New mobile required

sevenonine

I am not a fan of mobiles but I have to replace my very old mobile because it has been unaccountably blocked.

My requirement is for one that does just basic jobs: texts, email and phone and a total (upfront) cost. I don't need any apps but it must also have the qerty keypad as on my present mobile (not the usual figures with the alphabets below).

My current mobile is a Nokia E71 and looking online this is available on Ebay but I need advice how to proceed on that website. The Nokia seems to be sold under the name “pc world” in China. Also what are the risks of buying it online, how trustworthy are these retailers and what warranties should I ask for. I have been advised to use PayPal – is that the best way to go? Are there any other retailers to be recommended – maybe in the UK.

I would appreciate any advice on dealing with Ebay re registering, and who would be responsible if anything went wrong. Also would I need a local shop to set up the phone for me.

pmduk

If you're inexperienced with eBay I'd strongly advise against buying from China. You may face customs charges, poor or non-existent after-sales service and little of the consumer protection we regularly enjoy in the UK. Ask yourself what use a Chinese warranty is to someone in the UK

Neil_Jones

sevenonine wrote: »

My requirement is for one that does just basic jobs: texts, email and phone and a total (upfront) cost. I don't need any apps but it must also have the qerty keypad as on my present mobile (not the usual figures with the alphabets below).

Not many phones have full-blown QWERTY keyboards now, the drive to get them smaller meant they're effectively phased out in favour of the traditional numbers with letters underneath if that, or onscreen keyboards.

Blackberries still have this arrangement as far as I know but they aren't cheap.

This is far cheaper, £14 but has a "traditional" keyboard/number pad.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LZDTCW9

Can you get on with onscreen keyboards by any chance? Bit more choice available and they don't have to break the bank either.

House_Martin

Don t forget when you want to leave any provider they are forced by law to unblock your phone .
Vodafone unlocked mine pretty quickly .If you are out of contract , dump them or buy an unlock code on Ebay.
I only ever use qwerty phones. The Vodafone 555 ( made by Alcatel ) is still around new on Ebay, or various Blackberrys for a few quid. I have a blackberry back up which I paid a fiver for . There are lots of of good used blackberries on Ebay for less than £20.Nokia E71 look like good phones too. I d gamble with a good used one from Ebay. Can always return it if its got the odd fault.
These phones are much better for basic texting and texts are still the best medium for day to day contacts. Touchscreen texting is plain awful no matter how big the screen.Everyone who texts me using their rubbish smartphones make constant spelling mistakes and can t concentrate for too long because of the attention that touchscreen texting needs to hit the correct letter.
My last Vodafone 555 was bought on Ebay for £15, then I buy a code for a few quid to unlock it if it needs it..
My Plusnet monthly contract is £6 a month.1000 texts,with a bit of data ( to cover accidental internet connection) and plenty of minutes for the occasional call.Qwerty is best and always has been.
Personally I don`t have the need to carry a scaled down laptop around with me all day and pay £40 a month for the dubious privelige

onomatopoeia99

House_Martin wrote: »

I Touchscreen texting is plain awful no matter how big the screen.Everyone who texts me using their rubbish smartphones make constant spelling mistakes and can t concentrate for too long because of the attention that touchscreen texting needs to hit the correct letter./QUOTE]
You clearly don't receive texts from me, sent from my touchscreen smartphone then. I spell correctly, use capitals and punctuation where appropriate and even apostrophes if required.

I can also concentrate long enough to type a few sentences. Amazing! I wonder who these people are that have so much difficulty with these tasks.

pmduk

There are dozens of onscreen keyboards to experiment with. Message Ease is worth a try, Not a Qwerty layout, but can be learned in less than 5 minutes and has an English Dictionary available to assist.

House_Martin

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

House_Martin wrote: »

I Touchscreen texting is plain awful no matter how big the screen.Everyone who texts me using their rubbish smartphones make constant spelling mistakes and can t concentrate for too long because of the attention that touchscreen texting needs to hit the correct letter./QUOTE]
You clearly don't receive texts from me, sent from my touchscreen smartphone then. I spell correctly, use capitals and punctuation where appropriate and even apostrophes if required.

I can also concentrate long enough to type a few sentences. Amazing! I wonder who these people are that have so much difficulty with these tasks.

Look, the OP, like me prefers qwerty style.
Good for you that you can text a sentence or two .I m constantly texting all day to many workmates and friends . I need a qwerty style superior texting phone .Maybe if i just rattled off the odd sentence I could live with crapola touchscreen and live with it for a few texts a day.
My texts run into chapters ! Touchscreen texting is just plain irritating.
Of course I have tried a large screen smartphone. I used to dread making a text with the damn thing.
. They seemed like hard work rather than the intuitive qwerty sensible layout. I can make large batches of texts in my sleep, without any mistakes and correctly punctuated.
I don`t need to carry around a massive screened rip off smartphone with its useless apps and battery life measured in hours lol, and batteries which can t even be replaced. What a con !
Ok, they have better cameras but there is nt a smartphone in the world can beat my small and light 50 times zoom Canon xs50 bridge camera I use for my hobby, birdwatching.
smartphone cameras are useless

[Deleted User]

sevenonine wrote: »

My requirement is for one that does just basic jobs: texts, email and phone and a total (upfront) cost. I don't need any apps but it must also have the qerty keypad as on my present mobile (not the usual figures with the alphabets below).

Get yourself a basic cheap smartphone and install the Swype keyboard and you'll never look back, brilliant keyboard.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nuance.swype.dtc&hl=en_GB

BTW have you asked your mobile carrier why your phone is blocked and whether they can unblock it?

Orange blocked my wife phone a few years back because she barely ever uses it, we went into an Orange shop and they unblocked it for her there and then. She just makes a phone call home every few months now to keep it active.

sevenonine

Thank you all for your great info! I share all the comments relating to smart phones, having bought one from Tesco for £89 because it had a keyboard; but it was time-consuming trying to pick out the letters! Also I found all the damn apps irritating as I can do all that on my desktop. I've returned it hence my need to get a new phone.

QUOTE=Colin_Maybe;73813608]
BTW have you asked your mobile carrier why your phone is blocked and whether they can unblock it?

Orange blocked my wife phone a few years back because she barely ever uses it, we went into an Orange shop and they unblocked it for her there and then. [/QUOTE]

Like your wife I use my phone intermittently but need it for financial codes and texts. I did initially ask "Three" whom I use for texts and took along my blocked phone and charger - the latter had exposed wiring covered with adhesive tape, which I was told to ditch and take the phone to one of those shops selling mobiles. There I was told a new charger would cost £10 and I'd have to leave my phone for a few days. I thought it better to spend more in updating my phone - only to find the awful gap that exists for people like me!

Anyway, I'm going to explore some of the links you all have provided -though it takes time...

Again many, many thanks - I'll get back once I am successful.

Buzby

Three UK stopped selling locked handsets years ago (Unlike some of their competitors that do).