Message:
Getting mobile phones in Hong Kong is quite a
dilemma. Even though we could get our hands on
the latest phones, that is, if they are not already
sold out, the price generally varies dramatically.
Usually, the newest additions are parallel
imported models and they are marked up way
over the market values making them impossible
to get a hold of unless one is willing to pay
as much as double the costs. Its really
like getting an Audi RS-4. Usually, a middle class
citizen like myself would normally have to wait
for weeks and months before the local dealer would
bring on their latest models upon which the pricing
would normalize.
Therefore, as much as I shop around other goods
through the Internet, I tried shopping for phones
on the web thinking that I could beat the game.
You wouldnt believe how much work I have
gone through trying to find an online shop that
would really sell phones and ship
them overseas to Hong Kong! Most of them either
stock the latest models but wont deal with
anyone out side of EU or UK, or they only have
models from back 2 to 3 years old! Finally, I
managed to find an outlet where I purchased an
Ericsson R520 from an online store by the name
of Mobile Republic. It was a nightmare as it took
me over a month to have the phone arrived at my
door despite having gone through endless credit
checks and unnecessary delays. What disappointed
me more is no matter how many times I have requested
to purchase accessories for the phone, I never
got a straight answer. They later finally came
back telling me they couldnt accommodate
my requests and I really dont see why not.
Thanks to the website GSMArena, when
reading on the reviews for the Ericsson
T39, I was given the link to mPhone for pre-ordering
the T39. At first, I thought it was probably going
to be just another run around where I was to be
put on hold forever. To my surprise, after placing
a pre-order for the T-39, I was promptly
contacted by their customer service asking for
my preference for the colour! I was utterly amazed
at their quickness in response. When I placed
my order for the R520 from Mobile Republic, not
only did they not conferred with me as to what
my colour preference I have, they never responded
to my request on what colour choice I have for
that particular model! From that moment on, I
knew finally that there is hope after all in shopping
for phones over the Net.
Great news came only after a few days upon my
confirmation of the colour I wanted; my phone
was shipped! I took less than 3 days before I
received the package from the UK. Every thing
is in great order and the content was carefully
and neatly packed. The colour was exactly what
I have wanted! Then I tried something more daring,
I wrote back to their customer service to see
whether they could assist me in finding the accessories
I wanted for the T39. Not a problem! They were
most courteous, I dont even need to go back
to their website to go through the whole routine
of picking the items, type out my address and
credit details, Steve from the Customer Service
simply took care of my order for the miscellaneous
accessories without any fuss or hassles. For me,
this is THE only resort I have in
locating and purchasing the latest phones on the
market. I certainly have tried others and have
repeatedly been disappointed. I just only hope
that mphone could make themselves known to more
people via search engines so that more people
in the GSM world could be benefited by their first
class services.
To the dedicated people at mphone, I salute you
all.
Most truly,
David Lau
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