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Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

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Old 08-05-2009, 2:03 PM   #1
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Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Hi, I'm now out of my vodafone contract and waiting for my PAC to be sent to me.

I want a 16GB iphone and i was thinking about buying an unlocked one from ebay etc. but can't afford to spend £500 on one tbh. But now that they are only £55 on a 24month contract from O2 and CPW, its a good price now, i think.

Question is, should i buy direct from O2 online or go to CPW which is only 10 miles away from me and get one today? Bearing in mind my PAC hasn't come through yet though.

Any cons to buying from CPW? After all they are just supplying the phone not the contract, or is there something i haven't thought of?

Thanks
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Old 08-05-2009, 2:19 PM   #2
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Shouldn't make any difference at all. Have a quick look at both websites before you buy just to check one isn't offering some sort of short term exclusive promotion (I doubt it but you never know) that makes one more attractive than another.

Keep in mind they aren't in competition with each over selling iPhones so there is no real reason why one would be better or worse than the other.
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Old 08-05-2009, 2:28 PM   #3
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Cheers for your input. Thats kind of what i was thinking.

I was thinking of going through Quidco but they don't do cashback with the iphone so can't see any advantage to ordering online really?

I only just cancelled my Vodafone contract today... but i really want an iphone now lol
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Old 08-05-2009, 2:51 PM   #4
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

If you can, wait until 8th June for Apple's WWDC. The new model should be coming out then. O2 and CPW are trying to get rid of the current model in preparation for the new one, that's why their deals are better at the moment.
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Old 08-05-2009, 3:11 PM   #5
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Avoid CPW like the plague. They are useless
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Old 08-05-2009, 3:43 PM   #6
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Doesn't matter who you buy from, they both do exactly the same deals.
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Old 08-05-2009, 4:53 PM   #7
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

You could of course by a PAYG one from either retailer for £400. It'll work out cheaper in the long run.

Cheers
B

Last edited by branny; 08-05-2009 at 6:12 PM.
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Old 08-05-2009, 5:04 PM   #8
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

You can do the quidco/CPW combo though.

Thinking of it myself after I get my PAC.
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Old 08-05-2009, 9:37 PM   #9
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

cheers guys. i'll have a think over the weekend

Probably end up getting one now cause i really want one. What's supposed to be in the new model?
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Old 09-05-2009, 10:25 AM   #10
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

im with CPW at the moment, and upgrade was due 30/07/09, i called them up and sed they can upgrade me early to the iphone 24 months £45 per month. iphone 16gb in white. The contract is basically with o2 direct who become your CP.

I adv them of the new iphone possibly due out in july, they said apple offer existing customers free upgrades if new phone comes out, or for a small fee.

i decided to take the plunge, and see what happens when the new one comes out.
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Old 10-05-2009, 12:41 AM   #11
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by itn View Post
I adv them of the new iphone possibly due out in july, they said apple offer existing customers free upgrades if new phone comes out, or for a small fee.
sorry but thats just not true im afraid.
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Old 10-05-2009, 1:11 AM   #12
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by hutch View Post
sorry but thats just not true im afraid.
Hutch is right, i spoke to 02 the other day about this, they said the only time you can upgrade is a month before your contract is due to expire. This is just for 02, though i'm sure the rest are the same. Otherwise everyone would be ringing up every 2-3 months for a new phone.
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Old 10-05-2009, 6:56 AM   #13
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by hutch View Post
sorry but thats just not true im afraid.
I had the original iPhone from launch day. When the iPhone 3G came out I was able to upgrade for free to the 8GB model but I decided to pay £60 for the 16GB.

As long as you sign up for another 18 months you can upgrade for free. That's what the policy was last time and I see no reason why they would change it. Although I'm not sure they will let you do it if you have only had the phone for 2 months that's why I recommend waiting for the new model.

It's defo getting a better camera with video recording, would have thought a 32GB option, faster processor, more ram, maybe a front facing camera and a digital compass has been found in the latest beta. That's all i can think of off the top of my head but check out macrumors.com for more info
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Old 10-05-2009, 7:06 AM   #14
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

i did ask the lady a more than once during the call, she also said to e the call is recorded. where do I stand now?... if they dont do the upgrade for me if a new one does come out!!... i have no problem signing a further new 24 month contract...but i kind of feel mislead, sorry no I have been mislead by the advisor....if they do not let me upgrade!!!
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Old 10-05-2009, 9:59 AM   #15
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

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Originally Posted by ggt View Post
That's what the policy was last time and I see no reason why they would change it.
The huge difference between the 1st Gen and the 3G is that the 1st Gen was not subsidised by the networks so it was in their interests to give people an easy path to the 3G.

Unfortunately the 3G is heavily subsidised by O2 so unless your contract is almost up its extremely unlikely that they will be offering any way up upgrading short of paying out your contract and starting again.
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Old 10-05-2009, 2:19 PM   #16
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

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Originally Posted by hutch View Post
The huge difference between the 1st Gen and the 3G is that the 1st Gen was not subsidised by the networks so it was in their interests to give people an easy path to the 3G.

Unfortunately the 3G is heavily subsidised by O2 so unless your contract is almost up its extremely unlikely that they will be offering any way up upgrading short of paying out your contract and starting again.
Yeah that's true. I recon this guy should just wait a couple of months.
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Old 11-05-2009, 2:41 PM   #17
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Be it true of false, when i got my 3G iPhone last month I was also told by O2 that I'd be able to upgrade to the new iPhone this June. The chap said that internet chatter claiming otherwise was incorrect. We'll have to wait and see.....
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Old 11-05-2009, 5:11 PM   #18
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by banjoted View Post
Be it true of false, when i got my 3G iPhone last month I was also told by O2 that I'd be able to upgrade to the new iPhone this June. The chap said that internet chatter claiming otherwise was incorrect. We'll have to wait and see.....
Problem is, was that just a salesman saying what you wanted to hear, to clinch the deal and obtain the commission. Unless you have that in writting, his word is in every sense, worthless.

Everything is complete and utter speculation, as always

John
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Old 12-05-2009, 4:24 PM   #19
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by banjoted View Post
Be it true of false, when i got my 3G iPhone last month I was also told by O2 that I'd be able to upgrade to the new iPhone this June. The chap said that internet chatter claiming otherwise was incorrect. We'll have to wait and see.....
I got an iphone yesterday from CPW and the bloke said a similar thing to me. He said "make sure you keep an eye out for when the 3.0 update is released and make sure you get it installed". I assumed that it was just a software update and could be downloaded via apple to your iphone.

Is this the case then or was he talking **** to me?

Last edited by hutch; 13-05-2009 at 10:00 AM. Reason: please dont cirvumvent the swear filter
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Old 12-05-2009, 4:49 PM   #20
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Soldier_I View Post
I got an iphone yesterday from CPW and the bloke said a similar thing to me. He said "make sure you keep an eye out for when the 3.0 update is released and make sure you get it installed". I assumed that it was just a software update and could be downloaded via apple to your iphone.

Is this the case then or was he talking **** to me?
it's a free software update due in a month or so, most things will work with the current gen iphones. But I doubt video recording will as it's more of a hardware issue

Last edited by hutch; 13-05-2009 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 12-05-2009, 5:18 PM   #21
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Soldier_I View Post
I got an iphone yesterday from CPW and the bloke said a similar thing to me. He said "make sure you keep an eye out for when the 3.0 update is released and make sure you get it installed". I assumed that it was just a software update and could be downloaded via apple to your iphone.

Is this the case then or was he talking **** to me?
I wish I'd been in your shoes. I'd have asked him why I need bother upgrading to 3.0 if I'm getting the next gen iPhone as free upgrade when its released. I wonder what the look on his face would have been.

Last edited by hutch; 13-05-2009 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 12-05-2009, 6:32 PM   #22
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Quote:
Originally Posted by johnelf View Post
Problem is, was that just a salesman saying what you wanted to hear, to clinch the deal and obtain the commission. Unless you have that in writting, his word is in every sense, worthless.

Everything is complete and utter speculation, as always

John
As I said - might be true, might be false. It wasn't sales patter though as this was idle chat once I'd paid up and the phone was in my hands. Even if they don't offer an upgrade I'll just be left with the best phone I've ever owned.

Chances are I wouldn't be able to afford the upfront cost of the upgrade anyway - had to wait until O2 dropped the upfront payment (with the 24 month contract) before I could afford to get one in the first place.
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Old 12-05-2009, 7:21 PM   #23
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

ordered the iphone yesterday directly from O2 but they emailed me today to say it was out of stock, so i cancelled that and ordered from cpw today, they've already txt me to say it's been sent \o/
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Old 12-05-2009, 7:57 PM   #24
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

You won't be disappointed! Its a fantastic phone now!!

I'm chuffed to bits with mine!!

Just wish o2 would hurry up and get my old number ported over so i can use the iphone full time...
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Old 12-05-2009, 8:21 PM   #25
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Yeah, i'mm really excited about receiving it tbh, i love my iPod, so for me this is an extension of that.
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Old 12-05-2009, 9:36 PM   #26
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

I reckon you will be able to upgrade if a new one comes out in June/July/August BUT at great expense and possibly your old iphone as well. e.g. £200 plus old phone for example.
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Old 13-05-2009, 11:53 AM   #27
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

If it is that much i won't be paying it. Not worth it for what you'd get in an upgrade. The iphone is good enough as it is anyway so i'm not too bothered tbh and if it is going to cost a stupid amount then i'm happy as i am
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Old 13-05-2009, 5:08 PM   #28
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Re: Buy from O2 or Carphone Warehouse?

Yeh I got mine last sat brill phone cant wait for the upgrade with all the new features. Lol when the new one does come out and we dont get offered a deal I only have to wait till nov 2010
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