Where to buy N85?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Where to buy N85?

superleaded

34 posts

Geek

#35383 9-Jun-2009 10:32

Does anyone know of any local retailers selling the N85 (apart from telecom)?

Also, are there any disadvantages to using a non-telecom N85 (assuming a decent warranty)?

The only place I can find is phonesdirect.co.nz - who want $926, and only sell the (uglier) copper version.

Pricespy isn't much help since none of the retailers say what version they're selling.

And why does telecom think they can get away with selling it for $200 more than vodafone, about twice the price of a parallel imported vodafone? Surely the xt variant isn't that much more expensive wholesale? Surely this is a massive unexploited opportunity for the parallel importers and we should see the invisible hand take care of things soon?

Indio

153 posts

Master Geek

#223047 9-Jun-2009 11:20

superleaded: Does anyone know of any local retailers selling the N85 (apart from telecom)?

Also, are there any disadvantages to using a non-telecom N85 (assuming a decent warranty)?

The only place I can find is phonesdirect.co.nz - who want $926, and only sell the (uglier) copper version.

Pricespy isn't much help since none of the retailers say what version they're selling.

And why does telecom think they can get away with selling it for $200 more than vodafone, about twice the price of a parallel imported vodafone? Surely the xt variant isn't that much more expensive wholesale? Surely this is a massive unexploited opportunity for the parallel importers and we should see the invisible hand take care of things soon?

Simple Economics 101 supply & demand dynamics: as long as there are punters prpared to pay the going rate, there's no incentive to lower the prices. The other retailers and/or importers will probably just sneak their pricing below Telecom's when they get their stocks, anyway.

And I do agree that the hardware pricing leaves a lot to be desired....

superleaded

34 posts

Geek

#223064 9-Jun-2009 11:47

Well the only reason I want the XT version is because telecom prepay is better for me (TXT600). But given the massive difference in handset prices, at this stage it's cheaper for me to go on a plan on vodafone (no TXT600 on prepay)

And look at the way it works with vodafone mobiles - there's a whole swarm of parallel importers, and excellent market information (pricespy), so the price drops very quickly. I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before they start selling telecom phones - and the best profits will be made by whoever gets in there first (at this stage, it looks like phonesdirect.co.nz is doing well - they've increased the price of their N85 several times.

sinner

35 posts

Geek

#223131 9-Jun-2009 13:47

And why does telecom think they can get away with selling it for $200 more than vodafone, about twice the price of a parallel imported vodafone? Surely the xt variant isn't that much more expensive wholesale? Surely this is a massive unexploited opportunity for the parallel importers and we should see the invisible hand take care of things soon?

Maybe Vodafone NZ can tie into the wider Vodafone purchasing agreement with Nokia, allowing them to get a better buy price on the device? It isn't always about Telecom trying to stick it to customers...