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crlb2006
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
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 Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:33 am Post subject: how do I get a prepaid cell phone? |
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hey now
I'm in Seongbukgu, Seoul and just got my first paycheck. I need a cell phone mostly to be able to receive calls and think the prepaid route is best for me.
what store do I need to go to to make this happen? will I need to go to Yongsan or whatever to make this happen or can I go somewhere closer?
how much does a cheap phone cost if I go the prepaid route?
anyone with information is hugely appreciated.
thanks very much. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:47 am Post subject: Re: how do I get a prepaid cell phone? |
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| crlb2006 wrote: |
hey now
I'm in Seongbukgu, Seoul and just got my first paycheck. I need a cell phone mostly to be able to receive calls and think the prepaid route is best for me.
what store do I need to go to to make this happen? will I need to go to Yongsan or whatever to make this happen or can I go somewhere closer?
how much does a cheap phone cost if I go the prepaid route?
anyone with information is hugely appreciated.
thanks very much. |
You can get a "CARD PHONE" - prepaid phone service from any phone shop that is willing to do business with a foreigner.
Try the ones nearest your home or work first. Shop around and ask for "second" (used) phones. Used phones can be bought for as little as 30k won (1 year old types). Not all stores will have any but many have 1 or 2 that they have taken in as trade-ups or trade-ins and you can get them cheap.
You can get them on any of the 3 networks. The rates are similar.
You will need your passport (and ARC if you have it) and some cash.
The process will be easier if you have a Korean speaking friend to assist you.
. |
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crlb2006
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: |
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thanks pal.
are there any key Korean language phrases I could learn to get my point across?
can these phone cards be found at whatever small cell phone stores I come across?
thanks again for all the help fellow expat types |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| Don't go prepaid, get a monthly plan. LG Telecom is best. Bring an ARC and passport. |
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JJJ
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Pyongshin Sangja wrote: |
| Don't go prepaid, get a monthly plan. LG Telecom is best. Bring an ARC and passport. |
Gonna have to agree. You have all the documents I assume and for around 13,000 won a month you get a nice plan and a heck of a lot cheaper rates than a prepaid. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't they require a credit card or a large deposit with the prepaid plans? I went through this last year with a Korean friend helping me anf the end result was that if I didn't want to leave a several hundred thousand won deposit (I cut my cards arleady) then I couldn't have a phone. |
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JJJ
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I just got my 2nd LG phone last week. First one a couple of years ago. Both times no deposit at all. From my experience, LG is the most foreigner friendly. |
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TeeBee
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Does anyone know what the call and text message costs are for prepaid? Especially on SK. |
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WoBW
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Location: HBC
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I just walked into an SK Telecom shop and bought one. I needed my ARC and address. The rates are higher but it doesn't bother me because I hardly use it except for text. 20,000 lasts me about three months. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I was in a shop in Daegu the other day (the asian market by BukBu bus station.) , and the fellow behind the counter showed me new(?) phones that were 10,000. They came with a plan though. Anyone know how this works? |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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i don't know what type of plan i got, but i went to LG and got a brand new phone. i had to pay a 200, 000 won deposit (that i'll get back when i leave) and i pay 12, 000 per month.
not bad, and i can make international calls with a calling card i just bought somewhere else.
being ARC, passport, bank info...
and a korean friend along, it's VERY helpful. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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"i don't know what type of plan i got, but i went to LG and got a brand new phone."
200,000 won deposit. How much was the phone? |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| and a korean friend along, it's VERY helpful. |
Your Korean friend just cost you W200,000. Foreigners don't have to put anything down at LG. |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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the phone was free with the 200 000 deposit.
that's why. |
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renata
Joined: 18 Sep 2007
Location: Anyang
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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does anyone know the hours and days during which you can top up your prepaid cell phone?
i ran out last night and went to a shop at around 9.30 but they said it was too late.
don't understand why i can't just top up anytime like normal countries... so inconvienient! sometimes i hate this country
sorry rant over |
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