No contract pricing

[gordonzhao]

So I'm looking to buy the s3, preferably in white, 16gb. The prices are pretty steady at the moment, contract free. Newegg, which is basically like wirefly offers the phone for $199.99 with new activation or upgrade. I'm not eligible for a full upgrade until next year July and would not like to use a partial upgrade to purchase the phone. I've noticed being locked in a contract is not really worth the $200-$300 difference for a phone, that is if it were a full upgrade. I'm considering just buying out right which is about 600 (msrp) plus any applicable fees and taxes on tmobile's website. Though I've heard outright it's more like 630 or 640. I was wondering if anyone found a better deal. It's no rush as I'm somewhat expecting to hold out until October when the prices will hopefully drop a bit. Until then maybe we could keep a running thread on the prices.


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[Frank999]

Gordon, I'm also considering buying an unlocked version of the SIII if the price is right. The lead contender for me is the TMobile version since I want to take advantage of their 30/mo plan. I'm keeping my eye on amazonwireless. So far they're selling the SIII from the other big 3 but not TMobile.
Also how does when buy an unlocked version of any phone on TMobile's website? It seems your forced to purchase a two year contract and a data plan.

 

[eagle63]

If you're on a value plan AND you're a Costco customer, you can buy the phone outright for $379. (I just did this a few days ago)

 

[gordonzhao]

Gordon, I'm also considering buying an unlocked version of the SIII if the price is right. The lead contender for me is the TMobile version since I want to take advantage of their 30/mo plan. I'm keeping my eye on amazonwireless. So far they're selling the SIII from the other big 3 but not TMobile.
Also how does when buy an unlocked version of any phone on TMobile's website? It seems your forced to purchase a two year contract and a data plan.

I've seen people do it in stores, but not online. Though I'm sure if you call in they'll sell it to you out right.

If you're on a value plan AND you're a Costco customer, you can buy the phone outright for $379. (I just did this a few days ago)

I did go to Costco for my MT4G when it first came out, but was a new contract. That is an option! Thanks. Didn't know that Costco would sell the phone out right for such a great price! I'm going to look into that.

 

[gordonzhao]

I just went to Costco's website, it showed $389.99 and that's without activation. It only shows the Pebble Blue online. Is that the color you got? Oddly enough they don't allow purchase of the phone without a plan online. I'm assuming it's in store only.

Edit: I just called one of the ones in the city they said they don't sell the phones out right.

 

[eagle63]

I just went to Costco's website, it showed $389.99 and that's without activation. It only shows the Pebble Blue online. Is that the color you got? Oddly enough they don't allow purchase of the phone without a plan online. I'm assuming it's in store only.

Edit: I just called one of the ones in the city they said they don't sell the phones out right.

I was switching from Sprint to TMobile so that might be why I qualified for the pricing. I think you're right that they won't just sell you a phone unless you're also adding a line, switching, etc. (sorry, should have mentioned that)

Blue was the only color they offered for Tmo. For other carriers you can get the white or blue.

 

[gordonzhao]

I was switching from Sprint to TMobile so that might be why I qualified for the pricing. I think you're right that they won't just sell you a phone unless you're also adding a line, switching, etc. (sorry, should have mentioned that)

Blue was the only color they offered for Tmo. For other carriers you can get the white or blue.

So you did sign a new 2 year contract. Then you should have got the phone for 199+tax on the 389 price.

So why did you pay 379? Or 389 as it lists on their site. $389 is their listed retail price.


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[rired48]

Gordon, I'm also considering buying an unlocked version of the SIII if the price is right. The lead contender for me is the TMobile version since I want to take advantage of their 30/mo plan. I'm keeping my eye on amazonwireless. So far they're selling the SIII from the other big 3 but not TMobile.
Also how does when buy an unlocked version of any phone on TMobile's website? It seems your forced to purchase a two year contract and a data plan.

Frank999 > This is exactly what I want to do... get the sgs3 with the T-Mobile/Walmart $30 prepaid plan. But because I'm a smartphone 'noob', I'm not understanding the details of how to do this. I do NOT currently have a cell phone I'm using.

So, do I get the sgs3 from T-Mobile (thought they won't allow that phone from them for that plan), or from a 3rd party... Then, you do what to get that plan working with that new sgs3?

I need all the details, can someone help me out? I appreciate it... I'll put you in my will...

Brian in RI

 

[eagle63]

So you did sign a new 2 year contract. Then you should have got the phone for 199+tax on the 389 price.

So why did you pay 379? Or 389 as it lists on their site. $389 is their listed retail price.


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Because I'm on the value plan, not the classic plan. Value plan is a non-subsidized plan, meaning you generally pay full price for the phone, but benefit with a cheaper monthly rate. However, even when on the value plan, if you buy a new phone from a TMobile store they will typically make you pay $199 as a "down payment", and then let you spread the rest of the cost of the phone (the remaining $400 or so) across your monthly payments, which comes out to $20/month for 20 months.

But at Costco, if you're on the value plan they just sell you the SGS3 for $379 total which is substantially less than the $625 the phone costs at full retail. So that's the complete price, no spreading anything on your monthly plan.

Confusing I know, but hopefully that makes sense.

 

[Frank999]

Frank999 > This is exactly what I want to do... get the sgs3 with the T-Mobile/Walmart $30 prepaid plan. But because I'm a smartphone 'noob', I'm not understanding the details of how to do this. I do NOT currently have a cell phone I'm using.

So, do I get the sgs3 from T-Mobile (thought they won't allow that phone from them for that plan), or from a 3rd party... Then, you do what to get that plan working with that new sgs3?

I need all the details, can someone help me out? I appreciate it... I'll put you in my will...

Brian in RI

Brian, this is also my first time doing this so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. My understanding is you would purchase an unlocked SG3 phone from T-Mobile (if that's possible) or a third party such as AmazonWireless,(when and if Amazon decides to sell it) BestBuy, Walmart, etc. The important thing to remember is to make sure it's the T-Mobile version. You would then purchase this SIM card T-Mobile SIM Card Activation Kit | T-Mobile. Make sure it's this SIM card. They do sell another SIM card but it's for non T-Mobile phones such as the IPhone. You would then call T-Mobile to activate the phone/SIM card.

 

[rired48]

Brian, this is also my first time doing this so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. My understanding is you would purchase an unlocked SG3 phone from T-Mobile (if that's possible) or a third party such as AmazonWireless,(when and if Amazon decides to sell it) BestBuy, Walmart, etc. The important thing to remember is to make sure it's the T-Mobile version. You would then purchase this SIM card T-Mobile SIM Card Activation Kit | T-Mobile. Make sure it's this SIM card. They do sell another SIM card but it's for non T-Mobile phones such as the IPhone. You would then call T-Mobile to activate the phone/SIM card.

Frank...
If & when you do this, please let me know what you did and how it went. I'm probably about two weeks away from doing it myself. If you end up getting the unlocked sgs3 from 3rd party, then you could get the T-Mo micro-sim online, and then the Walmart card...?
Brian

 

[kenyee]

Frank999 > This is exactly what I want to do... get the sgs3 with the T-Mobile/Walmart $30 prepaid plan. But because I'm a smartphone 'noob', I'm not understanding the details of how to do this. I do NOT currently have a cell phone I'm using.
I

Buy the phone from either t-mobile or a 3rd party.
Then just stick a t-mobile microsim (it doesn't take a full size SIM card FYI) into it or buy a prepaid starter kit and one of those sim cutters off fleabay to get the sim card. You can plug the SIM card into any t-mobile phone and even unlocked AT&T phones (no high speed data though) and it'll work fine.

Easiest thing to do is get one off craigslist from someone who is selling it from their plan upgrade to pay for their regular cell charges...just get one that's "brand new" instead of used unless used is ok w/ you.

 

[rired48]

Kenyee/Frank...

Thanks for the info and patience...

 

[gordonzhao]

Because I'm on the value plan, not the classic plan. Value plan is a non-subsidized plan, meaning you generally pay full price for the phone, but benefit with a cheaper monthly rate. However, even when on the value plan, if you buy a new phone from a TMobile store they will typically make you pay $199 as a "down payment", and then let you spread the rest of the cost of the phone (the remaining $400 or so) across your monthly payments, which comes out to $20/month for 20 months.

But at Costco, if you're on the value plan they just sell you the SGS3 for $379 total which is substantially less than the $625 the phone costs at full retail. So that's the complete price, no spreading anything on your monthly plan.

Confusing I know, but hopefully that makes sense.

I completely understand what you're saying, the issue is I've called several Costco stores, the wireless advocates there, they won't sell the phone unless you're activating a new 2 year contract with them, or upgrading and signing a 2 year contract.

Edit: so you go into the Costco store, you walk up to the wireless advocates kiosk. What exactly did you say to them?

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[gordonzhao]

Bit the bullet and ordered from Newegg. $199 and next day shipping.


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[Mobimop]

Bit the bullet and ordered from Newegg. $199 and next day shipping.


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That sucks did you sign a 2 year contract? Why? My GF got one for just under $600 on Amazon last week. I understand $600 is a lot more than $199 but at least she got the Quad-Core Intl phone and when we go to Germany later this month we'll have an easy time getting service for both of our phones.

Amazon.com: Used and New: Samsung Galaxy S III / S3 Unlocked GSM Smart Phone (Pebble Blue)

 

[gordonzhao]

That sucks did you sign a 2 year contract? Why? My GF got one for just under $600 on Amazon last week. I understand $600 is a lot more than $199 but at least she got the Quad-Core Intl phone and when we go to Germany later this month we'll have an easy time getting service for both of our phones.

Amazon.com: Used and New: Samsung Galaxy S III / S3 Unlocked GSM Smart Phone (Pebble Blue)

Because the international one doesn't work on T-Mobile's high speed data networks.


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[johnjohntc]

Because I'm on the value plan, not the classic plan. Value plan is a non-subsidized plan, meaning you generally pay full price for the phone, but benefit with a cheaper monthly rate. However, even when on the value plan, if you buy a new phone from a TMobile store they will typically make you pay $199 as a "down payment", and then let you spread the rest of the cost of the phone (the remaining $400 or so) across your monthly payments, which comes out to $20/month for 20 months.

But at Costco, if you're on the value plan they just sell you the SGS3 for $379 total which is substantially less than the $625 the phone costs at full retail. So that's the complete price, no spreading anything on your monthly plan.

Confusing I know, but hopefully that makes sense.

So at Costco they have a value-plan purchase price of $379? Wow. How did you find a Costco with inventory?

 

[gordonzhao]

So at Costco they have a value-plan purchase price of $379? Wow. How did you find a Costco with inventory?

Costco will not sell you it for 379. They only will sell you a phone if you're signing a new contract. Their price is 199+tax on original price of the phone 599.


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[johnjohntc]

Costco will not sell you it for 379. They only will sell you a phone if you're signing a new contract. Their price is 199+tax on original price of the phone 599.

minsc claims to have purchased it that way. I'm just asking how.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/t-mobile-galaxy-s-iii/191808-no-contract-pricing.html#post1987101