Refurbished or new 9700 from AT&T

[uncdwm]

I have an iPhone 3G I got Dec '08 - I'm no longer on contract but think I'm just shy of being upgrade eligible.

I need to switch to a Blackberry and it looks like they have the 9700 for $199 (I get 50% off but maybe it doesn't apply to BB's or maybe it's b/c I'm shy of being upgrade eligible?). However, they also have refurbed 9700 for only $29.

1) is a refurbished 9700 bad or worth it? That's a lot cheaper...
2) does buying a refurbed phone still make you sign up for a new 2yr contract?
3) what service should I get - I need enterprise but didn't see a combo plan with texts and tethering like there was for personal. Also, is the 5G tethering add-on good? It's a lot more money than my iPhone data which has free unlimited tether. Also, the enterprise plans include personal ISP email accts like gmail too right?

Is there any better deal? The 9800 is coming out soon and TMo has a whirlte 9700 for less than $100 so I feel like the AT&T 9700 should be cheaper. Maybe if I call I can get a better deal or find out when I can officially upgrade. Hmm...

[pilsbury]

As for refurbs, Ive had a few berry refurbs and honestly couldnt tell the difference. IMO the savings is worth it.

[CaCHooKaMan]

Originally Posted by CaCHooKaMan

my first blackberry from ATT was a refurb pearl 8100 a few years ago and i never had any problems with it. it still works to this day. then i bought a 9000 new and also had no problems with that for the 10 months that i had it. then i upgraded to a refurb 9700 and the 1st unit i got had the headset/speaker problem so i got a replacement that works fine. the D and G keys sometimes are hard to get to register but i dont want to call them back for another replacement.

i posted this in a thread in this section

[michael.wojo]

I bought a 9000 refurb...I proceeded to go through 4 of them over the span of six months till ATT gave me a new 9700 for my trouble. Two fried themselves with overheating and the other two flat out crahsed. I will never buy a refurb ever again. But I did get a fresh out the box, brand new 9700 for free. Best of luck.

[tudtran]

I brought a 9700 refurb, For $29 last week. The phone came with one year warranty. I can't see y I should pay 199 for a new one

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[uncdwm]

Yeah I think I'll go the refurbished route - just hate having to lock into a 2yr contract and losing my upgrade eligibility for a refurbished phone

my sister has an old Bold 9000 she doesn't use so I might just switch my plan to Blackberry service and not get a phone for now. Then I can either get the new 9800 slider or the refurbed 9700 in the next month or two.

The hardest part will be figuring out how to wipe the phone, transfer my contacts and email from my iPhone to Blackberry, etc. Also, hopefully I can use my iPhone SIM card - not sure if they are the same size or what.

[7thfloorcrew]

go to bestbuy, they dont do mail in rebates, i got my bold two days ago for 99$ theyre on special from 129, no mail in rebates or anything, paid 100 plus tax and walked out with my brand new bold

[uncdwm]

Originally Posted by 7thfloorcrew

go to bestbuy, they dont do mail in rebates, i got my bold two days ago for 99$ theyre on special from 129, no mail in rebates or anything, paid 100 plus tax and walked out with my brand new bold

That was for new service or does it work for upgrade as well? Also, how do I find the special? Bestbuy.com says it's $129 for new activations and doesn't list the $99 price - I called a store and they also said $129.

My sister can't remember her Blackberry password to unlock it so I have to go in to a store to see if they can unlock/wipe it anyway.

[03phoenix]

Originally Posted by uncdwm

I have an iPhone 3G I got Dec '08 - I'm no longer on contract but think I'm just shy of being upgrade eligible.

I need to switch to a Blackberry and it looks like they have the 9700 for $199 (I get 50% off but maybe it doesn't apply to BB's or maybe it's b/c I'm shy of being upgrade eligible?). However, they also have refurbed 9700 for only $29.

1) is a refurbished 9700 bad or worth it? That's a lot cheaper...
2) does buying a refurbed phone still make you sign up for a new 2yr contract?
3) what service should I get - I need enterprise but didn't see a combo plan with texts and tethering like there was for personal. Also, is the 5G tethering add-on good? It's a lot more money than my iPhone data which has free unlimited tether. Also, the enterprise plans include personal ISP email accts like gmail too right?

Is there any better deal? The 9800 is coming out soon and TMo has a whirlte 9700 for less than $100 so I feel like the AT&T 9700 should be cheaper. Maybe if I call I can get a better deal or find out when I can officially upgrade. Hmm...

The refurb bolds are listed as free in ATT's website. I dont see how you can go wrong! Good luck and enjoy your bold! Def a sweet phone!

[hammerhand]

I got the $99 at Best Buy about two weeks ago. I had some Best Buy cards, so it was cheap for me.

As for refurbs, I got one as a replacement when I sent in my old Blackjack. I'm not certain if all refurbs are created equal, but that Blackjack was just as good as my new one.

[amydacey]

I got my 9700 new , free from walmart.com. Free Activation also. Check it out!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[cscott1206]

Just want to point out you might want to recheck the warranty policy on ATT refurbed equipment as in most cases it is only 90 days. Just don't want anyone to have them same issues I have had with them if they equipment fails on day 91 which has happened to me before.

[WolfmanRobby]

I got a refurb 9000 last year and had a lot of problems. But, I only had to do a one year contract to get it.

Wal-Mart has the 9700's NEW for $75. My 9000 died while I was in Florida over the weekend and I was able to upgrade at that price. The AT&T Store still wants $199 for the phone new.

[uncdwm]

i already switched over and i'm using an old bold 9000 until the 9800 comes out and then i'll use my upgrade. thanks.

[r.santa1]

I ordered a refurb for free w new att service and it came wit a seriously crooked screen...sent me another with a badly recessed track pad....bad luck i guess...

Just ordered a new white 9700 from tmobile for free on the web...I hope the service is good...3g wise...