Oh...

SUCCESS

One friend got his Black 16gb from Dubai. My connection there has found another place and we've already negotiated them down from 2499 Dirhams down to 2349 and currently negotiating getting them down even further. I don't want their extended warranty - it comes with one already - and I'm quite sure there is no need for me to buy their anti-theft insurance.

I have one coming in from there for that 2349 price. Working out payments directly to them via their existing website with the idea that we'd have a coupon/code to let them know we're from the same bunch of interested folks. So far, this has worked and the phone works beautifully.

Nokia Mexico is... being a bit flaky. I've seen the damn things via Skype video, but my friend is somewhat shackled on when he can send. The soft launch came and went, it's 4 days past that date. And there's nothing to say that the next week will net anything of value in terms of updates. But I'm still plugging away.

Mobicity.com.au just alerted my other friend that they've shipped. So now it's a waiting game to see how long that comes about.

Malaysia... I just found out I have a good buddy with connections there. I'll be updating about that in a bit too.

So far, Dubai is winning in terms of delivered goods and willingness to work with us on price. Australia has a rather invasive policy - they want your license, passport and recent utility bill... yeah, seriously. Mexico and Malaysia is the cheapest, but no stock on 64gb and/or items that can be sold or sent is the unknown there.

And no way I'll do eBay or Expansys. Either way it seems like a scenario where you'd be screwed.

Once I get specifics for how the orders will go down - with a real damn store, not through me even! - I'll update you all.

Now... me go to sleep. Me am tired.