Shopping for Products and Services

[pietillidie]

I thought this would make a good long-term thread as people are always looking for help from those in the know. We all specialise in different things, whether be electronics, tradies, wine, auto mechanics, gourmet delights or whatever need or pleasure purchase tickles one's fancy. I'll start with a question on phones below.

[pietillidie]

It sounds like mum might need a new phone. She's got an ageing iPhone and lives in Tatura. She still drives well, and I notice that there's a Telstra shop, Harvey Norman and a few others in Shep, which she heads to fairly regularly.

I'll have to clarify, but I'm pretty sure she's got a Telstra bundle including NBN at the moment. I'm asking because I haven't bought anything like that from an actual shop in years and I'm not sure what's what in Oz anymore! I'm keen on a physical shop she can drop by for help, as she can't describe things very well by phone and gets frustrated.

I always buy my phone outright and hunt for a cheap plan, but again it's better if she's got a shop to visit so that's probably out of the question.

Just go with a simple iPhone on a plan like an SE from the Telstra shop to keep it simple? https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/mobiles-on-a-plan/apple/iphone-se-3#features

Are there any known dos and don'ts these days in Oz, or any ways to wrangle better deals/terms/gifts? (We got a tablet thrown in with our internet plan here!).

[What'sinaname]

Buy it outright from Apple. That way you have no issues with the phone being network locked and the price is the same.

Obviously (as you know this), don't buy any insurance or upgrade and protect rubbish.

My tip go for the iPhone 13. The extra $300 gets you an extra 64Gb of memory, face ID and a larger screen 6.1 vs 4.7 which is always better for anyone elderly who wants to increase font size.

[stui magpie]

^

Problem with that is there's no Apple stores anywhere near Tatura.

If she's already got a Telstra bundle, just go into the Telstra shop where she can touch and feel the phones and see what she likes. While she's there, she could ask the staff to review her bundle plan to see if she could save some money.

Buying it outright or getting the handset cost paid off in the bill over 12-24-36 months is about cash on hand and what suits.

The Good Guys also sell phones and are an authorised Telstra dealer who have their own plans. They can actually look up your plan in store and switch you to cheaper ones, still with Telstra.

[What'sinaname]

Buy it online. Products ship for free.

[stui magpie]

^

Ptiddy's mum is elderly. Going into a shop where you can talk to someone and actually look and hold the merchandise is the preferred option rather than online.

[Dark Beanie]

Yep, she can go to Shepp.
There is a Telstra store there.

My mum is the same, easier to see how things feel and operate.
She does have the benefit of a couple of my sisters who still live up home who can go with her when looking to purchase.

[pietillidie]

Many thanks, all.

WiaN, I'd defo do that for myself, but you know what oldies are like.

I reckon I'll get her to go into the Good Guys and say she's looking for a new phone but wonders if they can suggest a better bundle first. The current bill is likely not the most efficient for her usage.

Then, if she likes their service she can deal with them or if not just go to the Telstra shop.

This time, I'll get someone to set up a remote access app from the get go so we can log in when she needs help and keep an eye on phishing and security. Plus, add some shortcuts to the home screen for the things she can't find. Does anyone use any of the remote access apps? I'm an Android/Windows person, hence I'm at sea with Apple products.

[think positive]

I always check what big W has on sale! i dont need the latest and greatest, I just get the sale one! its usually a model or 2 behind, and its fine! my last one was under $500 for a new apple. as long as my watch works with it thats all I need! im on a $30 aldi plan, and I never go over, you can even use it overseas now.

apple products dont have security, except whats built in. ive never worried about it with my ipad or phone.

what does she use the phone for? happy to help with shortcuts, im a control freak, my phone and desktop are organised to the nth degree!

[stui magpie]

@ Ptiddy, places where I've worked, the IT guys use Remote Desktop when they need to remotely take over my desktop to fix something. It's a Microsoft product and works with Android.

[Culprit]

I have been using "GO BOOZE". 33 min delivery and prices are competitive but I always check. If it's the same price or cheaper I am using them as I don't have to drive anywhere. Cost saving right there. They were running late the other day and rang and apoligised and threw in a bottle of wine for being late. They were 10 mins late. Not that I have a drinking problem.

[pietillidie]

Thanks again, all. Stui, I too have used Remote Desktop, but like Chrome Remote Desktop I'm not sure if it can access an iPhone, at least visually and one not connected to a computer.

TeamViewer apparently has a free personal use version, but it's unclear if it enables remote iPhone access. A similar solution, Splashtop, makes you sign up for an annual plan, although admittedly the cheapest tier is only five bucks a month, so if it does the job that might be the go.

TP, I can imagine you'd have your phone-computer synced up perfectly! My wife is an iPhone/Mac user, so I'll let you know how we go. The reason I haven't asked her yet is my job is to deal with the purchase!

[pietillidie]

[Culprit]

^^It's free delivery. I just got another delivery today. Dan's was like $1.90 cheaper for my order. I would use more in fuel. Delivered in 20 mins, 33 mins is the promise.

[stui magpie]

^

It's free delivery over $20.

I went to try them yesterday when I realised I was out of wine. They don't do my area.