. Not being a necessity makes them a desire. Being a desire means that, if push comes to shove, they can be eliminated from the budget.

 

[androidluvr2]

You reinforced my point that they aren't a necessity. Not being a necessity makes them a desire. Being a desire means that, if push comes to shove, they can be eliminated from the budget.

no doubt they can be eliminated, but if you can afford a smartphone with the workarounds but cannot afford one without the workarounds the workarounds don't seem like a hassle to you.

 

[dchawk81]

In my case, switching to a dumb phone would save $24 per month, the cost of unlimited unthrottled 4glte for my line. However, my work does not allow using work computers for personal use, even during breaks, lunch, etc. Having my note 2 allows me to browse the Internet, check email, watch movies, or whatever. I use my note 2 to check for deals, some of which last only a short time. I easily save over $24 a month on the deals that I get, so it is worth it for me, even though it is an added expense, the overall savings from all the deals I get make it well worth it

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

Yes, you do a lot with your smart phone. That's what they're made for. That doesn't mean you need one. You don't need to be browsing the web or watching movies at work. If you're checking for deals, that's great, but that's a conduit for spending money you seem to not have (hence the workarounds).You'd save even more money by not purchasing that stuff at all.

Again, it's a luxury. It's not a necessity.

 

[dchawk81]

no doubt they can be eliminated, but if you can afford a smartphone with the workarounds but cannot afford one without the workarounds the workarounds don't seem like a hassle to you.

If my affording a smart phone hinged on the workarounds, I don't believe I'd get one. In life, so much can go wrong...for example a blown tire on the car would screw me since that's way beyond my breaking point. I mean, if I can't afford $50 for the month's data or texting or whatever on my phone, how am I going to buy a tire to get the car back on the road so I can get to work? I prefer not to live that way. I'd be using a cheapo flip phone instead.

 

[androidluvr2]

but that's a conduit for spending money you seem to not have (hence the workarounds).You'd save even more money by not purchasing that stuff at all.

Sounds like the guy has a SAH wife and 3 kids. He has to buy a lot of necessities for his family, and better to buy them at a discount than at full price. And I am sure he likes to buy non-necessities that enhance the life of his family, too, and it is better to buy those at a discount than at full price, also.

For the record, I clip coupons when I can afford not to. But this allows me to put more money away for retirement so that I can (hopefully) retire before I am 65.

 

[androidluvr2]

If my affording a smart phone hinged on the workarounds, I don't believe I'd get one. In life, so much can go wrong...for example a blown tire on the car would screw me since that's way beyond my breaking point. I mean, if I can't afford $50 for the month's data or texting or whatever on my phone, how am I going to buy a tire to get the car back on the road so I can get to work? I prefer not to live that way. I'd be using a cheapo flip phone instead.

I think we are using the word "afford" differently. I am using it to mean you can afford it AFTER you have taken care of life's necessities, and in my book, putting money aside to pay for a rainy day is a necessity.

 

[dpham00]

ATT was selling the Note II for a penny yesterday. Don't tell your wife, you'll be on the couch for a month..

New vs refurbished, 1 year vs 90 day warranty. $36 more for that is worth it, in my book. And I am on Verizon, so can't get in on the deal anyway.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[jdbii]

New vs refurbished, 1 year vs 90 day warranty. $36 more for that is worth it, in my book. And I am on Verizon, so can't get in on the deal anyway.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

agreed. i knew that deal was too good to be true. thanks for pointing out.

 

[rkeenan]

My grandmother saw me playing with my Nexus 4 and she really, really liked it. I told her I was on Straight Talk and that she could get the Nexus 4 on $45 a month plan. So I ordered her a Nexus 4. I then tried to order her a Micro SIM card from walmart.com. They were sold out. So I figured I would buy a Standard SIM card and cut it down to Micro size... Nope, sold out.
I then google Straight Talk AT&T SIM cards and a bunch of Amazon and Ebay links pop up. walmart.com sells these SIM cards for 14.95. Amazon and Ebay sell them for $90. What I figured is is that someone bought all of walmart's stock with plans to sell them all back at a nearly 100% profit. Is this illegal, and if not, why do people have to be such jerks?

If you're interested in stopping this behavior, give Straight Talk and Wal-Mart a call. Or, email Wal-Mart at https://corporate.walmart.com/contact-us/store-corporate-feedback#2. You can email Straight Talk at custsrv@straighttalk.com.

Sorry if any of you think this is fair play, but to me, it's bullcrap. If Straight Talk wanted their SIM cards to be $90, that's what they would charge.

Supply and Demand. Blame Straight Talk and Wal-Mart for the lack of supply.

 

[dchawk81]

I think we are using the word "afford" differently. I am using it to mean you can afford it AFTER you have taken care of life's necessities, and in my book, putting money aside to pay for a rainy day is a necessity.

I don't use it that way because far too many people have their priorities out of whack. They go on welfare but have the latest smart phones. They ignore their kids to spend all day on Facebook. And those are the truly poor people.

There are also the folks with 5,000 square foot homes, kids with expensive cell phones and clothes, whining that they're broke. A guy tried to get me to contract to him super cheap because he "lives paycheck to paycheck" - but his paycheck to paycheck buys a nice house, a late model Lexus, and a late model BMW. I looked at him and told him I wouldn't mind living paycheck to paycheck myself if it bought all the nice stuff he has.

 

[androidluvr2]

I don't use it that way because far too many people have their priorities out of whack.

I agree that far too many people have their priorities out of whack, but I am betting the guy with a SAH wife and 3 kids who has everyone sharing 550 minutes and texting through google voice and who surfs the net for deals ain't one of them.

 

[Aquila]

I don't use it that way because far too many people have their priorities out of whack. They go on welfare but have the latest smart phones. They ignore their kids to spend all day on Facebook. And those are the truly poor people.

There are also the folks with 5,000 square foot homes, kids with expensive cell phones and clothes, whining that they're broke. A guy tried to get me to contract to him super cheap because he "lives paycheck to paycheck" - but his paycheck to paycheck buys a nice house, a late model Lexus, and a late model BMW. I looked at him and told him I wouldn't mind living paycheck to paycheck myself if it bought all the nice stuff he has.

I live paycheck to paycheck also in that at least 60-70% of my net income is already accounted for by expense obligations. Living paycheck to paycheck is a stupid phrase, unless it just means that you can't budget and don't save, in which case, I do not live paycheck to paycheck; I live within the means my paychecks afford.

 

[dpham00]

Yes, you do a lot with your smart phone. That's what they're made for. That doesn't mean you need one. You don't need to be browsing the web or watching movies at work. If you're checking for deals, that's great, but that's a conduit for spending money you seem to not have (hence the workarounds).You'd save even more money by not purchasing that stuff at all.

Again, it's a luxury. It's not a necessity.

I mostly use it during my break and lunch time. Yes, I do occasionally use it to check email or browse the web when work isn't too busy as well.

I don't think that anyone would consider a smartphone to be a life necessity just like food, water, shelter, etc.

Sure. It is a conduit for spending money, but I try to wait for big sales to buy stuff ahead of time, which does require some flexibility in spending, but in the long run saves money for me. I never said I was poor, but as a family, we still enjoy ourselves, but are on a budget. I would rather buy good stuff on sale rather than wait and have to either spend a lot more money or settle for lower quality. I regularly buy clothes 70-90% off, usually off season, but save it for next season. Sales pop up for random stuff all the time. To make it clear, I am talking about the children's place, Kohls, jcp, etc, not Neiman Marcus or something like that.

Also, a lot of stuff I get free, some involving rebate. Mostly lower end stuff like headphones, Bluetooth headsets, Web cams, laptop bags, speakers , but I have gotten a hp 23" monitor, a few high end smartphones (no contract), and a blu Ray player all free within the last year or so.

I guess finding deals is my hobby.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[androidluvr2]

I guess finding deals is my hobby.

Mine, too!

 

[dchawk81]

I don't think that anyone would consider a smartphone to be a life necessity just like food, water, shelter, etc.

I beg to differ.