Looking for info on how to buy Nexus from Virgin, to use elsewhere

[Kingsix]

So I realize that there has been no real confirmation that a Virgin or Bell Nexus will have the radio to work on say Telus or Wind, but if it does, what is the plan to use to buy it outright? What is Virgins unlock policy? Anything else?

[MrCrowley]

So I realize that there has been no real confirmation that a Virgin or Bell Nexus will have the radio to work on say Telus or Wind, but if it does, what is the plan to use to buy it outright? What is Virgins unlock policy? Anything else?

Nexus phones have been unlocked in the past and nothing this time hints at google changing this. As of right now all you would have to do is buy from Virgin, insert your carrier's SIM and adjust APN settings. Should work no problem. I would wait until confirmation about the phone being unlocked though. If it is locked you will have to unlock it yourself or pay someone to unlock it, Virgin won't unlocked it until after 30 days of service and at a $75 cost (plus your setup fee and monthly bill - 2 months because you need to be active for 30 days before it can be unlocked and 30 days notice for cancellation), much cheaper to unlock it elsewhere if it needed.

[flagg]

Well Telus and Rogers have announced now too, so hopefully that solves your problem.

[TheNewDude]

Nexus Phones always come factory unlocked.
As far as I know, there will be no need to even adjust the APN, it does it automatically because they are factory unlocked.

They will be available on all carriers just like the nexus S was.

[AverageCanadian]

Nexus Phones always come factory unlocked.
As far as I know, there will be no need to even adjust the APN, it does it automatically because they are factory unlocked.

They will be available on all carriers just like the nexus S was.

Even if you have to enter the APN values they are easy to find online, buy my Nexus 1 required no such steps. My unlocked Milestone and Desire HD did however.

[d_gorn]

OK, a little advice needed, please. I want to go with WIND and I want a Galaxy Nexus. After talking to someone with WIND, I believe the GGN will work with their network (tho not 4G).

Called a Virgin store, woman said that the phone is unlocked but I'd HAVE to get a plan. I said "So I could go month-to-month for a month, and then leave?" She said "Yes, but you have to undergo a credit check no matter what." I read another thread here and they said that I'd actually need to be with Virgin for *2* months - 30 days to 'qualify (or sumpthin similar) and another 30 days notice of cancellation.

Then I talked in person with a salesperson from Futureshop, and she said they've NEVER sold a phone without a plan. I see The Source is also selling the phone, but I suspect they'll give me the same song.

Is this not anti-competitive? The whole point of unlocked phone is to use whichever provider you want. Where can I buy a phone without a plan with Bell or Virgin? I did the math, and I'd save ~$500 over 3 years by buying the phone and going WIND vs. SuperTab w/Virgin. I like money. :)

Please advise.

[chowmein]

I think you'd have to wait for Wind, Mobilicity, Videotron, or Tmobile to get the Nexus since those carriers use different networks than Rogers/Bell/ATT, etc.

But if you want an unlocked phone, as long as you get the right network model, you could always go to amazon.com wireless; they sell unlocked phones without contracts.

[d_gorn]

Amazon.ca doesn't seem to sell good phones.

[jobber604]

OK, a little advice needed, please. I want to go with WIND and I want a Galaxy Nexus. After talking to someone with WIND, I believe the GGN will work with their network (tho not 4G).

Called a Virgin store, woman said that the phone is unlocked but I'd HAVE to get a plan. I said "So I could go month-to-month for a month, and then leave?" She said "Yes, but you have to undergo a credit check no matter what." I read another thread here and they said that I'd actually need to be with Virgin for *2* months - 30 days to 'qualify (or sumpthin similar) and another 30 days notice of cancellation.

Then I talked in person with a salesperson from Futureshop, and she said they've NEVER sold a phone without a plan. I see The Source is also selling the phone, but I suspect they'll give me the same song.

Is this not anti-competitive? The whole point of unlocked phone is to use whichever provider you want. Where can I buy a phone without a plan with Bell or Virgin? I did the math, and I'd save ~$500 over 3 years by buying the phone and going WIND vs. SuperTab w/Virgin. I like money. :)

Please advise.

Relax.

Don't listen to what the store reps tell you. They won't tell you what they really know or you know more than they know. Do your own research or just wait until the phone comes out. if it's locked, then get it unlocked by using a 3rd party unlocking service like any of these google searches:
http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&cp=7&gs_id=1x&xhr=t&q=cell+unlock&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=cell+un&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=c40befabedf3bbd3&biw=1396&bih=834

You're not the only one REALLY REALLY wanting a nexus. Just be patient and wait it out. It's only a few weeks away. I still need to wait a month or two from Rogers.

[d_gorn]

Hey Jobber, thanks for the reply!

Sorry if I came off anxious. I'm not dumb, just really ignorant about cellphones. I'm not SUPER antsy about getting a GGN, I'm just trying to make sense of the minefield and not get myself into a spot (e.g. contract) I can't get out of, or spend mroe money than I absolutely need to. Trying to be pre-emptive, y'know? :)

I've only been using my first phone since March (a lousy Nokia), and although I've done tons of reading to get myself up to speed, some terms and stuff can elude me. So please bear with me.

I'm told the GGN comes unlocked, yet every retailer I've seen so far is telling me I need to accept a contract/service from either Bell or Virgin to get one (same with SGS2 as far as that goes). I don't anticipate it being ANY different with Telus or Rogers in a months time or whatever, given that stores like Futureshop and The Source are saying the same things. Which is to say, I cannot leave any of these stores with a GGN without signing on with a provider I don't want (WIND gives the best deals, but only have Nexus S here in Vancouver).

So I guess what I'm saying is that I don't understand whatcha mean by "wait it out", or "get it locked then unlock it". Is it not possible to get a GGN unlocked even though all the propaganda says they come unlocked? What am I waiting for?

Sorry to be verbose, and yet dense. :o Everyone else I know has just picked whatever phone with whichever provider they like/inherited, so I'm kinda on my own doing this (e.g. buying a phone I want, then choosing a provider).

Thanks again for any help. :)

[MattyMattMatt]

The Source sells phones outright, do it all the time. Except for iphones, they have to be tied to a bell/virgin account. Some managers might not though as selling outright means no profit. Now with the nexus being a month long exclusive, it is possible that they may have to be tied to an account, however, you could short term supertab. Cancel outside of the 14 day cancellation period. Pay off tab and possibly pay a month of service. Thats worst case scenario. AFAIK, pst the 14 dys, theres no minimum service. Maybe something youll have to pay for regardless though.

[TheNewDude]

I can understand your eagerness to get a shiny new toy and your caution towards telcos. We're Canadians, we have been screwed by Telcos for years, so you are totally justified when trying to make sure you aren't getting screwed.

1. Future Shop/Best Buy etc will always tell you that they won't sell a phone out right. - They won't, especially in the first few months of release of a hot phone because they only make money on the contracts.

2. "Wait it out" means when there is plenty of stock, then stores might be more inclined to sell handsets out right.

3. Bell/Virgin work on a different frequency than WIND. So make sure you do your research that the GGN comes with the WIND bands or it will not work. (I have heard that the Samsung Galaxy S 2 X came with all the bands, so might be true for GGN too)

4. You will be able to get a phone from Virgin and then cancel 30 days later. Or this is just my thought, there might be more technicalities here...Buy a phone outright, sign up for a Virgin month to month account, then go home, call Virgin, tell them you have decided not to go for it and cancel. I don't think they will say, "You have to go return the phone at the store." And if they say, go to the store, return the SIM, tell them the reason you are cancelling is because the phone broke or you dropped it in a lake. You aren't scamming them (you paid full price for the phone). You are just getting around there stupid policy to make ridiculous amount of money off of you.

If you want more precise details on this, look up http://forums.redflagdeals.com/virgin-mobile-ask-me-anything-mybuddies45-bb-9790-galaxy-nexus-best-price-1073753/


Hope that helps!!

[d_gorn]

Matty:
Yeah, that's what I've been trying to find out from the Virgin website for a coupla days now, what exactly the cancellation policy is, but at the moment, it's buried.... :mad: It's all fine and well to say "No BS", but money is money, and I like to know my contracts. Yeah, I'm one of those guys who reads fine print before signing (except EULAs, of course ;) ).

TheNewDude:
I love you, man! :D This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for!

1. & 2. Thanks for clarifying some of Jobber's points about waiting, and why companies refuse to sell unlocked stand-alone handsets. I didn't realize there was so much kickback involved, since the prices don't really change for handsets whether you buy from a retailer or a provider. Guess it's a referral thing.

3. Well, the WIND rep I talked to said the phone needs a "1700 over 2100" band, and when I read the specs on the GGN (from Virgin's website) they were: 850/900/1700/1900/2100 . So I assume it'll work on WIND (?).

4. Thanks a ton for the ideas, and the RFD link! Part of my issue was determining the cancellation policy if I buy/SuperTab. I do read RFD from time-to-time, but I guess not as much as I should. :o I'll thumb through the thread, and msg the guy if it comes to it. I was hoping to get away without any outlay other than the phone, but I'm starting to think that'll only happen if I wait for a few months....

Thanks again for the feedback, peeps! Keep it coming! :D

[g_____]

I just spoke with an independent Bell retailer about how much it would cost to walk away with a Galaxy Nexus (without a contract) when it's released next week. He told me I don't need to be a Bell customer, but it will cost me $40 "administration fee". Existing customers will be charged $20 in-store and an additional $20 on their bill. He implied the phone would be sold locked.

I tried asking a corporate Bell store to confirm, but they haven't received sales information yet.. so I'm taking what the first guy said with a grain of salt. They said the activation/hardware upgrade fees are typically $35 (not $40), and that it's [currently] waved for new accounts.

Virgin Mobile for a month is the route I'm considering, if I can cancel after 30 days as discussed above. Are their plans negotiable? Otherwise, I want to transfer it to WIND before their $29/voice+data plan expires!

-g

ps. my N1 is broken.. can't wait for GGN
pps. The first sales guy had some wonderful BS/FUD:


$40 activation fees is "standard practice" (So is the "wallet inspector")
bell got the Galaxy Nexus first because it has the "better, faster network" (I'm sure Bell didn't pay for the privilege of the excluding its competitors before chirstmas.)
bell's old network sucked because it was CDMA and not GSM. (huh?)

[d_gorn]

g__:

Hilarious! Thanks for the Bell feedback!

I'm in EXACTLY the same position: want a GGN and want to use WIND's $29/mo Oh Canada deal which looks to expire 12/31/2011 at the moment. :(

[g_____]

g__:

Hilarious! Thanks for the Bell feedback!

I'm in EXACTLY the same position: want a GGN and want to use WIND's $29/mo Oh Canada deal which looks to expire 12/31/2011 at the moment. :(

It looks like we have to throw away part of the 30 days.. which isn't so bad. I've asked WIND if they'd be willing to let me activate a new account, and then port my number after Dec 31st.. but that's probably more fuss than it's worth.

[d_gorn]

It looks like we have to throw away part of the 30 days.. which isn't so bad. I've asked WIND if they'd be willing to let me activate a new account, and then port my number after Dec 31st.. but that's probably more fuss than it's worth.

Please keep me informed of their response. Does WIND charge for activation?


BTW, I had a question about porting:
presently I have a cellphone # I don't care about, and a home phone # I've been using for 8-9 years. Can I have my home phone # ported in after activating an account? Or will I need to do it immediately upon starting a new cellphone account? TIA!

[g_____]

Please keep me informed of their response. Does WIND charge for activation?


BTW, I had a question about porting:
presently I have a cellphone # I don't care about, and a home phone # I've been using for 8-9 years. Can I have my home phone # ported in after activating an account? Or will I need to do it immediately upon starting a new cellphone account? TIA!

I don't know if they can port numbers to replace an existing number on a SIM.. if I had to guess, I'd guess it's technically possible, but the software used by the call centre techs may not let them do it. So likely depends on which provider you're with.

However, I'd recommend against porting your home number: a co-worker did this and keeps getting marketing calls, since land lines have different telemarketing laws than mobile phones.

[d_gorn]

Actually I'm just working my way through the Virgin thread NewDude put me onto, and this was the advice from the Virgin Mobile kiosk sales reps:

"Set up the phone first on a TEMP before your port in! Setup a line and then port the number on to the new line which already has a number."

He also suggested waiting until yer sure you want to switch to that provider before porting.

[d_gorn]

Also, thanks for the spam calls warning, I will take it under advisement. Problem is I wanted to lose my land line if I'm getting a pricey mobile.

Also, I'm on the DNCL as well as a rabid reporter to the FCC of US numbers. I rarely (*knocks on wood*) get those calls any more.

[g_____]

Also, thanks for the spam calls warning, I will take it under advisement. Problem is I wanted to lose my land line if I'm getting a pricey mobile.

Also, I'm on the DNCL as well as a rabid reporter to the FCC of US numbers. I rarely (*knocks on wood*) get those calls any more.

I use a VoIP service for my land line. It costs as little as $2/month + usage (currently with unlimitel, but switching to voip.ms). It's the cheapest long distance I've seen recently, and great for extended phone calls. I actually forward my mobile phone to my VoIP line so I can pick it up if I'm home, and avoid paying for an answering machine. We have a couple of VoIP hardware phones, which weren't too expensive either.

You could port your land line to a VoIP number; get your cake and eat it too!

[d_gorn]

(to quote Elaine Benes) Shut UP! :) How does one get a setup like that? Cuz I do have some long distance peeps, and have been thinking that I'll have to make sure I get at least CA, if not US, LD in my cell plan....

[TheNewDude]

The SNAKE guy on the Virgin Mobile thread over at RFD is very knowledgeable and helpful. So don't be shy at asking him.

I have ported a land line to a cell phone before. Didn't cause any major issues with telemarketing.

And I was about to answer you first question about porting the number after you have already setup a new number, but i see you got the answer from the Virgin thread. I remember asking the question there before.

You can talk to Snake. He might figure out a way for you to buy a phone out right? I know you are in Vancouver, so you can't walk into his kiosk and buy it unfortunately.

Good luck with your quest to get the phone. It's looking like it's going to be a remarkable piece of technology!

[d_gorn]

Thanks, NewDude, you were SUPER helpful! +1000000 :cool:

[g_____]

(to quote Elaine Benes) Shut UP! :) How does one get a setup like that? Cuz I do have some long distance peeps, and have been thinking that I'll have to make sure I get at least CA, if not US, LD in my cell plan....

Voip setup is a bit outside of the scope of this thread. But it isn't too hard. Standard VOIP warning: sometimes the internet gets congested and there's nothing you can do about it. Be ready to fall back to your cell. But in practice, this doesn't happen often, which makes it *great* value.

Any hardware phone that supports SIP should do the trick. I have a Polycom from an old job (great quality, but a ***** to setup), and a Siemens cordless (which does the job). There is an Android SIP client.. perhaps that'd be good use for your new GGN!

Anyways.. back to waiting for the GGN,

-g

[TheNewDude]

Thanks, NewDude, you were SUPER helpful! +1000000 :cool:

Anytime bro.
More than happy to help.

[g_____]

I just spoke with some Virgins about the Galaxy Nexus and moving to another carrier. They told me it would not be available to buy "outright", only via a 3 year plan or on a tab. If those were the only two options, he suggested buying it on a tab, and then cancelling after two weeks and site a good excuse (like leaving the country). (Before two weeks, you will have to return the phone when cancelling.)

Again, some misinformation may be at play, so I'd take this with a grain of salt: the phone may be available without contract.

[g_____]

I take it back: the website clearly shows you can buy the GGN outright for $650 on a 30 day contract. But, you have to give 30 days notice before you cancel.

ps. Is there a website out there that analyses contract fine print for cell phone companies?
Pps. Virgin sales folk had some FUD of their own:
- WIND has horrible coverage, doesn't work 8 floors above street level
- WIND only works in the city

[d_gorn]

This is the response I got from a VM employee:

"You can do a 30 day contract, buy the phone outright for 659.99 + tax in store on a $20 plan then cancel."

And:
"No, you dont need 31 days.
Lets say you cancel the next day after activating you will just pay for that month (of) service.
Tab or buying it outright is the same."

[g_____]

d_gorn: grovy. Do you know if BestBuy will have that option available next week?

[d_gorn]

*Know*? No. ;) But I suspect anyone who's selling Virgin GGN will work fine. Buy the phone, then sign up with whomever the next day. GGNs are supposed to be unlocked, so (AFAIK, and admittedly, that ain't much) it should be as simple as replacing your sim card.

[THS1989]

What should I do ???

1) Buy it on $200 tab. Give line to my sister (her koodo plan sucks and is getting cancelled). Still have to get her a cheap unlocked phone though.

2) Sign up for 3 years. Cancel and pay early cancellation fee. Cheaper than full price ?

3) Pay full price ?? Seems pricy.

[d_gorn]

Koodo plans seem better than any VM or Bell deals I've seen, and I would never recommend cancelling a 3-year deal just for a phone. Did you read this whole thread?

What about the link from NewDude 20 posts above yours? It's for a thread by a Virgin guy: http://mobilesyrup.com/forum/showpost.php?p=56381&postcount=12 . He'll help more than anything we could tell you.

[TheNewDude]

Koodo plans seem better than any VM or Bell deals I've seen, and I would never recommend cancelling a 3-year deal just for a phone. Did you read this whole thread?

What about the link from NewDude 20 posts above yours? It's for a thread by a Virgin guy: http://mobilesyrup.com/forum/showpost.php?p=56381&postcount=12 . He'll help more than anything we could tell you.

Too bad Koodo doesn't offer 6Gb for $30. Or I would've headed over to them.
As far as I know, VM is the only one of the discount carriers that offers that.

[d_gorn]

Too bad Koodo doesn't offer 6Gb for $30. Or I would've headed over to them.
As far as I know, VM is the only one of the discount carriers that offers that.

Well right now WIND has an "Oh Canada" deal that's unlimited everything except calls outside Canada = $29/mo for 12 months.

They normally offer 5GB of data on their "Mobile Unlimited" for $10/mo. You can get pretty much unlimited everything except long distance ($0.15/min in CA/US) for ~$35/mo. As I understand it, WIND says that if you go over 5GBs, they reserve the right to throttle yer speeds, as per their Fair Use Policy here: http://www.windmobile.ca/fairusage and Internet Usage Policy here: http://www.windmobile.ca/ITM-Policy . They say their "Mobile Internet" provides up to 10GBs...

But yeah, if you have to have 6GBs of data, at the highest possible speed, every month, then yer gonna have to pay the 'vig' @ VM.

[TheNewDude]

Well right now WIND has an "Oh Canada" deal that's unlimited everything except calls outside Canada = $29/mo for 12 months.

They normally offer 5GB of data on their "Mobile Unlimited" for $10/mo. You can get pretty much unlimited everything except long distance ($0.15/min in CA/US) for ~$35/mo. As I understand it, WIND says that if you go over 5GBs, they reserve the right to throttle yer speeds, as per their Fair Use Policy here: http://www.windmobile.ca/fairusage and Internet Usage Policy here: http://www.windmobile.ca/ITM-Policy . They say their "Mobile Internet" provides up to 10GBs...

But yeah, if you have to have 6GBs of data, at the highest possible speed, every month, then yer gonna have to pay the 'vig' @ VM.

Oh I would go with WIND in a heartbeat if they had the iPhone. Since they don't, i'm going to try to go with VM month to month and hope the iPhone 5 comes with the WIND bands and I can jump ships then.
I don't "Need" 6GB. I definitely need more then 2, but not 6. So I could easily manage wtih 5. I was considering going with the "Flex Data" plan, but was being a bit hesitant.

[jobber604]

Are you guys excited yet? It's so close to being release ;)
I'm so envious and jealous of you guys.

[likebutta]

Are you guys excited yet? It's so close to being release ;)
I'm so envious and jealous of you guys.

Excited... not exactly but cautiously optimistic.

[goodbyegalaxy]

2) Sign up for 3 years. Cancel and pay early cancellation fee. Cheaper than full price ?

I seriously doubt that would work, you'll probably end up getting screwed if you try to outsmart the carrier.

My plan is to pick it up for full price on the 30-day contract and cancel it for a Kodoo plan since you can get a better plan for cheaper with them. Unless VM will offer some type of "retention" plan that matches Koodo, anyone have any experience with that?

[Bray_J]

Our location is only selling Nexus on new 3 year/ST agreements.. Not sure if other stores are following the same suit.

[goodbyegalaxy]

Our location is only selling Nexus on new 3 year/ST agreements.. Not sure if other stores are following the same suit.

That is technically illegal. There is a law in Canada along the lines if you sell something at a discounted rate and force someone into a contract, you also have to offer it at full price with no contract (don't quote me I can't remember the exact details). I've heard of people being able to purchase a phone that they otherwise wouldn't have by speaking to a manager with this information.

[TheNewDude]

So you guys rushing to the stores this morning?

[goodbyegalaxy]

So you guys rushing to the stores this morning?

I think it's only available in Toronto today. I'll prob see if I can pick one up tomorrow.

[g_____]

Good news everybody! My GGN bought from Virgin works with both WIND and Fido!

/that is all

[TheNewDude]

Congrats!!

[TheNewDude]

Hey JOBBER seems like you will have to settle for a FREE Samsung Galaxy S II! ;)

Congrats bro!

[jobber604]

Thanks. Total surprise and a great early xmas present all thanks to the crew at Mobilesyrup. Enjoying one of the joyous days I haven't had in a long time. Time to say au revoir to my blackberry ;)

[flagg]

Hey, congrats! Nice Christmas indeed!

[d_gorn]

congrats Jobber. Nice to know that stuff actually happens. :)