My T-Mobile Dash just died. So I went online today to pre-order a G1 Google phone. Since I'm in the middle of my contract, it was going to cost me $349! And I'd have to wait until at least Nov. 10. While at Costco buying diapers and such, I decided to stop by the cell phone kiosk, and was extremely happy to learn that I could buy it immediately, and pay just $229 (plus get a free bluetooth headset).
I realize that this is only a deal if you're interested in a G1, but if you are, and are lucky enough to have a Costco nearby, this is a very good thing. The kiosk employee told me that all the T-Mobile stores in the area are backordered--and they still had several in stock. Apparently early adopters don't wait in line at the Costco cell phone kiosk!
And for new T-Mobile customers (or those not in the midst of a contract), the price at the kiosk is the same as at the stores: $179. The only difference being, Costco may have them, and the stores may be sold out.
PS--after playing with it for a few hours...it is very, very cool!
You can cancel the internet without a fee. The consider it an add on like a text messaging package. It is required on sign up but you can cancel it w/o fees. You need to net to get the phone started since it has to register with google. I don't think you can turn wifi on until it is registered? I do not remember.
Deets said:also wondering if this required a 2 year extension. i have tmobile but am off contract.. don't really want to extend my contract if possible.
I was in a costco store yesterday and I saw the same deal. For the new 2 yrs contract, the phone would cost 179. For "2 yrs contract" upgrade price, it would cost $229. However, they did not mention about free bt headset thou.
ryryfree said:You can cancel the internet without a fee. The consider it an add on like a text messaging package. It is required on sign up but you can cancel it w/o fees. You need to net to get the phone started since it has to register with google. I don't think you can turn wifi on until it is registered? I do not remember.
so you need the data plan to register the phone and after a month or so, you can get rid of the data plan and the phone still works??? the way the rep told me was that every time the phone starts, it has to connect to the internet so that's why you need a data plan.
i'm off contract and I called tmobile customer service and was told that I could sign up for a 2 yrs contract and get G1 for $179.
You know I kept my internet so I am not sure how functional the phone is without it. Kind of defeats the purpose of getting the phone to not have net on it though. There is no contract forcing you to keep the net though. Maybe it would work fine if you had wifi when the phone needed it? wifi will suck the battery more though.
I don't think you can drop the data plan, I think it's similar to the iphone. I think there's like a 14 days grace period type thing and then they automatically add the plan after that (at least that's what I read on HowardFor)
One more detail: the free bluetooth headset they gave me is a Jabra BT2010. T-Mobile sells it for $29.99. No idea if it's any good, but hey, free is good.
You can get the $179 price even if you are an existing customer by calling them up and saying you really want a touch screen phone and if they can't give you the $179 price it makes sense to pay the cancelation fee and go get an iphone. If you are close to a year into your contract they will give you the $179 price to retain you as a customer.
Anybody else get this deal? I've been too lazy to stop by CostCo, but I'd really like to pick this up if it's the same deal in all CostCo cellular kiosks!
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