iPhone 3Gs - Italy and Belgium - unlocked?

[iPhone3GFan]

A guy from Holland confirmed this technique to be working:

http://bit.ly/nMPu2

Looking at the crossed word just before "Amsterdam" and thinking: that must be the postcode where the iPhone3Gs are shipped from isn't it?
Does anyone received a similar parcel from Apple and could confirm my theory and would provide the postcode (in private maybe).

 

[u49aa2]

my order number is 929289

Anyway I mailed them today asking to cancel my order and I already ordered HTC Touch HD instead of iphone 3GS.

After what I have faced with handtec and delay time, I do not need iphone anymore lol

come on Dream...So who is going to fight for us . Anyway that's one down, lets see who is next seriously, i hope you enjoy whatever you buy. Did you order it from handtec ? You should have come here and sold your order number

oh no, you bottled it.

ok delesk and u49aa, its just us now.

Yeah, it looks like it is the case. Lets see who give up next . seriously i hope we all get it at the same time

They don't. It's the new 'old' iPhone 3G that sells for $99 with a contract (through AT&T at least).

Still ending 3G with small letter S is "slightly" misleading.

Edit: 8GB 3G with 3 MP camera? Something is not right here

 

[daleski75]

I am gonna give them another week, too be honest I am not in a huge rush but it would be nice to get what I paid for as I have a iphone already and just want an unlocked one for all the hassle it saves.

Also I don't want to cancel on a whim and then regret it and have to pay loads more better to stick it out for the meantime.

Dream I really hope you enjoy your new phone, it's a shame it came to this but we will all keep you informed if we have more luck.

 

[celticfan1888]

http://shop.befr.ebay.be/items/__ip...3A1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQ_sopZ16QQ_scZ1

seems like the stock of IPHONE 3GS are slowly arriving in belgium

i see a few listings on ebay !!

either they are scammers or some stock has arrived

 

[u49aa2]

I am gonna give them another week, too be honest I am not in a huge rush but it would be nice to get what I paid for as I have a iphone already and just want an unlocked one for all the hassle it saves.

Also I don't want to cancel on a whim and then regret it and have to pay loads more better to stick it out for the meantime.

Dream I really hope you enjoy your new phone, it's a shame it came to this but we will all keep you informed if we have more luck.

+ for that, Plus i will be traveling soon and i need an unlocked phone

http://shop.befr.ebay.be/items/__ip...3A1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQ_sopZ16QQ_scZ1

seems like the stock of IPHONE 3GS are slowly arriving in belgium

i see a few listings on ebay !!

either they are scammers or some stock has arrived

I hope it is the latter

 

[inf]

Now that the Finlands own prices have been published I've been doing some counting of my own.

For a 32GB version of the iPhone it will cost 922euros to get it officially unlocked by our carrier (Sonera) and this can be done right after you have signed to contract

The 16GB version is 772euros officially unlocked. So those prices are pretty good, because there is also the warranty aspect (no need to send it to Italy or something).

And If you want to do software unlock with dev-team tools these phones will cost 564e(32GB) and 492e(16GB).

Not bad in my opinion with a local warranty, which saves a lot of hassle.

 

[inf]

Looking at the crossed word just before "Amsterdam" and thinking: that must be the postcode where the iPhone3Gs are shipped from isn't it?
Does anyone received a similar parcel from Apple and could confirm my theory and would provide the postcode (in private maybe).

DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE!

 

[inf]

my order number is 929289

Anyway I mailed them today asking to cancel my order and I already ordered HTC Touch HD instead of iphone 3GS.

After what I have faced with handtec and delay time, I do not need iphone anymore lol

Oh boy you're gonne hate that phone! It's pretty horrible. Well the Touch Flow is a nice UI but after you have to go to the WinMo side of the phone I think you're gonne freak out

I hope you change your mind

 

[u49aa2]

Now that the Finlands own prices have been published I've been doing some counting of my own.

For a 32GB version of the iPhone it will cost 922euros to get it officially unlocked by our carrier (Sonera) and this can be done right after you have signed to contract

It is OK, but this price is not as appealing as Italy, belgium, Australia, or New Zealand. Actually this price, is not that much cheaper than the UK prices. Though, this looks like the most convenient choice available.

 

[u49aa2]

Oh boy you're gonne hate that phone! It's pretty horrible. Well the Touch Flow is a nice UI but after you have to go to the WinMo side of the phone I think you're gonne freak out

I hope you change your mind

I think this depend if you are a mac or win type of person. I used to have HTC and imate (the old models) and i think they were OK and did very good job, and for many win users they are one of the best brands in the market. I am a mac guy (I like the OS and the perfect compatibility between my macs and the iphone) and this is why i think it is one of the best phones in the market.

 

[iPhone3GFan]

Looking at the crossed word just before "Amsterdam" and thinking: that must be the postcode where the iPhone3Gs are shipped from isn't it?
Does anyone received a similar parcel from Apple and could confirm my theory and would provide the postcode (in private maybe).

DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE!

I know that postcode 00000 or 00100 (or whatever) doesn't work anymore.
What I'd like to know is the postcode of the Apple distribution centre in Amsterdam. This is the reason I have asked forum members to unveil this number.

The postcode you are talking about is not even crossed on the photo (00000 ITALY) but surely you did misunderstand my post, no worries. It could happend sometimes

 

[wez99950]

Arnt you forgetting something!! VAT/Customs duty! Dhl will charge you about 70 euro, customsduty/VAT would be arould 100 euro..and as some1 else mentioned if its faulty, youre screwed! Im from Ireland , in the same boat as you..I have a mate in Aus too, but its not worth it..Id go with france/brussels/italy or just buy an o2 one and unlock it yourself..

Yea i did forget about customs/vat! my parents actually have a place in france and will be going there in a few weeks but i really don't know much about how the french phone companies are doing it. I don't think you can buy it directly from the french apple store and it might be a bit too complicated for them to try and get it unlocked in a store.
It's not the same as in belgium/italy where you can just simply walk in, buy the iphone unlocked and walk out. Or is it?

 

[u49aa2]

Arnt you forgetting something!! VAT/Customs duty! Dhl will charge you about 70 euro, customsduty/VAT would be arould 100 euro..and as some1 else mentioned if its faulty, youre screwed! Im from Ireland , in the same boat as you..I have a mate in Aus too, but its not worth it..Id go with france/brussels/italy or just buy an o2 one and unlock it yourself..

I wouldn't mind the DHL fee. But if my friend in Australia send the iphone to me as a "present" would i still be charges VAT/custom Duty? I wouldn't think so. It is a present!

 

[wez99950]

I wouldn't mind the DHL fee. But if my friend in Australia send the iphone to me as a "present" would i still be charges VAT/custom Duty? I wouldn't think so. It is a present!

So what you're saying that if i got my uncle to send it to me and mark it as a 'present' it would be 493 euro for the iphone + 70(ish) for delivery giving me a grand total of 563 euro for a factory unlocked iphone.
Am i missing any other costings?

 

[Kelmon]

I wouldn't mind the DHL fee. But if my friend in Australia send the iphone to me as a "present" would i still be charges VAT/custom Duty? I wouldn't think so. It is a present!

Needless to say that customs aren't that dumb. Each country has a "gift limit value" so with a declared value in excess of the gift limit you will still be charged duties and taxes on entry to the country. Of course, you can try under declaring the value of the shipment but since you will be an "unknown" shipper your package is more likely to be checked by customs and you'll be in trouble.

I don't work for DHL but I do work for one of their competitors. You may do better trying to claim that the device is "personal property" and having it shipped such that it doesn't look new (i.e. not in a sealed box).

 

[u49aa2]

Just check Expansys UK: this is the first time in a long time that they state 2 days for availability. This is maybe a sign that apple are injecting the next big shipments of the iphone? Or am i reading too much into it?

Edit: I think i will insure my theory is likely if by Saturday they state it is available for next day delivery , which could mean that we are next

 

[MediaDevil]

Just check Expansys UK: this is the first time in a long time that they state 2 days for availability. This is maybe a sign that apple are injecting the next big shipments of the iphone? Or am i reading too much into it?

Edit: I think i will insure my theory is likely if by Saturday they state it is available for next day delivery , which could mean that we are next

Reading far too much into it Even the normal phone stores in Italy have nothing right now (and there are a lot of regular Italian buyers still trying to get a phone, don't forget). Well connected companies like Expansys have their sources that they will have built up over time, and rewarded appropriately. Even with these kinds of sources, traders are *really* struggling to get stock.

Taking the UK as an example: Carphone Warehouse have moved back to Preorder for the 16GB model, and as of yesterday have officially ceased paying affiliate commission to their online affiliates for iPhone sales.

 

[daleski75]

Reading far too much into it Even the normal phone stores in Italy have nothing right now (and there are a lot of regular Italian buyers still trying to get a phone, don't forget). Well connected companies like Expansys have their sources that they will have built up over time, and rewarded appropriately. Even with these kinds of sources, traders are *really* struggling to get stock.

Taking the UK as an example: Carphone Warehouse have moved back to Preorder for the 16GB model, and as of yesterday have officially ceased paying affiliate commission to their online affiliates for iPhone sales.

I hope that is not the case with the Carphone Warehouse as I am trying to get a replacement 16gb 3GS from them.

 

[MediaDevil]

I hope that is not the case with the Carphone Warehouse as I am trying to get a replacement 16gb 3GS from them.

White 16Gb is preorder
16GB black isn't even for preorder! It says "register your interest".
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs

If you have any issues then I can ask them next week when they're getting in more stock. Used to work in their Trading dept.

 

[daleski75]

White 16Gb is preorder
16GB black isn't even for preorder! It says "register your interest".
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs

If you have any issues then I can ask them next week when they're getting in more stock. Used to work in their Trading dept.

Well that sucks! At least there is a note on my account to exchange the phone if it goes over 28 days after I brought it.

Never would of guessed getting a phone replaced could be so much of a problem, makes my order at handtec look very easy compared to calling CPW every 2 days asking if they have stock.

 

[inf]

It is OK, but this price is not as appealing as Italy, belgium, Australia, or New Zealand. Actually this price, is not that much cheaper than the UK prices. Though, this looks like the most convenient choice available.

Well yeah it's higher, but let's think about a scenario:

"I'll buy a iPhone from Italy with 699e. After I come home back to Finland, and after using the phone like a couple of months it breaks or has a defect which is clearly a warranty thing. So now I have to find out the address where do I ship the phone, and I have to pay the shipping fees by myself. With UPS/TNT it's prolly something like 40-50euros. And why? because there is no International warranty with iPhones. And then there still might be problems because the support person with Apple Italy said that they don't accept phones with mail, and you would have to have a Italian address to get the phone fixed"

So I thinks it's pretty easy to make a decision. And I'm not going to even unlock the phone because i'm anyway client of Sonera. And we are allowed to use any Sonera/Telefinland sim on those phones, no need to get a "special" iPhone contract.

 

[u49aa2]

Well that sucks! At least there is a note on my account to exchange the phone if it goes over 28 days after I brought it.

Never would of guessed getting a phone replaced could be so much of a problem, makes my order at handtec look very easy compared to calling CPW every 2 days asking if they have stock.

I never been a big fan of the CPW (sorry phonedevil ) I used to be their customer, and I didn't enjoy the experience, this is why i only join carriers directly.

Note for Phonedevil: actually disliking CPW is one of the reasons i trusted your website initially. Because i thought you were a guy who were fed up with the way CPW run their business and this is why you left them

 

[u49aa2]

Well yeah it's higher, but let's think about a scenario:

"I'll buy a iPhone from Italy with 699e. After I come home back to Finland, and after using the phone like a couple of months it breaks or has a defect which is clearly a warranty thing. So now I have to find out the address where do I ship the phone, and I have to pay the shipping fees by myself. With UPS/TNT it's prolly something like 40-50euros. And why? because there is no International warranty with iPhones. And then there still might be problems because the support person with Apple Italy said that they don't accept phones with mail, and you would have to have a Italian address to get the phone fixed"

So I thinks it's pretty easy to make a decision. And I'm not going to even unlock the phone because i'm anyway client of Sonera. And we are allowed to use any Sonera/Telefinland sim on those phones, no need to get a "special" iPhone contract.

But then the other senario: you buy the iphone from Italy, no defect at all (my experience with my current 3G) you can visit friends and relatives all over the world without the need of using another phone .

Seriously, i agree with your point. The issue with me is that i will be traveling for a long periods outside Europe so having an O2 locked phone is not really an option for me. Remember, i bought the 2G and the 3G locked from O2, but that was because i have been in the UK most of the time.

 

[Phycoduck]

Well that sucks! At least there is a note on my account to exchange the phone if it goes over 28 days after I brought it.

Never would of guessed getting a phone replaced could be so much of a problem, makes my order at handtec look very easy compared to calling CPW every 2 days asking if they have stock.

not too worry, CPW will always have replacement stock for faulty products.

 

[MediaDevil]

Well yeah it's higher, but let's think about a scenario:

"I'll buy a iPhone from Italy with 699e. After I come home back to Finland, and after using the phone like a couple of months it breaks or has a defect which is clearly a warranty thing. So now I have to find out the address where do I ship the phone, and I have to pay the shipping fees by myself. With UPS/TNT it's prolly something like 40-50euros. And why? because there is no International warranty with iPhones. And then there still might be problems because the support person with Apple Italy said that they don't accept phones with mail, and you would have to have a Italian address to get the phone fixed"

So I thinks it's pretty easy to make a decision. And I'm not going to even unlock the phone because i'm anyway client of Sonera. And we are allowed to use any Sonera/Telefinland sim on those phones, no need to get a "special" iPhone contract.

That's very correct.

In terms of buying from the UK websites, this is something people should always ask beforehand as the vast majority of sellers will simply say "you have to go to Italy" if you ask how you get your phone fixed.
When you include flight costs and the fact that you have to wait for at least 2 weeks for the phone to be fixed, buying from a 3rd party doesn't look so bad after all!

Here's a quote i'm fond of:

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.”



John Ruskin 1860