Expansys Bold £589.99

[ukcrew319]

I bought my Bold from Expansys last week as they were the only place I could find one that had stock at the time and I was desperate to get my hands on one that wasn't locked to a network!

They were charging £589.99... I am guessing they get away with the high price due to the demand. Does anyone know if they source their handsets direct from RIM? Or is there a third party involved that bumps up the cost?

Although it is fairly expensive to buy a Bold without contract, I don't think there is that much in it as you could go on a cheaper contract.
£45 contract times 18 months for contract with 'free' phone equals £810.
£15 contract times 18 is £270 plus £589.99 phone equals £859.99.
Only £49.99 difference in my above example! I think it is worth it just for having an unlocked phone. Obviously, there would be a difference in inclusive minutes, etc between a £45/month contract and a £15/month one but it depends on your usage.

I wonder why RIM don't sell handsets direct to consumers in the UK? Bet they could make a bit of money!

[bodisaffa]

Originally Posted by ukcrew319

Although it is fairly expensive to buy a Bold without contract, I don't think there is that much in it as you could go on a cheaper contract.
£45 contract times 18 months for contract with 'free' phone equals £810.
£15 contract times 18 is £270 plus £589.99 phone equals £859.99.
Only £49.99 difference in my above example! I think it is worth it just for having an unlocked phone. Obviously, there would be a difference in inclusive minutes, etc between a £45/month contract and a £15/month one but it depends on your usage.

Problem I think you would have there is a £15 pound per month will not include any kind of data package, correct me if I am wrong but in order to receive the unlimited data package you need to be on a £35 per month or over package. Which equals over 18 months £630 then plus the £590 for the handset. Yes you can pay for data as you go on a £15 plan but your bill is going to be a lot higher than £15 at the end of the month. Of course as you say it's all about personal usage but a Blackberry without any kind of data plan is pretty useless that's just my opinion though.

[ukcrew319]

Originally Posted by bodisaffa

Problem I think you would have there is a £15 pound per month will not include any kind of data package, correct me if I am wrong but in order to receive the unlimited data package you need to be on a £35 per month or over package. Which equals over 18 months £630 then plus the £590 for the handset. Yes you can pay for data as you go on a £15 plan but your bill is going to be a lot higher than £15 at the end of the month. Of course as you say it's all about personal usage but a Blackberry without any kind of data plan is pretty useless that's just my opinion though.

True, didn't think of that. However the £2.50 data package is only a promotion... when the prices go back to normal, the BIS should be the same on all packages again.

You are right about it being about personal usage. I tend to use my Bold more abroad than I do in the UK so the UK inclusive data, minutes, texts, etc don't really affect me.

If you do need UK texts, data, minutes, etc it is amazing what the retentions departments of many networks could do for £15 if you don't need a phone included.

For example, I am getting more minutes, texts etc for £15 a month than I would get on Orange Panther 45 as a retentions deal - because I didn't want a new subsidised handset, they didn't have to recoup handset costs through line rental.

[laurent08]

i think they source directly from the manufacturers of the various devices they sell ...

How does their price compare to unlocked bolds at CPW?

[ukcrew319]

Originally Posted by laurent08

i think they source directly from the manufacturers of the various devices they sell ...

How does their price compare to unlocked bolds at CPW?

I think the CPW price is a fair bit cheaper, I am not sure what stock is like though... anyone know? Phones4U also sell them unlocked but I think stock is hard to come by... the Phones4U stores I tried all only had Vodafone stock.

Interestingly, all the Phones4U stores I visited had posters advertising the Bold on Orange but none had Orange stock.

[markuk]

Originally Posted by ukcrew319

I think the CPW price is a fair bit cheaper, I am not sure what stock is like though... anyone know? Phones4U also sell them unlocked but I think stock is hard to come by... the Phones4U stores I tried all only had Vodafone stock.

Interestingly, all the Phones4U stores I visited had posters advertising the Bold on Orange but none had Orange stock.

I know that Rugby and Loughborough had stock, I bought mine there for £399.99 unbranded

[bodisaffa]

Yup it's personal usuage indeed. If data etc does not interest you then your OK. It just seems a shame to me to have all those great DATA apps facebook MSN, google talk, worldmate but to name a few which all rely on DATA usage. Then there is emails, if you have have no DATA plan every email is going to cost you. If your not going to use your Bold for DATA OR emails then it is (again in my opinion only) a real waste. If I did not use DATA or emails then there is no way I would have a bold......................I'd get a javelin...........LOL! just kidding but I sure as **** would just get a standard handset if I did not use data or emails.

Once you have a go with some of the great features and apps on the bold you may just change your mind and get a DATA package.

Hope this helps..............enjoy your bold.

[bodisaffa]

Originally Posted by markuk

I know that Rugby and Loughborough

I live in Rugby Mark , got my bold from Orange store in Rugby, where are you at??

[ukcrew319]

I agree with what you said about data... you really do need to use it to make the Bold worthwhile.

I do have the £2.50 BIS on my £15 contract so only £17.50 a month. Should have included it in my line rental calculations in my first post... it would have made the £45 contract £47.50 too.

I know £2.50 BIS is not something they normally do on a £15/month contract because as you correctly said earlier, a new customer has to be on a £35 plus contract. Orange Premier customer service managed to manually add it to my account, I was just lucky I had a really helpful customer service adviser, I guess.

The only problem with my BIS is that it doesn't cover usage abroad.

[bodisaffa]

Originally Posted by ukcrew319

The only problem with my BIS is that it doesn't cover usage abroad.

As I just found out whilst roaming new zealand for 5 weeks.........£175 bill this month..........OUCH!!

[Montala]

Expansys are absolute robbers charging that sort of price... you should have been able to pick one up for about £150 less than that.

I know it is always difficult if you want want one in a hurry though... but those are the sort of customers they love.

Personally I am surprised they have sold any at all at that price.... even Play.com are showing stock at the moment for £439.99.

Still that is all academic now... you have got your new Bold... so enjoy!

[markuk]

Originally Posted by bodisaffa

I live in Rugby Mark , got my bold from Orange store in Rugby, where are you at??

hey bodisaffa what a small world

i work in Lutterworth but live near Ashby (NW Leics)

[jma78b]

I got my Bold from Tottenham Court road. Gadget heaven to me! It was £479.00 dont tell my boyfriend

Today I got T mobile to make me a retention offer of £15 per month including my data plan. That more than makes up for how much the phone costs. Very very happy!

[markuk]

Originally Posted by jma78b

I got my Bold from Tottenham Court road. Gadget heaven to me! It was £479.00 dont tell my boyfriend

Today I got T mobile to make me a retention offer of £15 per month including my data plan. That more than makes up for how much the phone costs. Very very happy!

Thats a great retention offer, lucky you