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how to buy a nexus s outside US?

[Q] Help! online ordering from Best Buy
I just paid for the Nexus S through Best buy, and now I am afraid that I made a mistake. When I added the phone to my shpping cart, it asked me i I am a T-Mobile contract holder (Which i am not) and I said that I do, which gave me the option to buy the phone at the full price of $529. I am afraid that I am going to receive a LOCKED Nexus S with T-Mobile affiliations and that it's maybe not Sim Free.
Is this the case? If so, how do I order it SIM Free and UNLOCKED Online? The only options on the website was to buy it either for $199 with a T-Mobile contract or to buy it for $529, but again, I am not sure if this is fully unlocked or it is still with a T-Mobile Simcard.

jonatansofer said:
I just paid for the Nexus S through Best buy, and now I am afraid that I made a mistake. When I added the phone to my shpping cart, it asked me i I am a T-Mobile contract holder (Which i am not) and I said that I do, which gave me the option to buy the phone at the full price of $529. I am afraid that I am going to receive a LOCKED Nexus S with T-Mobile affiliations and that it's maybe not Sim Free.
Is this the case? If so, how do I order it SIM Free and UNLOCKED Online? The only options on the website was to buy it either for $199 with a T-Mobile contract or to buy it for $529, but again, I am not sure if this is fully unlocked or it is still with a T-Mobile Simcard.
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AFAIK they are all unlocked - even the phones sold with T-Mo service.

Will the phone say T-mobile on the phone or connected with it in any way ?

nope, box has a tmobile sim in it but noowhere on the phone does it say tmobile

People at best buy online support are complete fools, they keep saying it's locked, even though twitter and their FAQ say its unlocked.
The whole point of Pure Google phone is that it's unlocked and unbranded

All Nexus S phones are unlocked by default with no carrier branding on the phone or box.
Pricing just varies based on if you want a contract or buying outright.

psp888 said:
People at best buy online support are complete fools, ...
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Well, not everybody have the intelligence required to flip burgers.

Best Buy couldn't even get the ordering live until about 10 minutes late ...
Then I tried to order 3 times; each time I got a vague credit verification error that made no sense.
Plus, they tried to switch me from my $10/mo unlimited 3G data to $10/mo 4G data with a 200MB cap... no thanks.
I was able to order by phone, but the process took over an hour. At least I got to keep my data plan.
Total cost was $250 after taxes and activation fees.

hi folks, is there anyone from from non-US/UK manage to buy a Nexus S>? If yes can let me know how? Especial from Malaysia. Thanks..

i had help from a fellow XDA member in the USA to help me buy one
as all the BestBuy stores were out of stock on the first 2 hours of the release date
make sure your phone operator works with 900/1700/2100 data

I bought two on launch day. The second is unopened. PM me if you want to buy it.

Wow!
I have a G1 and tried to upgrade to the nexus s with my existing 24.99 unlimited G1 data plan. The rep in the store said she was pretty sure I had to upgrade my plan. She said she would try it without upgrading my plan and got almost through the entire process but her system would only allow for the full price option for the phone.
Did you do anything special to get them to let it work with your existing plan??
Thanks
Bicster_ said:
Best Buy couldn't even get the ordering live until about 10 minutes late ...
Then I tried to order 3 times; each time I got a vague credit verification error that made no sense.
Plus, they tried to switch me from my $10/mo unlimited 3G data to $10/mo 4G data with a 200MB cap... no thanks.
I was able to order by phone, but the process took over an hour. At least I got to keep my data plan.
Total cost was $250 after taxes and activation fees.
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Has anyone actually bought this online?
I'm having problems getting Best Buy's site to let me buy this thing. It keeps getting hung up when I select a plan - just keeps asking me if I currently have T-Mo service and won't let me actually select an answer...
Also, since I'm a new customer, would I be able to sign up for T-Mo's promotional plan (1500+unlimited for 79.99)?

You have to go to the store for starting a new plan.

If just happened that you have an extra unit or you're willing to help me, please PM me. THanks; )

AllGamer said:
i had help from a fellow XDA member in the USA to help me buy one
as all the BestBuy stores were out of stock on the first 2 hours of the release date
make sure your phone operator works with 900/1700/2100 data
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Click to collapse
one of the best buys near me still has 2 phones in stock

Marmle said:
You have to go to the store for starting a new plan.
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That's ridiculous - there's not a single Best Buy here in TN that will sell it with a plan. I suppose none do T-Mo. And my local store says $529.99 - available at Bestbuy.com for $199.99.
Whose idea was this Best Buy debacle?

your going to have to sign up for t-mobile service online best buy online sells tmobile online. Call there customer service they might be able to help you out.

Hey,
Maybe this will help!
bonvu.com
never used it so not sure how safe it is, but read that people are using it to purchase what ever they want in the US.
GL,

Some options:
www.ebay.com (in advanced search you can select someone that delivers to your country, offers paypal)
www.usunlocked.com (3rd party site, buys it for you and sends it yo you).

Good places to buy SIM unlocked phones in the US?

I'm an American in Canada, but I frequently travel back to the states for friends, family, etc. As many of you know, we Americans are quite accustomed to buying subsidized handsets. There is also relatively little infrastructure--especially compared to somewhere like Europe--for buying unlocked phones from someone other than a carrier.
I'm tired of that model. I have hacked dozens and dozens of 'droids for other people, but I've had the same old BlackBerry since 2008. First I had to wait for my contract to expire, then I waited for the first seriously good crop of dual core phones. Now that the SGS2 and the Sensation are coming, I think it's time to buy unlocked. If the Nexus 3 is as good as the rumors suggest, I'll be buying another unlocked phone in the fall as well.
So, my question to you all is this:
What are some reputable sites for buying SIM unlocked phones in the US? I've heard Expansys is good. Is that true? Are there others?
Bonus:
Where do you go to find the MSRP/SEP of an unlocked phone from the mfgr? I want to know if the prices I'm seeing fall in line with what the manufacturer suggests, just like I would with a video card or a CPU.

Fleamarket or pawn shops

You can check this one:
www.geeksphone.com it's unlock and has root access (it's android)

Hope it's not against the forum rules to bump for visibility. Thanks, all.

[Q] Where to buy unlocked cell phone in Orlando, Fl.?

Hi there, I'm soon traveling to USA and I'd like to buy maybe a Samsung Galaxy S3, maybe a HTC One X unlocked, quad-core... I've been watching selers on ebay, but the thing is they just take payments fron paypal, credit card or bank, and I'm possibly traveling with cash, so buying and making them ship the phone wouldn't be such a good choice I think...
Now straight to the question here, is there any shop in Orlando, Fl. where I'd be able to get one of those cell phones, unlocked, worldwide quad-core version?
Thanks for your attencion, even more if you can give me some info hahaha
And sorry about my english, not using very much lately...

No one?

Unlocking phones is illegal now, what about the second hand market?

I was just reading an Engadget post about how unlocking a carrier locked phone is illegal now, in the US anyway. It was long, but really didn't answer the question I had. I am on T-mobile with no contract and like to switch phones every few months. My most frequent stop for phones is eBay, although recently I've gotten unlocked phones from Amazon and Newegg as well. On eBay, I usually buy a locked carrier version (usually At&t) because they are usually cheaper than straight unlocked ones (carrier branded) and much cheaper than international unlocked ones. Then I buy an unlock code from eBay for a few bucks and voila. For some phones that are carrier exclusive or have no international variant yet, this is the only way to get them.
Does this new rule apply to me? I'm thinking no since it is second hand after all and I'm not the one who signed the contract, but they are vague about second-hand unlocking. I also sell my phone on eBay once I'm done using it.

I think of you as you are to unlock the phone which actually was first locked.
This is my opinion, now expect others to comment on

I think as long as the original contract has been satisfied it doesn't matter.

ruangle you
This is so Verizon,Contact phones and other junk. I have a unlocked phone from ebay on simple mobile which is gsm can use it anywhere in the world and no contract, I just rooted my sisters new S3 on the same phone carrier its under contract,lets see what happens I dont expect anything its my phone in so many words as long as I pay the bill Right ?

xtnelson said:
This is so Verizon,Contact phones and other junk. I have a unlocked phone from ebay on simple mobile which is gsm can use it anywhere in the world and no contract, I just rooted my sisters new S3 on the same phone carrier its under contract,lets see what happens I dont expect anything its my phone in so many words as long as I pay the bill Right ?
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As i know in europe and maybe also in US it is not illegal to unlock your phone - if you have no contract anymore with any provider !
Because it's "YOUR PHONE" and if you make the choice to cut it in small slices - why not - it is yours (when paid) !
But one decision - you have to unlock yourself - as i know it is not allowed by companies in US !

I read the actual text of the decision and it's pretty clearly spelled out (and not even that long). Sorry to be that guy. :silly:

Yeah I have no idea what some of you people are talking about. Or understand the Engrish. The phone is sold to an end user and the software is also licensed to them. This is the relationship between the carrier and the user entering a contract. However, I don't buy direct from the carrier or sign any contracts. Thus, I am not a license holder at all. Furthermore, the ruling allows for "legacy" devices to be unlocked and sold. Legacy device would be loosely understood as second hand, basically what I am buying and unlocking.

delete

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7
They'll have to respond to this issue now so hopefully it gets changed and you won't have to worry.

how to other country?

If you have the carrier unlock it, it is not illegal.
If you use your upgrade to get a cheaper phone with a contract and then use a 3rd party SIM unlocker to use on another carrier then it IS illegal.
Start with asking the carrier it is locked by for an unlock code

People selling their upgrade S7 Edges on ebay

I don't get people buying other people's contract upgrade phones on ebay. All of them are network locked, and not just that. With some of the networks, they own the phone for the first 6 months so you're selling someone else's property. If the person selling the phone stops paying his bill, some networks have been known to block/blacklist phones, so the guy who bought it is stuck with a nice expensive paper weight.
Plus they pay nearly exactly the same for it than it would have cost to just buy an unlocked, sim free phone directly from Samsung.
I did a bit of searching and found mine with 20% off, brand new and unlocked.

Biggenz said:
I don't get people buying other people's contract upgrade phones on ebay. All of them are network locked, and not just that. With some of the networks, they own the phone for the first 6 months so you're selling someone else's property. If the person selling the phone stops paying his bill, some networks have been known to block/blacklist phones, so the guy who bought it is stuck with a nice expensive paper weight.
Plus they pay nearly exactly the same for it than it would have cost to just buy an unlocked, sim free phone directly from Samsung.
I did a bit of searching and found mine with 20% off, brand new and unlocked.
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That only goes for the US... For example European devices are not carrier locked... I get a new Smartphone every year through my provider so I will sell a one year old flagship or the new flagship every 12 months...
But if it comes to the US most times it is fraud somehow.

hlenforcer said:
That only goes for the US... For example European devices are not carrier locked... I get a new Smartphone every year through my provider so I will sell a one year old flagship or the new flagship every 12 months...
But if it comes to the US most times it is fraud somehow.
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I'm in the UK and every upgrade phone here is network locked.

Biggenz said:
I don't get people buying other people's contract upgrade phones on ebay. All of them are network locked, and not just that. With some of the networks, they own the phone for the first 6 months so you're selling someone else's property. If the person selling the phone stops paying his bill, some networks have been known to block/blacklist phones, so the guy who bought it is stuck with a nice expensive paper weight.
Plus they pay nearly exactly the same for it than it would have cost to just buy an unlocked, sim free phone directly from Samsung.
I did a bit of searching and found mine with 20% off, brand new and unlocked.
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Lol...a carrier cannot blacklist the phone for someone not paying the bill. Stop spreading these false accusations.

shollywood said:
Lol...a carrier cannot blacklist the phone for someone not paying the bill. Stop spreading these false accusations.
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Why don't you have a read of this before you make anymore smart arse comments. Particularly message 8.
https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Apple...-that-is-locked-to-EE-and-want-to/td-p/248111

shollywood said:
Lol...a carrier cannot blacklist the phone for someone not paying the bill. Stop spreading these false accusations.
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Oh, they most certainly can if the phone itself is under contract / not paid off.
It happens all the time in the US, so you are just completely wrong.
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shollywood said:
Lol...a carrier cannot blacklist the phone for someone not paying the bill. Stop spreading these false accusations.
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Uh you don't know what you're talking about. I am an authorized dealer for MetroPCS, I see it happen every other day.
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