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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: COEE on August 03, 2019, 04:12:17 PM

Title: Phones - again.
Post by: COEE on August 03, 2019, 04:12:17 PM
I found an ad at Boost Mobile today for a $25 Iphone6s when transferring service.  I thought it was a good deal so I went to the store after calling and confirming the phone was $25 + $25 activation + $35/mo 3GB plan + applicable taxes.

I get to the store (after driving 20 minutes and wasting my gas) and the clerk working there tells me she 'made a mistake' and the phone was $200 with $35/mo plan, but I could still get the phone for $25 if I paid for the $50/mo plan.  Of course, the additional $15 over the course of two years amortizes out to be over $350!  The clerk then explains that I could get the $50 plan for one month and then go down to the $35 plan.  As kindly as I could, I explained that my trust in her had already been broken, and I wasn't convinced that I could change my billing plan at any point in the future.  I asked nicely if there was anything she could do to honor the $35/mo plan that she had quoted me over the phone.  She said she couldn't, and I left.

I know from shopping around that I can get an iPhone7+ for $350 and a 2GB $30/mo plan thru Cricket.  Which is a newer, bigger phone that I can amortize over the next two years to be the same price as this 6s.

What are other people's thoughts?  I'm interested in trying an iPhone for the first time because Apple appears to be more protective of people's personal information than google.
Title: Re: Phones - again.
Post by: the_gastropod on August 03, 2019, 04:26:30 PM
I tend to just buy used or refurbished phones, and do the BYO thing when it comes to cell service. I'm currently using an iPhone SE (Apple still sells these for $250: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MP7X2LL/A/iphone-se-128gb-space-gray-unlocked) on Google FI (I know... I'm suspicious of them too), and pay on average ~$25/mo. Google also gives you a decent amount of credit (I forget how much, exactly, but it was enough to cover about 3 months of service for me) when you bring your phone number to them.

If you go this route, you can also find a referral code to get an extra $20 of credit. (Here's mine, if you do go this route: https://g.co/fi/r/VHEEPN)
Title: Re: Phones - again.
Post by: Syonyk on August 04, 2019, 01:47:10 PM
Consider the length of OS support you're likely to get.

The 6S gets iOS 13 - but it's almost certainly not going to get iOS 14.

I wouldn't buy anything older than about the 8 at this point - unless you're OK with outdated OSes, which given your concern about privacy, is unwise.

A used 8 or X on eBay shouldn't run you that much.
Title: Re: Phones - again.
Post by: COEE on August 05, 2019, 01:29:44 PM
Because I am a new iPhone user I will admit to not knowing a whole lot about iOS support issues.  I figure if companies are still selling the 6s and the 7 then Apple will probably support the 7 for around 2 years or more (hopefully 3).  If they end up not supporting new product sales for at least 2 years then I'll evaluate my options at that time.

I ended up getting the iPhone7 thru Criket's website.  I first went to the store - and had another interesting encounter which I'll save for another day.  It ultimately resulted in me being called a 'port hopper' by the clerk.  They obviously meant it in a derogatory salesperson sort of way, but I see that as a term of endearment.  Nobody will watch out for me and my money if I don't watch out for me and my money.

All in - I'm at just over $1k for two years of service... still somewhat insane... but I will admit that I'm treating myself a bit with the iPhone.  The iPhone6s that I thought about getting at Boost would have been about $1250 all in for two years.  So I'm essentially getting a newer iPhone7 for free.

For others that may be interested: MetroPCS is currently offering the iPhone7 for $50, but since I'm already with them, they were more interested in losing me as a customer than giving me a good deal on a phone.  Oh well.  I had been with them 4 years already and had 2 phones with them - I guess it was time to move on.  I thought I'd mention the deal here if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: Phones - again.
Post by: Hellohi on August 07, 2019, 11:12:38 AM
If your OK with Mint mobile you can get 2gb for $180/year.  Total price for two years of that plan plus a new Iphone XR ($650) is only $1110 vs $1070 for two years of cricket on the older iphone. 

I use mint and its fine in my area.  They use T-Mobile towers.  Personally I have the 8gb for $240/year plan.  For the low added costs it saves me from ever worrying about data. 

Here is my referral code if interested.

http://fbuy.me/l6pSv