Do you need a new mobile phone? And a free mini moto?

[Felix]

Walking through town today, I noticed a big sign in a shop window touting a free mini moto with the purchase of a new phone. Value of the minimoto was indicated at £295.

Didn't stop since most of these offers tend to be a "come-on". Still, couldn't stop thinking about it all day, especially since my oldest will be 8 years old in about 4 weeks.

[antonye]

Mobiles are big business, and they generate huge profits on some higher-end plans. It doesn't surprise me that they can afford to give away a £100 (cost price!) mini-moto with the phones. Normally the cost of the handset is discounted by this profit margin to make it more attractive.

You'll probably find its for a £35 per month contract for 18 months, without a free phone. Work out the cost for the period of the contract and then see if its still a good deal!

You can always pick them up cheap on ebay, eg:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LATEST-MODEL-2005-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-MINIMOTO_W0QQitemZ7191668088QQcategoryZ75220QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

[TP]

£90!!

That is cheap - are they any good though?

[Dave G]

It'll be tied to an expensive tariff and a long contract.
When you look at these things closely they are never the bargain they appear.
I just bought a new phone earlier this year and worked out I could spend over £300 to buy a phone on pay as you go and it still worked out a lot cheaper than the same 'free' phone on a contract.
You pays your money I suppose.

[antonye]

They're all the same, made by the bazillion in a factory somewhere out in deepest China. The only differences are the colours they come in!

You obviously get your high-end racing makes like Polini and so on, but if it's just a toy that you'll use for a couple of weekends and then store in the back of the garage, why pay more?

I like the look of these ones...

http://www.petrolscooter.co.uk/ebay/minimotoff/studio3.jpg

All you'll need is some number 12 stickers.... ;)

[TP]

Originally posted by antonye
They're all the same, made by the bazillion in a factory somewhere out in deepest China. The only differences are the colours they come in!

You obviously get your high-end racing makes like Polini and so on, but if it's just a toy that you'll use for a couple of weekends and then store in the back of the garage, why pay more?

I like the look of these ones...

http://www.petrolscooter.co.uk/ebay/minimotoff/studio3.jpg

All you'll need is some number 12 stickers.... ;)

:D

[Felix]

Originally posted by Dave G
When you look at these things closely they are never the bargain they appear.

Hence, I kept walking.

[Rushjob]

Mobile phones are going daft.... I've just upgraded on my current contract... £30 per month with O2. They've doubled the text allowance I had, given me double talk & text for 3 months, given me a free Sony K750i and £150 cashback to stay with them for another 12 months!
I stil have the 6230 to sell on ebay as well!

[Jon]

While on the subject of mobiles, what are your average monthly bills?

Would you concider an average of £300.00 a month for 6 phones excessive

[ericthered40]

£150 month for me only :(

[antonye]

Mine is currently15.80 - half price fixed for 18 months on T-Mobile with 200 Minutes and 100 text messages, and I got a free Moto Razr V3 in black for the missus.

[Jon]

Originally posted by ericthered40
£150 month for me only :(

:o your not spending loads of time on them chat lines are you Eric;)