Where to buy?

[pkoutoul]

I am going to grab my Captivate on October 7. That's when I am eligible for an upgrade from AT&T. I would like some opinions on where the best place is to buy one, considering price, customer service, and all other factors. I have always bought my phones from the AT&T store, mainly because it just never occurred to me to look elsewhere. As of today, Walmart and Best Buy are offering the phone for about $50 less than the AT&T store ($150 versus $200) with an extended contract. Are there better deals out there right now? Are there any "gotchas" with going to a third party dealer? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[AriCaptivate]

AmazonWireless: Cell Phones and Plans

With a renewed individual contract it comes out to 69.99, rewnewed family line 149.99. They do however still hit you with the $18.00 upgrade fee

 

[mnemonicj]

Amazonwireless.com has the phone for $70 for an individual subscriber renewing their AT&T account. Free 2-day shipping is also included.

My wife and I are on a family plan and I waited for the price on Amazon Wireless to drop to $100 each for subscribers renewing on a family plan. When it did, I bought each of us a Captivate and saved myself $200 over AT&T's price.

Let me tell you, their customer service is great!! I had a few issues with my first phone, so I called them up and they shipped me a replacement that arrived the next day! The best thing about it is that you can use your old phone before it is required to be returned after 30 days. This means you can go through and change all of the settings to the way you like them by checking them on your old phone and changing them on your new phone. When you are ready to send your phone back, they pay the shipping. You can't do this with the AT&T store because they won't let you leave the store with both phones.

I also had an issue with the screen on my second phone and with one 10 minute call they had a new one out to me in one day. Now I just have to print out the shipping label and drop my old phones off at UPS. They are very courteous and helpful and I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[pkoutoul]

So... we're on a family plan. That means I have to pay $150, same as WM & BB, and I have to wait for the phone to be delivered. I don't understand why Amazon differentiates between individual & family plans when AT&T does not.

 

[Joeydroid]

I got mine from Amazon, $79. Free 2 day shipping. At&t store wanted $199, same phone,same plan...

 

[AriCaptivate]

Yeah I got mine through amazon when the family plan price was $100, was a great deal and it shipped very quickly, new sim card and all.

 

[AriCaptivate]

So... we're on a family plan. That means I have to pay $150, same as WM & BB, and I have to wait for the phone to be delivered. I don't understand why Amazon differentiates between individual & family plans when AT&T does not.

It may have to do with the amount they get from AT&T be selling the service for them. Obviously new contracts are worth more to AT&T. Renewing indivdual contracts costs more than extra family lines, which are only $10 a month extra, so the raised phone price compensates for that lose.

 

[3gAndroid]

I bought mine at the AT&T store on the first day they were released. Not eligble for an upgrade, I just took my time, was very courteous, reminded them of my value as a long term customer and the sales person took it to the manager, and they offered it at the upgrade price of $199.00.

I said thank you, but I was hoping for a better price, I acknowledged the sales person for doing a great job, but could I please speak directly to the manager? So he brought the manager out, and ten minutes later he agreed to $99.00. +tx. So it was worth the time, patience and courtesy to get the best deal at that time.

I've always had great service from AT&T by being courteous, and patient.

Cheers...

 

[calsax]

I got mine from wirefly.com. No problems so far. I think it was 69.99, added to my family plan. I'm going to get another for the wife soon. She finally paid attention and saw the games. THe customer service has been fine, but there have been no issues to deal with them on. They also offer to buy back your old phone, but mine was an old BJ II, and they didn't offer enough to make it worth sending back, so it is in the cupboard for backup. Ordered on Sunday, shipped Monday, in my hands Tuesday. AT&T package. They activate when you get the phone and install the sim.

 

[Hydrus-606]

I purchased mine from Letstalk.com about a week ago. I renewed my contract and and got it for $100. Actually, that's a lie . I found a $25/off coupon (You can probably find another one here: LetsTalk.com Coupon Codes - all coupons, discounts and promo codes for letstalk.com) and I was able to order the phone PLUS overnight shipping for about $90. Not a bad deal at all. Received the phone the next day!

 

[CASUAL]

Yeah I got mine through amazon when the family plan price was $100, was a great deal and it shipped very quickly, new sim card and all.

consider yourself lucky that you got it for $100
the prices change about every week!!!

it used to be $40 for a NEW individual plan and $70 to extend an existing plan or $70 for the family plan

then it went up to $50 for a NEW individual plan and $100 to extend an existing plan or $100 for the family plan

now its ONE PENNY for a NEW individual plan and $70 to extend an existing plan. or $150 for the family plan

the price changes are random, and they dont make any sense at all!!!

 

[CASUAL]

I am going to grab my Captivate on October 7. That's when I am eligible for an upgrade from AT&T. I would like some opinions on where the best place is to buy one, considering price, customer service, and all other factors. I have always bought my phones from the AT&T store, mainly because it just never occurred to me to look elsewhere. As of today, Walmart and Best Buy are offering the phone for about $50 less than the AT&T store ($150 versus $200) with an extended contract. Are there better deals out there right now? Are there any "gotchas" with going to a third party dealer? Any advice is appreciated.

there is another thread that was started in the captivate forum.
it tells you how to get a coupon for $100 off the captivate at best buy. your gonna need to be a part of reward zone. if your not part of it just sign up.
the coupon expires october 6th and i noticed you want to get your on october 7th

get the coupon and go in on october 6th or october 5th
im sure they will be able to help you out!! that means you will get the phone for $50 good luck

 

[CASUAL]

at walmart its $70 with a family plan Walmart Connection Center - Browse for Service Plans

 

[reidcc]

at walmart its $70 with a family plan Walmart Connection Center - Browse for Service Plans

But if you are one of the added lines on that family plan(lines 2 and up @ $10 each)- this weeks price is a laughable $249!!!

In mid August I bought mine there for $150.

Chris

 

[pkoutoul]

Wow, thanks for all the tips guys. I now have several options to explore. Much appreciated.

 

[ace35]

i got mine opening week by calling ATT (*611) and told them about the wal-mart $99 sale and would they match it being as im a long(10 year) customer and i really didnt want to have to go to verizon to get a real android phone, about 5 mins on hold and they asked for a CC number, and that means i still get access to walk-in tech support and exchange options direct from ATT

 

[wampro]

If you are tech savy, buying the phone online will always be the cheapest, but if you need your email set up, contacts set up, need someone to show you around the phone, then go to an at&t store.

 

[pkoutoul]

Well, I finally have a Captivate on it's way to me! I tried talking down an AT&T rep at the store -- even suggested I may switch carriers -- but they would not budge from the $199. I was kind of surprised by this, as they have worked with me before in similar situations. But I was told that right now they had no wiggle room on this phone. I really would switch carriers if I had a choice, but for many reasons I am pretty much married to AT&T.

The best price I could find locally was $150 at both Best Buy and Walmart. My need for instant gratification is not worth 80 bucks, so I went ahead and ordered the phone from Wirefly.com for $69. I should have my phone in a few days. I can't wait!

 

[Big Pope Daddy]

Well, I hope you are not having the luck I am....ordered mine from letstalk.com, and the tornadoes that ripped thru AZ derailed a train...who knows how much longer it will be now.