Help for a mobile phone-challenged member

[Blackbird]

Ok, it's like this.....

Pre-retirement, I always had Telecom company phones so I didn't give a toss about their features as long as I could make or receive calls.

Post retirement, I bought a basic model Vodafone Sony Ericsson prepay with sim card, 128Mb SD memory card and a camera which I've never used. It suited me fine. What does not suit me fine is the fact that I recently dropped the bloody thing in a rock pool at my local beach . I can still make and receive calls but the fact that the ringtones and vibrate functions have disappeared (maybe still swimming with the fishes) is more than a tad inconvenient.

What I'm hoping to do is pick up a second hand phone that I can stick my sim card in to keep the same number. I've seen a Nokia 6085 on TradeMe which will fit the bill but have no idea about the potential fish hooks and I'm not sure of the right questions to ask. Does it have to be a phone which was previously on the Vodafone network or are there other things I need to know too? I don't give a toss about MP3 functions, camera or any other gizmo as long as I can make calls.

Awaiting enlightenment from those who know about these things

Cheers

Geoff

[vifferman]

I was going to buy a 6085, Geoff. (Bought a Motorola instead, as it felt nicer to use - the 6085 was more 'plasticky', whereas the Motorola has a metal and plastic case.
The 6085 should be an ideal phone for what you're after.
All you should have to do is charge it, plug your SIM card in, and away you go.

[Sky-hi]

yep. it has to be a Vodafone phone. As telescum don't use sim cards.

I've always had nokia and will never have anything else. Don't buy the cheapest nokia you can get as they will (obviously) use the cheapest components to make them, something midrange you can pick up on trademe for about $200 will sound perfect, last for ages and have some nice features. Once you get used to having a phone with a nice camera and decent screen you'll be surprised how much you use it and what you'll take pictures of...

[Slyer]

Buy the cheapest and nastiest phone you can, then if you break it you can just get a new one.
Also, you'll know which things you definitely do not want in a phone.

[Sky-hi]

oh yeah, couple more things....

Clamshell phones (flip phones) offer great protection for the keys and screen but the older ones can break the ribbon between the two parts.

Slide phones same thing (I have a new slide phone, my older one went through 2 ribbons

and if buying from trademe, make sure it's not stolen. Put your sim card in and make a call when you pick it up, before you hand over the money.

[Sky-hi]

Buy the cheapest and nastiest phone you can, then if you break it you can just get a new one.

No, don't do this. Get Phoneinsure instead.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/phoneinsure.jsp

[vifferman]

No, don't do this. Get Phoneinsure instead.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/phoneinsure.jsp

You didn't read Blackbird's post: he's on Prepay. Phoneinsure's only available if you're on a plan, and as it costs ~$10/month, and has a $125 excess, it's not worth it for a phone under say, $300.

[Swoop]

...idea about the potential fish hooks...

Mobile phones should not be used as a fish hook. They are also particularly unsuitable for cleaning bilges containing salt water...

[slofox]

Ok, it's like this.....

Pre-retirement, I always had Telecom company phones so I didn't give a toss about their features as long as I could make or receive calls.

Post retirement, I bought a basic model Vodafone Sony Ericsson prepay with sim card, 128Mb SD memory card and a camera which I've never used. It suited me fine. What does not suit me fine is the fact that I recently dropped the bloody thing in a rock pool at my local beach . I can still make and receive calls but the fact that the ringtones and vibrate functions have disappeared (maybe still swimming with the fishes) is more than a tad inconvenient.

What I'm hoping to do is pick up a second hand phone that I can stick my sim card in to keep the same number. I've seen a Nokia 6085 on TradeMe which will fit the bill but have no idea about the potential fish hooks and I'm not sure of the right questions to ask. Does it have to be a phone which was previously on the Vodafone network or are there other things I need to know too? I don't give a toss about MP3 functions, camera or any other gizmo as long as I can make calls.

Awaiting enlightenment from those who know about these things

Cheers

Geoff

PM me Geoff...for an offer you can't refuse...

[Usarka]

and if buying from trademe, make sure it's not stolen. Put your sim card in and make a call when you pick it up, before you hand over the money.

+1 for this advice.

Some other possible issues:

• Some prepaids also used to be blocked so you couldn't change the phone number/SIM. Don't know if this is still the case.
• Overseas phones may not work in NZ

If you're buying off trademe and getting it sent, ask for the IMEI number behind the battery, and give vodascone a call to check.

[Slyer]

IMO phones are cheap enough to buy new.
I'd rather buy a entry level brand new one than one off trademe.

[Gremlin]

BB: Only vodafone currently have sim cards, Telecom does not.

Phones cannot be changed between the networks either. Be aware that there are only two real providers (Vodafone and Telecom). TelstraClear and anyone else at the moment are reselling one of the above.

As long as the phone is a vodafone phone, you plug your sim card into it, and its done. Your mobile number is not tied to the phone like Telecom, when you change mobile, you have to go into the shop to get everything switched over. With Vodafone, everything is tied to the sim instead (which can be re-issued if you lose it).

Now, the one caveat (getting a little more technical) is that your contacts can be saved on the phone or the sim card (depends from phone to phone, whether they can do it, and which it defaults to). If they are saved on the sim card, its easy. Swap sim to new phone, contacts are available on the new phone. If they are saved to the phone, they would need to be copied to the sim (from here you'd be wanting assistance).

Hope thats simple enough

[Blackbird]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the guidance - I'll now proceed with my purchase. So much for standardisation - "golden handcuffs" for each service provider of course!

[007XX]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the guidance - I'll now proceed with my purchase. So much for standardisation - "golden handcuffs" for each service provider of course!

Just from past experience:

Be extremely careful in checking the phone from Trademe prior to finalising the sale, and especially when it comes to any USB ports for the charger, the battery, the location of the SIM card itself (those little golden teeth need to display NO corrosion or suchlike), and so on...

Any chance you could get it assessed by a technician before you buy it? If not, I'd personally bite the bullet and buy a "lesser" model, but new with a warranty.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your purchase.

[sinfull]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the guidance - I'll now proceed with my purchase. So much for standardisation - "golden handcuffs" for each service provider of course!

Wouldn't bother going second hand, your into basic easy to operate prepay !
It is personal prefference what to get but nokia seems to be the most user friendly i found (haven't changed the functions in years) and everywehre you go someone has a nokia charger !