Can't Believe the Full Price on BBs! Wow!

kcmo · Thread Author #1 02-02-2012, 03:59 PM

Hi Guys/Gals,

Well I'm shocked at how much these Blackberries are going for at full price. I've never purchased one before without a contract upgrade, but now that I'm frustrated with my iPhone 4s and missing BB, I've been doing some research.

UH OH! Looks like I'm stuck.

Prices for the 9900 or 9810 are anywhere from $500-$600 or more!

Am I missing something here? Some other way to buy one of these without spending an arm and a leg?

BB.David · #2 02-02-2012, 04:14 PM

Bold's have always being expensive at retail.

You can get a new Curve 9360 for $300 off contract, assuming your carrier is AT&T as your profile says.
AmazonWireless: BlackBerry Curve 9360 Phone (AT&T)

robsteve · #3 02-02-2012, 04:29 PM

Try calling your carrier customer retention department. You can usually get through to them by saying you want to cancel your account. They may be able to give you a better price on the condition you extend your contract with them. Don't expect the cheap new contract price, but it will be cheaper than retail.

Be honest with them and explain that the iPhone isn't working for you and you may be annoyed enough to just pay out your penalty and switch to another carrier that will give you a BlackBerry at a discounted rate if you sign on.

cntrydncr223 · #4 02-02-2012, 04:42 PM

Try the marketing forum... (just be careful, read this sticky first. Great advice...)

Reminder: Buyer Beware

http://forums.crackberry.com/marketplace-f14/

HeezyBear · #5 02-02-2012, 04:44 PM

Will you be selling the iPhone? If it's still in good condition I'm sure you could get very close to the price you'd pay for the new Bold.

kcmo · Thread Author #6 02-02-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB.David

Bold's have always being expensive at retail.

You can get a new Curve 9360 for $300 off contract, assuming your carrier is AT&T as your profile says.
AmazonWireless: BlackBerry Curve 9360 Phone (AT&T)

Thanks for the link. Yes I'm on AT&T now.

kcmo · Thread Author #7 02-02-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsteve

Try calling your carrier customer retention department. You can usually get through to them by saying you want to cancel your account. They may be able to give you a better price on the condition you extend your contract with them. Don't expect the cheap new contract price, but it will be cheaper than retail.

Be honest with them and explain that the iPhone isn't working for you and you may be annoyed enough to just pay out your penalty and switch to another carrier that will give you a BlackBerry at a discounted rate if you sign on.

Hmmm, I've only been with AT&T since 10/14/11! Left tmobile to get an iPhone. Ugh. Was with tmobile for over 9 years. So far AT&T has been fine though.

kcmo · Thread Author #8 02-02-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeezyBear

Will you be selling the iPhone? If it's still in good condition I'm sure you could get very close to the price you'd pay for the new Bold.

Yes, I'd sell it but doubt I'd get $600 for it!

robsteve · #9 02-02-2012, 06:47 PM

Call AT&T and tell them you want a Bold. For kicks I checked out the upgrade price online at Rogers for my son's account which was new in September and the result was obviously not eligible for upgrade, but $499 cash price.

The prices you see on ebay are aimed at people who do not have a local source for a 9900. They also have no warranty on them.

app_Developer · #10 02-02-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmo

Yes, I'd sell it but doubt I'd get $600 for it!

No, but with very little effort (like gazelle), you can probably get $350. With a little more effort (selling it yourself) you can probably get $400 or more.

Then if you can get AT&T to discount your Bold to $500, the difference won't be too bad for you.

HeezyBear · #11 02-02-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmo

Yes, I'd sell it but doubt I'd get $600 for it!

Well, where I am I see the 16GB iPhone 4S going for around $400-$450 on craigslist. I'm not sure where you're located, but if it's in the US I'd bet you could get something very similar.

kcmo · Thread Author #12 02-02-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by app_Developer

No, but with very little effort (like gazelle), you can probably get $350. With a little more effort (selling it yourself) you can probably get $400 or more.

Then if you can get AT&T to discount your Bold to $500, the difference won't be too bad for you.

Things are looking up...LOL! Thanks....I'm not fond of Craig's List so need to figure out how best to sell on my own. I can try asking AT&T what they'd do but given I'm a new customer I don't expect much.

kcmo · Thread Author #13 02-02-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeezyBear

Well, where I am I see the 16GB iPhone 4S going for around $400-$450 on craigslist. I'm not sure where you're located, but if it's in the US I'd bet you could get something very similar.

Thanks. Craig's List scares me to be honest.

PineappleUnderTheSea · #14 02-02-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmo

Thanks. Craig's List scares me to be honest.

Yep. Meet in a public place.

But concerning the iPhone, sometimes the carriers will allow an early upgrade after a year if you extend your contract. So if you can stick it out for a year, then you might be golden with your new Bold.

I looked into similar options when my 9700 gave out, if was only after a year into a 2 year contract. Replacement prices were ridiculous. After calling AT&T, they told me I could get an early upgrade, so I got the 9800 (ugh, mistake). Mind you, this is an enterprise account, but maybe you can get the same deal if you're willing to wait?