Ideas on cheap ways to upgrade my mobile?

[CarZee]

In spite of my loathing for mobile phones, I've decided I need to replace my Nokia 6310i with either a 6230 or a 6600 - basically I want a camera for sending rude pics to the new girlfriend

Unfortunately, to upgrade on my existing contract is going to cost me £130, which is a bit fookin steep considering I'm buying a gadget that, considering the cost of MMS, will most likely make my provider shit loads of cash in the next year.

I've tried loot and everyone wants upwards of £200 for such a handset.

So, any thoughts on a cheap way to get hold of one of these phones?

[CarZee]

Actually, it now turns out that Claire is the phone-blagging master and has advised accordingly.

I've just had a protracted round of talks with Carphone Whorehouse customer services, who are now sending me the phone for free. Bascially, I eventually talked to a guy smart enough to see that I've been with them quite a while now and they're itching to get me spending money on picture messaging.



>> Edited by CarZee on Saturday 29th May 11:03

[steve-p]

The way to win the play monthly game is to upgrade every 12 months to a new handset. That way you get a heavy subsidy on a new one, and you can put the 12 month old one on eBay and get a good price for it (often more than the cost of the upgrade, if any).

[matt_t16]

If the 6310i is going begging mate drop me a line. I've got a use for it.

Matt

[simonrockman]

It's not your future bill, but your current bill that matters. Current UK average spend is about £45, if you spend more than about £25 a month you are a valuable customer.

Call your network and ask for the PUK, the unlocking code which lets you switch your phon to another network. If you've been spending enough a month they'll offer you an incentive to stay.

A 6600 costs about £150 to make, add margin, shipping, advertising, warranty and all the other costs associated with getting a product from a factory and into your hands, and even without a retail and wholesale level in the chain it should cost £300.

The fact that you can get it for so much less (£50 on Orange) is a reflection that it's very heavily subsidised.

Simon

[ultimasimon]

If its under contract is it also insured? Oops dropped it in the bath - worked for me

[puggit]

ultimasimon said:

If its under contract is it also insured? Oops dropped it in the bath - worked for me

Mrs Puggit really did just drop her phone in the bath and phoned up to claim on her insurance.

Orange are playing hardball at the moment. But as we spend around £60-£80 pm between us, I think we'll get them to understand

[squirrelz]

My monthly bill used to be about 8 quid with 400 off peak minutes , so the barstewards made me change to a new tariff to upgrade this year .