Mobile Phones & iPhones

[zildjian215]

This is not to rub it in the face of those who are waiting...I got my call later in the afternoon and there's still time so just be patient. Besides, this might be something to consider for when you get your phone as well...I hate to use cliches, but knowledge is power, right?

So I posted a few minutes ago about this and perhaps someone's already asked this, but I just wanted to see what other people's thoughts were on these.

1.) I'm considering the Griffin Reveal as the case, but perhaps the invisible shield instead? I don't really know. I like cases, but I don't like how they can sometimes scratch up the phone anyway. Any other recommendations?

2.) Black tie service? unfortunately I've heard more horror stories than positive ones on this. I actually like shopping at best buy and have usually gotten pretty decent service there. But I'm not so sure I like what I'm hearing as far as if the phone is being sent in, then I have to pay a $150 service charge for a loaner or supposed equivalent value? Thoughts?

3.) Do I get applecare with this for a year? I always thought apple had a good rating as far as service goes...

Anyway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[JonnyUtah87]

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zildjian215 wrote:

This is not to rub it in the face of those who are waiting...I got my call later in the afternoon and there's still time so just be patient. Besides, this might be something to consider for when you get your phone as well...I hate to use cliches, but knowledge is power, right?

So I posted a few minutes ago about this and perhaps someone's already asked this, but I just wanted to see what other people's thoughts were on these.

1.) I'm considering the Griffin Reveal as the case, but perhaps the invisible shield instead? I don't really know. I like cases, but I don't like how they can sometimes scratch up the phone anyway. Any other recommendations?

2.) Black tie service? unfortunately I've heard more horror stories than positive ones on this. I actually like shopping at best buy and have usually gotten pretty decent service there. But I'm not so sure I like what I'm hearing as far as if the phone is being sent in, then I have to pay a $150 service charge for a loaner or supposed equivalent value? Thoughts?

3.) Do I get applecare with this for a year? I always thought apple had a good rating as far as service goes...

Anyway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

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Some Best Buy Mobiles charge the $150 loaner deposit, some don't. Contact your store to find our their policy . As long as you return the phone when your replacement iPhone comes in, you get the $150 back.

The GSBTP is very nice for the iPhone, it covers accidental damage (something Apple Care does not) and you get a refurbished phone usually within one week if there are not issues with quantities.

I heard AT&T was going to be offering iPhone insurance, but I also heard the deductible was doing to be anywhere as high as $275 + $13.99 per month, ouch!!

[johnnelmar]

I have black tie on my 3GS and my wifes lg vue. She spilled coffee on her vue and they told her they had to send it out to be fixed. It had no life in it and they knew it could not be fixed but they sent it out anyway. Told her it would be a month. 3 weeks later they called us and said to just come get a new one. It was nice to get a new one but it doesn't take 3 weeks to figure out the phone cannot be resurrected! My store is one that charges 150 for a loaner. We got a 20$ go phone instead. In the long run it's worth it but be prepared to jump through 20 foot high flaming hoops that are half your size before they realize the obvious and just replace your phone. It's almost like they put you on time out for being a bad person and hurting the phone! It's not as easy as they make it out to be is my point so be informed when you make the black tie decision. Hope that helps.

[zildjian215]

It does help, but I have to wonder if it's worth it to pay the deposit for another phone when I have an old one I can use instead? Do I HAVE to get the loaner? Curiously, if you figure you're spending about $15 a month, that comes out to $180 per year, so after two years, you've spent $360 on phone insurance. It's not a terrible deal, but it just doesn't seem that reasonable to me.

Again, please understand that it's not my intention to bash Best Buy or their policies. Hey, everyone needs to make money somehow right? I figured they'd probably get me on the upsell for the case or invisible shield or something...but $15 a month does seem a little hard to swallow when I'm already forking over $100+ for my phone service to AT&T, then an additional $15 per month to BB for insurance...

I dunno, I'm just looking to read other people's experiences as far as the black tie service goes...oh, and to find out if there are any accessories that may be worth looking in to.

[Nokia]

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johnnelmar wrote:
I have black tie on my 3GS and my wifes lg vue. She spilled coffee on her vue and they told her they had to send it out to be fixed. It had no life in it and they knew it could not be fixed but they sent it out anyway. Told her it would be a month. 3 weeks later they called us and said to just come get a new one. It was nice to get a new one but it doesn't take 3 weeks to figure out the phone cannot be resurrected! My store is one that charges 150 for a loaner. We got a 20$ go phone instead. In the long run it's worth it but be prepared to jump through 20 foot high flaming hoops that are half your size before they realize the obvious and just replace your phone. It's almost like they put you on time out for being a bad person and hurting the phone! It's not as easy as they make it out to be is my point so be informed when you make the black tie decision. Hope that helps.

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It's because the service center is the only one legally allowed to determine whether it can be fixed or not.

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zildjian215 wrote:

It does help, but I have to wonder if it's worth it to pay the deposit for another phone when I have an old one I can use instead? Do I HAVE to get the loaner? Curiously, if you figure you're spending about $15 a month, that comes out to $180 per year, so after two years, you've spent $360 on phone insurance. It's not a terrible deal, but it just doesn't seem that reasonable to me.

Again, please understand that it's not my intention to bash Best Buy or their policies. Hey, everyone needs to make money somehow right? I figured they'd probably get me on the upsell for the case or invisible shield or something...but $15 a month does seem a little hard to swallow when I'm already forking over $100+ for my phone service to AT&T, then an additional $15 per month to BB for insurance...

I dunno, I'm just looking to read other people's experiences as far as the black tie service goes...oh, and to find out if there are any accessories that may be worth looking in to.

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Yeah, it does come out to $360 for two years. But if you break your phone just once, you'd pay at least $600 to replace it.

And no, you don't have to take the loaner. It's an option that BB offers.

[zildjian215]

So it's an option. Hmmm...this does make things interesting. Not sure I like that 3 week turnaround time, but whatever, I can discuss that with the sales rep tomorrow.

Should I be worried that the sales rep on the phone today didn't try to sell me anything as far as accessories, warranties, bells and whistles? He made no mention of it and as I'm perusing these boards, I'm seeing that people are getting these offers constantly. I didn't even get the flyer with the accessory list on it, I got my order form (with my number on it), receipt, gift card...nothing else though.

I'm kind of thinking that it's up to the individual store though and the employees there. If they remember the upsell, then they offer...if they don't, then no big deal and they'll try to sell it when I come in. I did confirm, however, that there is a phone waiting for me so I'm good to go.

[AOR04]

The offered it to me when they called to setup my appt.  they said they would have the screens installed and the case on when I picked it up tomorrow.

[stlbluesfan]

For what it's worth, I had the black tie service on my Iphone 3g.  It's the #1 reason why I'm buying the iphone4 from bb.  Yes, $15 a month is not cheap, but there is no deductible and it covers accidental damage.  I had 4 replacement phones for my 3g.  3 of them took 3 business days (meaning drop broken phone off sunday, received call on wednesday to pick up replacement).  1 took longer (probably just a shortage in replacement phones available).  My store never gave me trouble using the plan, either.  3 of the replacements were due to water damage and one was a broken screen.  I originally bought my 3g in November 2008, so after about 18 months ($270) I figure I have saved close to $1500 because of this plan.  This included free loaner phones each time (I beleive this is special with the iphone plan), and also keep in mind that the iphone uses the "rapid exchange" program so turnaround time is much faster than other phones that they ship out and try to repair first.  For example, on the Evo 4g, it is $9.99 a month but it is not a rapid exchange program.  It could take a few weeks to get your phone back in that case.

Now, I don't know if I was more careless because I knew it would be replaced if it broke, but I never used a case and never worried about the phone being damaged.  I liked not using a case on such a sleek phone, I feel like the case defeats the purpose. 

As with anything else from BB, your mileage may vary.

[DcHaywood]

I've had the Sprint Replacement Plan for $7/month for the last 6 years and have never had a problem.. You go into any Sprint Store, tell them whats wrong and they either fix it or replace it. Usually takes 24 hours for new one if not in stock. If you caused the damage, its a $100 deductible.

I just got a new HTC EVO and decided to use the Best Buy Black Tie protection plan since I have had great success with them on other items. A few days ago I dropped the phone and had to take it in for repair. I was given no loaner and was told 30 days for the repair (also indicated on the repair slip) 30 DAYS WITHOUT MY SOLE SOURCE OF COMMUNICATION??? REALLY... needless to say, I would have rather paid the $100 deductible.. This plan is NOT a good plan for the money they charge. Sprint is cheaper and easier...