Samsung Vibrant at $0.01 at Amazon, will the Epic be next?

[geomens]

I am seeing deep discounts of the other Galaxy S phones on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amazon.com: Samsung Vibrant Android Phone (T-Mobile): Cell Phones & Service

Can this be an issue with Samsung phones as compared to HTC phones or is this a rejection of the Galaxy S phones on the other networks?

Are we going to see an Epic discount in the next month after availability?

 

[iwillfearnoevil]

tmobile galaxy was free last week at a local shop ... not sure if it was a special or not ... i think companies just need business ... since sprint really hasn't dropped price of evo that much, i can't imagine epic will come down that much for awhile ...

 

[ben7337]

The evo hasn't dropped in price because it is sold out and backordered for over a month all over the web. All of sprint's other non sold out phones are plenty cheap online, you can get like any sprint phone for $.01 with new contract. Assuming the epic 4g doesn't have supply issues it should also get discounts.

 

[gme109]

I am seeing deep discounts of the other Galaxy S phones on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amazon.com: Samsung Vibrant Android Phone (T-Mobile): Cell Phones & Service

Can this be an issue with Samsung phones as compared to HTC phones or is this a rejection of the Galaxy S phones on the other networks?

Are we going to see an Epic discount in the next month after availability?

I'd be super bummed with I paid $349 before mail in rebate, and then a month later saw this deal on the Epic.

 

[iwillfearnoevil]

The evo hasn't dropped in price because it is sold out and backordered for over a month all over the web. All of sprint's other non sold out phones are plenty cheap online, you can get like any sprint phone for $.01 with new contract. Assuming the epic 4g doesn't have supply issues it should also get discounts.

yes sprint has some non-pda phones for free and used to have cheaper smartphones than now but look at current prices. even best buy who often in past had hero at $29 is selling for $99. many people who are waiting for an evo may just pick up an epic instead so i believe the demand will still be there. also it sets bad precedent for sprint's next phone release if the price drops significantly a couple months after release.

current prices from sprint, a bit cheaper third party but still not free
moment=$100
hero=$150
bold 9650=$150
evo=$200

 

[rasstar]

You know those prices are only for new contracts only and not upgrades with contract renewal. In other words to get that price you have to be new to tmobile. The upgrade price is still 149.99.

 

[ben7337]

yes sprint has some non-pda phones for free and used to have cheaper smartphones than now but look at current prices. even best buy who often in past had hero at $29 is selling for $99. many people who are waiting for an evo may just pick up an epic instead so i believe the demand will still be there. also it sets bad precedent for sprint's next phone release if the price drops significantly a couple months after release.

current prices from sprint, a bit cheaper third party but still not free
moment=$100
hero=$150
bold 9650=$150
evo=$200

Let's go to amazon.com

Samsung Moment $.01
HTC Hero $.01
Bold 9650 = $99.99
EVO is not applicable as it has been sold out for months, they have no reason to sell it for less due to demand.

All I am saying is that if the phone stays in stock and doesn't sell out, and that is IF, then it will get discounts. I expect it to be $150 within a week of release if it is not out of stock. maybe $99.99 or less after 3 weeks to a month if it is always in stock.


Also I am aware that these are new contract prices, I am switching from verizon to sprint. For those who aren't, you likely even online with retailers won't find the phone for more than $50 off of the retail price. $200 is probably the best price you will find in the next month on the epic 4g if that if you are renewing/upgrading.

 

[The Tick077]

Let's go to amazon.com

Samsung Moment $.01
HTC Hero $.01
Bold 9650 = $99.99
EVO is not applicable as it has been sold out for months, they have no reason to sell it for less due to demand.

All I am saying is that if the phone stays in stock and doesn't sell out, and that is IF, then it will get discounts. I expect it to be $150 within a week of release if it is not out of stock. maybe $99.99 or less after 3 weeks to a month if it is always in stock.


Also I am aware that these are new contract prices, I am switching from verizon to sprint. For those who aren't, you likely even online with retailers won't find the phone for more than $50 off of the retail price. $200 is probably the best price you will find in the next month on the epic 4g if that if you are renewing/upgrading.

Does Amazon have a price garuntee policy? So that if we buy it on launch day for full price but in 2 weeks it drops can we get some $ back? Never tried this with Amazon before.

 

[ben7337]

Does Amazon have a price garuntee policy? So that if we buy it on launch day for full price but in 2 weeks it drops can we get some $ back? Never tried this with Amazon before.

That I am not sure of, I have patience and plan to wait a week or 2 after the epic 4g is released to make sure any software and hardware issues do or don't exist for sure, and to wait for a price drop. If you would like to know if they will price guarantee their phones within a certain time try emailing their customer service, last time I emailed them it only took a few hours to get a good detailed answer.

 

[evo313]

sprint will never have the epic at 1 cent... my guess is that the epic would of been $199 if there was never a stock issue with the evo but since many people are still waiting on backorders heres a great way for sprint to capitalize on that by charging an extra $50 on the epic.... i kinda had a feeling this would happen.... damn you sprint!!!

 

[ben7337]

sprint will never have the epic at 1 cent... my guess is that the epic would of been $199 if there was never a stock issue with the evo but since many people are still waiting on backorders heres a great way for sprint to capitalize on that by charging an extra $50 on the epic.... i kinda had a feeling this would happen.... damn you sprint!!!

You're right, sprint won't sell it at a discount, but 3rd party retailers will so long as stock permits it. AT&T and Tmobile still want $200 for their galaxy s phones, but as you can see, on amazon.com one of them is $50 and the other is basically free. I honestly would be happy if the epic 4g hit $100-$150 on amazon within 2 weeks or release.

 

[kristv]

I don't know if you guys saw in the other thread we were posting in, but Walmart is also selling the Captivate for $89 and the Vibrant for $89 (although it's free, after a mail-in rebate!). So I can't believe for a second that the Epic won't come down in price in Oct./Nov.. I'm kinda glad my AT&T contract isn't up until November, because I very well may get the Epic for $100 at Walmart by then!

 

[Phateless]

I'm guessing this is due to the imminent arrival of HSPA+, I know that's what I'm waiting on.

 

[iwillfearnoevil]

Let's go to amazon.com

Samsung Moment $.01
HTC Hero $.01
Bold 9650 = $99.99
EVO is not applicable as it has been sold out for months, they have no reason to sell it for less due to demand.

good comparison. much more fair to compare sprint phones to a third party, than non-sprint phones.

also amazon no longer has a price guarantee for lowering prices. often people can email them and ask for one and they'll say it's not their policy but they'll do it just this once. for cells, might be different though.

 

[iwillfearnoevil]

Let's go to amazon.com

Samsung Moment $.01
HTC Hero $.01
Bold 9650 = $99.99
EVO is not applicable as it has been sold out for months, they have no reason to sell it for less due to demand.

good comparison. much more fair to compare sprint phones to a third party, than non-sprint phones.

also amazon no longer has a price guarantee for lowering prices. often people can email them and ask for one and they'll say it's not their policy but they'll do it just this once. for cells, might be different though. if they don't, why not return and re-buy? i really can't imagine phone dropping in price until next premium phone comes along but i don't really have any inside info

 

[BrianFX]

Starting a new family plan with 5 Epics. Took a good long look at T-Mob in light of this $0.01 price, but their plan doesn't even come close to Sprint EPRP ($205/month and no activation for 5-line Epic EPRP plan, vs $305/month for Vibrant 5-line plan with same mins/txts AND $175 in activation fees! ). $2,575 extra over 24 months, no wonder the phones are free..

For some reason, I always thought T-Mob was a lower priced network similar to Sprint, especially considering they're in 4th place. Well I stand corrected, they're not even close to low price..

edit - amazon doesn't offer all the family plan options that t-mobile.com does, it would be $265/month (but no ATAM, 7pm nights, free pick-3/airave, so still not fully comparable).

 

[geomens]

Starting a new family plan with 5 Epics. Took a good long look at T-Mob in light of this $0.01 price, but their plan doesn't even come close to Sprint EPRP ($205/month and no activation for 5-line Epic EPRP plan, vs $305/month for Vibrant 5-line plan with same mins/txts AND $175 in activation fees! ). $2,575 extra over 24 months, no wonder the phones are free..

For some reason, I always thought T-Mob was a lower priced network similar to Sprint, especially considering they're in 4th place. Well I stand corrected, they're not even close to low price..

edit - amazon doesn't offer all the family plan options that t-mobile.com does, it would be $265/month (but no ATAM, 9pm nights, free pick-3/airave, so still not fully comparable).

Good thing you are not looking at AT&T or Verizon

 

[BrianFX]

Good thing you are not looking at AT&T or Verizon

I would be if all the other carriers didn't drop the front-facing cam (big mistake). I live out of state, video chatting with the full fam & kids is one of my most anticipated features.

With that being said, the only serious Epic consideration for me is the iPhone 4. But my family, for all whom this will be their first smartphone, are convinced that at&t's new capped data plans won't be enough. I tried to explain otherwise, but they're sold on the Epic & Sprint's unlimited data, which is fine by me!

 

[geomens]

I would be if all the other carriers didn't drop the front-facing cam (big mistake). I live out of state, video chatting with the full fam & kids is one of my most anticipated features.

With that being said, the only serious Epic consideration for me is the iPhone 4. But my family, for all whom this will be their first smartphone, are convinced that at&t's new capped data plans won't be enough. I tried to explain otherwise, but they're sold on the Epic & Sprint's unlimited data, which is fine by me!

Good luck. I am sure you will enjoy the Epic.

 

[SebastianX]

I would be if all the other carriers didn't drop the front-facing cam (big mistake). I live out of state, video chatting with the full fam & kids is one of my most anticipated features.

With that being said, the only serious Epic consideration for me is the iPhone 4. But my family, for all whom this will be their first smartphone, are convinced that at&t's new capped data plans won't be enough. I tried to explain otherwise, but they're sold on the Epic & Sprint's unlimited data, which is fine by me!

Good luck on your limited data cap when Fios, Dish and Directv put out their live streaming app which is already in the works and you can watch live tv on the go we'll see where you stand on that limited connection.

 

[BrianFX]

Good luck on your limited data cap when Fios, Dish and Directv put out their live streaming app which is already in the works and you can watch live tv on the go we'll see where you stand on that limited connection.

True, but none of them are heavy media users, and none are with FiOS or satellite. I'm the heaviest data user by far, but I'll be watching mostly xvid content directly, and am typically within wifi zones most of the day. If I could live on 200MB/month OTA, I'm sure they'll be nowhere close.

 

[kristv]

I would be if all the other carriers didn't drop the front-facing cam (big mistake). I live out of state, video chatting with the full fam & kids is one of my most anticipated features.

With that being said, the only serious Epic consideration for me is the iPhone 4. But my family, for all whom this will be their first smartphone, are convinced that at&t's new capped data plans won't be enough. I tried to explain otherwise, but they're sold on the Epic & Sprint's unlimited data, which is fine by me!

Same here, about the video calling capability! I travel for work and this will be a great way for me to see my little girl while I'm on the road.

I have to agree with your family, dude. I think AT&T is making a big mistake in capping their data plan. As these phones get faster and web browsing/video calling/movie watching/GPS usage become more commonplace, folks are gonna blow through that 2GB in no time. I know I will with this phone!

 

[badankles]

I am seeing deep discounts of the other Galaxy S phones on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amazon.com: Samsung Vibrant Android Phone (T-Mobile): Cell Phones & Service

Can this be an issue with Samsung phones as compared to HTC phones or is this a rejection of the Galaxy S phones on the other networks?

Are we going to see an Epic discount in the next month after availability?

This is because of the Epic. They don't want people switching.

 

[cbanks]

I am seeing deep discounts of the other Galaxy S phones on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Amazon.com: Samsung Vibrant Android Phone (T-Mobile): Cell Phones & Service

Can this be an issue with Samsung phones as compared to HTC phones or is this a rejection of the Galaxy S phones on the other networks?

Are we going to see an Epic discount in the next month after availability?

I think Vibrant's problem is T-Mobile. It's the laggard in the market. I'm not sure how popular their 3G network is because I've heard a lot of users online grumbling about it. The only person I personally know using T-Mobile uses it because it's very cheap and reliable for traditional talking on a phone.

On AT&T Android isn't so hot so the Captivate will lag way behind their hot product, the iPhone.

On Verizon the Fascinate will get lost in a crowded field of Androids: the HTC Incredible, Droid X and Droid 2. All have generated tons of buzz and have been heavily marketed, particularly the Motorola products.

The reason Sprint can gouge customers on the Epic is because they're a 2nd-rate carrier with fewer cool phones who completely botched their forecast for the EVO and HTC has never been able to catch up. The net result is that Sprint really only has one decent cutting-edge phone to pick from: the Epic (assuming they can even keep it stocked). Combine that with demand for their over-hyped but not ready for prime time WiMax 4G network and the customer loses out.