Contract question (please help)

Hello everyone,

Hoping someone can provide me with some insight on this one. Signed a 3-year contract with Bell in April 2008 and got a BlackBerry Pearl. The site says I don't have an upgrade until October 2010, but I am very interested in buying the BlackBerry Tour which has just been released. The thing I am wondering about is ' am I able to sign another 3 year contract and get the phone for $250 (which is the 3-year price on the site) or will I have to spend $700 to get this phone? I figured I would be able to just sign another 3 year and extend my existing contract by doing so. Hopefully my question makes sense. Again, I am hoping to ditch my Pearl and get the Tour, but I want to spend in the 200-300$ range instead of the 700$ range.


I know I could call the Bell number and ask this myself, but I find they always contradict themselves and I have experienced a lot of problems in the past talking to representatives over the phone.

Thank you guys very, very much.

They won't let you sign a new contract until your old one is just about over with.

Part of the reason they ask for a contract is because they are pretty much guaranteeing themselves that the discount they gave you on the phone initially will be paid back by the end of the contract life.

If you really want the Tour, then instead of buying one from the store itself, try Craigslist or eBay to see if you can get a discounted one.

If you do, and after you activate it, then sell your current BlackBerry on Craigslist or eBay. Sure, you aren't going to get full price for it, but it may help your wallet suffer a huge hit.

Thanks mate, definitely disappointing to hear but thanks for the quick response.

So correct me if I am wrong but the only way I could buy it from the store is if I pay the 'no contract' price?

That would be correct.

I know, it stinks. You want the new phone, and it's almost like you are being punished. But like I mentioned before, the "silver lining" is that you may be able to find one for Bell Mobility on eBay for a lot less than the stores asking price.

Another question - how do I go about giving my contract to somebody else? Do they just start paying my bill and that's it, or are there more hidden things to it than that?

Maybe if I can give my contract to someone I can get the Tour for the $250 price.
And, if someone were to take my contract, my bill right now is ~$90/month would they be able to drop it to $10- $20 a month without any problems?

Sorry for asking so many questions, I should be done now!

Thanks mate

The idea of just giving the phone to somebody else and having them pay for it is a bad idea. If they don't pay the bill, or rack up a huge bill, then you're stuck with that bill!

Some cell phone companies allow people to basically "offload" their current contract and phone with somebody who is willing to take it.
It works much like a new contract, except the contract is shortened by how ever long you have had the service. Good Credit, deposit, just like a new contract.

I don't know if Bell Mobility allows this, that would be a question for their customer care center.
Ask them something like "i have a friend that wants to sign up for service with you, and i was wondering if there is any way to transfer my contract to him/her, so they can use it."

But, don't just give the phone to a friend and expect them to pay. 99% of the time, it'll turn around and bite you!