Downside to purchasing through Wirefly?

[Camslam]

I was wondering if anybody had legitimate reasons for why I shouldn't get my EVO through Wirefly?

The ONLY downside I can think of right now, is I may have to wait till June 5th or 7th to actually receive the phone. But the positives seem to outweigh that little issue. I've seen all the threads related to Best Buy and Radio Shack and I'm trying to figure out what the draw is for purchasing there other than getting it as fast as you can.

This is all based on what I have seen Wirefly do, recently with the Incredible release, as well as purchasing my last phone (ENV2) through them, but this is how I foresee it going down:

-EVO becomes available on June 4th, same as Incredible became available on April 29th.

-EVO is priced at $149, just as the Incredible was and is currently listed at $149. Both phones would be or are $199 on their respective carriers websites and at places like Radio Shack and Best Buy.

-Would be able to drop another $50 off price because of Bing Cashback program, effectively dropping the total purchase price to $99, without having to pay any sales tax. Still would have to pay $35 activation fee, unless Sprint was running a special through Wirefly giving free activation. (Much like AT&T is currently doing) But maximum cost of phone would be $135.

-EVO would ship overnight and best case scenario would arrive on Saturday June 5th, or worst case scenario Monday June 7th.

-No rebates mail in or otherwise to worry about or mess with. Just a lower cost for the phone overall.

Does anybody have any LEGITIMATE reasons other than not getting the phone on the day it is released why it wouldn't be a good idea to go with Wirefly on this?

I'm not looking for arguments or pissing matches on this, just really curious if anyone has any reasons for me to think about not going with Wirefly on this, if the previously mentioned aspects turn out that way.

Thanks for any insight or thoughts on this in advance....

 

[Caloy]

Good point! Too bad I've already pre-ordered.

 

[S00NR1]

Until Wirefly actually puts any info about stocking the phone up on their site, I'd have to be skeptical on the actual cost, not to mention the delivery date. Plus, who knows what their inventory is going to be like and when you might be able to get the phone.

 

[Caloy]

I just have to point out something, the savings is not that significant if you think about it. Best Buy gives you a $50 gift card with your pre-order. If you factor in the Gift Card, it would be the same as wirefly's prices. I'm not sure of Bing Cashback program though. So at best, Wirefly is only $50 cheaper with Bing's cashback program.

 

[tranceFusion]

The primary downside to ordering from Wirefly is that if you cancel or downgrade your phone within 6 months, you will owe them $300, IN ADDITION TO your Sprint ETF. They lose their commission, and they collect it back from you.

http://www.wirefly.com/about/purchaseterms/

Also, I hear their customer service sucks, but I haven't used them. You can try Amazon Wireless, they usually match wirefly's price, but they don't offer bing cashback.

 

[S00NR1]

I just have to point out something, the savings is not that significant if you think about it. Best Buy gives you a $50 gift card with your pre-order. If you factor in the Gift Card, it would be the same as wirefly's prices. I'm not sure of Bing Cashback program though. So at best, Wirefly is only $50 cheaper with Bing's cashback program.

The $50 is really only a deposit toward the purchase of the phone. Total cost at Best Buy would still be $50 GC + 149.99 = 199.99. Whereas the Wirefly deal would be $100 (if op's theory were to hold true).

 

[Camslam]

Until Wirefly actually puts any info about stocking the phone up on their site, I'd have to be skeptical on the actual cost, not to mention the delivery date. Plus, who knows what their inventory is going to be like and when you might be able to get the phone.

I'm basing this on what Wirefly did with the Incredible. They may have a different price worked out with Sprint and the phone price may in fact be higher than $149, but I can tell you that Wirefly DID have the Incredible available for several days after the 29th and it did ship next day because I know a couple of people that got it through them.

Caloy wrote:

I just have to point out something, the savings is not that significant if you think about it. Best Buy gives you a $50 gift card with your pre-order. If you factor in the Gift Card, it would be the same as wirefly's prices. I'm not sure of Bing Cashback program though. So at best, Wirefly is only $50 cheaper with Bing's cashback program.

I must have missed something in those threads. When you pre-order through best buy, they actually GIVE you a $50 gift card, you don't purchase it as sort of a "down payment/deposit" for the new phone?

So it does drop your phone cost down to $149 plus tax? Do they also waive the activation fees?

Edited: Nevermind, the gift card issue was answered while I was typing.

 

[Camslam]

Also, I hear their customer service sucks, but I haven't used them. You can try Amazon Wireless, they usually match wirefly's price, but they don't offer bing cashback.

I can only speak to my experience as far as their customer service goes, but I haven't had any problems with them. Then again, I didn't have any problems with my ENV2 over the last 24 months or problems with Verizon either, so really no need for customer service on their end.

 

[Android 17]

How does the Bing Cashback program work? I know the most typical use is clicking through specific links which allow you to get somewhere between 5-20% cashback, but how does this particular case work?

How do you get $50 back? And aside from the activation fee and waiting a few more days, this seems like it may be the best choice.

Does this work for upgrades also or just new customers?

If I already have an employer discount, would I keep that or would I have to re-apply it?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Caloy]

The $50 is really only a deposit toward the purchase of the phone. Total cost at Best Buy would still be $50 GC + 149.99 = 199.99. Whereas the Wirefly deal would be $100 (if op's theory were to hold true).

I guess I've misunderstood the sales representative then. I thought I pre-ordered, gave a $50 deposit towards the purchase of the phone, and they give me a gift-card towards the accessories of the phone.

Oh well, I was expecting to pay $199 anyways. So I don't mind really, but I really thought I would be paying $149 more come June 4. LOL

Checking my receipt, it says:

Package 1xx8****************************
9xxxxx5 PRESELL SPR 50.00
PRESELL SPRINT HTC EVO 4G
PACKAGE GFIT CARD VA 50.00
ITEM TAX 4.13
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx PACKAGE SV 0.00
ISSUE APPROVAL xxxxxx
50.00 balance
REG. $0.01 0.01 DISC
------
SUBTOTAL 50.00
SALES TAX AMOUNT 4.13
=====
TOTAL 54.13

Not sure that that meant... LOL

 

[tranceFusion]

How does the Bing Cashback program work? I know the most typical use is clicking through specific links which allow you to get somewhere between 5-20% cashback, but how does this particular case work?

How do you get $50 back? And aside from the activation fee and waiting a few more days, this seems like it may be the best choice.

Does this work for upgrades also or just new customers?

If I already have an employer discount, would I keep that or would I have to re-apply it?

Sorry for all the questions.

You get 50 bucks in your "Bing Cashback" account, but it is after a 60 day waiting period. Then there is about a week for it to process into your account.. then another week for them to process the transfer to paypal (free of fees). So you are basically looking at about 2.5 months until you get your 50 bucks. I have used it plenty though and haven't had any trouble collecting, but the waiting kind of sucks.

 

[droidtime]

You get 50 bucks in your "Bing Cashback" account, but it is after a 60 day waiting period. Then there is about a week for it to process into your account.. then another week for them to process the transfer to paypal (free of fees). So you are basically looking at about 2.5 months until you get your 50 bucks. I have used it plenty though and haven't had any trouble collecting, but the waiting kind of sucks.

Might want to check Amazon. I remember seeing the Incredible on Amazon for $99 flat.

 

[Android 17]

Amazon only seems to do only new lines though which is nice for some of the folks here but not everyone ;P

 

[Camslam]

Might want to check Amazon. I remember seeing the Incredible on Amazon for $99 flat.

I had heard that rumor, but the lowest I ever saw it on Amazon was for $149, which it currently is.

Who knows, I just figure it is worth saving about a $100 and waiting a day by going through Wirefly versus Best Buy or Sprint or Radio Shack.

With all the whining and crying from everyone about the $10 a month surcharge on plans for the EVO, I would think people would be doing flips to save 10 MONTHS OF SPRINT RIPOFF!

 

[JMac202]

Wouldnt BB price match Amazon or Wirefly? That's how I got my Hero for 75 last year in Nov. because they price matched an online ad.

Just curious...

 

[droidtime]

I had heard that rumor, but the lowest I ever saw it on Amazon was for $149, which it currently is.

Who knows, I just figure it is worth saving about a $100 and waiting a day by going through Wirefly versus Best Buy or Sprint or Radio Shack.

With all the whining and crying from everyone about the $10 a month surcharge on plans for the EVO, I would think people would be doing flips to save 10 MONTHS OF SPRINT RIPOFF!

Haha. Yeah, it's $149 now, but I did get a chance to see it when it was $99. Although I pre-ordered through BB, I'm seriously considering getting my money back and getting the phone a little later, especially if Wirefly or Amazon is significantly cheaper.

 

[droidtime]

Wouldnt BB price match Amazon or Wirefly? That's how I got my Hero for 75 last year in Nov. because they price matched an online ad.

Just curious...

Really? Now we just need wirefly to post up an ad!

 

[Camslam]

Wouldnt BB price match Amazon or Wirefly? That's how I got my Hero for 75 last year in Nov. because they price matched an online ad.

Just curious...

I'd be curious as well. Does anybody know if they would discount it enough to cover for the sales tax as well? I.E. - total cost of phone would work out to $149.00?

 

[Camslam]

Really? Now we just need wirefly to post up an ad!

I would imagine that Wirefly will not have the price up on it's website till June 4th. That is how it was with the Incredible.

 

[Camslam]

Gotta love Google:

BestBuy.com Help

Does BestBuy.com match the prices of other retailers?
At this time, the BestBuy.com Price Match Guarantee does not cover the prices listed by other online or store retailers.

 

[JMac202]

Gotta love Google:

BestBuy.com Help

Huh, they did it for me last year. Then again it was a buddy and he did it with manager approval.

 

[BrianFX]

-EVO is priced at $149

Whoops, missed the part where everything was speculation, my bad.

 

[droidtime]

Gotta love Google:

BestBuy.com Help

Hmm. I guess what I'm going to do is hold my BB pre-order and see what Wirefly does. I hope I can return the $50 gc and get my money back if I decide to go w/ Wirefly.

 

[Camslam]

Hmm. I guess what I'm going to do is hold my BB pre-order and see what Wirefly does. I hope I can return the $50 gc and get my money back if I decide to go w/ Wirefly.

Seems like sound logic to me. I think I'll wait till the 4th and see what Wirefly comes out with price wise and then go from there.

Even if I don't go with Wirefly, there are plenty of options out there. I'd love to have the phone right now, but seems like everyone has to wait till the 4th, so I can probably make it to the 5th.

 

[JMac202]

You cant get a refund from BB. You can choose to use the gift card on something else in the store though. They wont refund it for cash.