Cyrus Afzali wrote:
> On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 13:28:35 -0500, "Carl"
> <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote:
>
>> Richard B. Gilbert wrote:
>>> News wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> LHA wrote:
>>>>
>>>
>> Yep. But I bought mine rather than lock into a contract. It cost me
>> a couple of hundred dollars to be free of the yoke. I'll get much
>> of it back if and when I sell the phone. I learned that awhile ago.
>> Meantime, technology changes are happening too quickly these days
>> for me to want to be locked in.
>>
>>
> That depends on what kind of phone you want and how up-to-date you
> want your technology to be. A business user that wants a relatively
> new smartphone, like the latest Blackberry, or a techie that wants to
> have the newest phone capable of video/audio, etc. isn't going to get
> that for anywhere near $200. If I were to have bought my Blackberry
> 8700 privately when it first came out, it would have set me back
> probably some $400 at least.
>
> So in reality, you have a choice: (1) pay top-dollar for up-to-date
> technology with no subsidy or 2) if you're happy with your carrier,
> get newer equipment at a much-reduced price. Of course, everyone who's
> knowledgeable will tell you to pick the network that works best for
> you and next the best device that fits your needs.
>
I think your two points are inarguable since (1) covers about anything else
one can do and (2) is just a restatement of the logical. It's just your last
statement which I'll take umbrage with. One shouldn't need to 'settle' for
anything over a couple of hundred bucks upfront.

In my case, I wanted to remain with Vz for now but am enamored of the
iPhone's general capabilities, but not the EDGE data service, nor the
iPhone's lack of 'business-related' functionality. I can't help but think
that if I locked myself intoVz another two years and, hypothetically,
sometime in March or April the next gen of iPhones, complete with PIM
capability and level 3 data, was introduced, how I'd be kicking myself.

So I bought a phone I liked (the next best device that fits my needs), an
8130, for about $400, instead of the $150 it would otherwise have cost me. I
still got the $50 rebate. So, $350 net. I figure if the pipe dream phone
does show up, I believe I can get $250-300 back for my well-cared for but
slightly used 8130. I take a small beating, but I would have gotten a few
months use out of the phone for a small cost, and I'm free to go without
hassle. Worth it to me for now. It's a gamble. We'll see if it pays out.
;-)