Phone Upgrade Help

[Pieter2008]

Hi, I take it I'm missing some obvious factoid when I just tried to upgrade my phone at the Vodacom Shop.
I have a weekender everyday contract. I saw on their website that the samsung s2 was also available now on the weekender contract.
My upgrade date was yesterday so I thought I'd have a go at upgrading my phone to that.
Last time I upgraded to a nokia 5800 and i think I had to pay in R200 in or something. They guy at the shop told me I have to pay in R3600 to get the upgrade!?! I said but that's madness, it's an upgrade not a new phone purchase. He just shrugged his shoulders and said, it is was it is.
So my question is what am I missing? Is it possible to upgrade to that phone without selling a kidney or not?

 

[Ancalagon]

It certainly is.

However, the Samsung Galaxy S2, iPhone 4 and HTC Sensation (and possibly others I'm unaware of) are regarded as top tier phones, and thus command a high premium (bought cash, they would go for about R6500). When you bought your 5800, it was probably a decent phone but not the best there is. It also depends on your contract, whether the phone is free, or how much the pay in is, and sometimes also depends on the service provider. I hear MTN offers very good deals on phones.

Anyway... if I was you, I'd look at phones like the original Samsung Galaxy S, or the Motorola Defy. They are both well priced, capable phones.

 

[Pieter2008]

Ok. Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Zen17h]

Somewhat related to this topic - I also want to upgrade my phone/contract, but simply feel cheated when new contracts can get phone x plus a TV, gift vouchers and the kitchen sink, but retained customers can only get phone x(on the same contract and with an additional R2000 charge).

At this point it just looks much better to cancel a contract, keep your number and take out a new one with it.

A few months ago I was already eligible for an upgrade and went to vodaworld, after standing in several queues, the service drone just said I can only get a phone(most with additional buy-in amount), or I can cancel my contract and lose my number(blatant lie!) to take out a new one.

That after several hours of waiting, queing and driving just to hear a bunch of bullcrap was more than enough for me that day, but now the bug has bitten me again and I'm looking at several specials and phones

Now my question: How can you either upgrade and get a decent offer or cancel and take out a new contract without all that BS?

 

[Speedster]

Somewhat related to this topic - I also want to upgrade my phone/contract, but simply feel cheated when new contracts can get phone x plus a TV, gift vouchers and the kitchen sink, but retained customers can only get phone x(on the same contract and with an additional R2000 charge).

At this point it just looks much better to cancel a contract, keep your number and take out a new one with it.

A few months ago I was already eligible for an upgrade and went to vodaworld, after standing in several queues, the service drone just said I can only get a phone(most with additional buy-in amount), or I can cancel my contract and lose my number(blatant lie!) to take out a new one.

That after several hours of waiting, queing and driving just to hear a bunch of bullcrap was more than enough for me that day, but now the bug has bitten me again and I'm looking at several specials and phones

Now my question: How can you either upgrade and get a decent offer or cancel and take out a new contract without all that BS?

As I understand it, if your contract has expired you are deemed to be a new contract and qualify for those benefits. If however you upgrade/renew prior to contract expiration you only qualify for upgrade benefits.

 

[Ancalagon]

As I understand it, if your contract has expired you are deemed to be a new contract and qualify for those benefits. If however you upgrade/renew prior to contract expiration you only qualify for upgrade benefits.

That has nothing to do with it, its about attracting new customers and knowing that because switching is difficult, most people dont want to do it.

of course they are going to give the best deals to new customers, you've already given them their money so why should their care about you? One thing you can do is phone up and cancel your contract (ie make sure it expires and does not renew after 24 months). Suddenly they will take a much more active interest in trying to give you a good deal.

 

[Speedster]

That has nothing to do with it, its about attracting new customers and knowing that because switching is difficult, most people dont want to do it.

of course they are going to give the best deals to new customers, you've already given them their money so why should their care about you? One thing you can do is phone up and cancel your contract (ie make sure it expires and does not renew after 24 months). Suddenly they will take a much more active interest in trying to give you a good deal.

Well, last time I renewed my contract I let it run past its 24 month expiry and all of a sudden I was eligible for all the "new contract" specials. But maybe that was just me.