To buy or not to buy? Please help!

celticfcz

Hi all,

Im 19 and a student and wish to purchase my first ever phone on a contract. Its the Nokia N85 and have found a pretty good deal on dialaphone for a 12 month contract.

Basically my problem is I will be studying in Canada from September till December and am wondering what is the status with contract phones in other countries? Like will it work? What will happen with the minutes/texts? Will I be able to put another sim in it (though obviously this defeats the purpose if Im paying monthly!)

Im wondering if I should just wait till January when I come back to get a new phone however dont really want to take my "brick" of a phone over there and really need a decent upgrade soon.

Thanks for all the help its much appreciated and needed!

I_luv_cats

Really you will only gain now by getting the Nokia phone now as you won't get to use your free mins n texts whilst you are away as I wouldn't expect them to be outside the UK.

You could unlock the phone via an independent phone shop BUT you risk the safety of it abroad.

I would wait until you come back in December to sign up.

celticfcz

I_luv_cats wrote: »

Really you will only gain now by getting the Nokia phone now as you won't get to use your free mins n texts whilst you are away as I wouldn't expect them to be outside the UK.

You could unlock the phone via an independent phone shop BUT you risk the safety of it abroad.

I would wait until you come back in December to sign up.

Thanks for the reply. So basically I could unlock it but that means I'll still have to pay the monthly contract charge on top of whatever I have to play to use it in Canada? Its getting more expensive by the minute! Lol but I really do need a new phone and the 12 month contract doesnt sound to bad. All in it will cost me £300 for the year. I normally spend £150 a year on top ups with my current phone but the extra cost will be towards actually getting the phone.

Might email the company and see what they say about it.

I_luv_cats

(a) You could get use of the free mins until you go and bag the new phone BUT lose the 3 months mins/texts

(b) Risk taking the phone after unlocking with a Canadian Sim or take brick or cheap phone.

(c) Be patient

do the sums

celticfcz

Sorry until I bag the new phone?

And if I do unlock it for Canada Im sure that would violate the terms of my contract?

Thanks

PotatoPotato

celticfcz wrote: »

Sorry until I bag the new phone?

And if I do unlock it for Canada Im sure that would violate the terms of my contract?

Thanks

Are you getting the phone on Vodafone?
I heard Vodafone sell their contract phones unlocked now?

I know if you buy directly from Vodafone website and if the phone is locked your entitled to a free unlock code. The only problem is does this also apply if you buy from a 3rd party dealer like dial a phone.

Since the Nokia N85 isnt available directly from Vodafone. hmm...

PotatoPotato

celticfcz wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. So basically I could unlock it but that means I'll still have to pay the monthly contract charge on top of whatever I have to play to use it in Canada? Its getting more expensive by the minute! Lol but I really do need a new phone and the 12 month contract doesnt sound to bad. All in it will cost me £300 for the year. I normally spend £150 a year on top ups with my current phone but the extra cost will be towards actually getting the phone.

Might email the company and see what they say about it.

If the phone is costing you £300, does that mean
£300/12 = £25 per month? (No cashback)

How many mins and texts does this have and which one do you use more?

Since you said you "normally spend £150 a year on top ups with your current phone". Does the mins and text provided in that N85 tarriff meet your needs?

Or are you just getting the phone on contract cos it virtually works out as buying the phone separately anyway .

The reason i ask is the N85 is expensive phone as it is and prob only get 50 mins and 250 texts on a vodafone network and free phone. If this doesnt meet your needs, your prob gonna be overspending on your contract.

Missing 4 months is a lot, yet the phone has been paid for as it is £300 for the handset alone.

Buy if:
1. If the inclusive mins and text meets your needs for the next 8 months
2. You are sure you want to continue to pay £25 x 4 months for no usage, yet its paying for the phone.
3. Dont mind taking it canada

If not, wait till after Canada.
Or you should be able to get the handset on Nokia website for £340 with P&P here
Then get the Quidco cashback which is currently at 20% here, making the phone roughly £272 with P&P. But thats if quidco tracks, which isnt 100% guaranteed.

HTH

ultrak3wl

This is an eye-wateringly expensive phone and are you sure you really need it? Won't it just be something you have to worry about getting nicked all the time? Isn't it a bit nuts to contract for delivery of something (phone service) you know you won't be able to use for a considerable period of time?

Don't want to poke my nose into your affairs but I suppose I'm really saying haven't you a better use for the money?