|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: Best bank account to open / best smart phone deal... |
 |
|
Been awhile since I lived in Korea so the information I would normally go by probably doesn't apply. The last time I lived here, everyone was using slide phones and now everyone seems to be using a smartphone with a touch screen.
First, which bank is the best for sending money home? This is uber important. I've had bank accounts here before with Sh*than and KB and neither would let me do online banking. I'd prefer a bank that let me send all my moneys to Canada on the internet. I know I'll probably have to go into the bank and queue up the first time but after that I want to never go into the bank again. I don't care about the availability/scarcity of ATMs because I'm the kind of person the likes to carry cash so I'll just withdrawal a lot if need be.
Second, I'm broke (didn't get paid yet) and I want an iPhone or some variant. Something that lets me browse the internet, take decent pictures etc. Definitely something with a touch screen. Are there any places that don't require a downpayment and have reasonable offers for foreigners? Last time I went with KT, they made me pay W400,000 upfront for the phone. I want to avoid that this time. I don't mind paying a small fee, however.
I live within a stone's throw of Itaewon, thank god. If you got a good deal near there, please tell me the store's location.
Cheers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
vastrei4
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Best bank account to open / best smart phone deal... |
|
|
| Stalin84 wrote: |
Been awhile since I lived in Korea so the information I would normally go by probably doesn't apply. The last time I lived here, everyone was using slide phones and now everyone seems to be using a smartphone with a touch screen.
First, which bank is the best for sending money home? This is uber important. I've had bank accounts here before with Sh*than and KB and neither would let me do online banking. I'd prefer a bank that let me send all my moneys to Canada on the internet. I know I'll probably have to go into the bank and queue up the first time but after that I want to never go into the bank again. I don't care about the availability/scarcity of ATMs because I'm the kind of person the likes to carry cash so I'll just withdrawal a lot if need be.
Second, I'm broke (didn't get paid yet) and I want an iPhone or some variant. Something that lets me browse the internet, take decent pictures etc. Definitely something with a touch screen. Are there any places that don't require a downpayment and have reasonable offers for foreigners? Last time I went with KT, they made me pay W400,000 upfront for the phone. I want to avoid that this time. I don't mind paying a small fee, however.
I live within a stone's throw of Itaewon, thank god. If you got a good deal near there, please tell me the store's location.
Cheers. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Banking:
KEB
KEB
KEB |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saram_
Joined: 13 May 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Best bank account to open / best smart phone deal... |
|
|
| Stalin84 wrote: |
Been awhile since I lived in Korea so the information I would normally go by probably doesn't apply. The last time I lived here, everyone was using slide phones and now everyone seems to be using a smartphone with a touch screen.
First, which bank is the best for sending money home? This is uber important. I've had bank accounts here before with Sh*than and KB and neither would let me do online banking. I'd prefer a bank that let me send all my moneys to Canada on the internet. I know I'll probably have to go into the bank and queue up the first time but after that I want to never go into the bank again. I don't care about the availability/scarcity of ATMs because I'm the kind of person the likes to carry cash so I'll just withdrawal a lot if need be.
Second, I'm broke (didn't get paid yet) and I want an iPhone or some variant. Something that lets me browse the internet, take decent pictures etc. Definitely something with a touch screen. Are there any places that don't require a downpayment and have reasonable offers for foreigners? Last time I went with KT, they made me pay W400,000 upfront for the phone. I want to avoid that this time. I don't mind paying a small fee, however.
I live within a stone's throw of Itaewon, thank god. If you got a good deal near there, please tell me the store's location.
Cheers. |
I would say either KEB or KB bank for an account.
Not much difference really.. Maybe KEB is better option as they have a service in the Itaewon location dedicated to foreigners..
Right by subway station there. KB bank is just up the road towards fire station a little..
(KEB is going to be taken over by Hana sometime soonish though but that doesn't matter)
There is also a global store in Itaewon...up near the fire station where they will give you an I phone over the counter right away on a two year contract with just a bank book and little or no down payment..
They speak really good English there too...
Think they are your best bets!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Best bank account to open / best smart phone deal... |
|
|
| vastrei4 wrote: |
Second, I'm broke (didn't get paid yet) and I want an iPhone |
If it's too expensive, then I'll wait until I do get paid. I was just wondering if there were any options that had no large initial payment (ie: the cost of the phone). I'm not one of those people, I should've clarified... haha.
If it comes down to it, I'll just get a cheapy phone. Don't want to though.
| saram_ wrote: |
I would say either KEB or KB bank for an account.
Not much difference really.. Maybe KEB is better option as they have a service in the Itaewon location dedicated to foreigners..
Right by subway station there. KB bank is just up the road towards fire station a little..
(KEB is going to be taken over by Hana sometime soonish though but that doesn't matter)
There is also a global store in Itaewon...up near the fire station where they will give you an I phone over the counter right away on a two year contract with just a bank book and little or no down payment..
They speak really good English there too...
Think they are your best bets!!!! |
Sweet! Will check these out. Once I get my ARC card that is. Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I found a blog last night where someone said the Itaewon branch gave them LOTS of trouble and aggravation in trying to buy an iphone. They had a lady who kept saying no, and she got on the phone and called someone and said that person said no foreigners. The blogger argued that the store stated on its website that it does cater to foreigners, and the lady insisted on saying "no we don't". The lady on the phone also said no until the blogger gave up and left the store. 6 stores say foreigners will be sold a phone but when people go, they get the run around. Happened to someone I read about at the Gangnam global store, too.  And newer info I've seen says we do NOT need 2 year contracts. It can be 1 year if you are willing to pay about 800,000 right then...I also heard the credit card rule changed, and you can get installment plans instead of paying the 800,000 up front even with no Korean credit card. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Don't bother with the iPhone, it's super expensive here. You can get the baseline LG smartphone (Android enabled) for like 50,000 a month from Oz if you sign a two year deal. If you cancel prior to that year completing I'm pretty sure it only costs 10,000 per month remaining to cancel.
As for banking, KEB is much better than KB given the whole internet banking thing. I have the latter, and I'm just waiting a couple weeks until I extend my visa to get the former. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stalin84
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| northway wrote: |
| Don't bother with the iPhone, it's super expensive here. You can get the baseline LG smartphone (Android enabled) for like 50,000 a month from Oz if you sign a two year deal. If you cancel prior to that year completing I'm pretty sure it only costs 10,000 per month remaining to cancel. |
Is that phone or something like it available at most LG shops? It doesn't have to be an iPhone for me. I'd just be happy with a phone that is easy to use for web browsing, etc. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Stalin84 wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| Don't bother with the iPhone, it's super expensive here. You can get the baseline LG smartphone (Android enabled) for like 50,000 a month from Oz if you sign a two year deal. If you cancel prior to that year completing I'm pretty sure it only costs 10,000 per month remaining to cancel. |
Is that phone or something like it available at most LG shops? It doesn't have to be an iPhone for me. I'd just be happy with a phone that is easy to use for web browsing, etc. |
It's available at all the shops in my area (Anyang). Three of my coworkers have it along with another guy's wife having one. It's not a fantastic phone (runs a lot slower than the iPhone, less smooth), but I think it's less than half of what you end up paying if you go the former rout. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
