Thread: Big announcement coming soon from T-Mobile ; Project Black to shake things up?
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matthewcc is offline matthewcc
2009-10-21 , 14:51
Posts: 267 | Thanked: 128 times | Joined on Sep 2009 @ Somerville MA - USA
#208
Originally Posted by nilchak View Post
This is good news - but I am a bit sceptical here.

What if they do sell the phones (and the N900) over at T-Mobile but at higher prices than most retailers. Then what is the benefit of buying from T-mobile where I actually have to pay more than market prevailing prices just to get a monthly plan ?

If they can price match at leats most retailers and have it on par prices than that makes sence. But if they have already added a premium of 20% on the price and then offer a monthly plan buying plan - that is a bit of a downer for me.

assuming that nokia does not offer a discounted "bring your own mobile" plan then you get nothing either way. If they offer a bring your own mobile plan then you don't get much out of buying it unsubsidized from t-mobile, immediatly, but you should find some savings over the life of the plan. (in theory is should be the selling price * the money factor)

It is similar to a car lease vs buy decision. if you buy the car you own it and can sell it for whatever residual value. if you lease the car the you owe the dealer the residual value at the end of the lease term + you have paid for the cost of money over the time of the lease.

Buying a car outright is generally cheaper than leasing, it is just more expensive up front, where the lease is cheaper up front but more expensive over time.

Now, since i do not believe we will see a "bring your own mobile" plan in the US, not buying the subsidized phone from TMO just means you got financially raped for the privilege of having an unlocked phone (and the benefits it comes with)