In-store vs online purchasing and new vs refurbished?

[YunaFire]

My family and I have decided to break out contracts with Sprint and go with ATT due to having very, very little reception at our workplace. We chose ATT over Verizon because we already have internet and tv with them. Having talked with a helpful rep in-store, there's a $38 discount for bundling.

In looking at the phones online, it seems we could save a lot on the phones by ordering that way.

On the other hand, we'll be porting over our old numbers, and need to activate three new lines at once, setting up a family plan (two smartphones my sister and I, and a basic texting one for mom). Would that be easier to do in-store?

Finally, regarding the Infuse. A new one costs $199 online (at the ATT store) while a 'refurbished' costs only $19.99 online. Kind of a big difference. Obviously we're trying to save as much money as possible. I assume 'refurbished' is a returned phone restored to a like-new or new state. Is there any real difference, besides price, between that and a brand-spanking-new one?

I meant to list the questions in simple order but it didn't turn out that way, haha. Tl;dr: in-store vs online ordering/activating new lines and new vs refurbished on ordering phones?

 

[pawdog]

I can't speak for the AT&T program but i recently bought a LG Revolution Certified Pre-owned from Verizon and outside of the packaging there is no indication that it was not a new phone. As long as the phones come with the same return and warranty I say shop online. The only caveat being the number porting thing. I've never been through that. I would just try maybe Amazon and go through the process to see what options they offer regarding number porting.

 

[Hrethgir]

I have quite a few refurbished electronics (Zune 30GB, SanDisk Sansa, Nook, few others I can't place right now), and they have all looked brand new. I love refurbs! Cheaper, but still with the full warranty, and the problems it had have already been fixed, that was someone elses problem!

 

[chrlswltrs]

Personally I prefer in store (usually Best buy), especially when changing carriers or anything like that because it is much easier to do in person.

I have bought a couple refurbished items in the past and have had mixed results (usually the only bad experiences have been from eBay). I never buy phones, tablets, computers, etc refurbished because most of my stuff I buy on release day.

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

I'd go with refurbs. Just my cheap opinion.

 

[Luke Kellett]

I'd go with refurbs. Just my cheap opinion.

I second that, at the cost of most refurbs the risk far out weighs the cost! You can even afford to buy two and still save money

 

[Vehtemas]

I second that, at the cost of most refurbs the risk far out weighs the cost! You can even afford to buy two and still save money

Refurbs are okay as long as it is well built.

I would rather spend $150 one time rather than $50 5 times replacing something over and over due to bad build quality.

 

[Luke Kellett]

Yeah it really depends on the mark up retailers put on this stuff... The higher the mark up the cheaper the refurbs I've found.

 

[Roze]

See if it's a certified refurbish (i.e. from the OEM) and that you'll have full warranty. OEM refurbish is sometimes even better than had it been shipped from the factory. The OEM would usually look and fix all of the issues of the phone before releasing it again. I'd question a 3rd party refurbishing the phones though.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I'm not entirely sure what the price of the Infuse is right now (I think $130, but not positive), but the LG Thrill, a dual core, glasses-free 3D phone (it's not all in 3D, they just have a 3D menu) is only $50 at Costco. You'd get a leather carrying case, car charger, and screen protectors with that as well. Oh, and we'll pay the activation fee for you. On each device.

 

[Merlin1]

I just had to replace my DROID X that I bought new in store with a certified like new refurb one with the manufacturer warranty. Like new would be a far stretch. Not that all refurbs will be like the one I got but I it couldI have been in better shape. Most phones can be found cheaper new than the actual company sight. Couldn't tell you about signing up online vs in a store but it seems some sites make it pretty simple.