vB Easy Archive - Get Pearl via Carrier or Third Party?..

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Get Pearl via Carrier or Third Party?..
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Posted by: pab1953

Carriers seem to be asking about $200 for a Pearl + 2yr plan.

Some websites -- e.g. myrateplan.com -- are offering it "free" with a contract ("free" being w/ $90 of rebates that look really hard to qualify for).

Which is a better deal? Will Cingular (or TMobile) honor the third party deals?

Posted by: fold

I like Amazon.com. Go check out their deals on the Pearl. Last I checked it was $50 and you didn't have to send in any rebates.

Posted by: archer6

Quote:

Originally Posted by pab1953

Carriers seem to be asking about $200 for a Pearl + 2yr plan.

Some websites -- e.g. myrateplan.com -- are offering it "free" with a contract ("free" being w/ $90 of rebates that look really hard to qualify for).

Which is a better deal? Will Cingular (or TMobile) honor the third party deals?

I would think the easiest and surest way to answer your question would be to call the respective carries customer service department and ask them directly. I do know that in general with my carrier (Cingular) they will not support phones bought elsewhere and I do understand that from a business standpoint.

I purchased a Nokia unlocked unbranded phone, knowing full well that the carrier would not support it and I was "on my own" in terms of the hardware. When I recieved it I simply inserted my sim card, it did an auto setup routine and worked perfectly. So that's one way. However had I experienced a problem that would have been a different matter.

When it comes to BlackBerry phones I have purchased all of mine from Cingular, and feel that is the best way, as then I have their backing and support no matter what happens. For me, it's worth a bit more money. There is nothing nicer than a phone with no problems, a good warranty and the opportunity to just use it with no delays, or down time.

Posted by: max_speed97

I am thinking of buying this phone also.
Question I have is...I am looking at the Amazon.com deal. It is $50 if purchased with amazon and 2yr contract w/tmobile.
Now, my question is...the BB pearl that I will receive from amazon is it the same as if I went to tmobile and got a new plan and phone? or is it different model of BB pearl?
And if i were to call tmobile if I had some kind of issue with the phone or anything, then tmobile will not be able to assist me?

Posted by: max_speed97

I also see from this site its free....
http://www.inphonic.com/specialoffe...500 128bf1e9e6

Posted by: pab1953

Yes. it's "free" after those rebates. But that's the rub -- getting those rebates. Seems that you have to jump through quite a few hoops and that basically they're designed so that most people won't qualify for them, or will forget them.

Here's another "free" deal, a little cheaper than the one posted above ...

http://www.inphonic.com/specialoffe...c24 055e1c532b

Notice that it's the same company with a different name -- Inphonic:

"InPhonic is a leading online provider of wireless services and devices. We sell wireless services and devices through private labeled websites that we create and manage for online businesses, affinity organizations and national retailers, as well as through our own branded websites."

Posted by: theroadkill

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry Pearl: BlackBerry8100/4.2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

As long as you purchase from an authorized dealer you should be ok in as far as support from T-Mobile. In regards to the phones being the same model, as long as it as you select the T-Mobile model they will be the same. The Cingular model looks different. Even without rebate amazon's price is good.