Where to Buy a HTC Desire: Clove or NotebookCity?

Forums › Android › Where to Buy a HTC Desire: Clove or NotebookCity?

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#73479 14-Dec-2010 15:28

I am planning to buy a HTC desire. The question I have is, "Where from?". In looking back through various Android-related forums here, many people have warmly recommended Clove Technologies. For example, this thread, HTC Desire from Clove vs ExpertInfoTech, in June, was very much in favour of Clove when the poster asked a similar question to mine. According to the Clove web-site they have them at GBP400 which translates to about NZD840. And that excludes shipping and any potential GST. However, when I looked a Pricespy I see that NZ suppliers have them available for less than that. For example, NotebookCity have them at NZD792, in stock now, including GST and free shipping. So why wouldn't I buy from them, rather than Clove? Is it something to do with being "unlocked"? Any help would be appreciated.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

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Ultimate Geek

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#417124 14-Dec-2010 15:40

Or you could try Mobicity
http://www.mobicity.co.nz/htc-desire.html
Currently $699 for the Desire (A8181) according to that. Look back on other discussions in Geekzone over some time - I think the general consensus was that Mobicity are pretty good to dela with from memory. Certainly no reason to go to Clove I would have thought unless its a new phone unavailable elsewhere and the price is better - neither of which apply in this case.

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417126 14-Dec-2010 15:46

edge: Or you could try Mobicity
http://www.mobicity.co.nz/htc-desire.html
Currently $699 for the Desire (A8181) according to that. Look back on other discussions in Geekzone over some time - I think the general consensus was that Mobicity are pretty good to dela with from memory. Certainly no reason to go to Clove I would have thought unless its a new phone unavailable elsewhere and the price is better - neither of which apply in this case.

Thanks for the link. I am pretty sure I looked at their yesterday and saw they had been sold and a new web-site was coming. Looks like it has arrived. (unless I am confusing them with another site!). There were some pretty solid comments about MobiCity so I hope the new owners are just as good.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#417127 14-Dec-2010 15:50

I bought mine from Clove, but only because they were not available in NZ at that time. The only downside is that if you have to return it under warranty you have to pay freight both ways, other than that they were exceptional to deal with.

edge

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#417132 14-Dec-2010 16:01

Tinshed:
edge: Or you could try Mobicity
http://www.mobicity.co.nz/htc-desire.html
Currently $699 for the Desire (A8181) according to that. Look back on other discussions in Geekzone over some time - I think the general consensus was that Mobicity are pretty good to dela with from memory. Certainly no reason to go to Clove I would have thought unless its a new phone unavailable elsewhere and the price is better - neither of which apply in this case.

Thanks for the link. I am pretty sure I looked at their yesterday and saw they had been sold and a new web-site was coming. Looks like it has arrived. (unless I am confusing them with another site!). There were some pretty solid comments about MobiCity so I hope the new owners are just as good.

Not aware of any change to site or ownership - still looks exactly the same as it always has. They are an Australian company as far as I know (mobicity.com.au) that also operates in NZ. The .co.nz site appears to be primarily a copy of the .com.au site with adjustments to reflect the NZ scene (details of NZ warranty, NZD, "XT" rather than "NextG" etc)

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417152 14-Dec-2010 17:10

edge:
Tinshed:
edge: Or you could try Mobicity
http://www.mobicity.co.nz/htc-desire.html
Currently $699 for the Desire (A8181) according to that. Look back on other discussions in Geekzone over some time - I think the general consensus was that Mobicity are pretty good to dela with from memory. Certainly no reason to go to Clove I would have thought unless its a new phone unavailable elsewhere and the price is better - neither of which apply in this case.

Thanks for the link. I am pretty sure I looked at their yesterday and saw they had been sold and a new web-site was coming. Looks like it has arrived. (unless I am confusing them with another site!). There were some pretty solid comments about MobiCity so I hope the new owners are just as good.

Not aware of any change to site or ownership - still looks exactly the same as it always has. They are an Australian company as far as I know (mobicity.com.au) that also operates in NZ. The .co.nz site appears to be primarily a copy of the .com.au site with adjustments to reflect the NZ scene (details of NZ warranty, NZD, "XT" rather than "NextG" etc)

Must have been another site. I looked at some yesterday! Anyway, appreciate the reference will look at MobiCity more closely.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

nakedmolerat

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#417162 14-Dec-2010 17:36

Wait, are you wanting to buy 'htc desire hd' or 'htc desire'? It is only £320 for desire and £399 for desire hd.

nakedmolerat

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#417165 14-Dec-2010 17:40

Mobicity sells htc desire hd for just over $1000

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kiwijunglist

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#417182 14-Dec-2010 18:04

I used mobicity for getting a Galaxy S, no problems very fast delivery. Be sure to use the coupon code on the website to get about $25 off the price. You don't need to pay GST/Customs with mobicity, even though the phones are sent from overseas.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417284 14-Dec-2010 21:29

nakedmolerat: Wait, are you wanting to buy 'htc desire hd' or 'htc desire'? It is only Â£320 for desire and Â£399 for desire hd.

Ah, well spotted. Now I have to decide whether to go for the HTC Desire or the HTC Desire HD! It was hard enough choosing between the HTC Desire and the Samsung Galaxy S I9000. So many choices.
But thanks nakedmolerat for pointing out the error.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

vulcannz

436 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#417293 14-Dec-2010 21:38

kiwijunglist: I used mobicity for getting a Galaxy S, no problems very fast delivery. Be sure to use the coupon code on the website to get about $25 off the price. You don't need to pay GST/Customs with mobicity, even though the phones are sent from overseas.

ditto. Just got a Huawei S7 from them, ordered late Thurs night, arrived Monday, no GST to pay/customs to deal with. Great service.

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417305 14-Dec-2010 21:59

OK, I did some number crunching comparing the HTC Desire HD from both vendors. I assumed that I would need to pay GST if buying from Clove. Might not happen, but I have assumed it will. I have also assumed I can use the $25 coupon code for MobiCity. Xrate is from oanda.com and assumes credit card rate with is inter-bank + 3%. Amazingly, with these assumptions, price is the same from both vendors! I think I'll go with MobiCity 'cause it is closer. Weird logic I know, but might as well flip a coin.

Clove MobiCity
Price £400.00 $1,019.00
Shipping £24.00 $-
Total £424.00 $1,019.00
Xrate 2.03984 n/a
NZD Cost $864.89 $1,019.00
GST 15% Included
GST $129.73 Included
Coupon $0.00 -$25.00
Total NZD Cost $994.63 $994.00

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417306 14-Dec-2010 22:00

Apologies the formatting didn't work out too well there. But you get the picture.....

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

Tinshed

278 posts

Ultimate Geek

#417320 14-Dec-2010 22:14

I thought MobiCity had free delivery but no, it is $19.90. However pricing comparison is pretty much the same.

Tinshed
Wellington, New Zealand

kiwijunglist

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#417337 14-Dec-2010 22:42

Mobicity charges you in $AU even though prices on the .co.nz website are in $NZ they will convert to $AU at checkout and charge you in $AU, so you will pay currency conversion charge on your credit card.

The mobicity service centre is in auckland, so a lot cheaper if you have to return phone for warranty issues. Mobicity give you a free accessory (car charger / bluetooth headset / screen protector etc.)

There is also a customs fee in addition to the GST charge.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Wilstar

71 posts

Master Geek

#417356 14-Dec-2010 23:15

Eking have desire HD at 988 NZD, but from what I hear on this site they are a bit dodge? Can anyone verify this, as I will be looking at buying also in the new year

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