Mobile Phones & Broadband

[MobileExpert]

@bergquis - I am guessing you mean your iPhone 3G. Whether or not BB can help you depends on a few things. Did you get it at BB? If so, did you opt for the GS Black Tie Protection plan? If you did, then the damage is covered. Just bring it into your local BB and they can help you on your way to getting it fixed.

If you either did not get it at BB, or did not purchase the GSBTP, then unfortunately we would not be able to help you out. We are not allowed to sell an iPhone 3G to someone who already has one. This has to do with ATT not wanting them to be sold without contracts. There's no way around this for us. You would need to go into an ATT corp. store, where they will sell you the phone for the outright price, which is $600 for the 8GB, and $700 for the 16GB.

@PWLSteve - I'd say this would be the time to buy, especially if you're a silver RZ member. This is an amazing offer that anyone who was going to get an iPhone anyways would be silly not to take advantage of.

[PWLSteve]

Thanks - can you tell me what the "Black tie protection plan" is? And do you know the cost of the plan? May be good to know before going to BB. And are there other suggested plans that I will be offered like a batt replacement or Apple warrantly plan? Thanks very much!

Steve

[MobileExpert]

The GSBTP is a monthly plan which provides protection against manu. defects, dust, heat, humidity, power surge, normal wear and tear, accidental damage, and liquid spills. It's $15 a month, and can be cancelled at any time. If you do need to bring your phone in, I believe iPhones actually are not sent out for repair, but are simply exchanged through the Rapid Exchange program, which gets you a refurb iPhone in 3-5 business days. And for the time that you're without your phone, a loaner phone is offered for a deposit of $150. The loaner is a basic phone, however. The plan does also cover one battery replacement.

The AppleCare plan is $69 and only extends the manu. warranty an extra year. No protection against accidental damage or anything.

[PWLSteve]

Thanks! The GSBTP sounds like a good plan but a bit steap, especially as the monthly service goes up quite a bit with the Iphone. But good info to know, thanks. It would be a bummer to shell out another $600 if I trash the phone.

One more question if you don't mind. Say I do trash the phone and can't afford to replace it. Can I downgrade to another, less expensive (non-smart) phone or am I stuck with a monthly service I can't use.

Steve

[MobileExpert]

It is expensive, but when you consider that in two years the plan will cost you $360, while a new phone is almost double that, it does make sense. Just like all types of insurance (but I must stress, for legal reasons, that the GSBTP is NOT insurance, since it doesn't cover lost or stolen), the money you pay every period only goes to good use if you have a problem!

Of course you're able to use any phone you want that is compatible with ATT. You are only required to keep the $30 iPhone data plan on your account as long as you use an iPhone.

[PWLSteve]

great, thanks very much - big help!

[MobileExpert]

I just wanted to confirm for you that iPhones are indeed sent through Rapid Exchange, and are not sent out for repair. So if you were to bring your iPhone in under the GSBTP, you wouldn't get the same iPhone back.