Buying a SIM free N8 in the UK - Prices of the N8 Compared

[Montala]

I am starting a new thread here, as it will probably be of more interest to UK customers.

At the moment, several on-line resellers have announced pre-order prices, and estimated delivery dates for the N8, where all prices are inclusive of VAT, but do not include any possible delivery or carriage charges. These are as follows (starting with the lowest price); were correct as at 14:00 (U.K. time) on Friday 3rd September 2010, (but have since been updated) and are taken directly from the websites of the companies concerned. They have been rounded (up or down) to the nearest pound.

Amazon - Currently only available from third-part sellers at silly prices!
Mobile Fun - £400 - Release Date 2nd November
Clove Technology - £400 - First stock due 2nd week of November
Handtec - £398 - Currently available & in stock
Expansys - £419 - Due Saturday 13th November
Play.com - £420 - Due for release on 12th November
Nokia (direct sales) - £429 - Currently available & in stock

Quite a wide spread of dates there, so… what can we deduce from this?

There have been reports that at least one of the above mentioned companies has previously sold what can best be described as ‘grey imports’ here in the UK, which they have purchased from sources other than Nokia’s office supply channels… possibly from another EU country.

Also, the returns polices will obviously vary from company to company, which might be important if, for any reason, the buyer is not completely satisfied with their purchase.

As tempting as it is to place a pre-order (at this stage anyway), with Mobile Fun, my personal inclination is to stick with Nokia, once they do eventually release a firm price.

What do others think?

By the way, I am not looking at any possible alternative phones here… just the Nokia N8!

[spyda]

Nice thread, I hope this can be kept maintained until the N8 sees the light of day - also perhaps as the above named retailers shift their release dates over the coming days as will undoubtedly be the case.

One thing to point out, the estimated price from Nokia themselves is deduced not only from the hidden google ad space but also from the source code of the page on Nokia's own website. A pretty strong indication of price I would say but as you have hilighted, this could change at any time.

[Micky]

Good posts.

Thread title amended to highlight N8 UK Pricing.

Thread now a sticky too.!

[Montala]

Thanks guys... you have made my day... my first sticky!

I will do my very best to keep the figures updated as things change... which I am sure they will!

[fredw]

I`ve always used Play.com for my previous Nokia purchases, simply because they dont quibble about returns, and its free delivery.
OK, I may have to wait another few days, but in the meantime I shall enjoy reading the the comments of all the new owners of the N8.
I have been on the Play.com pre-order list since mid august.
Wont be long now!

[spyda]

I`ve always used Play.com for my previous Nokia purchases, simply because they dont quibble about returns, and its free delivery.

Really? This has always worried me about Play.com :

Returning an unwanted itemYou may return any unopened item within 7 days of receiving it, for a full refund. We will refund your card once we have received and processed the item.

We will only refund delivery costs if the return is a result of our error.We cannot refund or exchange an opened item unless it is faulty, or if the item was sent to you through our error.

Seems they will only accept returns of unopened items ... not much use really?

[fredw]

Really? This has always worried me about Play.com :

Returning an unwanted itemYou may return any unopened item within 7 days of receiving it, for a full refund. We will refund your card once we have received and processed the item.

We will only refund delivery costs if the return is a result of our error.We cannot refund or exchange an opened item unless it is faulty, or if the item was sent to you through our error.

Seems they will only accept returns of unopened items ... not much use really?

I agree with your comments about unopened items, but by the same token, how would you know if the item was satisfactory or otherwise if you didnt open the box?
I have sent two phones back (HTC touch 2 and a N95) with absolutely no problems whatever, and the refund was within 48hrs. These were not faulty items, its just that i didn`t like them.
All you do is phone them and you get no hassle at all. At least they`re a well established company.

[spyda]

That's good to know, thanks for clarifying. I presume you returned the items within 7 days (as above)?

Another slight concern I had was that they are based in Jersey - not entirely sure therefore what consumer rights apply. If you say they don't give any hassle though that's reassuring as I am sure they could due to the terms of their returns policy.

[fredw]

That's good to know, thanks for clarifying. I presume you returned the items within 7 days (as above)?

Another slight concern I had was that they are based in Jersey - not entirely sure therefore what consumer rights apply. If you say they don't give any hassle though that's reassuring as I am sure they could due to the terms of their returns policy.

Yes, I can vouch for them 100%. The only thing I forgot to mention is that the return postage is down to the customer, but bearing in mind that its free delivery, I didnt mind the return postage(recorded delivery) of under a fiver, as I was happy not to be stuck with the phones.
Anyway, Spyder, you wouldnt be thinking of sending that lovely N8 back, would you?

[spyda]

Anyway, Spyda, you wouldnt be thinking of sending that lovely N8 back, would you?

HOPEFULLY not but after the amount of devices I have tried to replace my trusty 5800 with (all of which failed), that safety net is absolutely essential!

You didn't say if it was returned each time within 7 days? Did they ask you at all if the box had been opened?

Sorry to go slightly OT but I think this is all relevant as a decent returns policy is always a re-assurance - N97 anyone!?

[fredw]

HOPEFULLY not but after the amount of devices I have tried to replace my trusty 5800 with (all of which failed), that safety net is absolutely essential!

You didn't say if it was returned each time within 7 days? Did they ask you at all if the box had been opened?

Sorry to go slightly OT but I think this is all relevant as a decent returns policy is always a re-assurance - N97 anyone!?

It only took 24hrs on each occasion to discover that the phones were not for me, so I sent them back the day after I recieved them. They get returned to a uk mainland centre. I wasn`t asked if the box had been opened. I mean you dont spend hundreds of pounds just to look at a box, so it seems to me that that particular rule is unworkable.
I did however ensure that the item was in pristine condition, and was packed as near as possible to the original state.
I agree, you cant be too careful. I personally will stick with my order with Play for the new phone.

[Montala]

As things stand at the moment, if you are thinking of getting one from Play.com, surely it is worth while forking out another £10 and buying directly from Nokia, and (hopefully) having the phone in your hands two weeks earlier!

My personal experiences when ordering from Play, is that items always seem to arrive a couple of days later than I expect them to!

[spyda]

I am pretty sure I will stick with Nokia but it's nice to know about alternatives ...

[fredw]

As things stand at the moment, if you are thinking of getting one from Play.com, surely it is worth while forking out another £10 and buying directly from Nokia, and (hopefully) having the phone in your hands two weeks earlier!

My personal experiences when ordering from Play, is that items always seem to arrive a couple of days later than I expect them to!

Ordering from Nokia direct would be nice but what about delivery charges and possible returns?

And theres no pre-order facility as yet.

[spyda]

There is a delivery charge with Nokia, around £10 iirc for their express service.

14 day returns if not happy with device, tried and tested althoug they can be a little slow to return your money at times. Customer service also difficult to contact and get anything resolved.

That said, it's still more than likely the route I will take.

[Montala]

There is a delivery charge with Nokia, around £10 iirc for their express service.

Do they not usually offer free' standard' delivery on pre-orders... I am sure I saw that on another model they recently released?

I am with you though in probably choosing to go down that particular route... I would just feel slightly more confident, buying one directly from the manufacturer, rather than from a third party.

It may sound silly I know, but some of us are like that!

[spyda]

yep but I could never use standard when express is available, certainly not for the N8

[Montala]

yep but I could never use standard when express is available, certainly not for the N8

Yea, that's true... we would probably have to wait another day or so for it then!

... and I would hate it if you had received yours, and I was still waiting for mine to be delivered!

[fredw]

Yea, that's true... we would probably have to wait another day or so for it then!

... and I would hate it if you had received yours, and I was still waiting for mine to be delivered!

I`m still sticking with Play.com. I`m hoping to pick up some helpful tips from all you day one buyers, and if (heaven forbid) that its a no no then I`ll pre-order the N9

[Evil Genius]

discussion, is always good but this is too much speculation for a phone that isn't even here yet.

shouldn't we wait until something concrete has been confirmed?

[fredw]

discussion, is always good but this is too much speculation for a phone that isn't even here yet.

shouldn't we wait until something concrete has been confirmed?

The "something concrete" is surely the lack of an N8

[Montala]

Clove Technology have just dropped their price of the N8 to £399.50, which so far as I am aware is the lowest figure currently being offered for an unlocked SIM free model.

I have edited the first post in this thread accordingly, but it is seriously making me re-consider buying one directly from Nokia for £30 more!

[Moz]

Don't forget to use cashback websites if you can, for a further little bit extra back.

[spyda]

Now available for pre-order from Amazon I see too:

Nokia N8 Sim Free Mobile Phone: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics - £429.99

Amazon would be my choice to buy from, their returns are second to none but the 18th of Oct is a long time away!

[TheSuper]

Now available for pre-order from Amazon I see too:

Nokia N8 Sim Free Mobile Phone: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics - £429.99

Amazon would be my choice to buy from, their returns are second to none but the 18th of Oct is a long time away!

Think Amazon have made a mistake with their listing! That picture is not an N8, looks more like an N900 or the N9. What do you think?

[spyda]

N810 I think ... doesn't inspire confidence!

[Montala]

Handtec have now dropped their price to £398.31

I wonder how long it will be before they all drop below the £400 mark?

[Montala]

Think Amazon have made a mistake with their listing! That picture is not an N8, looks more like an N900 or the N9. What do you think?

Amazon have now changed the picture to show an actual N8!

I have also updated the prices and current quoted delivery dates in the first post in this thread,.

[93tid]

Cashback sites:

Topcashback:

Nokia Online - 10%
Mobile Fun - 5%
Play - 3.5%
Expansys - 5%

Quidco:

Nokia Online - 10%
Mobile Fun - 5%
Play - 3.5%
Expansys - 5%

[Kuru]

Today I fly from Heathrow T5 and there is a Nokia Store and they have N8 in stock 4 colours all £365 Simfree. Looked best deal but I didn't buy I am still deciding on getting N8 but if any one already decided it is the best deal.

[buxz777]

hey kuru is the nokia store at heathrow vat free or something ie in duty free?? 365 is a good deal i paid 429 from a nokia store :-(

i would have got one if you was thinking about it , you could have used it and if not liked it then you could have sold it for waht you paid for it as 365 is an excellent price for a sim free unbrandd generic handset

[Montala]

Today I fly from Heathrow T5 and there is a Nokia Store and they have N8 in stock 4 colours all £365 Simfree. Looked best deal but I didn't buy I am still deciding on getting N8 but if any one already decided it is the best deal.

Yes, I agree with buxz, and provided you don't have to pay any additional duty or VAT that does indeed sound like a very good deal, especially if they have actually got them there in stock, to take away.

Do let us know how you get on!

[93tid]

hey kuru is the nokia store at heathrow vat free or something ie in duty free??

Yes it is airside, i.e. duty-free.

[ivanpope]

I ordered the N8 from Play and watched the order sit there for a couple of weeks. Then I cancelled it and ordered it from Nokia direct. Sure, it was a little more expensive and I paid shipping (£9, that really rankled have to say on a £400+ item) - but hey, a few days after switching the order my N8 turned up. Lovely.

[Grayburn]

I have one for sale if any one is interested, sim free and unlocked ;o)

[the laban]

I got mine on o2 pay and go from nokia online shop, and it's unlocked and unbranded.


Total cost was 383 quid as opposed to 429 for a sim free unit on the same site.

[93tid]

TopCashback are currently offering 18.18% cashback on all purchases from the Nokia UK Online shop.

I don't know how long this will last so get in quick. I might be tempted enough to get me a C7 as well.

[losdamianos]

What about pay monthly deals ?

I got £35 Quidco cashback on my contract through phones4u
27.50, 18month tariff and you get 500mb internet , 600 minutes and 300 texts
so you pay 18*27.50 - 35 cashback which is £460 + think how much you would spend on pay and go tariffs with internet . at least £10 so eventually after 18 months you spend £180 anyway. That gives you n8 for 460-180 =£ 280 !

Rememer that you have to register in quidco in order to get 35 cashback Quidco

[93tid]

What about pay monthly deals ?

This thread is about SIM-free, i.e. unlocked N8 handsets, without contracts and without network branding.

[losdamianos]

well yes you right , n8 from orange is not locked and hasnt got any network branding and I put that only as an information to pple with pay n go sim cards

[93tid]

N8 now reduced to £399 in the Nokia UK online store.

[Montala]

... which of course, as we all know, is the price it should have been initially, here in the UK!

What is even more galling though is that our friends 'across the pond' can buy one themselves, directly from Nokia USA for just $399 by quoting the code "noknow2010", as mentioned here.

As the order is over $99 they even get free shipping as well!

[buxz777]

can confirm o2 stock them for 309.99 plus ten pound top up :-)

yep usa are gettinga screaming deal on the n8 at the minute

[93tid]

can confirm o2 stock them for 309.99 plus ten pound top up :-)

Yes, but locked to O2, this thread is for SIM-free handsets. let's not confuse things.

[scott_campbell9]

i am looking to sell my n8 - tiny little dunt on it, still got protective film on it, always had silicone cover to prevent damage