Can you buy just service with T-Mobile?
JDigital said:
I don't know what T-Mo's policy on that is in their retail stores, but I run an indirect store and we can certainly do that. It's not always the smartest thing, since by buying a phone from the carrier you get a warranty on your handset should you need it. I acquired a couple of Song Ericsson Z600's recently from another vendor and sold them with T-Mobile SIM cards no problem. I suppose since they were new they are warrantied through Sony Ericsson.
Yeah, but you might be some guy with 9 of the latest and greatest handsets at home and you don't want another phone for the collection. We certainly don't do this at Circuit City, even though I have people ask for it all the time. I just tell the...
(continues)
Also, in case your phone turns out to be defective, only the manufacturer that made the phone will warranty it, Not T-Mobile. Hope this helps.
(continues)
1. TMo makes money on the service NOT the phone
2. The reason for contracts is to make sure they recover at least SOME of the money lost on the discount on the phone.
So if the above two are true - then why not just sell an active sim without a contract and just make money - without the initial loss?
More customers would be willing to do that. Outside the US a lot of people buy phones outside of the carrier and just buy the service. Especially in the US the phone introduction by the carriers is far slower than their availability otherwise
(Yes I am ignoring the fact that TMo wont support the phone - and honestly if I am actively buying the phone in Europe or SEA then I do understand that I will have to ...
(continues)
No discount on another handset until your contract is up.
I have a phone with Starhub (provider in Singapore). I havent bought a phone from them but just the service and I am on a month to month basis. But I also know that if my phone craps out I can go and get a phone from them at their deeply discounted rates - but the catch is that, then at that point of time i will have to sign their 1 or 2 year contract (depending on the level of discount). The time that I have spent with them as a customer until that point will have no benefit to me in getting a phone.