We Pinoys are cellphone technology intoxicated. Majority are poor, but who doesn’t own a cellphone no matter how crude?
Now the Pinoy dream of the minions of crude phone owner is to get a smartphone. Especially with tens of thousands whose relatives work abroad, wouldn’t a smartphone be even a cheaper alternative to emailing or chatting to targets off shores?
Smartphones these days can cost P10 thou or less which is not as expensive as notepads whose plunging cost is still above P10 thou, and thru them email, calling, chatting have become portable, handy.
But there are caveats in buying cellphones, especially the more expensive smartphones. They are less costly than netbooks, but they certainly cost.
Not that I am expert, but I should say I have the experience, so let me forward some tips.
I don’t know how it is on sidewalks where bargains could mix up with goons, thus I limit myself to malls.
Not that sellers at malls are angels, but you have at least the comfort of environment to sift deceit from honest commerce.
First, have a list of what smarphones you consider buying then scour the internet for reviews.
While most such reviews are reliable, some were fielded to smear and destroy in an arena where competion is sharper than razor blades. To know for sure, take note of the third item in this list of recommendations.
Second, don’t buy a smartphone unless you have checked with the prices in other stores, even the neighboring one. The price of the same unit could post a difference not just in hundreds but in a thousand or two.
Third, make sure to take time to test in all ways possible the unit that you think you probably would plunk your cash on. Don’t mind a horribly irritated saleslady. That’s easier to live with than remorse over ill picked gadget.
Slide in your sim card and test all, and I mean all functions. The same process should go for other units of your interest.
Fourth, go for the unit that you have found perfect, sans the scratches from sampling done by past customers. Otherwise, go for a unit in still perfectly intact package and again test it, randomly if you will.
Fifth, make sure you get your receipt and warranty documents with you after purchase.
Sixth, test the bought unit more thoroughly at home or office as the vendor normally would fight tooth and nail against any demand to replace the unit beyond 24 hours past purchase.
Seventh, enjoy your phone until a new, much better version comes out in the market in a few days or weeks to irritate you no end.
