Monday, March 26, 2007
Always Trust an Apple Dealer
We had been trying to find a cell phone that we could use in Haydom. The only provider our there, that we know of, is CelTel, so we found a CelTel store at the Slipway (a shopping center that I will talk more about in another post). There was a very small shop there that sold cell phones and starter kits and scratch cards for minutes for CelTel. The prices seemed high to me and were more than we wished to spend for a used phone.
They were asking $85US for a used Nokia phone that was not so worn but was old. He also wanted $5US for the starter kit. It was a good thing that we didn't have the cash at the time and negotiated $5 off and went back to the Hotel. We figured we would get some money and return the next day, today to purchase his phone. However, I remembered that the Computer store next door to the hotel, where I had assisted in selling an iPod Shuffle on Saturday, had cell phones and we thought it would be a good idea to get a comparison price from them. So we headed over there this morning.
The Apple dealer has an air conditioned store with a small Internet cafe and sells everything from the typical Windows garbage to cell phones and routers. His prices seem really fair to me and we quickly located the brand new Nokia phones for $70, including charger and a starter kit for the Tigo network (This network may or may not work in Haydom, but if it does the minutes are apparently cheaper). We were directed to the nearby Supermarket to purchase our CelTel starter kit (SIM card) and minutes where we paid only $2.50 for the starter kit; half the Slipway price. So instead of paying the "rich tourist" price of $85 plus $5 for the starter kit and I am sure an inflated price for minutes, we were all set for $72.50 plus 10,000 Tsh (Tanzanian Shillings). I was so pleased I told the sales person I would try to find a couple of new Apple stickers for his front door.
The moral of the story is the title, Always Trust an Apple Dealer!
I would rather not post our phone number here but if you would like to call please email and we will send it to you. Chad
They were asking $85US for a used Nokia phone that was not so worn but was old. He also wanted $5US for the starter kit. It was a good thing that we didn't have the cash at the time and negotiated $5 off and went back to the Hotel. We figured we would get some money and return the next day, today to purchase his phone. However, I remembered that the Computer store next door to the hotel, where I had assisted in selling an iPod Shuffle on Saturday, had cell phones and we thought it would be a good idea to get a comparison price from them. So we headed over there this morning.
The Apple dealer has an air conditioned store with a small Internet cafe and sells everything from the typical Windows garbage to cell phones and routers. His prices seem really fair to me and we quickly located the brand new Nokia phones for $70, including charger and a starter kit for the Tigo network (This network may or may not work in Haydom, but if it does the minutes are apparently cheaper). We were directed to the nearby Supermarket to purchase our CelTel starter kit (SIM card) and minutes where we paid only $2.50 for the starter kit; half the Slipway price. So instead of paying the "rich tourist" price of $85 plus $5 for the starter kit and I am sure an inflated price for minutes, we were all set for $72.50 plus 10,000 Tsh (Tanzanian Shillings). I was so pleased I told the sales person I would try to find a couple of new Apple stickers for his front door.
The moral of the story is the title, Always Trust an Apple Dealer!
I would rather not post our phone number here but if you would like to call please email and we will send it to you. Chad
