A real shame that Phones4U are the latest High Street brand in the UK to crumble into administration. Whilst I do not know the complex contractual workings or business model of Phones4U, I do know that EE and Vodafone want more of your money, so in order to achieve that they stamp out the little guys who brought them so much business in the past.
What this means for the UK consumer is less competition, fewer deals, higher prices, longer waits for newly launched devices and networked locked and/or branded phones. Carphone Warehouse is hanging in there but they are probably having to strike some less tasty deals with the networks now to keep them happy. They also won't have to juggle their deals so much to outdo Phones4U.
Not everyone has happy stories about how they traded with Phones4U but I have had some pretty good deals and picked up the latest phones from them in the past.
I hope it's not the beginning of the end for High Street mobile phone shops, I guess we shall have to wait and see.
I am in Ipswich and a lot of phone shops like this have or are starting to close down as you have said. I used CPW to get my deals mostly but my sister used Phones4U and was happy with their service over stores like EE, Orange or O2 as they gave her the runaround or charged slightly higher for the same deal as other stores.
Related
read and weep fanboys
http://shop.o2.co.uk/iPhone
I have no reason to weep as I'm not a iPhone fan. But thanks for the notice!
Interesting. That's either because they've run the stock out for the 3g model coming out soon, OR they've pulled out of their contract with Apple for some reason.
Here is the full press release
British carrier O2 today issued a statement on its website (not available outside of the UK) that the company has stopped selling the current-generation iPhone. Both the 8GB and 16GB models are listed as "no longer available" and have not been given a restocking date by the provider. Apple itself continues to list both versions as shipping within 24 hours, though independent phone retailer Carphone Warehouse has also reported selling out all its supply without expectations of new shipments.
O2 recently instituted a temporary price cut to help drive sales but is thought to have underestimated demand, triggering a sales spike that dried up supplies of the 8GB model covered by the discount.
The device has been in chronic shortages in recent weeks across both the US and Europe, and is believed by many to have effectively been phased out by Apple in favor of a replacement expected at next month's Worldwide Developer Conference. California-based Apple has not explained the early shortfall other than to suggest that demand has been stronger than anticipated.
To me, this seems a slightly strange marketing tactic unless they're gonna sell the "new" iPhone for a lot more...
Why stop people buying the current generation when you can still make money?
Actually... I have both an iPhone and a TyTN II... so... just to help shed some light... while WM people here are saying that O2 is cutting supply because of unsatisfactory demand, people at the Mac side are speculating that this is to make way for the 3G model, with its eminent release, which is believed to be held sometime June 9th-13th, in Apple's WWDC. AT&T has also passed an internal memo to its employees restricting employee vacation days on June 12-July 15 or something like that... I forget. But on the company memo, it said that they needed manpower to help the stores because they were "expecting large demand" due to an "exciting new product launching." Looks like O2 is probably clearing the way for the 3G iPhone. Just my 2 cents.
just an update the site now says that only the 16gb is available. this has been updated within the last half an hour???
l3v5y said:
To me, this seems a slightly strange marketing tactic unless they're gonna sell the "new" iPhone for a lot more...
Why stop people buying the current generation when you can still make money?
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y? maybe they dont want to piss their customers off?
buying a iphone for less then a month, and now u have 3G iphone which is much better?
Guess that explains this...
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/171022/iphone-price-reduced-to-169-from-to/
I don't get it. i clicked the TS link and i get offered to buy an iPhone. Am i missing the part where i can't buy it and its no longer available?
The 8Gb are gone but they seem to not have a problem selling you a 16GB one. Is that what all the hullabaloo is about?
This is bizarre - can't get onto the o2 shop to even look - says they only sell to the UK.
But I'm in the UK, working at one of the larger internet backbone suppliers ....
Snowreaper said:
I don't get it. i clicked the TS link and i get offered to buy an iPhone. Am i missing the part where i can't buy it and its no longer available?
The 8Gb are gone but they seem to not have a problem selling you a 16GB one. Is that what all the hullabaloo is about?
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If you read my post following the original announcement. Within half an hour of releasing an official press statement from both o2, apple and carphone warehouse they have changed the site to say that only 16gb available
Looks to me like either they cant make up their mind or a shameless marketing ploy
What do they base how much they charge on?
A few days ago the price dropped to 459 but its shot back up to 496 a couple of days ago... Whole sale prices cant of changed that much, so what are they basing the price on?
I would assume supply and demand just how the economy runs. Since it's a top notch gadget that everybody wants, they'll raise their prices to make the best profit they can.
i disagree. from what i can tell, expansys tend to base their prices on Mystic Megs sunday horoscopes. But then again, they are a very big online retailer and they can charge what they like because people will still buy from them.
www.devicewire.co.uk is usually a good bet, as they are actually owned by brightpoint and are the main uk distributors.
Although they have put the cost of the phone up, they have dropped the cost of purchasing it on contract by quite a bit !
now £105 ish on Tmob Flext 35
Actualy i thought exspansys tariff deals where pretty terrible if you asked me... They really should be supplying contracts that are at least a little bit like the ones from the network...
o2 deals are pretty awful. Considering o2 now offer web with no FUP but the terms through exspansys have the FUP also the minutes and text allowances are really expensive compared to buying the contract from the companys direct.
Oh well... At this rate o2 will be selling the phone with a contract before i can buy the phone unbranded :/
Though i really would like exspansys to just sell the phone with some fair contracts.
I believe it is a random number, perhaps the same way they calculate their stock numbers on the website.
i'm going to be in london next week - are there any stores that i can walk into to see the Raphael in person?
i live in the US and this is my first time in the UK, so i'm not familiar with the providers and stores over there.
thanks
Aaron
Yes. Inkino have them in stock (www.inkino.co.uk). Although their store is quite small, they keep a good range of phones at good prices. They are also reliable (and honest) and an HTC Partner. They are at 48 Tottenham Court Road W1T 2EF. Tel: +44 (0) 207 631 4567.
I would be careful with some of the other shops on Tottenham Court Road, particularly some of the smaller ones.
PS No, I don;t work for Inkino!
Can I just add that I have bought my QTEK S200, Trinity and Touch Pro from INKINO. You may not get the very best price (you are generally talking only a few tens of pounds on a £500 product), but the service and assistance I have had from the guys who work there is second to none.
I went in yesterday with a problem on my Touch Pro and it was sorted straight away with no quibbles whatsoever. All the people who work there know their stuff when it comes to HTC and will be very straight with you. They are an HTC Authorised Ultimate Partner. They do not hard sell or push something they know is not what you want or need. A BIG contrast to some of the other stores in that area!
There are in fact two INKINO stores. The one at 48 Tottenham Court Road is within another shop and can get busy, the other is a little down the road at 9 Great Russell Street, bigger and generally more staff but no less quality of service.
(A big thanks to Alan, if you're listening, for yesterday - its working fine)
PS I don't work for them either.
remember to look around all the shops at tcr because theres a wide range of prices from 490 to 650 there
THANKS! everyone, appreciate it
I was checking up on GSMArena and found this article and almost had an heart attack when I saw the title. It's interesting how much hell the iPhone has caused WinMo. Now I hope more than ever that MS gets things done with WinMo7. Read on fellow WinMo lovers and US AT&T customers!
only really an issue for people who buy phones over contract though
but it bodes unwell for wm
guess they should saddle up with wm7 and windows7 too as it seems
companys dont feel vista offer them anything xp dident well not enough to
change anyway
Damn, I hope that doesn't happen.
If they actually drop windows mobile they will loose a lot of device diversity and thus loose out on lots of potential customers, regular and businesses alike. windows mobile is a staple in the business arena along side the blackberry and for them to stop supplying windows mobile devices they would be kissing all those profits goodbye. phone companies don't make money on the devices (they actually loose money on them), but they make money on the contracts, especially 2year contracts:
**the average american spends $90 a month (voice, data, sms)
1) Phone company buys phone at $500 each. Gives customer $100 rebate while selling the phone for $500 (they "loose" $100 because now customer buys phone for 400).
**but this is where they make back any money lost and more**
2) customer signs up for a 2 year contract paying $90 month; 24months multiply by $90monthly = $2160
3) now subtract that $500 they originally paid for the phone from the manufactures: $2160 -$500 = $1660, hmmm so they tripled they're original cost.....but its not done yet
4) remember customer had to pay $400 upfront to actually get the phone, so add that money back to their $1660 = $2060
so they're making roughly $2000 an any customer who's paying $90 dollars a month for 2 years. (this not taking into account equipment cost such as cellular towers/data towers, employees, etc).
businesses pays less on each device, but the fact they buy in quantities both device and contract the phone companies more than make back the difference.
if I'm wrong someone correct me.
So for them to stop selling a variety of phones especially winMo devices, then they basically stop supporting a huge part of their revenue stream. i doubt they would really do that, because that would be a really stupid move.
master athlon said:
I was checking up on GSMArena and found this article and almost had an heart attack when I saw the title. It's interesting how much hell the iPhone has caused WinMo. Now I hope more than ever that MS gets things done with WinMo7. Read on fellow WinMo lovers and US AT&T customers!
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Click to collapse
Like all the other articles, it says ATT branded phones will probably all be symbian, but all the rest of the OSes will still be in the lineup. Right now, ATT Wireless customer service has to support regular phones, WinMo, symbian, etc. Apple supports the iPhone. If you've ever called ATT Wireless CS, you'd know this decision could be a very good thing. The outsourced CS techs would only have to know one OS (hopefully better than they do now, spread over several OSes), while the hansets running any other OS would be supported by the handset manufacturers. Since Symbian is the longterm OS of choice anywhere outside the US, this makes sense.
Ok so I always get my phone from Bestbuy or directly from Verizon based on online deals or specials going on when contract is up. Since when was Bestbuy pricing 700$ out of contract compared to $569 of VZ? They always when I checked with is every few months very similar in price. Now I have $300 buyback from previous upgrade done few months ago but considering locking in a second line to 4g Unlimited plan before it is too late.
So just curious did the Retail price 3rd party can sell agreement with Verizon change I was under impression to be Authorized reseller unless you were running a valid promotion, special you had to be in similar price range to Verizon?
I wouldn't be complaining normally but to have to cough up $700 for a retail price over Verizon cost of already high $569 seems way out of wack. I know the phones are 4g and high end but man didn't realize 3rd party places that were once better options now don't even try to compete with Big Reds pricing.
Forgive me if there was some post detailing Bestbuy cost going up or possible changes to why Verizon offers lower cost then retailers selling same phones on their behalf.
If you raise enough hell, best buy will match the VZW price. You just have to prove that the corporate store is charging 569 outright.
BBY will price match VZW... Best buy inflates their retail pricing to negate customers from buying it wo a contract(that's where they make their $$)
They will price match the online price or CS price cause they are not the same not a huge difference I just want to know which price to fight for? Is this generally something they are going to be pricks about I mean I have bought the phone I am going to bring back for the Buy Back Credit and purchased Black Tie Protection I can't imagine they would be to stuborn. I just want equal price and have no problem paying 569-599 at all obviously would be minus 300 GC I would get from the Buyback program.
If you were to come into my store and ask for a price match (I work at best buy), and you planned on getting blacktie and buyback, we would match without question. Other stores may be different, but the margin would be made up with those two components.
Sorry I should of been more clear on the phone I am going to trade in I had Blacktie and Buyback. This phone is to lock in 4g plan before July 7th so I would get Blacktie but no Buyback this time and previous phone is 3ish month old Fascinate. I have 2 Pc's, 2 HDTV and like 5 previous phones and everything has been with Blacktie.
I just want to know if I would be better of having proof cause I have no idea what a storefront of Verizons here has for anything showing retail price, but if I have to go out of my way to prove it. Due to BB not matching "online" prices I will cause I sure am not paying extra 125$ for same phone lol.
Really thank you all for advice so far I usually get great people when I work with Best Buy and after all Zagg shields the mobile department has put on my rounds of bad Thunderbolts they know my acount before they even pull me up as to what I have for phones ect. I just know it was like pulling teeth to get them to replace my non-fuctional Incredible after 2 seperate repairs to get a new device and had to talk to store manager before I got it done without a 3rd repair shipment.
Just bring it in the retail pricing from the online (I work at BBY Mobile PT as well) and Id match it
find the kid who hates his job at best buy and he'll price match it without talking to a manager. i work at best buy and do it all the time.
hackabusa said:
If you were to come into my store and ask for a price match (I work at best buy), and you planned on getting blacktie and buyback, we would match without question. Other stores may be different, but the margin would be made up with those two components.
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Word to the wise. Don't anyone ever get black tie. Its a scam.
I would generally agree to that last post but in my case because Best Buy has the lemon policy on repairing or attempting to fix issues. I went from Incredible that went 2.2 update came out dropped a packet and caused horrible call quality an hardware / software issues. Got me a $600 equal retail value Giftcard that put me into my Thunderbolt. Generally speaking insurance is never needed but I get it to be safe on my high end phones.
Also had to speak with a manager but the Buyback process and getting into the Charge was a painless experience and they gave it to me for $599 cause they know how much business I do there. Thanks for all the help.