Where and how can I buy a 8800 without signing up, or extending a contract? I went to a cingular store they said since they only had 2 phones they can not sell it without a contract. I then called cingular customer service and they also said they can not sell the phone without a contract, even though their website lists a no contract price. Any ideas? I would really like to buy this phone. Thanks

Craigslist.org! You can find someone locally and pick it up from them so no need to worry about scammed like you would on Ebay.

Or look for another store that WILL sell you the 8800. I was able to buy out of contract from ou local corp store. Check ith a corp store and not one of the mall dealers.

my corp rep sold them to us for 499, no contract no additional line.

Wirelessly posted (eighty-seven hundred: BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I ordered mine through customer care and received it at new act. price w/o having to upgrade/resign

I went to a corp store, and they told me since they only had 2 phones it was first come first serve for new accounts, or upgrades, and could not sell the phone to me. I thought it sounded strange, I guess I will try to call customer care again, or try another corp store maybe have better luck. What would happen if I signed up for new service bought the phone then canceled within the 14 days, do I need to return the phone, or can I keep it since I payed the 350 for the phone?

I am not positive but I do not thing they should be able to do that. If you are willing to pay full retial price, they should sell to you.

If you sign up for a new account and then cancel and expect not to pay the ETF, you need to return the phone in the box with everything.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. You call to see if they have the phone in stock and the response is usually, "Do you have service with us?" or "Is this for a new line?". Your answer determines whether or not the phone is "in stock".

I bought mine full price from a corp. store. Like the others said, you just have to call around and find a store that will sell one to you. I find, at least in my area, that when I find a store, I make sure and tell them on the phone that I'm in contract and want to pay full price. One time I called a bunch of stores an finally the phone I was looking for at the time. They put it on hold for me and when I got there, the guy said his manager wouldn't let him sell it to me. Total waste of my time.

If you have an 8700 now... you can try this. I called a store and told them I cracked my 8700 and needed to get a replacement and then asked if they had the 8800. They did, took pitty on me and sold me the phone full price. I know, it's sad but around these parts I find it difficult to get these stores to work with me! ha ha

Without contract? Isn't Eaccess just acting as a Cingular dealer where a buyer would be subject to similar ETF fees if/when service with Cingular is cancelled? Otherwise, I don't see any reference to them selling the 8800 outright. If you know, what's their price for outright purchase?

I went into the Cingular store (corp store) and asked to buy one outright and was told the same BS story. So, I went ahead and signed up to get the phone with a contract with BB plan and all. Then the next day called Cingular's toll-free number and asked them to cancel the account, but that I wanted to keep the phone. They canceled the account and since I wanted to keep the phone, they charged me a Bill With Service for the remaining amount. I paid $349 plus activation fee. If you cancel within three (3) days of contract initiation you get the activation fee back also; if not you lose it. So I was refunded the activation fee and charged the additional $150 for the phone.

The in-store reps make their money from commission, so it should be understandable that they are going to make the "outright buy" process extremely difficult even to the point of lying about legal mumbo jumbo that prevents them from selling it retail. Ask them for a copy of the policy and or call their toll-free line right there in the store in front of them and ask to put in a complaint against the rep and the manager. At that point since their unwillingness will be documented in the official record that the National Sales VP (Larry Carter) may see, they will most likely relent and sell it outright.

I will say that if you are faint of heart and can't play hardball with them, don't, just find another store/retailer that will sell it outright.

That price is with buying a new line of service and if you read the real small print under it, that price is including a trade-in and mail in rebates.

I called two corporate stores near me. Both were willing to sell outright with no contract extension. When I went into one they didn't make a stink at all about selling it outright. When I searched for nearby stores I looked solely for Cingular Corporate owned. Just because it has Cingular on the building does NOT mean it's corporate owned.

My dad just bought it from them. He paid full price and $75 to get it unlocked. He has t-mobile.

All pricing options for eAccess are on this page:
WirelessBYeAccess - BlackBerry 8800 Cingular

^Which still requires a Trade-In for outright purchase.

I found this when surfing:
myrateplan.letstalk.com/product/findProducts.htm?pgId=100
It lists the 8800 for $459.95:
myrateplan.letstalk.com/product/product.htm?prId=32476

I have no affiliation with these guys, just passing along info.

Tom

Only problem with letstalk is that they only allow a 7-Day money back return guarantee. Their 30-Day policy is for exchange-only. Good price though.

Assist to Tom:

BlackBerry 8800 (Cingular) Cell Phone

[quote=backbeat]Only problem with letstalk is that they only allow a 7-Day money back return guarantee. Their 30-Day policy is for exchange-only. Good price though.

Would u recommend anyone to make a purchase from this site?

Imperfect, but not as risky as Fleabay.

LetsTalk.com Reviews and Store Ratings at BizRate

Adam from GSM Phone Source is selling unlocked units on his website.

Bought with no extension no bs at corp store. Got my 50% corp discount and paid $270 out the door.

my corp account gives me 50% off hardware. the thing is cingular interprets it to say it is for new activations only. i have laready tried this route to get it

Actually their site is offering Phone Only for $349.00!!!!