Samsung cash, Promotions, Pre-Order gotcha

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Pre-orders also got free storage upgrades. I don't know if the Sasmung site had more generous trade-in creedit during pre-order, but I got a $1,000 trade in credit for my S20 FE via Verizon.

For some people lower up front price means more. Trade INS are just selling your property.

 

[KPMcClave]

For some people lower up front price means more. Trade INS are just selling your property.

Well, nobody on Earth was going to pay me $1,000 for my S20 FE.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Well, nobody on Earth was going to pay me $1,000 for my S20 FE.

Well most people buying these phones aren't buying the FE version in the first place. Congratulations on moving up.

I don't think the trade in amounts changed much after the pre order, you can still get $550 for your old phone now. If I remember right someone posted the phone upfront cost was cheaper right after the pre order. Either way.. The point is for some waiting is better for them, Losing $50 in gift promo and getting hard $200 cash off the price. I've seen it before, the offer after pre order was better in upfront costs.

 

[KPMcClave]

Well most people buying these phones aren't buying the FE version in the first place. Congratulations on moving up.

That doesn't matter. You said people trading in their phones are just selling their property, which is true, but they couldn't sell a S20 FE (for example) for $1,000. So, in practice, the extra trade-in is more money off the new phone cost.

If that trade-in amount is still available after pre-orders, then my original point is moot. I did see a headline earlier today that Samsung will now give you $1,000 off a S22 ultra.

 

[KPMcClave]

That doesn't matter. You said people trading in their phones are just selling their property, which is true, but they couldn't sell a S20 FE (for example) for $1,000. So, in practice, the extra trade-in is more money off the new phone cost.

If that trade-in amount is still available after pre-orders, then my original point is moot. I did see a headline earlier today that Sasmung will now give you $1,000 off a S22 Ultra.

...I checked Verizon and the max trade in is now $700. So, I got an extra $300 trade-in by pre-ordering (assuming I'd get the full $700 if I had waited until now). I don't know what the Samsung direct specifics have been since pre-order ended. Until the new $1,000 deal now, anyway.

 

[J Dubbs]

Well most people buying these phones aren't buying the FE version in the first place. Congratulations on moving up.

I don't think the trade in amounts changed much after the pre order, you can still get $550 for your old phone now. If I remember right someone posted the phone upfront cost was cheaper right after the pre order. Either way.. The point is for some waiting is better for them, Losing $50 in gift promo and getting hard $200 cash off the price. I've seen it before, the offer after pre order was better in upfront costs.

I agree, I waited and took the $200 off, because I wasn't trading anything in and had no need to buy anything else. All the credits really do is get you to spend more of your own money on limited choices that you probably don't even want or need, and preorder a phone that they hope is going to tie you into their ecosystem, and keep you as a returning customer

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I agree, I waited and took the $200 off, because I wasn't trading anything in and had no need to buy anything else. All the credits really do is get you to spend more of your own money on limited choices that you probably don't even want or need, and preorder a phone that they hope is going to tie you into their ecosystem, and keep you as a returning customer

Thank you. All I've been trying to say is sometimes people would rather have the price knocked down instead of getting a promo credit. Promo credits usually do get you to spend more money as you don't want to lose any by not using it all and you usually get stuff you don't need because it's limited at what you can use it for. You're spot on.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

That doesn't matter. You said people trading in their phones are just selling their property, which is true, but they couldn't sell a S20 FE (for example) for $1,000. So, in practice, the extra trade-in is more money off the new phone cost.

If that trade-in amount is still available after pre-orders, then my original point is moot. I did see a headline earlier today that Samsung will now give you $1,000 off a S22 ultra.

Pre-order is generally the best deal around if you want the promo credit, that I've always said. I am just saying there was a post on here saying they wish they would have waited this time as they get actual $200 off instead of the promo credit making it a better deal for them as they didn't need anything they could get with the promo credit. Not sure what the trade INS were, but I know they were still up there and didn't change much. For the one that posted, maybe he wanted to keep his phone and was able to knock the price down and keep his phone. Everyone has different ideas what is a good promo. The promo credits aren't doing much for me anymore as I don't need anything more to have laying around. I have a promo credit now I don't know what to do with. I am debating on just buying a second watch so I don't have to set my watch up every time I switch between the fold 3 and S22U. As guy above me said, the promo credits make you spend money at times.

Promotions change all the time on buying phones, but I agree pre-order and buying around black Friday is 2 of the better times to buy. With the economy tanking, I think promos to buy phones are going to stay high, that is my opinion, not fact by the way.

We are on the same page, I'm just saying promos mean different things to everyone.

 

[KPMcClave]

Thank you. All I've been trying to say is sometimes people would rather have the price knocked down instead of getting a promo credit. Promo credits usually do get you to spend more money as you don't want to lose any by not using it all and you usually get stuff you don't need because it's limited at what you can use it for. You're spot on.

I agree with you that many, if not most, people likely prefer a lower price on their priamry purchase than the credits for extra stuff. That's exactly why I got mine through Verizon. I got a $1,000 trade-in credit that dirctly reduces the price of my S22 Ultra, above and beyond what appeared to be the normal trade in value of my prior S20 FE (only $180?).

My original reply about all this had only to do with whether pre-ordering was a better choice relative to phone cost. At least on VZW it was (with trade-in), since the max trade-in now is only $700. That was my only point.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I agree with you that many, if not most, people likely prefer a lower price on their priamry purchase than the credits for extra stuff. That's exactly why I got mine through Verizon. I got a $1,000 trade-in credit that dirctly reduces the price of my S22 Ultra, above and beyond what appeared to be the normal trade in value of my prior S20 FE (only $180?).

My original reply about all this had only to do with whether pre-ordering was a better choice relative to phone cost. At least on VZW it was, since the max trade-in now is only $700. That was my only point.

I did the Verizon $1,000 trade also, but now I'm tied to that phone our line for 3 years. I don't think I will do that again, that's too long to have a line tied up for a phone in my opinion.

 

[KPMcClave]

I did the Verizon $1,000 traded also, but now I'm tied to that phone our line for 3 years. I don't think I will do that again, that's too long to have a line tied up for a phone in my opinion.

I don't disagree, but that's a different isssue.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I don't disagree, but that's a different isssue.

Yes, but still involves the promo we've been talking about.

 

[J Dubbs]

Yes, but still involves the promo we've been talking about.

And that's exactly why those trade-in deals aren't always the deals they seem at first glance. It's all about the math, like buying a car. They end up getting you to pay more than you would normally want to in the long run, to save more at the beginning.

In reality you're not always getting what you think, but it leaves folks with the instant gratification of money saved in the beginning, and they get that shiny new device Businesses always look at how they can get money out of you in the long term, while us consumers look at the short term savings.

 

[KPMcClave]

And that's exactly why those trade-in deals aren't always the deals they seem at first glance. It's all about the math, like buying a car. They end up getting you to pay more than you would normally want to in the long run, to save more at the beginning.

In reality you're not always getting what you think, but it leaves folks with the instant gratification of money saved in the beginning, and they get that shiny new device Businesses always look at how they can get money out of you in the long term, while us consumers look at the short term savings.

How are they making me pay more than I otherwise would've? I got a $1,000 trade-in crtedit that will be equally paid out over 36 months. There is no interest added. I'm ultimately paying ~$300 for the phone whether I get the lump sum up front or in installements every month for three years.

I understand complaints about the length of the payment contract. I understand the preference to want the money up front. However, I don't see where they're making anyone pay more.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I did the Verizon $1,000 trade also, but now I'm tied to that phone our line for 3 years. I don't think I will do that again, that's too long to have a line tied up for a phone in my opinion.

As an outside observer, that Verizon "deal" looked like a trap to me.

 

[KPMcClave]

As an outside observer, that Verizon "deal" looked like a trap to me.

Why?

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Why?

Because it's 36 month lock in disguised as $1000.

Imagine you were selling your phone independently for a grand and the buyer said they would pay you in 36 installments of $27 a month and if you leave your current carrier, they can stop paying you. Would you accept that as a reasonable offer?

 

[MoreDef]

How are they making me pay more than I otherwise would've? I got a $1,000 trade-in crtedit that will be equally paid out over 36 months. There is no interest added. I'm ultimately paying ~$300 for the phone whether I get the lump sum up front or in installements every month for three years.

I understand complaints about the length of the payment contract. I understand the preference to want the money up front. However, I don't see where they're making anyone pay more.

I think it's more about them getting their product back after you've paid a few monthly's on it (or paid it outright), in basically pristine condition. They get to sell it again as "refurbished" for only a couple hundred less, and they get you again for either another couple of hundred dollars, or a few more months of incremental payments.

 

[NationalTrust]

Because it's 36 month lock in disguised as $1000.

Imagine you were selling your phone independently for a grand and the buyer said they would pay you in 36 installments of $27 a month and if you leave your current carrier, they can stop paying you. Would you accept that as a reasonable offer?

That makes no sense. I've been with Verizon for over 15 years with no plan to leave. I choose to stay with Verizon, they didn't trick me.

 

[KPMcClave]

Because it's 36 month lock in disguised as $1000.

Imagine you were selling your phone independently for a grand and the buyer said they would pay you in 36 installments of $27 a month and if you leave your current carrier, they can stop paying you. Would you accept that as a reasonable offer?

There's not a single person on Earth who would give me $1,000 for an S20 FE.

You know that Samsung has the exact same 3 years of financing on it's site?

It isn't a "trap." It's an option. Not every option is for every person. Go ahead and buy the phone outright.