steve_uk

Can anyone give any advice on mobile phones and contracts in Oz?

I've heard it may be cheaper to buy a phone in the UK and then get a contract in Oz as they dont give you 'free' phones with contacts over there.

Thanks

Centurion

If you want the latest model then you pay for it. Either in terms of the contract length and minimum monthly bundled fee or upfront cost. So probably better to just own something outright, unlocked from ebay or something.

You can then of course just use a prepay sim (no contract length) or go on a contract.

quoll

As long as you can get something unlocked and dont mind the branding which is a pain to remove. If you bring a UK phone you will also need to get the settings from your Aus provider.

Probably swings and roundabouts really - I am looking at a SE k850i and I can buy one for about $600 on ebay or I can pay $10 per month for 24 months and get the same thing. Not that expensive really.

You can get some free phones with contracts btw, it is just that they aren't top of the range Blackberrys - more like just slightly out of date models about to be superseded by the next model. They are usually on special.

steve_uk

Thanks guys , thats 1 unlocked mobile purchased off ebay. Here's hoping it arrives, I always get nervous buying phones on ebay

dainty

I would be too, especially if the rightful owner of the phone notices it

Disclaimer - while not all mobile phones on sale from e-bay are stolen, I have no doubts alarge amount probably are

Sheff_Sparky

there are places you can go to to get phones unlocked. there's loads of them here.

aus2be_OH

A bit of blatant advertising, but quite relevant. I am selling a mobile for my OH on eBay at the moment if anyone is interested?

Sony Ericsson W580i

xzibit

^^ Good phone, just sold mine on ebay. Went for £80 which wasn't bad.

I've been looking at Aus mobile phone plans, why oh why are they 24 months long? I though the 18 month contracts the UK have introduced were bad.

Timber Floor Au

pmsl @ colour : Boulevard Black !!!

Ste

quoll

Cos that's how long the batteries last! Do you notice that the battery life is almost zero when you get to the end of the contract. Some companies will give you a few months grace so you can renew your contract after about 20 months (as long as it is with them) without penalty.

When you get your unlocked phone from ebay, ring your Aus provider and ask them to email their web/email settings for your model. They send them via sms and that way you dont have to faff around inputting all the info.

aus2be_OH

Thought you'd notice mate. That's what I get for lifting the copy from another auction...

Timber Floor Au

Priceless.

Reminds me of those old chestnuts:

very rare ( surely rare is rare ! )
Antique Hi-Fi cabinet ( did they have hi fi's in "antique" times lol )

Ste

steve_uk

lol the phone i bought on ebay turned out to be a scam - i thought it was too true to be good!:curse:

Never mind though as got another one which is just as good (with sat nav so i dont get lost in Oz) and this seller looks a better bet!

Fingers crossed!

Timber Floor Au

Thing Ive found with ebay, and specifically PayPal.

Those that accept PayPal are the best, as Paypal, will shut their account down immediately, if any sniff of fraudulent or misrepresentation takes place, and or is reported. Plus you get nrly all your money back.

Ste

steve_uk

Yep I agree, this one said Paypal accepted but when I tried to pay it stayed at pending. When I looked into it the guy didnt have a paypall account and a made up email address. I have reported him, hope they sorted it. I suspect the account was hacked as had 146 100% positive feedback.