[geeks] Rebates

[Nadine Miller]

Shannon Hendrix wrote:
> On Feb 5, 2008, at 1:43 PM, der Mouse wrote:
> 
> Ooops... I wasn't done editing...
> 
> 
>>> The most common example is cell phones, which frequently have a
>>> single source and often are extremely expensive without the rebate.
>>
>> Which is in large part why I won't consider non-GSM service and, except
>> for special cases like free-without-strings, won't consider
>> provider-crippled phones.  (Yes, free-without-strings exists, though
>> probably not from arm's-length vendors - I got one that way from a
>> friend, once.)
> 
> What does GSM service have to do with it?  I see GSM and non-GSM phones 
> have pretty much the same issue with regard to cost.
> 
> If you mean the SIM card... that doesn't remove the cost issue, it just 
> makes things more convenient mostly.

der Mouse is saying an unlocked GSM phone is an unlocked GSM phone--I 
can buy a GSM phone in Europe, and if it's not locked, it'll work on 
AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other GSM provider in the US.  You don't have 
that option with Sprint/Nextel or Verizon.

=Nadine=