another quadband dual sim phone - too good to be true?

andy · 28-03-2007, 09:59

I'm not a member of ebay, and don't intend to join just to ask a couple of questions.

It looks to me like the seller has two or three products together, and either doesn't understand the roaming SIM or doesn't have enough information about it, unless it is a totally new one with free roaming virtually everywhere.

I don't know any network that would have free calls to this SIM, whatever country it is from. If it is indeed a UK number, then it would probably (but not certainly, depending what it is) come from inclusive minutes on UK contracts, but no other country's network would do even this.

GadgetKen · 28-03-2007, 14:35

While there are many reputable and ethical sellers on ebay, I regard this offer as highly suspicious. The seller has no buyer/seller rating from prior transactions, has been registered only 20 days on ebay, the description of the roaming sim doesn't have a pricing plan that is adequately described or realistically priced, and the handset is priced well below market price for current quad band dual sim phones.

Any questions you want me to ask the ebay seller? I am registered on ebay.

hawkdeira · **range of numbers including 077 -** 28-03-2007, 14:50

Andy / GadgetKen
We went back to the seller with further queries about this 'too good to be true offer'. Particularly to press the point about (a) the 077 numbers suggested in their earlier response, and (b) whether it will be sold on the High Street (so that it can be seen before purchase).

Replies:
"No I will not be selling via retail at present. Because of my lack of bandwidth, My focus is to concentrate on high end corporate business users. The handset will have a UK identity. That identity will be a range of numbers, inc 077. No decision has been made to utilise Manx Telecom number range. Trials will begin in a few weeks across the UK."

I still can't believe there are 077 numbers available that will permit free roaming and 30p a minute international calls (surely the 077 number range is mainstream, eg O2 etc). But the latest response is toned down to "a range including 077 numbers".

If you're game Ken press the point with the seller about the identity of the 'unique 'patented' worldwide roaming SIM' mentioned in the advert.

So on balance I guess it's probably one to avoid - though I'd love to be proved wrong! And with one day to go on ebay there are no bidders still.

Cheers
H

	(#1)
andy (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Prophet Posts: 2,128 Join Date: 10 Dec 2004 Country:	28-03-2007, 09:59 I'm not a member of ebay, and don't intend to join just to ask a couple of questions. It looks to me like the seller has two or three products together, and either doesn't understand the roaming SIM or doesn't have enough information about it, unless it is a totally new one with free roaming virtually everywhere. I don't know any network that would have free calls to this SIM, whatever country it is from. If it is indeed a UK number, then it would probably (but not certainly, depending what it is) come from inclusive minutes on UK contracts, but no other country's network would do even this.

	(#2)
GadgetKen (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 342 Join Date: 14 Dec 2004 Location: Connecticut, USA Country:	28-03-2007, 14:35 While there are many reputable and ethical sellers on ebay, I regard this offer as highly suspicious. The seller has no buyer/seller rating from prior transactions, has been registered only 20 days on ebay, the description of the roaming sim doesn't have a pricing plan that is adequately described or realistically priced, and the handset is priced well below market price for current quad band dual sim phones. Any questions you want me to ask the ebay seller? I am registered on ebay. Phones/Wireless Devices: Doogee S90, Isatphone Pro, Amazon Kindle 3G, SkyRoam MiFi device, Karma MiFi device, AT&T Liberate MiFi device Sim Cards: T-Mobile (Mint), AT&T (Mifi device or Kindle), Koko Satphone: InMarSat Broadband US Wireless Data: AT&T postpaid, Sprint (Karma Mobility prepaid) Broadband International Data: SkyRoam VOIP: Skype

	(#3)
hawkdeira (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 56 Join Date: 13 Jun 2005 Country:	range of numbers including 077 - 28-03-2007, 14:50 Andy / GadgetKen We went back to the seller with further queries about this 'too good to be true offer'. Particularly to press the point about (a) the 077 numbers suggested in their earlier response, and (b) whether it will be sold on the High Street (so that it can be seen before purchase). Replies: "No I will not be selling via retail at present. Because of my lack of bandwidth, My focus is to concentrate on high end corporate business users. The handset will have a UK identity. That identity will be a range of numbers, inc 077. No decision has been made to utilise Manx Telecom number range. Trials will begin in a few weeks across the UK." I still can't believe there are 077 numbers available that will permit free roaming and 30p a minute international calls (surely the 077 number range is mainstream, eg O2 etc). But the latest response is toned down to "a range including 077 numbers". If you're game Ken press the point with the seller about the identity of the 'unique 'patented' worldwide roaming SIM' mentioned in the advert. So on balance I guess it's probably one to avoid - though I'd love to be proved wrong! And with one day to go on ebay there are no bidders still. Cheers H