Job Discussion Forums

travisncali · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Federal Distrito

1.Where is a good place to pick up a (used) cell phone in Taipei? Is there any large Techno markets or anything that I should be aware of? Is it a pre-pay system or a down payment system?

2. Is there a vistor hotline in Taiwan that is in English?

Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Travis

kuberkat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Oman

1. Tech is obscenely cheap in Taiwan and you might want to consider buying new. Hoewever, there are plenty of stores selling used phones- be sure to check for quality, though. Because these stores often cater to overseas foreign workers (labourers on a far lower income than yours) they can usually be found near major transport hubs: train and bus stations. Also, you might want to check online for any secondhand cellphone sales, on www.tealit.com, [url]www.forumosa.com [/url]and similar sites.

2. Visitor hotlines can be obtained at the airport or in major hotels.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

I picked this up at the FAP office:

Northwood · Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 66

travisncali · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Federal Distrito

Thanks for the input! I paid around $100.00 US for an awesome used phone in Korea when I was there and actually got a good deal, but I was also in the country for bit before I bought the phone. Due to the fact that I will be doing job interviews, I will need a phone ASAP when I get there. That is the only reason for my post. I am just trying enable myself a good deal before I arrive. Thanks for the HELP!!!!!!

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Kuberkat has the right idea. Cellphones are cheap here; so cheap, in fact, buying used is hardly worth it. Brand new phones can be had for 2000 nt. There are electronics stores and cellphone stores everywhere.

travisncali · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Federal Distrito

The prices sound great. Thank you all tons with the input.

trukesehammer · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 168 Location: The Vatican

Hi there!

Even though this appears to be a closed subject, I suppose I ought to be a pal and warn you not to waste your time with the mobile phone stores in Tianmu (天母). I know I sound like a grumpy old fart here, but whenever you shop in Tianmu, you're paying extra for the priviledge of conversing with the English-speaking folks behind the counter.

Example: A few months ago, I was thinking about buying a Nokia 6580 or whatever (the one with the flip-open keyboard). Anyhow, as with everything in the world of cell-phoning, this is a relatively obsolete model; however, in Tianmu, the guy quoted a price of NT$7800. Later, I mentioned the problem to my secretary, a Taiwanese woman, who quickly went online and found the same one for NT$5500. She gave me the address of the store --someplace across and down an alley from the National Taiwan University-- and within 2 hours, I was skipping merrily along with my new phone.

If you are a penny-pinching old crab like me, I suggest getting a local buddy to help you out. You'll be glad you did. Smile

kuberkat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Oman

Ah, Trukesehammer, so true. One failproof strategy there is to research the product I want online, then test it in a swish store with great service and finally buy it at the spot with the best price and follow-up service. As to me, though, I swoon for great service and am happy to buy where I get that.

trukesehammer · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 168 Location: The Vatican

Omigod, Kube! Did you just say the S-word? In Taiwan? Does it really exist?

Well, okay, I guess it does. I mean, the place where I bought my BESTA V3 6.6 MPX Videocamera did a pretty decent job when I needed repairs. I think it was at that overly complex Sogo Complex near Taipei 101.

Errrrr, perhaps we ought to start a sticky thread that lists all the places where we attowas get good service in Taiwan. What do you think?