• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Get an Atrix for free!!

HyperM3

Android Enthusiast
Nov 6, 2009
501
49
So I stopped in my local Best Buy to see about the pre-order situation. Unfortunately, they said there was nothing in the system yet for the phone so maybe sometime this week. While I was there however I started looking at the HTC Inspire.

I saw the Inspire was only $99 with upgrade and thought that would be a decent deal to pass the time.

Then, heres the kicker, they told me about "Buy Back". Right now through the 26th, buyback on any product is free.

So after 31 days, I can return this phone and get 50% back of retail price. RETAIL PRICE! Not price I paid of $99. So Ill be getting back $300 in 31 days in the form of a gift card when I use the program.

I can then use the gift card to get my Atrix at basically no cost.

This is a Win-Win situation!!!
 
I was convinced theres a catch also, but I used to work at this Best Buy and know everyone I was dealing with. They were the ones who suggested this since they know I go through phones every 4-6 months. They said if it wasnt free it might not be worth it, but until the 26th its a no-brainer.
 
Upvote 0
Well the catch is they decide how much to give you. Yes you get 50% retail but if the phone has any damage or anything they take a ton of money off.

I dont know much about Best Buy mobile, but are you saying I can buy another phone right now and use my available upgrade with BB, then snatch up the Atrix when it comes out...essentially getting it for free because they do it at Retail Value?
 
Upvote 0
Well obviously they will deduct for damage. But most of us care for our phones like they were the queens jewels.

Yes, thats exactly what Im saying. I used my upgrade for the Inspire today and plan to buy the Atrix off contract when it comes out with the buy back gift card.
 
Upvote 0
Huh? :thinking:

I'm confused...

1. Your going to uprgrade/take out a 2 year contract with early termination fee of $325 to buy an Inspire 4g for $99

2. Your going to return the Inspire 4g after 31 days for a $300 gift card (You still have 2 year contract with $325 etf)

3. Your then going to buy an Atrix 4g at full retail price ($500 since you've already used your upgrade on the Inspire 4g) and use $300 of your gift card to purchase the Atrix 4g for a net cost of $200.

So your getting the Atrix 4g for $200 net cost PLUS the original $99 you paid for the Inspire 4g (A total cost of $300)

$300 for an Atrix 4g with a 2 year contract seems 100% worse than just buying it subsidized for $200

P.S. I also believe that the Inspire 4g's no contract price is $400... meaning that when you return it for 50% you will only get a $200 gift card instead of $300 right?
 
Upvote 0
Two questions. First, do they give you the gift card immediately. If not then your options are to revert back to whatever Phone you hade prior to getting the inspire until you get the gift card or paying in cash knowing that you will be reimbursed in Best Buy dollars which may be the same as cash for some but not others. Second, the off contract price of the phone is $499 so it would seem that unless you cancel the first contract but still expect to get full retail for the phone (which may be the case), then you would still have to pony up another hundred to get to full retail. I would think that unless you return the phone and not use the Best Buy buyback program you would still be liable for the contract as it would be the same as selling the phone on craigslist (could be wrong). So you wouldn't be getting it free, just getting to use an Inspire for free until then. In which case you might as well and just go buy the Inspire and expect to being it back in 30 days at Att and avoid the whole hassle of the Best Buy buyback program.
 
Upvote 0
I did an upgrade not a new contract. I can return the phone through buy back, not actually returning it via the sales receipt. I paid 99 now and in 31 days I'll get $300 through buy back without any etf. Putting that money towards the Atrix will be a better deal. This can't be done anywhere but at best buy. Just go in and see for yourself.
 
Upvote 0
So I stopped in my local Best Buy to see about the pre-order situation. Unfortunately, they said there was nothing in the system yet for the phone so maybe sometime this week. While I was there however I started looking at the HTC Inspire.

I saw the Inspire was only $99 with upgrade and thought that would be a decent deal to pass the time.

Then, heres the kicker, they told me about "Buy Back". Right now through the 26th, buyback on any product is free.

So after 31 days, I can return this phone and get 50% back of retail price. RETAIL PRICE! Not price I paid of $99. So Ill be getting back $300 in 31 days in the form of a gift card when I use the program.

I can then use the gift card to get my Atrix at basically no cost.

This is a Win-Win situation!!!


In order to get the atrix at the $200 price point, you'd have to return the inspire to best buy NOT through the buy back program...

Your method won't work.
 
Upvote 0
I have no idea what I just read. This makes no sense at all.

You know what. I only got 3 hours of sleep last night and I rethought about everything I just did. It doesnt make any sense at all.

Returning the phone tomorrow and undoing my upgrade so I can use it for the Atrix officially when its released. Damn, I dont think straight when I dont get enough sleep.

Sorry for the train wreck.
 
Upvote 0
At best, you could return the phone within 30 days and only have to pay the extra $100. If they would let you keep the buy-back for free, I'd to it. In 18 months when you're elegable for another upgrade, sell back the Atrix for credit toward your next phone.

Hmm, thats an interesting thought. You mean actually keep the phone and return it for the Atrix under the same upgrade price but pay the difference. I think I only have 14 days for that or is that only upgrade reversal and 30 days is phone exchange?
 
Upvote 0
Hmm, thats an interesting thought. You mean actually keep the phone and return it for the Atrix under the same upgrade price but pay the difference. I think I only have 14 days for that or is that only upgrade reversal and 30 days is phone exchange?

Been too long since I worked at BBY, so I don't know what the R/E is on phones. Might be only 14 days now. I believe AT&Ts is 30, but if you still have a spare, perhaps BBY will have a pre-order or will have them before the 27th.
 
Upvote 0
OP is living a pipe dream.

Just like others have stated, you are RENEWING a 2 year contract when you buy the inspire for $100.

When they do a buy back, they are not cancelling the 2 year contract... So you will have to spend $500 on the Atrix minus 300... making it $200. EXACTLY what you would pay if you waited for the Atrix to come out and renewed your contract then.

durrrr
 
Upvote 0
So your saying anyone can purchase a phone from Best Buy on a 2 year contract, cancel their contract after 31 days, and they won't pay ANY etf?

Interesting... :p

You arent canceling the contract, just returning the phone under buy back. Buy back doesnt care about the contract and has nothing to do with the carrier.

OP is living a pipe dream.

Just like others have stated, you are RENEWING a 2 year contract when you buy the inspire for $100.

When they do a buy back, they are not cancelling the 2 year contract... So you will have to spend $500 on the Atrix minus 300... making it $200. EXACTLY what you would pay if you waited for the Atrix to come out and renewed your contract then.

durrrr

If you read a few posts back, I explain that I was a moron.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones