Best place to preorder S8 & S8+ in the US? - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

Assuming you're not buying an international variant (or waiting until the official unlocked version releases in May) and using it in the US, where's the best place to pre-order your device?
I technically already pre-ordered mine at Best Buy, but if there's a better place listed, I might just cancel my current pre-order and order it elsewhere. For reference, I'm on AT&T.
And I thought this thread could be helpful for those haven't pre-ordered yet. I can update this post as needed, so it'll be easier to reference.
-------------------------------------------------
All pre-orders of the S8/S8+ will get a free Gear VR & Controller plus an Oculus game pack, but you can also add on a $99 package to also get a pair of bluetooth AKG over-the-ear headphones and a 256GB microSD card.
Must redeem before 5/21/17 through Samsung Promotions, unless otherwise noted.
Note: You can't actually redeem it UNTIL you receive your device, unless you order directly from Samsung. Seems like the only exception to this.
ADDED 4/3: No more than 350,000 bundle gifts and no more than 50,000 box gifts will be given out during this promotion. Will take 6-8 weeks to receive items.
If they run of of the pre-order bonuses, you'll be gifted a $129 credit. Not sure how this would affect the add-on package you pay for, but maybe a refund for that. (thanks to fcb1 for info on the credit and numbers on the bundle, updated 4/3)
-------------------------------------------------
Places to pre-order:
Will include any notes about anything I'm personally uncertain about, even after looking in the site itself. Will appreciate anyone who can clarify things.
Carrier-specific deals (see list below this section) should be able to be stacked at these locations as well, but ask them, just to be sure.
Unless you buy the device upfront, you only have to pay tax and activation fee (unless you have a corporate discount or other exceptions) when you pick up the device. Depending on the carrier, you may also have to pay additional money upfront, as a down payment.
List Updated: 4/3/2017 @ approx 1:20PM EDT
Thanks to LoliSmith, 954wrecker, eyc, & LoliSmith for contributing to the list thus far~
Best Buy: (Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint)
Save up to $100 when you pre-order the S8 & S8+
You save $50 on the S8, $100 on the S8+.
NOTE: You MUST choose a payment plan to get this deal as if you buy the device upfront, you will have to pay the full retail price (varies by carrier). The $50 or $100 discount is an overall discount, but you basically save a lil bit every month, over the course of the plan -- S8: save $2.09/mo for 24 months, AT&T Next 30 months - save $1.67/mo | S8+: save $4.17/mo for 24 months, AT&T Next 30 months - save $3.35/mo
Samsung: (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile)
By purchasing the phone directly from Samsung, you don't have to wait to get the pre-order bonuses, as they'll get shipped with the device. Won't need to submit the form on Samsung Promotions to redeem it.
Will get the devices a day early, on 4/20
NOTE: If you pre-order from Samsung directly, these are NOT unlocked phones. You will have to wait until May to get the unlocked version.
Walmart: (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular - in-store ONLY), (Straight Talk - BOTH online & in-store), (Total Wireless - online ONLY)
You can save $150 when pre-ordering the S8/S8+ (uncertain if this is a credit on the device like Best Buy's offer or a Gift Card - needs confirmation)
MUST sign up for the installment plan to get the deal, otherwise you pay full retail. - ONLY valid on Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint
Added 4/6:You MUST do a $50 down payment (OR whatever amount your carrier requires you to put down as a down payment). When you pick up the phone, the amount you put down as a down payment is stacked with the $150 discount. Then from there, that amount is divided into the number of months for your payment plan with your carrier.
LoliSmith said:
So for the Verizon S8, you pay the sales tax on $720 and $50 downpayment to Walmart and then it would be this:
$720 - $150 discount - $50 downpayment = $520 = $21.67/mo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOTE: If you want to pre-order in-store, you can NOT go to any Walmart location. It's specific ones and even the ones that do pre-orders, may not have your specific carrier. I found it to be quite hit and miss when I put my location in. Your experience may vary.
Target: (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint)
You get a $100 Target gift card with purchase and activation of S8 & S8+ (uncertain if you can get the gift card if you buy the phone upfront. I believe you can, but I want to be 100% sure - needs confirmation)
Sam's Club: (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular)
You get a $150 Sam's Club gift card with purchase and activation of S8 & S8+ (uncertain if you can use the gift card at Walmart, or is Sam's Club specific. Heard that it can also be used at Walmart. - needs confirmation)
Added 4/3:You MUST do a payment plan as you can NOT buy devices outright.
Must pre-order between 3/30/17 and 4/12/17 and have to pick up and activate the device between 4/21 & 4/30
Added 4/3: Seems like you can ONLY pre-order online. (I checked their front page, after discovering the original link I plopped here wasn't working. If anyone has had success pre-ordering in-store, let me know. - needs confirmation)
No activation fee IF you pick up the phone between 4/21 - 4/23
NOTE: You must have a Sam's Club membership to pre-order from them.
Costco: (Verizon ONLY - If you're on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint, you HAVE to wait until launch to purchase the device)
Pre-order in-store ONLY
You MUST do a payment plan as you can NOT buy devices outright.
Pre-order bonus of a pair of Level U Pro headphones
Includes TYLT Power Essentials pack: TYLT 5200mAh battery pack, 3' micro USB cable, 3' USB-C cable, Dual Port 4.8A Car Charger, Dual Port 4.8A Car Charger, Carrying Case
NOTE: MUST be a Costco member to pre-order here.
NOTE 4/3: I went to Costco to clarify the deal, so this is current to what I was told. I asked about the gift card someone else mentioned, and there will be NO gift cards via pre-order. They will only come AFTER launch, and it's gonna depend on the carrier. Will update this if that changes.
Directly from carriers:
Includes all carrier-specific offers. If you pre-order them elsewhere (list above), the deals other retailers offer should stack, but double check, if you want actually want to take advantage of these offers below.
Unless you buy the device upfront, you only have to pay tax and activation fee (unless you have a corporate discount) when you pick up the device. Depending on the carrier, you may also have to pay additional money upfront, as a down payment.
Verizon:
Full Retail Cost: $720 (S8), $840 (S8+)
Payment Plan for 24 months: $30/mo. (S8), $35/mo. (S8+)
You can lower your monthly payment to as little as $15/mo. with an eligible trade in device AND enrollment in the Verizon Unlimited Plan. There's other restrictions, besides the two big ones I mentioned previously, so be sure to read the fine print before going through with the offer.
Down Payment: $0
AT&T:
Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)
AT&T Next Pricing: 24 months ($31.25/mo. for S8, $35.42/mo. for S8+) or 30 months ($25/mo. for S8, $28.34/mo. for S8+)
Down Payment: $0 (ADDED 4/3: However, you may have to put a down payment of 30%. Optional with good credit. Might be required otherwise.)
There's a BOGO deal, however here's the catch: One of those lines MUST be a new line AND you also MUST be a new or current DIRECTV customer. You can bypass the new line requirement if you simply open a new line and cancel one of your current lines.
Can get a Gear S3 smartwatch for $50 (full retail: $300), but a 2-year contract is required.
Can get a Tab E or Gear S2 smartwatch for $1, but a 2-year contract is required.
T-Mobile:
Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)
Payment Plan for 24 months: Depends on your credit -- Great ($30/mo for S8 & S8+), Average ($7/mo for S8, $8/mo. for S8+)
Down Payment: Depends with credit -- Great ($30 for S8, $130. for S8+), Average ($582 for S8, $658. for S8+)
Requires purchase of a SIM starter kit, $25 (Is this also the case in-store or this only happens online? What about those that already have a nano SIM in their current phone? - needs clarification)
Sprint:
Full Retail Cost: $750 (S8), $850 (S8+)
Payment Plan for 18 months: Varies with credit -- Great ($31.25/mo for S8, $35.42/mo for S8+), Average ($18.75/mo for S8, $21.53/mo for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)
Payment Plan for 24 months: Varies with credit -- Great ($31.25/mo for S8, $35.42/mo for S8+), Average ($21.88/mo for S8, $25/mo for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)
Down Payment: Varies with credit -- Great ($0 for S8 & S8+), Average ($220 for S8, $250 for S8+), No credit check (Can't purchase devices)
Free activation if you pre-order online or over the phone.
Galaxy Forever: Upgrade to the next Galaxy phone any time after 12 months with the 18-month plan.
Can enter to win a home entertainment system from Samsung -- "Enter for a chance to take home the grand prize: a 65" Q8C Curved QLED TV and Dolby Atmos sound bar. Or, enter daily to win a Galaxy S8 accessories pack – a $230 value. No purchase necessary. For complete Official Rules, including entry instructions and prize details, go to sprint.com/s8sweeps."
US Cellular:
Full Retail Cost: $674.99 (S8), $784.99 (S8+) (Can you buy the phone outright if you're a current customer? Was a lil confused when I looked on their site... - needs clarification)
Payment Plan for S8: Only 30 months. Can be free with monthly credits, see note below.
Payment Plan for S8+: 20 months - $41.76/mo., 24 months - $34.80/mo., 30 months - $27.84/mo.
Down Payment: $0
NOTE: Trade in an eligible phone (Galaxy S6 or later; iPhone 5s or later) between 3/30 and 4/20 and you can get the S8 for free (via monthly credits), otherwise, you'll get a $100 gift card. You also have to be on their Total Plan or Shared Connect plan and subscribe to the company's Device Protection + program as well.
For MetroPCS, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA, Cricket:
You can't pre-order the devices, so they'll be available upon launch on 4/21. (Can you still get the Gear VR deal at launch with these companies, or is this only available for the carriers that you can do pre-orders for? I assume not, but not 100% sure. - needs clarification)
With MetroPCS, you can pre-register for the device, so upon launch you can get the free Gear VR & Controller after purchase. Unlike the carriers where you can do pre-orders for, to redeem this offer, you have to go through MetroPCS's offer site, not Samsung Promotions. You must use the same email that you used when you pre-registered for the device and upload an image file of your purchase receipt by 5/21/17.

FluxionFluff said:
Assuming you're not buying an international variant (or waiting until the official unlocked version releases in May) and using it in the US, where's the best place to pre-order your device?
I technically already pre-ordered mine at Best Buy, but if there's a better place listed, I might just cancel my current pre-order and order it elsewhere. For reference, I'm on AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the walmart site it says $150 off, but when I type in my zip code to find where to pre-order, I get an error. Walmart store reps are clueless about the offer.
https://wm6.walmart.com/galaxys8storefinder
Sam's Club has a $150 gift card with pre-orders and waived activation fees if you pickup on the 21st-23rd, but you have to have a SC's membership to buy.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/html/desktop/samsung/preorder.html
From what I read, SC gift cards can be used at Walmart. Double check that because I just read that on the internet.
Target is offering a $100 gift card with pre-orders.
https://mobilepreorder.target.com/

why are there none of these promos for tmobile, anyone know?
am i missing something about using another carrier because they use the same radio. i assume they come unlocked

FluxionFluff said:
Assuming you're not buying an international variant (or waiting until the official unlocked version releases in May) and using it in the US, where's the best place to pre-order your device?
I technically already pre-ordered mine at Best Buy, but if there's a better place listed, I might just cancel my current pre-order and order it elsewhere. For reference, I'm on AT&T.
And I thought this thread could be helpful for those haven't pre-ordered yet. I can update this post as needed, so it'll be easier to reference.
-------------------------------------------------
All pre-orders of the S8/S8+ will get a free Gear VR & Controller, but you can also add on a $99 package to also get a pair of bluetooth AKG over-the-ear headphones and a 256GB microSD card.
Note: You can't actually redeem it UNTIL you receive your device.
-------------------------------------------------
Best Buy:
Save up to $100 when you pre-order the S8 & S*+
You save $50 on the S8, $100 on the S8+. You MUST choose a payment plan to get this deal as if you buy the device upfront, you will have to pay the full retail price (varies by carrier).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regular price on samsung.com but no waiting for the bonus packages they ship with the phones early. No forms to fill out after getting the phone then waiting.

mitchell0714 said:
why are there none of these promos for tmobile, anyone know?
am i missing something about using another carrier because they use the same radio. i assume they come unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, T-Mobile doesn't want them to sell them in most 3rd party locations, such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. I've seen T-Mobile devices sold at Costco still, so not sure what's up with that. For a while, Costco didn't even have them to begin with, only Verizon, AT&T, and maybe Sprint. Was only recently that I saw T-Mobile there.
I'm not sure if you bought one at one carrier if it'd work in another as sometimes there will be missing bands as the phone was designed for that specific carrier. It depends on the phone really. Verizon is pretty notorious about using phones that weren't specifically designed for their network.
Unless it's changed from a few years ago, even if the phone had the correct bands to work on their CDMA network, if the phone wasn't whitelisted, you couldn't use it. Between T-Mobile and AT&T, it's much easier to go back and forth because they both use GSM networks and you can generally just plop in your SIM card and you're good to go, assuming you have the phone unlocked (or just buy an unlocked phone from the start). This is also why most of the US tech bloggers/Youtubers have either AT&T or T-Mobile.

LoliSmith said:
On the walmart site it says $150 off, but when I type in my zip code to find where to pre-order, I get an error. Walmart store reps are clueless about the offer.
https://wm6.walmart.com/galaxys8storefinder
Sam's Club has a $150 gift card with pre-orders and waived activation fees if you pickup on the 21st-23rd, but you have to have a SC's membership to buy.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/html/desktop/samsung/preorder.html
From what I read, SC gift cards can be used at Walmart. Double check that because I just read that on the internet.
Target is offering a $100 gift card with pre-orders.
https://mobilepreorder.target.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the links~ Added to the OP.
Also, I looked into the Walmart one and turns out... it depends on your location. For me, when I put my location in, the nearest one that will do it, is like 45 min away. T.T My local ones in town aren't listed. I could try to go to my local one and see what's up, but that's something to keep in mind.
I did try to look into if Sam's Club gift cards actually work at Walmart as well, but besides stuff on the internet, I have no first hand experience with Sam's Club as there isn't one near me. Need someone who has dealt with this, to clarify. :/
954wrecker said:
Regular price on samsung.com but no waiting for the bonus packages they ship with the phones early. No forms to fill out after getting the phone then waiting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the links~ Added to the OP.
------------------------------------------
Just updated the list will all the info I know. If there's anything I'm not certain about, I included that, and will appreciate any clarification. Will add stuff as I find out stuff myself or from what people have posted and I double check it.

Anyone here get tangled up in the Note7 recall? A lesson to be learned is that if there's a problem with the phone in general or yours in particular where you buy it makes a difference.
The mass market B&M retailers including Best Buy were incredibly difficult for people to deal with. Target and Walmart being exceptionally bad. Online, Amazon was fantastic and B&H gets honorable mention. Ironically Samsung.com get's a resounding "F." People who pre-ordered from them were the last to get their phones and they were clueless and helpless during the recall. Samsung.com isn't run by Samsung. It's run by Digital River on their behalf. I've had problems even ordering accessories from them. I'd stay far away. People that bought grey market phones from eBay in many cases were either left with no refund or spent inordinate amounts of time trying to get their Note7's refunded. So - Caveat Emptor,

BarryH_GEG said:
Anyone here get tangled up in the Note7 recall? A lesson to be learned is that if there's a problem with the phone in general or yours in particular where you buy it makes a difference.
The mass market B&M retailers including Best Buy were incredibly difficult for people to deal with. Target and Walmart being exceptionally bad. Online, Amazon was fantastic and B&H gets honorable mention. Ironically Samsung.com get's a resounding "F." People who pre-ordered from them were the last to get their phones and they were clueless and helpless during the recall. Samsung.com isn't run by Samsung. It's run by Digital River on their behalf. I've had problems even ordering accessories from them. I'd stay far away. People that bought grey market phones from eBay in many cases were either left with no refund or spent inordinate amounts of time trying to get their Note7's refunded. So - Caveat Emptor,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can attest to the fact that samsung.com or digital river is completely useless in every way for any type of customer service issue from simple to complex.

BarryH_GEG said:
Target and Walmart being exceptionally bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a wonderful experience with Target. They let me keep not only the $100 gift card for the trade in (which they had to) but also the $200 gift card for adding a new line. I returned the Note 7 for a full refund.
Those who didn't and exchanged for the replacement notes did even better - they kept the gift cards and freebies from the first Note 7, then got a second round of freebies for the replacement Note 7. Then returned that and got an S7E and got more freebies and a $100 bill credit from Verizon.
Best.Deal.Ever

Anywhere you can buy from without tax?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

oneandroidnut said:
Anywhere you can buy from without tax?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not if the state you live charges tax. When the unlocked one is released B&H doesn't charge tax outside its state.

LoliSmith said:
I had a wonderful experience with Target. They let me keep not only the $100 gift card for the trade in (which they had to) but also the $200 gift card for adding a new line. I returned the Note 7 for a full refund.
Those who didn't and exchanged for the replacement notes did even better - they kept the gift cards and freebies from the first Note 7, then got a second round of freebies for the replacement Note 7. Then returned that and got an S7E and got more freebies and a $100 bill credit from Verizon.
Best.Deal.Ever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was one of the first to receive a pre-order Note7 from AT&T. I was the one the first to exchange it during recall round 1. I was one of the first to get a S7e when Samsung threw in the towel. I was on the Note7 forum for a long time before and after all that. What I shared was capsulized from what I read there. I'm glad you had a good experience but there were plenty of people who bought through Target who had ended up disputing the charge on their credit card after getting stonewalled in-store only to have Target challenge the dispute. In most cases it worked out but what about all the time, hassle, and strife people went through? Chains like Walmart and Target are luck of the draw with very different experiences based on city and region. I'm in Southern Louisiana and I'd buy nothing more complicated than lettuce or toilet paper from either of them because if the before-sale experience is awful I can only imagine what after-sale would look like.
I'm buying a UK S8+ this time but if I were buying a carrier version the Note7 experience taught me the value of dealing with a company to whom I'm not a one-time sale (EG: Best Buy, Target, Walmart) vs. a carrier to who I pay $2K a year. From the Note7 debacle I got a 128GB storage card, Gear VR, $100 bill credit, $100 in waived Next payments, a S7e outright for the Next pay-off ($385) of my returned Note5, and a Gear S3 for $49. Not everyone had my experience with AT&T just like others didn't have yours at Target. But I can say without question Note7 owners dealing with a carrier vs. third party resellers (especially Samsung.com) faired far better. Where third parties rigorously enforce returns, exchanges, and service policies (and some even have their own separate ET clauses) carriers apply some subjectivity because of your overall worth to them.
It would be hard to imagine a repeat of the Note7 debacle so the above is admittedly extreme. But where you buy your phone still matters.

BarryH_GEG said:
Anyone here get tangled up in the Note7 recall? A lesson to be learned is that if there's a problem with the phone in general or yours in particular where you buy it makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard about that debacle, but I didn't have a Note 7, so this didn't affect me at all. I was wondering though, for those who were affected, are they getting any discounts for an upcoming device? I heard that this was the case in South Korea, but I'm quite unsure about elsewhere as I honestly didn't look too much into it because I never owned a Note 7 myself.
oneandroidnut said:
Anywhere you can buy from without tax?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy it secondhand, like from Swappa, which is where I bought my S6. However, you will have to pay whatever amount the person wants for the device. Depending on the person, you might be able to negotiate, but don't bet on paying much less than what they're listing the device for.
Now, that's if you buy it from another person. If you buy it from a 3rd party reseller (not an individual person, but a company), you might have to pay tax, depending on where they're located and if you're located in the same location, or are on a list of states they charge sales tax in.
-------------------------------------------------
Updated the list with all carrier information and specific offers that I'm aware of, at the moment.

Awesome thread. Thanks OP.
General question about the VZW promos that one of you may know:
This morning, I upgraded all devices on my family plan to the Unlimited Data Plan (3 phones and 3 tablets). But, later this evening, I learned about the S8 pre-order/upgrade/trade-in promo, where you can trade in an old phone for 50% off the S8, provided that you upgrade to UDP.
Will Verizon allow me to make use of this promo, even though I already upgraded to UDP earlier today? I'd like to trade in one mobile device (Galaxy S6) and get the 50% discount on the Galaxy S8.
Or will they fight me on this and tell me that I have to pre-order at the time of the upgrade?

eyc said:
Awesome thread. Thanks OP.
General question about the VZW promos that one of you may know:
This morning, I upgraded all devices on my family plan to the Unlimited Data Plan (3 phones and 3 tablets). But, later this evening, I learned about the S8 pre-order/upgrade/trade-in promo, where you can trade in an old phone for 50% off the S8, provided that you upgrade to UDP.
Will Verizon allow me to make use of this promo, even though I already upgraded to UDP earlier today? I'd like to trade in one mobile device (Galaxy S6) and get the 50% discount on the Galaxy S8.
Or will they fight me on this and tell me that I have to pre-order at the time of the upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I thought having everything consolidated would be helpful and nice to have it all in a single place.
Hm, as to your question, from what I can tell while I was doing research earlier, you shouldn't have an issue. As you already have the unlimited plan, you can simply jump to the step where you can trade in an eligible phone. Apparently, you can also trade in a phone after checking out too.
With the phone you trade in, it HAS to already be fully paid off and in good working condition. With the credits, they'll appear on your bill over 24 months and will start start within 1-2 cycles. They'll stop once either the phone's paid off OR the line is cancelled/transferred to an illegible plan.
I do wonder what would happen if you were to pay off the phone before 24 months ends, if you still have those credits... Because how I interpreted what I read from Verizon's site about the deal, they go poof, if you pay off the device beforehand.

FluxionFluff said:
Thanks! I thought having everything consolidated would be helpful and nice to have it all in a single place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dumb question, but what does it mean when Samsung says "while supplies last"? Since you don't get the VR set immediately upon purchase, isn't it feasible that supplies run out before you redeem the offer? That couldn't possibly be the case, right?
Usually, when someone says "while supplies last," it means that the promo will terminate early if supplies run out. But, here, Samsung can't know if supplies run out until people start trying to redeem, after their purchase. So, can people be caught in the middle and not get anything even if they purchased while supplies were still in stock?

eyc said:
Dumb question, but what does it mean when Samsung says "while supplies last"? Since you don't get the VR set immediately upon purchase, isn't it feasible that supplies run out before you redeem the offer? That couldn't possibly be the case, right?
Usually, when someone says "while supplies last," it means that the promo will terminate early if supplies run out. But, here, Samsung can't know if supplies run out until people start trying to redeem, after their purchase. So, can people be caught in the middle and not get anything even if they purchased while supplies were still in stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fine print also says it's at the company who is doing the promotions discretion to instead give you 120$ credit if they run out

BarryH_GEG said:
but if I were buying a carrier version the Note7 experience taught me the value of dealing with a company to whom I'm not a one-time sale (EG: Best Buy, Target, Walmart) vs. a carrier to who I pay $2K a year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had tremendously good customer service with Best Buy and terrible customer service with Verizon corporate stores. Either way, after the 2 week return period is up, I deal with the manufacturer directly for warranty claims. I have back up phones so it is not a problem for me to send my phone off.
AT&T customer service is definitely worse than Verizon, I switched to Verizon from AT&T and noticed the difference right away.
---------- Post added at 03:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 AM ----------
BarryH_GEG said:
It would be hard to imagine a repeat of the Note7 debacle so the above is admittedly extreme. But where you buy your phone still matters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never had a problem with Best Buy or Target. If I get the S8, I am pre-ordering it from Walmart for $150 off. With tax and upgrade fee it will come to $635 + freebies. Not sure if I will get it or not because for sure I am getting the Note 8. My Note 5 is getting long in the tooth and its battery is really showing its age.
I do have a Pixel that I haven't used yet, I guess I could use that and forego the S8. I am trying to control myself when it comes to buying phones but it is so hard to do when they are so shiny and pretty and new, lol!

FluxionFluff said:
For those [Note7 owners] who were affected, are they getting any discounts for an upcoming device? I heard that this was the case in South Korea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Samsung's U.S. SVP said "they'd make it up to us" when the Note7 first got cancelled but nothing's been done outside the similar promos offered during the Note7's launch. Lots of market surveys were done about the damage to the Samsung brand over the Note7 and how customer loyalty was affected. For the most part the results were positive. I'm sure that played a hand in what Samsung decided about doing recompense wise for former Note7 owners. They could still do something on the backend like a free accessory or Samsung.com credit. They know who we are.

eyc said:
Dumb question, but what does it mean when Samsung says "while supplies last"? Since you don't get the VR set immediately upon purchase, isn't it feasible that supplies run out before you redeem the offer? That couldn't possibly be the case, right?
Usually, when someone says "while supplies last," it means that the promo will terminate early if supplies run out. But, here, Samsung can't know if supplies run out until people start trying to redeem, after their purchase. So, can people be caught in the middle and not get anything even if they purchased while supplies were still in stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like fb1 said, you'll get a credit if they run out before you can redeem it. I have no idea how many of these Gear VRs they even plan on giving out, so the sooner you get your device, the sooner you can redeem it, and you'll be more likely to receive it.
Considering it's gonna take a few weeks anyway to confirm and get the free gift, they could always make more in the meantime. That, and I assume they're basing their estimates on how many people pre-ordered the S7 and then adding some additional stock from there. There's no way to know the exact number of Gear VRs they put to the side, unless you actually work for Samsung. Even if you did, that information would be on the DL anyway...
fcb1 said:
The fine print also says it's at the company who is doing the promotions discretion to instead give you 120$ credit if they run out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know fcb1! Will add that to the front, so people are aware of that lil note.
BarryH_GEG said:
Nope. Samsung's U.S. SVP said "they'd make it up to us" when the Note7 first got cancelled but nothing's been done outside the similar promos offered during the Note7's launch. Lots of market surveys were done about the damage to the Samsung brand over the Note7 and how customer loyalty was affected. For the most part the results were positive. I'm sure that played a hand in what Samsung decided about doing recompense wise for former Note7 owners. They could still do something on the backend like a free accessory or Samsung.com credit. They know who we are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch. :/ That sucks. Hope they do something about it. Maybe something for the upcoming Note 8 launch this fall, as I assume that people who had the Note 7, would want another Note, rather than an S phone. Who knows. It's all speculation until they actually do something.
-----------------------------
Feel free to let me know if I missed any offers, typos, clarify things I'm certain about. Will update the list as needed.

Related

A Great Note 8.0 Customer Service Story - AT&T

So last night, I decided to go to an AT&T store to buy an LTE Note 8.0 only to find that the first three of the corporate stores I called didn't have any in stock. Finally, the fourth store I called had two left. So I went over there fully expecting to pay the full unlocked $499 price. To me, it didn't make sense to lock myself in for two years when I'd only save $100 over full retail.
When I walked in, though, I was helped by the store manager. He gets the tablet for me and then goes to look up my account info so he could convert my plan to a MobileShare. He saw that I bought a Galaxy S4 about 40 days ago and, much to my surprise, offered me the smartphone bundle promotion, which meant I could get the tablet on contract for $199. I knew about the promotion but just assumed I wouldn't qualify since I bought the phone before the Note 8.0 even launched.
Needless to say, saving $300 over full retail WAS enough to get me to go contract. There's great customer service and then there's the service I received last night. The manager totally didn't have to do that for me but offered without me even asking. :good:
Awesome! Gratz to hear about your saving. Att never did me wrong, even when they rep accidentally took away my unlimited data, I just call customer service and they just me back on unlimited data.
I had a similar experience. I purchased an S4 but the Note 8 available when I purchased it. When it was to be released by AT&T my AT&T Sales person called me to let me know it would be available on the morrow and they had 5 in the store and further that even though I had purchased my S4 16 days previous AT&T would give me the promo bundle price of $199.00. That is stellar service in my opinion.
Bruce
cataloochee said:
I had a similar experience. I purchased an S4 but the Note 8 available when I purchased it. When it was to be released by AT&T my AT&T Sales person called me to let me know it would be available on the morrow and they had 5 in the store and further that even though I had purchased my S4 16 days previous AT&T would give me the promo bundle price of $199.00. That is stellar service in my opinion.
Bruce
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. Dealers do this all the time. They get people into promotions (most which they can find a way to make happen so long as its not too far outside the box).
The dealer did not do it to be helpful, which is the sad thing. Dealers, including managers, make more commission off contracts than they do off devices. So he would have made more commission still with that contract than having you spend money on devices. They do this because the company makes more money having you pay the monthly service cost than by having you buy a full cost phone or tablet.
In essence, it takes a company 18-24 months to make back the subsidized cost of a device. That means that 199 bucks you paid, you will pay back the missing 300 bucks on the plan after typically 18 months. Then they get 6 months of profit. So you do actually pay for the device for full cost anyways.,,,and they just extended out how long between upgrades and by the time you get around to actually being eligible for upgrade they may be extending it out further. The current discussions in the industry are talking about 3 year contracts and 2+ year upgrades.
What you have to consider is the lifetime cost of service and the device. They want you to buy a tablet. It makes you pay for their service, instead of just tethering your phone to the tablet. Tethering is cheaper, not contracts, and you wind up paying A LOT LESS even if you pay full cost for the device.
Truth is that ATT customers typically pay close to 1-2K more than many of the carriers that charge full cost for a device. Basically that 300 bucks you saved cost you at least a grand more in the end, and the manager who was "helping" you basically just weasled you into a contract where you will pay more for a separate plan for the tablet instead of just using cheaper tethering options (considering you still share data regardless) and he just got a good commission out of you.
Sad but true. You just got suckered.
How do I know? Nearly 7 years working in the wireless industry. Some of that time with AT&T and a great deal of that time with retail agents and retail policy.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but I hate AT&T dealers. After working for them for so long, Ive come to find that just about every single dealer if about as underhanded as a used car salesman trying to sell you a lemon and convince you its a ferrari. I used to see the dealers in my home town and my normal reaction to them is equivalent to the thought of "you sick bastard."
I do not know how many "deals" a dealer has done that I have had to fix, but typically even if their promises are kept they still use you and screw you over.
Ive even heard dealer chatter. How they talk about customers and think of customers as no more than a mark to be scammed so they can get their next commission. Ive seen more respect for their "victims" from the criminals on "to catch a predator."
phoenixbennu said:
lol. Dealers do this all the time. They get people into promotions (most which they can find a way to make happen so long as its not too far outside the box).
The dealer did not do it to be helpful, which is the sad thing. Dealers, including managers, make more commission off contracts than they do off devices. So he would have made more commission still with that contract than having you spend money on devices. They do this because the company makes more money having you pay the monthly service cost than by having you buy a full cost phone or tablet.
In essence, it takes a company 18-24 months to make back the subsidized cost of a device. That means that 199 bucks you paid, you will pay back the missing 300 bucks on the plan after typically 18 months. Then they get 6 months of profit. So you do actually pay for the device for full cost anyways.,,,and they just extended out how long between upgrades and by the time you get around to actually being eligible for upgrade they may be extending it out further. The current discussions in the industry are talking about 3 year contracts and 2+ year upgrades.
What you have to consider is the lifetime cost of service and the device. They want you to buy a tablet. It makes you pay for their service, instead of just tethering your phone to the tablet. Tethering is cheaper, not contracts, and you wind up paying A LOT LESS even if you pay full cost for the device.
Truth is that ATT customers typically pay close to 1-2K more than many of the carriers that charge full cost for a device. Basically that 300 bucks you saved cost you at least a grand more in the end, and the manager who was "helping" you basically just weasled you into a contract where you will pay more for a separate plan for the tablet instead of just using cheaper tethering options (considering you still share data regardless) and he just got a good commission out of you.
Sad but true. You just got suckered.
How do I know? Nearly 7 years working in the wireless industry. Some of that time with AT&T and a great deal of that time with retail agents and retail policy.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but I hate AT&T dealers. After working for them for so long, Ive come to find that just about every single dealer if about as underhanded as a used car salesman trying to sell you a lemon and convince you its a ferrari. I used to see the dealers in my home town and my normal reaction to them is equivalent to the thought of "you sick bastard."
I do not know how many "deals" a dealer has done that I have had to fix, but typically even if their promises are kept they still use you and screw you over.
Ive even heard dealer chatter. How they talk about customers and think of customers as no more than a mark to be scammed so they can get their next commission. Ive seen more respect for their "victims" from the criminals on "to catch a predator."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While your statements are true they are not necessarily accurate. The only way a person would have been "suckered" is if he didn't know what you describe. But almost all consumers realize that there is no free lunch and that the choice of purchasing outright or monthly result in the full price of the device being paid. The only difference is when payment accrues and how much the final cost will be. No different than purchasing a vehicle or a home.
In addition, the accuracy of your claim of being suckered depends on whether the purchaser bought because of the lower initial price or because he wanted the device in any case. In my case I had already decided to purchase the Note 8 from AT&T and only awaited the availability of the Note 8 at AT&T as I wanted the LTE data option. Thus, my only decision was whether to pay full price or add a two year contract to my account. Since I would have to have a data plan from AT&T to use the LTE feature in any case I needed to have an additional phone line. So I was able to get the regular discounted price or pay full price plus the new line costs (these I would pay no matter how I purchased the device and would last as long as I wanted to use the device). With the additional bundle price I decided to purchase at $199 instead of $399. Of course I realize I will pay full price over the next 24 months including the premium for purchasing by installment. But I knew that, considered it, and choose to do it. Thus, I made a considered decision and was not "suckered".
And clearly the sales staff is trying to sell devices and services that bring them the greatest commission. That's what they do for a living. The consumer knows that too. Maybe the real "suckers" are those sales people that think that they are being really "sharp".
Bruce
cataloochee said:
While your statements are true they are not necessarily accurate. The only way a person would have been "suckered" is if he didn't know what you describe. But almost all consumers realize that there is no free lunch and that the choice of purchasing outright or monthly result in the full price of the device being paid. The only difference is when payment accrues and how much the final cost will be. No different than purchasing a vehicle or a home.
In addition, the accuracy of your claim of being suckered depends on whether the purchaser bought because of the lower initial price or because he wanted the device in any case. In my case I had already decided to purchase the Note 8 from AT&T and only awaited the availability of the Note 8 at AT&T as I wanted the LTE data option. Thus, my only decision was whether to pay full price or add a two year contract to my account. Since I would have to have a data plan from AT&T to use the LTE feature in any case I needed to have an additional phone line. So I was able to get the regular discounted price or pay full price plus the new line costs (these I would pay no matter how I purchased the device and would last as long as I wanted to use the device). With the additional bundle price I decided to purchase at $199 instead of $399. Of course I realize I will pay full price over the next 24 months including the premium for purchasing by installment. But I knew that, considered it, and choose to do it. Thus, I made a considered decision and was not "suckered".
And clearly the sales staff is trying to sell devices and services that bring them the greatest commission. That's what they do for a living. The consumer knows that too. Maybe the real "suckers" are those sales people that think that they are being really "sharp".
Bruce
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I don't feel suckered. I walked into the AT&T store fully planning on paying $499 full retail for the tablet. The contract price was $399 and it wasn't worth it to me to lock myself in for 2 years purely to save $100 off retail. However, when I was offered $199 for the tablet, now we're talking about saving $300 over retail up front and that WAS worth it to me as far as locking myself in for two years. I was able to put the $300 toward something else and I love having an LTE tablet. Win-win. It's only being "suckered" if you're led to believe one thing and something different actually happens. I knew what I was getting into.
oldblue910 said:
Same here. I don't feel suckered. I walked into the AT&T store fully planning on paying $499 full retail for the tablet. The contract price was $399 and it wasn't worth it to me to lock myself in for 2 years purely to save $100 off retail. However, when I was offered $199 for the tablet, now we're talking about saving $300 over retail up front and that WAS worth it to me as far as locking myself in for two years. I was able to put the $300 toward something else and I love having an LTE tablet. Win-win. It's only being "suckered" if you're led to believe one thing and something different actually happens. I knew what I was getting into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"You can lead them to the water but you can't make them drink" Of course you know they will, because they're thirsty!!
Nice that's great that they took care of you.. In reality I think you came out on top because if they switched you to mobile share you are only payin $10 a month for that line being locked in for the next 2 years would be $240 so by being in contract you actually get the device for $60 less than full retail.. Great stuff had a similar experience and that's what pushed me over the edge to get it

200 dollar trade in Retailers

https://samsunggalaxypromotions.com/note4
EDIT: FAQ here - https://samsunggalaxypromotions.com/note4/Content/Faq.pdf
I guess it appears anyone who takes PRE-orders is good.
According to the above - are ALL US verizon wireless stores participating retailers?
I ask because I have a government account.. and I've "pre ordered" for 299 - I get a 100 dollar credit for upgrading and from above it sounds like all I have to do is walk into a verizon store and trade in a phone.
Does it have to be a verizon phone? Or would a sprint phone work too?
If it has to be verizon - what phones are you guys getting to trade in? I'll have to buy one somewhere.
What other stores are participating?
J3ff said:
https://samsunggalaxypromotions.com/note4
According to the above - are ALL US verizon wireless stores participating retailers?
I ask because I have a government account.. and I've "pre ordered" for 299 - I get a 100 dollar credit for upgrading and from above it sounds like all I have to do is walk into a verizon store and trade in a phone.
Does it have to be a verizon phone? Or would a sprint phone work too?
If it has to be verizon - what phones are you guys getting to trade in? I'll have to buy one somewhere.
What other stores are participating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking on Verizon's website it looks as if they will accept any phone from any carrier. As far as going into any Verizon store and being able to trade it in for cash I am not sure, but imagine they all the corporate stores are capable of doing so.
What I am more interested in is what other retailers count. I have an old HTC Aria that I received free when Alltel merged with AT&T that is almost like new. If I go to Verizon's website to get an estimated value it is rated at $0 dollars trade in. However, if I trade it in to Amazon it is worth more than the $10 dollar minimum a phone needs to take advantage of the $200 dollar deal.
wyatt57350 said:
Looking on Verizon's website it looks as if they will accept any phone from any carrier. As far as going into any Verizon store and being able to trade it in for cash I am not sure, but imagine they all the corporate stores are capable of doing so.
What I am more interested in is what other retailers count. I have an old HTC Aria that I received free when Alltel merged with AT&T that is almost like new. If I go to Verizon's website to get an estimated value it is rated at $0 dollars trade in. However, if I trade it in to Amazon it is worth more than the $10 dollar minimum a phone needs to take advantage of the $200 dollar deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I just went to verizons site and got 9 dollars as the trade in value. Sigh.
wow it's great one :good:
I don't see anywhere on the Samsung rebate website where it says you have to preorder a phone through a contract with carrier. I think Verizon may require that because they handle the rebate for you.
The Samsung website clearly says if you preorder from BestBuy, you cannot submit for the rebate yourself.
I am ordering from Amazon, full price, and I plan on submitting paperwork for this rebate. I turned in an old phone for $10 to Amazon. If you preorder from Amazon and have store credit you may be able to finance the full price phone at 0 interest for 6 months as well. The rebate is first come first serve and it is not as sweet as an instant rebate from Best Buy or a carrier. I don't know for sure it will work but after reading the small print, I don't see why it would not.
The main thing the rebate stipulates is that the phone has to be purchased as a preorder and the trade in have a minimum $10 value.
FYI-there is a lot of press out there that the phone will be immediately discounted in November to drive up sales.
But that press was generated before Verizon pre-orders sold out. Waiting always saves you money.
I cannot wait any longer for this phone. I am down to one working old android with a cracked digitizer.
I figure even if this phone isn't all that and the new Galaxy 6 comes out in April or a waterproof Note comes out in December, I can always recoup something by reselling this fairly new device.
A
---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
J3ff said:
Interesting, I just went to verizons site and got 9 dollars as the trade in value. Sigh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wonder if you can fudge the trade in receipt to $10, if you are applying for the rebate directly (not through Verizon).
I dont' see how Samsung can check that. I think they can just verify that you traded in a phone and whether or not you preordered.
FAQ
FAQ
There is an FAQ now linked at the bottom of the Promotion website page (cant post a link). It is two pages long and does clarify some of the rules, but not all. It does tell you what a 'Participating Retailer" is. Basically any physical or online retailer taking Pre-orders.
It also goes into more details on the Best Buy rules. Such as a 2 year activation is required.
uberclaud said:
I don't see anywhere on the Samsung rebate website where it says you have to preorder a phone through a contract with carrier. I think Verizon may require that because they handle the rebate for you.
The Samsung website clearly says if you preorder from BestBuy, you cannot submit for the rebate yourself.
I am ordering from Amazon, full price, and I plan on submitting paperwork for this rebate. I turned in an old phone for $10 to Amazon. If you preorder from Amazon and have store credit you may be able to finance the full price phone at 0 interest for 6 months as well. The rebate is first come first serve and it is not as sweet as an instant rebate from Best Buy or a carrier. I don't know for sure it will work but after reading the small print, I don't see why it would not.
The main thing the rebate stipulates is that the phone has to be purchased as a preorder and the trade in have a minimum $10 value.
FYI-there is a lot of press out there that the phone will be immediately discounted in November to drive up sales.
But that press was generated before Verizon pre-orders sold out. Waiting always saves you money.
I cannot wait any longer for this phone. I am down to one working old android with a cracked digitizer.
I figure even if this phone isn't all that and the new Galaxy 6 comes out in April or a waterproof Note comes out in December, I can always recoup something by reselling this fairly new device.
A
---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
wonder if you can fudge the trade in receipt to $10, if you are applying for the rebate directly (not through Verizon).
I dont' see how Samsung can check that. I think they can just verify that you traded in a phone and whether or not you preordered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point I'm just going to order it off of the b2b verizon wireless site. Cost is 299. Then you get a 99 dollar credit on your bill, bringing it down to 200. I'm going to trade in a sprint galaxy nexus to amazon and hope that they honor the deal. If they do, that means a note 4 for free! Then Whatever my current note 3 sells for on ebay is just the icing on the cake!!
I currently have unlimited data. What would be the best method of keeping my ULD while upgrading and taking advantage of this promo? If I wanted to do it at Best Buy, I would have to avoid going in the store entirely. Amazon, then?
I went ahead and sold my Note 3 for $350. Not a bad deal :silly:
Im on a govenment account as well.
I called and they sent me a padded envelope to put the phone in.
I sent in a AT&T iPhone 4 and got $65
Im waiting for the note 4 to arrive so I can get the rest of the $200 from Samsung.
billinaz said:
Im on a govenment account as well.
I called and they sent me a padded envelope to put the phone in.
I sent in a AT&T iPhone 4 and got $65
Im waiting for the note 4 to arrive so I can get the rest of the $200 from Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i too
npro1464 said:
I currently have unlimited data. What would be the best method of keeping my ULD while upgrading and taking advantage of this promo? If I wanted to do it at Best Buy, I would have to avoid going in the store entirely. Amazon, then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's my predicament. I am buying it full price on Amazon. It's the cheapest I found for an off contract price.
If you have an Amazon Store Credit, you can defer the payment 12 months without interest, So maybe apply for one before purchasing. I am hoping to get the price reduced by receiving a check from Samsung from their preorder promotional rebate by preording and trading in an old phone. Look at the deadline dates for that promotion, if you want to participate.
You could also go to Verizon, and see if they will cut you a deal in exchange for giving up your unlimited data, like 6GB for your current monthly bill total. That is if you really don't use the unlimited data.
A Verizon rep, told me even though we are grandfathered in, Verizon at any time can renigg on the unlimited data because they could say that the ULD was for 3G not 4G data service. I think they have their ULD customers reduced down to 20% or less now.
The other way is to wait longer and buy one used off Swappa. But if you go for the upgrade, you lose your unlimted data. They closed the loophole where you could transfer upgrades on a new family plan to the old ULD customer.
billinaz said:
Im on a govenment account as well.
I called and they sent me a padded envelope to put the phone in.
I sent in a AT&T iPhone 4 and got $65
Im waiting for the note 4 to arrive so I can get the rest of the $200 from Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, I'll go that way too.
Grand fathered
uberclaud said:
Yeah that's my predicament. I am buying it full price on Amazon. It's the cheapest I found for an off contract price.
If you have an Amazon Store Credit, you can defer the payment 12 months without interest, So maybe apply for one before purchasing. I am hoping to get the price reduced by receiving a check from Samsung from their preorder promotional rebate by preording and trading in an old phone. Look at the deadline dates for that promotion, if you want to participate.
You could also go to Verizon, and see if they will cut you a deal in exchange for giving up your unlimited data, like 6GB for your current monthly bill total. That is if you really don't use the unlimited data.
A Verizon rep, told me even though we are grandfathered in, Verizon at any time can renigg on the unlimited data because they could say that the ULD was for 3G not 4G data service. I think they have their ULD customers reduced down to 20% or less now.
The other way is to wait longer and buy one used off Swappa. But if you go for the upgrade, you lose your unlimted data. They closed the loophole where you could transfer upgrades on a new family plan to the old ULD customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I want to use my sisters upgrade for myself... I can't?
nope
Not if you want to keep udp
uglymfandb said:
So if I want to use my sisters upgrade for myself... I can't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
I guess my only recourse would be to buy outright.. EBay here I come.. Thanks again
uglymfandb said:
I guess my only recourse would be to buy outright.. EBay here I come.. Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, I assumed that your sister phone is due for upgrade. When your sister received the phone, just registered with her number for 24 hrs. After that switch her number back to her old phone, then take the new phone and register under your number.
Upgrade
buhohitr said:
Yes you can, I assumed that your sister phone is due for upgrade. When your sister received the phone, just registered with her number for 24 hrs. After that switch her number back to her old phone, then take the new phone and register under your number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes her phone is due for upgrade... Much thanks for feedback on this situation.. I will definitely do that.. Will save me a lot of cash
uglymfandb said:
Yes her phone is due for upgrade... Much thanks for feedback on this situation.. I will definitely do that.. Will save me a lot of cash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you will be locked into a 2 year commitment and lose your udp. They closed that loophole this past spring.
OK forgive me if this has been answered CLEARLY but can somebody tell me how to pre order at full retail from Verizon and get the 200$ promo? Its so many conflicting statements here and I don't wanna fool with upgrade switching. Etc I just wanna get my 200 off and buy it from Verizon retail price.
Sent using XDA Free mobile app

Best Bestbuy experience

Hello!! I thought my BB Note 4 experience is worth sharing. I preordered on 10/17. That day I asked about trade in of an old Droid 4. I told them I wanted to keep unlimited data and would be paying full price. Was told no problem on trade in for $200 gift card. Tonight, I go in to pick up the phone and they told me since I'm not going to get a new contract, I wont get the $200 gift card. I reminded them of who told me. Here is what they did to come through. They took the droid on a trade for $25. After that they discounted the price $175....No gift card, but a mark down. (I did try to get a Verizon price match, no luck.). I also had a 10% off card that came in a USPS address change kit I received recently for BB, for any one item. They took that, too....at full retail, so another $75 off. I wasnt done. I had a $10 rewards coupon. Took that, too. So, I ended up paying $465 and kept my unlimited data. Can't complain here.
I had a very good experience at Best Buy. Traded my Incredible for the $200 and used a data line with an upgrade due, but son already has a jail broke iPhone he wants to keep using.
They activated the N4 on his line and then put my S4 sim in the N4 and reactivated his iPhone. Did the juggling to keep unlimited data.
My experience initially with best buy was insane. I pre-ordered and went to the store only to find out their "beast" system had the wrong price for the verizon note 4 on the edge plan. It's normally 699, but the system had it for 749. Apparently I was the first person in the country to discover this and they call corporate and they had to update the system which didn't take place until 4pm est.
When I finally got my phone it was good. I got a 200 dollar gift card for trading in my old Galaxy s. I also get a 100 dollar line credit for opening a new line. I also took advantage of the double data plans on their family share plans verizon is offering this month.
All in all good experience. Excellent phone.
Just wish I could block app permissions..
-Wizzle
Okay experience for me. They price matched Verizon at $699 and gave me a $200 markdown and told me to keep my trade-in because it was easier for him to do it that way when purchasing at full price. Used BB credit card and now have $48 in points as well.
Best Buy DEBACLE with Note 4 Promotion
I too picked up my Verizon variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 yesterday at my local Best Buy here in Naples, Fl. After doing a considerable amount of research regarding the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 promotion (trade in "ANY" working smartphone and you are guaranteed a $200 rebate***. FINE PRINT - Trade-in value must be at least $10 or more) and then the Best Buy promotion (Trade-in "ANY" working smartphone and receive a $200 gift card. NOTE - Best Buy's definition of "ANY" working smartphone is at THEIR discretion). The whole promotion is a MESS!!!!
I was told by the general manager at my local store they would not accept a BRAND NEW product which was a FULLY functioning LG smartphone because it was not one of their acceptable trade-ins. At this point, I grabbed the counter display and read it word for word back to the GM. He stumbled and mumbled and all he could say was the Best Buy display was not correct and I would not be receiving my rebate ($200 gift card). I asked to speak to an executive at the Best Buy corporate HQ and he was hesitant to give me that number. As I was on the phone with the complaint department with HQ, the GM returns and tells me and the salesperson that apparently Best Buy has royally "screwed the pooch" by their incorrect and vague advertisement.
Long story short. I finally ended up receiving my $200 gift card but apparently at the time it was handed to me, a "panic'd" email had circulated to every Best Buy store in the country . So to all of you that pre-ordered a Galaxy Note 4 from Best Buy....DO NOT take NO for an answer if they tell you that you are not eligible to receive the $200 gift card. Be persistant and demand that they make good on their advertisemet (that is unless they have pulled all of the counter top displays that reads "ANY" working smartphone and does not have a value on it)
BB Experience
I also had a good buying experience at BB yesterday. I picked up the note 4 with the $200 trade in. The process was pleasant, and it took about 3-40 minutes.
We were there at 10 am Sharp, and they hadn't logged in our phones yet, so we never got or arrival pickup emails.
That said, picking them up was fine, except it data was almost maxed, and when I logged into my phone, it went nuts on play auto downloading all my apps. We put it on store WiFi right away, so that cured that issue.
The Samsung rep was great, and we also got 2 each of a Samsung canvas tote, travel mugs, flashlight, and a way cool pen with a pull out note4 feature banner!
We love our bb!
Great experience. Got the $200 trade in credit for an old Droid X2 I had. The bestbuy rep also gave me the additional $50 for your trade in even though the promo expired 10/18
I traded a blackberry tour and got the $200. Kept my iPhone 5 and ended up doing the edge plan. Same as I was paying now but I can upgrade every year. Not too bad.
I managed to get a 200$ gift card for trading in my original droid X. I knew that thing was worth keeping. Its been in a drawer for 3 years.

Best Buy deal

Went to buy the 4 With Walmart ad for price match on their $40 off deal. Found out Best Buy started deal better. Came out with Note 4 half price.
Glad I waited a little
I dont see this deal anywhere. Is this in-store only?
Not sure. I didn't know about it . My wife went to get it and when she showed the Walmart ad to him he said he had a better deal.
Gave her $150 gift card and let her use it on phone. She called me very happy as was I.
I Was just complaining about my luck the day before because Walnut was sold out.
Turns out that was a blessing!
I did a little searching. You must have gotten them to price match with the Costco deal:
http://membershipwireless.com/index.cfm/go/shop/do/PhoneDetails/productId/28256
I'm considering doing this today. Did Best Buy allow you to use the gift card on the Note 4 purchase?
npro1464 said:
I did a little searching. You must have gotten them to price match with the Costco deal:
http://membershipwireless.com/index.cfm/go/shop/do/PhoneDetails/productId/28256
I'm considering doing this today. Did Best Buy allow you to use the gift card on the Note 4 purchase?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they did.
Ah, didn't see this point few mins ago, but I just did a PM with walmart successfully. Enjoy!
sprintuser1977 said:
Went to buy the 4 With Walmart ad for price match on their $40 off deal. Found out Best Buy started deal better. Came out with Note 4 half price.
Glad I waited a little
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you post a screen shot cause I don't see anything. Can you explain the deal because I just bought my note 4 from best buy on Monday and didn't get any deal. They price matched Verizon since I paid full price
Tried two Best Buys with no luck. As usual, it seems each Best Buy has their own policy. One BB said they wont price match Costco. The other said it was for new lines only. Did you get this through a new line? I just want to upgrade my line. I kinda wish I didnt goof on missing the trade in deal...
npro1464 said:
Tried two Best Buys with no luck. As usual, it seems each Best Buy has their own policy. One BB said they wont price match Costco. The other said it was for new lines only. Did you get this through a new line? I just want to upgrade my line. I kinda wish I didnt goof on missing the trade in deal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
l added a line. 1 had not seen it advertised either. My wife went to pick it up with the Walmart ad and the rep told her he could do that but had something better.
She said he printed out something, then scanned a Barcode off the print out and told her she would get a $150 gift card. He then told her she could use it towards the phone.
I asked her and he never told her what it was he printed out or what. We were just elated it happened.
For reference this was in Valdosta, Georgia.
If needed I will try and post receipt
Hey! I work at Best Buy Mobile! So let me clarify this deal for you guys! It shouldn't have been a price match to WalMart or CostCo. We normally don't match ads with CostCo because you have to pay them for a membership and it isn't a public store, so they're able to afford putting up crazy-ass deals as they do, and we don't match WalMart (in the Mobile department) because almost every single phone is subsidized and the price is set by the carrier for us, so we cannot modify the price because we end up losing whatever difference in price there is as we don't get that refunded to us from the carrier. Also, we do direct contracts with the carriers that we support, unlike Car Toys and CostCo and a few other places which run under third-party contracts.
Not too sure what deal you guys got onto, but for the rest of this week only you will receive a $150 gift card per NEW LINE you start with Verizon right now. Husband and I just upgraded to Note 4s tonight by porting into Verizon from AT&T/T-Mobile and got $300 back in gift-cards, which we used to pay for the deposit that Verizon wanted from me ('cause my credit isn't too good and I was more interested in the Edge program anyway.)
So, what probably happened is that you added a new line, which qualified for the instant gift which is able to be applied toward the cost of the phone (if you're buying it on a 2-year contract, doesn't work toward your device payments via Edge [unless you have to pay a deposit]). Also just so that everyone is aware, if you're on a More Everything Plan, make sure that you're aware that this month there is a promo plan through Verizon where the 10GB plan is going for $80 and $100 for the 15GB plan.

S8 Plus AT&T Waiting Room

I didnt see one of these here...
Just ordered. Expected delivery date April 21.
same just pre-ordered mine too
expected store pick up april 21st
now the waiting game begins.......
I pre-ordered mine from best buy. $100.00 cheaper.
lskeys said:
I pre-ordered mine from best buy. $100.00 cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heading out to Best Buy today to order mine and check out the BOGO program as well.
Got my pre-order in on the first day. Hoping AT&T ships early.
lskeys said:
I pre-ordered mine from best buy. $100.00 cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly I did too but paid full retail and there is no discount, only if you finance it you get discount. I cancelled and ordered direct from samsung to get it a day earlier and get the VR that day too BB delivery is 21st and Sammy is the 20th. Wont have to mess with submitting the receipt and waiting for the VR separate too this way.
PRE-ordered...still waiting
I ordered it by the time it lunch...but looks like that I still have to wait a long time to get it on my hand....
Its hard to image wht the guys on youtube can get it sooooooooooooooo early
Just got back from Best Buy and got my order in for the S8+ in black. No money out of pocket right now but as soon as I receive email to pick up the phone they will also send me the coupon for the 100 off and links to claim the VR and 256g memory card. Plan on paying in full then. (couldnt believe they would not accept any payment today??) Hope all this goes well and surprising how this new S8+ is looking to cost less out the door than I remember my S7E costing.
Can't wait.
Anyone know why it is or isn't better to order direct from Samsung?
Me I just want the phone, the akg headphones, and the 256gb sdcard cause my s7a is acting like a windows 98 computer aka being extremely slow cause of the android 7 update. And cause the headphones I think are noise canceling headphones. And cause I kept filling up my 64gb sdcard. I don't really care about the vr or the controller for vr cause I'm waiting for the Microsoft hollowlense headset that's coming out holiday season this year for pc and xbox that and I only used my vr that I got with my original s7e all of 5 times in the first 2 months of owning it then it just sat on my floor collecting dust. If it wasn't for my s7a being extremely slow I wouldn't be upgrading right now. I personally originally wanted to wait for the note 8 but that's not happening now. Now I'm just going to wait for the note 10 in 2019 after I get my s8+ this year. Now I really can't wait till I get my s8+ cause I'm going to get the 256gb sd, akg headphones, and the vr bundle aka the Samsung Immersive VR Experience Box.
ekerbuddyeker said:
Anyone know why it is or isn't better to order direct from Samsung?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Delivery a day sooner,(20th) and get vr same day instead of mail in. Plus can finance with paypal instead of "leasing" or carrier financing that way you can unlock it for straight talk, cricket etc. Cricket unlimited is 55$ for unlimited lte and 2 year paypal finance is 24$ a month. Way better than paying carrier over 100 for their gimmicky plans or 3mbps speed limit. Cricket is att towers btw and the device does NOT need to be network unlocked to use a cricket sim card.
Any of you guy aware about claiming the Gear VR from Samsung? ATT guy told me that I should to Samsung site to claim the GearVR. However the Samsung sites says to come back after getting the phone.
johnwayne27 said:
Delivery a day sooner,(20th) and get vr same day instead of mail in. Plus can finance with paypal instead of "leasing" or carrier financing that way you can unlock it for straight talk, cricket etc. Cricket unlimited is 55$ for unlimited lte and 2 year paypal finance is 24$ a month. Way better than paying carrier over 100 for their gimmicky plans or 3mbps speed limit. Cricket is att towers btw and the device does NOT need to be network unlocked to use a cricket sim card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plus the goodies ship without you having to go online and fill out all the samsung promo garbage
Anyone know for sure that AT&T isn't going to remove the included headphones I've seen in multiple unboxings?
delivery a day sooner with Samsung.com ?
funny, I preordered att 8+ at bestbuy. status shows "get it by April 20"
I ordered Samsung Direct and it says 20th on my order too. I just hate AT&T sooooo much! But I am stuck with them as its my company phone
I don't see why they would remove the headphones cause if they did that then bby wouldn't be able to offer that package then either cause almost every bby has a att experience center in it now. Besides the headphones are part of a specific vr bundle aka the samsung immersive vr experience bundle box. They can't not offer the headphones and still offer the 256gb sd card cause both things are included in the box you get with the samsung immersive vr experience box. Basically if you pre-order the s8 or s8+ and choose the samsung immersive vr experience box bundle you are saving $1,380-$1,480 cause that's how much it would be to piece all of it together including buying either the s8 or s8+ out-right and your getting it all for only $100 plus whatever you have to pay in installments. Personally I would rather have to only pay $100 plus my installment payments and not have to pay $1,580
I was referring to basic wired ones not part of promo. Usually Samsung includes a pair with most phones, but AT&T is too cheap and removes them along with changing box
I hate that AT&T changes the nice looking black box to their fugly one, the other carriers leave the box alone why AT&T, WHY?!
netnerd said:
delivery a day sooner with Samsung.com ?
funny, I preordered att 8+ at bestbuy. status shows "get it by April 20"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Terrific! The earlier the better. I hope everyone gets theirs the same day
---------- Post added at 01:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 PM ----------
Att does not give earbuds? Screw that Im cancelling and getting a Tmobile one and getting it unlocked.

Categories

Resources