I have a friend who needed to upgrade her phone to a Samsung Vibrant and she had to do it immediately.
Immediately in an impulsive way, you know what I mean?
Three weeks ago she went to a T-Mobile store and checked out the phone and she just had to have it. She called me while there and I told her she should at least call T-mobile and find out if they could help her to get a better deal.
They did, and she was happy because she saved about a hundred dollars. I got to see it a few days later and she showed me the movie that came with it – Avatar. It does has an awesome screen, the movie was beautiful, the graphics are gorgeous.
Then yesterday I looked an email that had arrived from Costco, and I found that Costco had the exact same phone available for only NINETY-NINE dollars. OUCH.
My friend paid close to $300 to upgrade her phone.
My stomach hurt at the thought of how much she could have saved.
I don't have the heart to tell her. Besides, the sale ended yesterday. But wait, I just looked again and you can still get the Vibrant on an upgrade for only $129.99! I don't know how long this will last, but it is really an amazing deal. I might consider it myself if it weren't for that required $30 data package per month. I don't need to be connected 24/7.
I would be beside myself if this had happened to me. Wouldn't you just be kicking yourself if it happened to you?
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Wow, I definitely wouldn’t have the heart to tell her if there was nothing else to do about it. Also, $300 for a new phone is crazy, when I got my $200 iPhone upgrade, I made sure to sell my original iPhone for $270!
But most stores have 30 day returns. And any restocking fee would be negligible compares to the savings.
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Mrs. Accountability Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 2:05 am
@Daniel, I finally did mention to her, but she said it had been past 30 days and I guess she got a stipend from work too so she didn’t lose out all that badly. That’s amazing how much you were able to make on your old iPhone!
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It drives me crazy when things like that happen. Usually, it happens to me on smaller purchases (household needs or groceries) since I wait to buy the big purchases. My daughter though, she is Ms. Impulsivity and she’s always in the same boat with your friend. I don’t have the heart to tell her when it happens unless there is something I can do to help her recoup money.
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Mrs. Accountability Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 2:07 am
@Kathie, lol. Youngsters! I never had much money to spend impulsively when I was younger so I didn’t have too much buyers remorse. And like you, mine is usually on smaller priced items. I have been known to take the item back to the store and get a refund, then buy another one at sale price. 😉
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Ouch! I hate when that happens. I’m one to keep my phones until they are so obsolete they almost belong with the dinosaurs. However, a few years ago I did buy a Treo and I paid A LOT for it (I still have this phone, though). I don’t remember if my husband had shopped around for a better price prior to the purchase (he’s in charge of the tech purchases around here), but I nearly fainted when I agreed to the price. I feel awful for your friend, but if she keeps it for a few years or more (like me!) maybe it help reduce the sticker shock!
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Mrs. Accountability Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 2:08 am
@Little House, I seem to need a new phone at around 2 years and with my T-mobile plan I get a free phone with a two year renewal of my contract so I do upgrade at least once every two years. My son helps me with my tech purchases. Good to have one of those geeky guys around! 🙂
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Patience is a virtue, learn it if you can…
Impulsive behavior definitely has its drawbacks.
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
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Mrs. Accountability Reply:
September 25th, 2010 at 2:09 am
@Len Penzo, isn’t that the truth! We’re getting to be those old farts full of advice, Len. 🙂
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