Help: 8900 or Bold

[TaeKwonDonkey]

I'm currently a TMO customer with only voice and text plans but no data plan. I want a Blackberry but I don't want to upgrade because I hate contracts and I'm happy being month to month. This means I'm going to have to buy the phone full price, but not from TMO because TMO won't let you walk out of the store without signing up for a data plan. So I'm currently shopping around on ebay and I can find a new in box 8900 for around $380 give or take. The problem is that I'm a heavy texter and I hate the 8900's keyboard; the last time I went to the TMO store to test drive the 8900 I made at least five mistakes doing the "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy sheep dog" keyboard test. However, when I did this test on my coworker's Bold, I made no mistakes. I love the Bold's keyboard but I'll have to pay a premium if I want one and it will have to come unlocked. An unlocked (legit) new Bold on Ebay at the moment is $444. Should I spend the extra $50 for the unlocked Bold or should I just go with the 8900?
Keep in mind that the keyboard is the biggest factor in this decision with the price being next important and the carrier issues being the least important. It doesn't matter to me that I don't have a data plan because I've lived without one for all this time and I have WiFi at home. If you have any doubts about why I want a Blackberry, it is because I want a phone with a full keyboard, WiFi, and a 3.5mm headphone jack (I want my phone to double as my Ipod). No other TMO phone satisfies this for me and I don't want a jailbroken Iphone.

Ok so setting aside the data...I say spend the money....Im a big 8900 fan I make no secret of that....but just buy a locked Bold and since youve been with tmo just call for an unlock code.....

P.S.....someone correct me if I'm worng....but if he brings his OWN BB regardless.....they WILL NOT force data right?.....I bought my BB's just before that new clause started and I can start and cancel data all I want....
Bottom line spend the money get a bold if thats what you like...dont settle

[TaeKwonDonkey]

Originally Posted by larrygump

Ok so setting aside the data...I say spend the money....Im a big 8900 fan I make no secret of that....but just buy a locked Bold and since youve been with tmo just call for an unlock code.....

P.S.....someone correct me if I'm worng....but if he brings his OWN BB regardless.....they WILL NOT force data right?.....I bought my BB's just before that new clause started and I can start and cancel data all I want....
Bottom line spend the money get a bold if thats what you like...dont settle

This makes no sense to me, why would TMO know the unlock code for the Bold? and if you meant call ATT, what do I do if they refuse to give me the unlock code?

Originally Posted by TaeKwonDonkey

This makes no sense to me, why would TMO know the unlock code for the Bold? and if you meant call ATT, what do I do if they refuse to give me the unlock code?

As far as I am aware TMO can get you the unlock code from RIM for ANY device as long as you have had some service with them 90 days....correct me if I am wrong...if not you could always get with one of the guys on here for a few bucks or go to ebay for like 20 bucks for the unlock code.......you could try calling ATT but then you need to search "UNLOCK bold" threads.........anyway I would try the carrier routes first since it's free....there's a ton of threads about how to get the code....and if your buying a locked one your gonna save $$$ right....Im just trying to help dude


good luck

[TaeKwonDonkey]

Thanks
Its nice to know somebody understands my situation. I've already begun to look on craigslist for someone who could unlock the phone but I didn't know that kind of information could be found on this site. Thanks

[tmd04020]

Originally Posted by TaeKwonDonkey

Thanks
Its nice to know somebody understands my situation. I've already begun to look on craigslist for someone who could unlock the phone but I didn't know that kind of information could be found on this site. Thanks

You will not be able to find a person who can unlock the phone for you. There are sites out there that will charge you a fee and then will retrieve your code for you. Each phone has a unique unlock code so it is not like a person who unlocked their bold will be able to unlock yours with the same code. Search this site for a few different websites that will sell unlock codes if T-Mobile will not or can not do it for you. Make sure you ask for blackberry support when you call t-mobile too - I have found that some folks in regular CS do not know anything about a blackberry.

Originally Posted by tmd04020

You will not be able to find a person who can unlock the phone for you. There are sites out there that will charge you a fee and then will retrieve your code for you. Each phone has a unique unlock code so it is not like a person who unlocked their bold will be able to unlock yours with the same code. Search this site for a few different websites that will sell unlock codes if T-Mobile will not or can not do it for you. Make sure you ask for blackberry support when you call t-mobile too - I have found that some folks in regular CS do not know anything about a blackberry.

There are guys and gals on here that have side business's unlocking phones.......and ebay...tmobile emails RIM with your info /pin/imei/model and get a return email with the unlock code.........maybe you misunderstood me?
Totally agree about bb support a tmo...but most of the "senior" guys on CB know more about my BB than anyone at TMO

[TaeKwonDonkey]

I just bid on a 8900 because I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting it unlocked and I didn't want to pay the price premium for the unlocked Bold. For a first Blackberry the 8900 is an excellent phone no matter how the keyboard is. I'm just going to have to get used to the keyboard. However, the auction is not yet over and I could be outbid so I'm not going to get my hopes up too high

Originally Posted by TaeKwonDonkey

I just bid on a 8900 because I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting it unlocked and I didn't want to pay the price premium for the unlocked Bold. For a first Blackberry the 8900 is an excellent phone no matter how the keyboard is. I'm just going to have to get used to the keyboard. However, the auction is not yet over and I could be outbid so I'm not going to get my hopes up too high

Congras on the projected win!!!!.....you wont look back trust me