In article <13o53o0omormhab@corp.supernews.com>,
"Joel Koltner" <zapwireDASHgroups@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Historically contracts were used by carriers to recover the costs
> of phones, which tended to cost much more than most people were willing to
> "pony up" for. In other words, the marketing guys figured out it's easier to
> sell a phone for $39 and then have them subscribe for, say, $40/mo than sell
> a
> phone for $239 and subscribe for $30/mo.
So explain why I picked up a couple Verizon InPulse Samsung A870 phones
at Walmart for $50 each. I'm *sure* they're worth more than that.
And I don't do business with Verizon.
Oh, but I do do business with PagePlus....at a rate of about
$30/year.....so even if I do end up using the Verizon network, it's not
for very much at all.
On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:13:24 -0500, "Richard B. Gilbert"
<rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote:
>News wrote:
>>
>>
>> LHA wrote:
>>
>>> If the cellular companies provided the service and support that their
>>> customers desire and deserve, they would NOT need to lock us in with
>>> long, expensive contracts. Why do we tolerate it?
>>>
>>> Discuss...
>>>
>>
>>
>> Huh? I've been month to month for more than eight years.
>
>Yeah, but sooner or later you need a new phone. . . .
Then pay full price for it - then you won't be under a contract.
That's the only reason why Alltel uses contracts - when you buy a
phone at less than retail price the company loses money since they are
selling the phone at a loss. So, the contract is to offset that loss.
Don't like that? Then do as I suggest: pay full retail for the
phone. Contract negated.
On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:05:11 -0500, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
<elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
>And I don't do business with Verizon.
>
>Oh, but I do do business with PagePlus....at a rate of about
>$30/year.....so even if I do end up using the Verizon network, it's not
>for very much at all.
You are doing business with Verizon, but through a third-party
reseller. You are using their network that Page Plus is reselling.
I do recommend them if you want to go the pre-paid route. Very good
service.
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
>In article <13o53o0omormhab@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Joel Koltner" <zapwireDASHgroups@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Historically contracts were used by carriers to recover the costs
>> of phones, which tended to cost much more than most people were willing to
>> "pony up" for. In other words, the marketing guys figured out it's easier to
>> sell a phone for $39 and then have them subscribe for, say, $40/mo than sell
>> a
>> phone for $239 and subscribe for $30/mo.
>
>So explain why I picked up a couple Verizon InPulse Samsung A870 phones
>at Walmart for $50 each. I'm *sure* they're worth more than that.
I'd be surprised if they cost more than $25 to make, but exact cost
information doesn't seem possible to get. Many people claim that
phones really "cost" the $200-$500 that carriers charge, but I don't
believe it. Why would phones be the only consumer electronics devices
that don't have a huge markup?
>>So explain why I picked up a couple Verizon InPulse Samsung
>>A870 phones at Walmart for $50 each. I'm *sure* they're worth
>>more than that.
>
> I'd be surprised if they cost more than $25 to make, but exact
> cost information doesn't seem possible to get. Many people
> claim that phones really "cost" the $200-$500 that carriers
> charge, but I don't believe it. Why would phones be the only
> consumer electronics devices that don't have a huge markup?
Of course they have a huge markup. Everything has a huge
markup. Just because it cost $50 to make that TV doesn't mean
you're going to be able to pay less than $250 for it. We
engineers who design stuff like that don't work for free.
Shipping from Asia isn't free. The cost to "make" something is
often trivial compared to the cost to develop it, package it,
ship it, and distribute it. Funny thing, but everywhere along
they way, everybody want's to eat. If you think you can make
and sell cellular phones for $50 and still make a profit
without any of the income stream from the service, then go
ahead and do it. You'll be rich and famous.
--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! I appoint you
at ambassador to Fantasy
visi.com Island!!!
In article <13o5u01eckeo0b3@corp.supernews.com>,
Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote:
> If you think you can make
> and sell cellular phones for $50 and still make a profit
> without any of the income stream from the service, then go
> ahead and do it. You'll be rich and famous.
That's my point. A couple of $50 phones, and nowhere near the income
stream Verizon planned for those puppies.
Sure, they're on the Verizon network. So whatever use they do see,
there's SOMETHING going to Verizon. But strictly speaking, they're with
an MVNO. So there's a middleman BEFORE the money gets to Verizon.
$50 phones with a contract income stream, sure. $50 phones with cheap
pay as you go? The few bucks they'll get out of me over the next few
years won't come anywhere near subsidizing those phones.
Buy 2 or 3 phones. Dang I hardly use 1. What do you need 2 or 3 phones
for. A backup? Geez. Being without a phone for a few hours must be like
death. Get a life.
Vito
"Fred C. Dobbs" <noone> wrote in message
news:ytmdnTql6Ndg7R_anZ2dnUVZ_jGdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> "Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilbert88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:47826BC4.6030500@comcast.net...
>> News wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> LHA wrote:
>>>
>>>> If the cellular companies provided the service and support that their
>>>> customers desire and deserve, they would NOT need to lock us in with
>>>> long, expensive contracts. Why do we tolerate it?
>>>>
>>>> Discuss...
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Huh? I've been month to month for more than eight years.
>>
>> Yeah, but sooner or later you need a new phone. . . .
>>
> ...and he'll jump on Ebay, pick up a nice used one (or buy 2 or 3 so he
> has a backup) and he's good to go. Been doing that for years.....and saved
> a ton.
>
>
In alt.cellular.t-mobile Bert Hyman <bert@iphouse.com> wrote:
>
> When you initially contract with a provider, they usually provide a
> phone at no or reduced cost. Similarly, if you renew your contract, you
> can usually get a new phone at no or reduced cost.
>
Sprint PCS and others, will not allow you to activate a phone [that you
purchased elsewhere .. perhaps used] on a new account without a contract.
THAT IS WRONG! They have no investment stake in you if you provide your own
phone. For instance, if you buy a "clear" Sprint PCS phone, used, off of Ebay
and create a new account with Sprint [you are a new customer], they FORCE you
into a one or two year contract in spite of the fact they put exactly zero
investment dollars into subsidation, which is what they claim these contracts
are required for.
> With no contract, you'd be expected to bring your own phone or pay the
> retail price.
>
Yes, that is the way it should be, but that is not the way it is with some
providers. I am not sure if T-Mobile does it this way or not, but I know
Sprint PCS will rope you in [with a noose] to their contract.
--
Thomas T. Veldhouse
America is the country where you buy a lifetime
supply of aspirin for one dollar, and use it up in two weeks.
In alt.cellular.t-mobile DevilsPGD <spam_narf_spam@crazyhat.net> wrote:
>
> Personally, I'm not stressing about the early termination penalty when
> bringing my own phone, instead I am planning to just take the free
> phone, sell it, and pocket the cash.
>
> If I pay out the contract, I won't be as far behind. If not, I win.
The problem here is that their is a "glut" of these "free" phones on Ebay and
other sources, so their price is actually artificially deflated. I tend to
doubt you will get $150-$200 in return for the "free phone" to cover the cost
of the early termination fee.
--
Thomas T. Veldhouse
America is the country where you buy a lifetime
supply of aspirin for one dollar, and use it up in two weeks.
In alt.cellular.t-mobile News <News@group.name> wrote:
>
> Huh? I've been month to month for more than eight years.
But ... you used to be under contract. If you go back far enough and have an
old enough plan, it is possible you bought an unsubsidized phone without
contract and still retain the plan, eh? Airtouch did this in the old Analog
brick and bag phone days ... but then Verizon bought them ;-)
--
Thomas T. Veldhouse
America is the country where you buy a lifetime
supply of aspirin for one dollar, and use it up in two weeks.
Contracts. Why?
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