Mobile Phones & Broadband

[VintageBeauty03]

My 2year contract is up and I want to get a phone online from BB. My question is when I add the phone to my cart there is a plan with it, do I have to have a plan with it? I am on a family plan, all I want is the phone.

[BBBob]

Be sure you are clicking on the upgrade link and it should let you keep the current rate plan.

Bob

[BBBob]

If you go into a store you will be able to get the contacts transferred from your old phone to your new phone for free and you won't have to wait for the phone to arrive. If it is less money on line the store will price match thier own web sites pricing. You will have a live person to ask any questions you may have and someone to be there for the life of your phone. Sounds like a win win situation to me!

Bob

[payroll]

I agree with BBob. You should upgrade in-store to ensure you don't lose your plan. Like BBob said, you can also have your contacts transfered for free.

[MobileExpert]

I know this is old, but I figured I'd reply as well. Unfortunately, the company that handles BBY's online cell phone sales is a third party, so there tend to be problems. I know that I have had customers use it in the past, and have had their plans changed, entirely new accounts created, etc. The only thing I'd trust the online component with is setting up a completely new account without a port.

That being said, it would be a much better idea to go into BBY Mobile, as Bob said. You have the advantage of talking to a person instead of dealing with a computer system, you're able to demo the phones instead of just choosing based on a picture, and any price on that site will be matched by the store.

[mcdades23]

The only problem is Best Buy doesn't carry all the phones in store that they show selling online.  The 3rd party is a huge hassle.  Best buy should increas the stock of different models for all carriers (past the 8 or so they carry now).  Also, if you were planning to use a Best Buy gift card or credit card they can't not be used with the 3rd party if though they call themselves Best Buy Solutions.

[MobileExpert]

We try to ignore it. If a customer inquires about online sales, we just say they can't be done at this time. I wouldn't wish that site on anyone.

It's hard for BB to carry more models. Obviously the carriers want their own stores to do most of the business, so they cripple BB's lineup. We will often get phones months after ATT releases them, only to tout them as "new". Yeah, new to BB.

The problem is that BB currently has a very low market share of phone sales, so they are at a disadvantage when negotiating with the carriers. Once that number increases, we can make bolder decisions, such as demanding release privileges of phones concurrent with the carriers.

[Spoiledkay-e]

If the phone i want is BB online can i have it shipped to store and i upgrade in store?

[Spoiledkay-e]

How do i up grade online without changing my plan?

[Nokia]

Do it through the carrier.