When will "He has a smart phone, he is financially irresponsible" be over?

[alarmguy]

Hey, the way I look at it is, there is a sucker born every minute. Most people who own $500 to $1000 phones cant afford them and make payments on them, which companies like Apple play them as suckers.

Dont mistake my post, I am all for ANYONE to spend whatever they want on any product, whatever makes us happy, companies like Samsung, Apple and Lg know how to get into peoples heads and make them purchase something for that happiness.

Little do most people realize, its just a smart phone, nothing more and most people would be completely THRILLED with a $200 or $70 smart phone but they are not among the 10% who knows how to do that. So they sign leases and payments plans on a device that costs $700 but cost $75 to make.

ANYONE can buy an unlocked Huawei Mate SE for $229 and be thrilled with its performance and it looks 100 times more nice then ANY Samsung or Apple device with a battery that will last longer.
People in the USA do not know the brand as well do to our government regarding Chinese companies, even though all the other phones are made in China.

Huawei is the largest producer of cell phones in the world.

... and if your cell phone service cost you in ACTUAL PAYMENT more then $30 to $40 for unlimited data, text and voice service, then I got a bridge to sell you, unless of course, you are well off and have no other debt in your life and paying double that cost makes you happy. )

 

[SeaJay]

There was a show on the VICE network not too long ago. It was what passes for a reality show these days. Two folks drove around to the locations where the junkies hung out getting high. These folks attempted to get the junkies help and go to a rehab place.

Over the season (maybe 10 or 12 episodes) they attempted to help at least a couple of dozen junkies. Almost all of those junkies were homeless, living in tents and underneath highway overpasses panhandling, selling sex and doing criminal activities for the next fix.

But the thing I found most amazing is that every single one of those junkies, with just one exception had smart phones. Every dollar these junkies had, except for the cost of their phones went towards dope. Its easy to make an argument that the single most important possession in most people's lives today is their smart phone. It took a decade to get us here, but that is where we are at.

Apple, Samsung and the others aren't going to make much money trying to sell these devices to people that do not own one since almost everybody already owns one, now they have to convince folks that they need a new and even more improved model.

 

[Al]

The reason I like Iphones is when you have a problem with it you take it to Apple and even if its out of warranty..if its software related they take care of it free instantly. I would never (I don't think) get an Android.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted by SeaJay
But the thing I found most amazing is that every single one of those junkies, with just one exception had smart phones. Every dollar these junkies had, except for the cost of their phones went towards dope. Its easy to make an argument that the single most important possession in most people's lives today is their smart phone. It took a decade to get us here, but that is where we are at.


The two most addictive things in the world ... dope and cell phones.

 

[PimTac]

It's likely the junkies phones were stolen.

 

[E365]

I buy the top iPhone every 2 years. The missing part of the "$1,000" phone equation is that I'll resell my $1,000 phone for probably $700 two years down the road. The used market has always been hot for iPhone sales.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by Astro14
Originally Posted by aquariuscsm
Imo in today's world,a smart phone is a necessity. Life moves at a very fast pace now. EVERYTHING is online. The days of sitting at home waiting for that phone call on the landline ended years ago. One of my best friends still uses a landline only and pays long distance haha!


Agreed.

But you can do all that with a moderately priced phone.

A car is a necessity for many.

A Corolla makes sense if you're tight on money. You don't need a Mercedes.

If you get a Mercedes when a Corolla will do, then you're a fool.

So it is with phones.


The top phone is only $1500 likely (iPhone 10blah blah with lots of GB). That is still not as much a waste as a car which simply costs more and more as time goes by.

Phones require absolutely no maintenance money just a plan/carrier and the more expensive models actually hold their value. The more expensive cars typically require a ton of maintenance compared to simpler models and lose tons of money.

 

[DejaVue]

Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by PandaBear

So why are we still calling people with an iPhone or whatever cheapest smart phone "financially well off and whinning"?

never heard of this.

Heard it maybe five years ago.
Back when the people who got prepaid phones were poor people with bad credit.
Now smart people get prepaid phones because it's the same thing but costs less.
Yes, I'm generalizing.

My friend gets a new phone practically every year. Has to have the latest and greatest. He needs something decent for business but doesn't need that. And then, every time, he winds up complaining that the battery life isn't good. Well, yeah, that fast processor and big screen suck up a lot of juice.

This thread is extra amusing because it was just a couple weeks ago that someone told me they read a survey that said women think less of a man if he doesn't have a smart phone. I thought that's pretty shallow of those women because, since time is money, maybe the guy uses a flip phone so he can just flip it open and closed for calls instead of wasting time (and thus losing money) by having to swipe to answer.

Or the man could be a super-manly, outdoors, rock-climbing, cliff-diving guy who needs a flip phone for durability when he's wrestling bears.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by Al
The reason I like Iphones is when you have a problem with it you take it to Apple and even if its out of warranty..if its software related they take care of it free instantly. I would never (I don't think) get an Android.


Agreed. Wife just took her iPhone 6s Plus in to get a new battery because the life wasn't that great. They ended up giving her a replacement phone for the cost of the battery replacement. I was pleased.

 

[4WD]

Have same phone and same problem … replaced with ?

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted by DejaVue
Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by PandaBear

So why are we still calling people with an iPhone or whatever cheapest smart phone "financially well off and whinning"?

never heard of this.

Heard it maybe five years ago.
Back when the people who got prepaid phones were poor people with bad credit.
Now smart people get prepaid phones because it's the same thing but costs less.
Yes, I'm generalizing.

My friend gets a new phone practically every year. Has to have the latest and greatest. He needs something decent for business but doesn't need that. And then, every time, he winds up complaining that the battery life isn't good. Well, yeah, that fast processor and big screen suck up a lot of juice.

This thread is extra amusing because it was just a couple weeks ago that someone told me they read a survey that said women think less of a man if he doesn't have a smart phone. I thought that's pretty shallow of those women because, since time is money, maybe the guy uses a flip phone so he can just flip it open and closed for calls instead of wasting time (and thus losing money) by having to swipe to answer.

Or the man could be a super-manly, outdoors, rock-climbing, cliff-diving guy who needs a flip phone for durability when he's wrestling bears.

Of course women think less of a guy without a smart phone. When you're on a date and she's in her phone all night she'll be quite awkward if you don't also have a phone to look at.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted by DejaVue
This thread is extra amusing because it was just a couple weeks ago that someone told me they read a survey that said women think less of a man if he doesn't have a smart phone.


I'm not surprised about that ... seen similar.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted by E365
I buy the top iPhone every 2 years. The missing part of the "$1,000" phone equation is that I'll resell my $1,000 phone for probably $700 two years down the road. The used market has always been hot for iPhone sales.


Will never happen

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
Originally Posted by DejaVue
This thread is extra amusing because it was just a couple weeks ago that someone told me they read a survey that said women think less of a man if he doesn't have a smart phone.


I'm not surprised about that ... seen similar.


They don't mention the age of the woman. I'm sure she's some social media Facebook junkie with selfies all over the place. With a personality an inch deep and a mile wide.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by maxdustington
Conspicuous consumption. If it wasn't a phone, it would be expensive jewelery, clothes, food/drink, cars, vacations etc. An expensive phone has sort of replaced an expensive watch as a status symbol that is visible at all times. It is also a lot more accessible, you can easily get a new flagship phone every year working part time in high school.

I'm a blue collar and my phone and watch get trashed to the point of being borderline consumables. Having a soft hands job where you can have nice gear and not ruin it is a status symbol.


Must be you. My brother in law trashed multiple Android phones who is a avid hunter and works as exacator operator/laborer(tiny specialist outfit) for Federal jobs. His iPhone 5c now SE in a decent tough case has survived it all. You can't tell what he owns due to case but it survives. He comes completely covered in mud at times.

 

[E365]

Originally Posted by alarmguy
Originally Posted by E365
I buy the top iPhone every 2 years. The missing part of the "$1,000" phone equation is that I'll resell my $1,000 phone for probably $700 two years down the road. The used market has always been hot for iPhone sales.


Will never happen


Sure it will. Used, mint iPhone Xs are still selling for $850+ on eBay. They're almost 1.5 years old.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143092580628


People are getting $500+ for a BROKEN iPhone X.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273658414322

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by E365
Originally Posted by alarmguy
Originally Posted by E365
I buy the top iPhone every 2 years. The missing part of the "$1,000" phone equation is that I'll resell my $1,000 phone for probably $700 two years down the road. The used market has always been hot for iPhone sales.


Will never happen


Sure it will. Used, mint iPhone Xs are still selling for $850+ on eBay. They're almost 1.5 years old.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143092580628


People are getting $500+ for a BROKEN iPhone X.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273658414322




I paid $370 for a Samsung S8 last year, black friday sale. The S7 is worth about $100-150 or so and the S8 is at least $225-$250. So a loss of only about $250 or less after 2 years.

 

[Dwight_Frye]

I make a 6 figure income. I have an Android phone that is as smart as I need that cost well under $100. And it's a Tracfone. I probably spend less than $20 a month on airtime.
I'm not a cell phone zombie who is constant glued to it, I make phone calls, send texts and have a navigation or internet function if and when I need it.
I am putting the extra income that I have from cutting the cable cord and not having a $1000 phone and $150 a month bill towards my retirement savings.
That is responsible. For people that ran up huge student debt and whine about never being able to pay it off (and are looking for some socialist to pass a bill to forgive it), maybe if you weren't spending money on things you don't REALLY need like Iphones and ugly tattoos you could pay your obligations.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted by E365
Originally Posted by alarmguy
Originally Posted by E365
I buy the top iPhone every 2 years. The missing part of the "$1,000" phone equation is that I'll resell my $1,000 phone for probably $700 two years down the road. The used market has always been hot for iPhone sales.


Will never happen


Sure it will. Used, mint iPhone Xs are still selling for $850+ on eBay. They're almost 1.5 years old.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F143092580628


People are getting $500+ for a BROKEN iPhone X.

Such as: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273658414322



Brand new Iphone X on ebay $800.00 - Click

Brand new Iphone X on Best Buy - $900 https://www.bestbuy.com/site/iphone/iphone-x/pcmcat1505326434742.c?id=pcmcat1505326434742

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by hatt
Originally Posted by RTexasF
Pointless thread award winner of the new year!

OP has a bunch of Apple stock and is worried about the plummetting stock price. "Flagship phones are a Right!"


Sold them years ago for a home's down payment, got none now.

Originally Posted by JHZR2
Because, OP, your numbers are as bad at portraying the scenario as the assumption that you're arguing against. .

When I see someone buying groceries on WIC/EBT, while texting on a late model iPhone, I'm not particularly sympathetic. When I see someone with a beat up smartphone with a cracked screen, I am. So the rest of the context is important.


Thank you. This I agree. I also use a cheap $200 Android phone now too with a $25 plan.

But still, my point is, and has been, why people mention iphone (not everyone mention latest, just iphone) with EBT/WIC, why not full size crew cab pickup truck, why not cigarettes (is it even a "right"?), why not guns and ammos? I've never mention people told others to quit smoking when they are poor, ever, in my life.

Just iphone, and maybe the latest iphone if you start bringing up iphone can be cheap as well.