[Q] Where to buy T-Mobile Galaxy S4 without plan

[vortexmak]

Hi,

I want to buy the T-Mobile S4 unlocked, but I just need the device, not the plan (cause it's an additional $50)
The only place I know is shopnbc.com but it just got sold out there.

Any other places/sites ?

 

[Android_Monsters]

The phones I bought that way. G2 & Hercules. Were purchased on e-bay.

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[lordcheeto03]

You could always buy it off-contract from a T-Mobile store and unlock it yourself. I don't know how the price would compare to online vendors or anything, but it's definitely worth considering.

 

[vortexmak]

I don't really trust ebay. I'll keep it as a last resort.

I checked Negri electronics. They do have it in stock but it's listed as
"This device is intended for INTERNATIONAL USE only"

They said that it's IMEI blocked from being used in the US due to recent unlocking laws.

But that's not how I understand the law is.... nobody said anything about not being able to use devices which are already unlocked , fully bought and paid for.

Any thoughts?

 

[vortexmak]

You could always buy it off-contract from a T-Mobile store and unlock it yourself. I don't know how the price would compare to online vendors or anything, but it's definitely worth considering.

Yeah, that's an option, just trying to save $50, that's the first month service charge. I don't really need the T-Mobile service at all.

 

[lordcheeto03]

Yeah, that's an option, just trying to save $50, that's the first month service charge. I don't really need the T-Mobile service at all.

Yeah, but what I'm saying is that you don't have to get service with T-Mobile to buy the S4 from them. Tell them you want to buy it outright and off-contract. Pay full price and walk out device in hand, without any sort of service.

 

[vortexmak]

Yeah, but what I'm saying is that you don't have to get service with T-Mobile to buy the S4 from them. Pay full price and walk out device in hand, without any sort of service.

They let you do that ?
I had checked online and there was no way to buy a phone without service.
I'll try the store today.

Edit: I just called them up, they don't let you buy just the device

 

[lordcheeto03]

They let you do that ?
I had checked online and there was no way to buy a phone without service.
I'll try the store today.

Thanks

Yup. I did it around 2 weeks after release when I was still on AT&T; had it up and running within the hour.

 

[vortexmak]

Yup. I did it around 2 weeks after release when I was still on AT&T; had it up and running within the hour.

I just called up another store. They are not letting me save any money
It's 650+tax in store without plan and 600 with plan

 

[lordcheeto03]

I just called up another store. They are not letting me save any money
It's 650+tax in store without plan and 600 with plan

Oh believe me, I know. I just mentioned it because I'm not exactly sure the price difference between an online vendor and in-store; but it is definitely possible to get it there.

 

[Magicantian]

If you're looking to buy unlocked, buy from anyone reputable, reputable being a real business. But if you're going to go on eBay, Craigslist, or anything dealing with the average joe, do note that you could be buying a device that has the potential to be blacklisted. When on eBay, look at their feedback and determine how many phones they're selling. If it's just a few, I would be weary as to how they're getting their stock.

Whatever vendor said an international phone can't be used in the USA and is blacklisted due to it being unlocked is full of nonsense and should be avoided like the plague, sketchy stuff.

 

[vortexmak]

If you're looking to buy unlocked, buy from anyone reputable, reputable being a real business. But if you're going to go on eBay, Craigslist, or anything dealing with the average joe, do note that you could be buying a device that has the potential to be blacklisted. When on eBay, look at their feedback and determine how many phones they're selling. If it's just a few, I would be weary as to how they're getting their stock.

Whatever vendor said an international phone can't be used in the USA and is blacklisted due to it being unlocked is full of nonsense and should be avoided like the plague, sketchy stuff.

Totally agree, ebay and CL postings cannot be 100% trusted.

 

[jslim38]

Best advice stay away from ebay I buy a lot of unlocked devices from amazon this is the way to go you cant go wrong.

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[vortexmak]

Best advice stay away from ebay I buy a lot of unlocked devices from amazon this is the way to go you cant go wrong.

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Checked Amazon, still no reputable seller and 0 reviews

 

[kgbeezr1]

If you're not morally opposed to supporting Wal-Mart, most of them sell the S4 for Family Mobile (T-Mobile) for $629. I think it's even available on their website under "prepaid devices".

Edit: It's not unlocked, obviously, but the unlock process is posted in this forum.

 

[jslim38]

Hmm I just checked and found one with a 97% positive rating on amazon.and yes its unlocked but you have to make sure that it has the lte bands for tmo

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---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

Here you go.check it out. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BV1NKCW/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8

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[vortexmak]

If you're not morally opposed to supporting Wal-Mart, most of them sell the S4 for Family Mobile (T-Mobile) for $629. I think it's even available on their website under "prepaid devices".

Edit: It's not unlocked, obviously, but the unlock process is posted in this forum.

I'd rather go with an unofficial unlock. I don't know whether T-Mobile will unlock this.

Hmm I just checked and found one with a 97% positive rating on amazon.and yes its unlocked but you have to make sure that it has the lte bands for tmo

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---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

Here you go.check it out. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BV1NKCW/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8

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That's an i9500 . the T-Mobile one is m919. Thanks though

 

[lordcheeto03]

If you buy it from a T-Mobile store, they are supposed to be able to unlock it for you there. They gave me the run-around though; said they couldn't do it in store unless I was a customer while customer service said it had to be done in-store because I wasn't a customer. Plus, as was mentioned in some other thread (or perhaps earlier in this one, I don't remember) you may pay a few dollars more in-store, but if something happens within the warranty period you just take back in-store instead of shipping it off somewhere.

 

[epsix]

If you buy it from a T-Mobile store, they are supposed to be able to unlock it for you there. They gave me the run-around though; said they couldn't do it in store unless I was a customer while customer service said it had to be done in-store because I wasn't a customer. Plus, as was mentioned in some other thread (or perhaps earlier in this one, I don't remember) you may pay a few dollars more in-store, but if something happens within the warranty period you just take back in-store instead of shipping it off somewhere.

I've paid off my phone, a week later called CS they email me snd told me I have to wait 40 days to get the unlock code.


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[lordcheeto03]

I've paid off my phone, a week later called CS they email me snd told me I have to wait 40 days to get the unlock code.


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I know... there are inconsistencies in what they're telling people though. I was told by CS that I had to wait 30-40 days to get the unlock code by phone, go through Samsung and get it whenever they get around to it, or go in store and get it whenever I wanted. I was just pointing out the fact that it almost appears that, at the time at least, they didn't know what exactly was going on as CS tells me one thing and the reps in the store said to go through customer service. I ended up not even worrying about TMO and waiting and just did the unlock method here. MUCH less hassle