Mobile Phones & Broadband

[Caligula]

So here it is again- the end of my 2 year contract. I have had many versions of the iPhone since they launched in 2007 and instead of upgrading from my iPhone 4 to the lackluster iPhone 4S, I am deciding to shake it up. I am going to go the route of android. 

More specifically the Galaxy Note. It was meant to be. It even comes out on my birthday. It's a Phablet. Just like I always wanted.

But I digress. 

A friend told me about the awesome promotions going on through bestbuy. The $50 gift card (already signed up for it.) and the free case that comes with the galaxy note if you preorder it. 

It is clearly the better deal to go through best buy, but I guess I have a few questions: 

1. Can I preorder the phone at the store or do I have to do it online? I would like to be able to use the $50 gift card towards the phone (As it says I can in the fine print) rather than waiting for the gift card to arrive. 

2. I am not the account holder (my mother is.) but I am an authorized on the account. Should I have her come with me or do I just need her info? 

3. Does best buy typically get the phones in stock on the Release date (In this case the 19th) or later than that? 

Thanks for reading. 

[NICU]

DONT BUY ANYTHING THOUGH BEST BUY.

take a look at thier manufacturer warranties and protection plans section.

this company is a huge rip off

[smorning]

'manufacturer warranty = from manufactr so is same no matter seller of item. buy item, it comes w manufacturer warranty, whatever it is. period.

protection plans are a best buy (or competitor store) warranty. if you like terms, fine, if not, dont add it to order. stores will still take yr $ -- and you can still buy items at sale prices advertised. salesperson earns lower commission is all. 

cell  carriers also offer own protection plans, fwiw.  your call to add to your plan -- or not.

any or all of above may be considered a ripoff or added value, your call. but are addititonal to sale of item poster is considering. 

prices on phones on bestbuy generally are NOT a ripoff, when we purchased ours was handled well, from moving address books etc to new phones to setup email accts, to not messing up the plan we wanted...

also, bestbuy will take the Sprint upgrade discount right off the purchase price, so you walk out the door spending less/ get taxed on a lower price. most other places make you mail in a Sprint rebate form and wait for weeks/months to get a check in the mail.   

[Bagman]

Buyer Beware, Read though these forums, Make a informed decision.

[o1webdawg]

You can read my recent post.  The gift card is not worth it and they will try to make the money back at the store by making up a "computer issue" and making you pay more.  They are the worst!