Thailand Mobile Expo Question On Promotions

[Sam Drucker]

I'm considering going to Mobile Expo at Queen Sirikit Center this week. I was wondering about how the promotions work there?

1) Are they typically available during the entire run of the show, or do they sell out quickly the first day?

2) Are promos typically "add-ons" to whatever you're buying, rather than discounts? Seems to me (in general) that Thailand has an aversion to discounts!

3) Are the promos typically just what is already announced on the Thailand Mobile Expo website? Or are some not announced until the show opens?

http://www.thailandmobileexpo.com/promotion

[lomatopo]

Based on the past shows I'm not certain there is one answer to any of your questions.

Some promotions sell out practically before the doors open; these should be easy to identify by the limited nature of the promotion. Some promotions work on an hourly raffle premise. Other promotions are available throughout the duration of the show, and in many cases, even at participating retail outlets in shopping malls.

Some promotions do include favorable pricing, and or bundled services. Many include additional ancillary/complimentary products (bags, case, memory, etc.).

Most promotions will be pre-announced but smaller shops/items may not do this, preferring to promote those at the show. Example: Gold Peak selling NiMH rechargables for buy 1 get 1 free.

A lot of the service provider promotions focus on 0% financing and bundled voice/data servicesl

Are you asking about a specific promotion, or looking for a particular item?

[jackbox]

In my experience the promos sell out exceptionally fast. Go early the first day. Some vendors, such as Wellcom, have a daily quota and stop selling the promo until the next day (they allocate some to each day but usually none for the last day in case other days not sell out). Some are just a few that sell out quickly and that's it. They are discounts usually, not add-ons. The expos are an exception to the discounting rule in Thailand. For example, last time I was looking for a regular cheap phone that also had 3G frequencies. I-Mobile had some they were blowing out super cheap. I went early on the first day. A Thai was there at the same time I was there and they started taking them all away. He committed to buying the entire lot. The lady that was helping me asked me if I just wanted one and I said yes. She took one out of the box before they totaled him up and gave it to me. I was lucky I got one at all. Good luck.

[Sam Drucker]

A lot of the service provider promotions focus on 0% financing and bundled voice/data servicesl

Are you asking about a specific promotion, or looking for a particular item?

I have my eye on both the Samsung Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Tab 7.7. Don't think they'll be dealing too much on those now, cause they're too new. When I think about it though, unless some extraordinary deals came up, I'd probably do best to wait and buy the Galaxy Note within 60 days of my next international trip so I can save 7% VAT refund. Since I typically go to the States, I could probably pick up the Galaxy Tab 7.7 there for a lower price than in Thailand. (Though if I want the 3G version, that might be distributed only through phone companies and Best Buy-type places in the States, with contracts required; if that's the case I'd do better getting it here.) As for the Galaxy Note, usually phone prices seem to be competitive here compared to buying a no-contract unlocked phone in the States.

Another question comes to mind with your comment on the service provider 0% financing. Do companies like Samsung, HTC, etc. de-rate the specs on their phones provided through service providers such as AIS or DTAC? For example, if a Galaxy Note or Tab 7.7 3G purchased from Samsung or at a "neutral" store will run 3G at 850 and 900 MHz, would a model obtained through DTAC maybe operate only on 850? I have to wonder (short of locking the phone as they do in the States) how a service provider finances a phone or tablet at 0% and prevents the customer from taking the phone to use with a competitor's service?

[lomatopo]

It doesn’t look like the 7.7 has been introduced in the U.S., and if/when it si the versions may not be entirely suitable for use here. In most cases I would recommend buying products like these here in Thailand. The international versions available here are usually better, less expensive and covered by local warranties. In the U.S you also have to factor in sales tax and/or shipping. Retailers like Newegg do not charge sales tax and offer free shipping on many/most items.

The 7.0 Plus seems to be available in some versions in the U.S.

Products tied to service provider promotions are not in anyway de-rated. At least that’s how it’s been so far. Yes, in the case of dual/tri-band products (phones, aircards) a service provider will sell the version which works on their service. Any financing, probably done by a third party, tied to a service provider promotion typically involves a post-paid contract for the term of the financing, which also includes cancellation penalties.

Edited January 23, 2012 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

http://www.thailandmobileexpo.com/

Seems to have more promotions listed, and they are easier to read. They also have Facebook and Twitter links, maybe with additional timely updates?

[4evermaat]

the promotions like free bags, cases, etc are usually while supplies last. Promotions like free phone, or 50% off or a really good discount from the retail price, or buy one get one free will be gone fast. Sometimes you must go early and sign up to get promotion.

[janverbeem]

Any updates regarding the ongoing deals for Samsung Note?

[thaicbr]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

[janverbeem]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

Thanks for the update,unfortunately i will have to go by car as I live in Pattaya.I've done it once by bike but if you have done the sukhumvit Chonburi-Bangkok you are not suitable anymore to mix between other people without taking a shower first.

Keep us updated on Saturday as I will wait to make a maybe unneeded trip.The only reason I want to go is for a Note,but it should be worth the roundtrip.

[beano2274]

Last year bought a Samsung Galaxy Plus, got memory card, free bluetooth, vouchers for tescos (1000baht) and a few other bits and pieces, that was on the Sunday.

Wife went yesterday got herself a Galaxy S2, with memory card and again a few other things for 17,400.

[lomatopo]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

Thanks for the update,unfortunately i will have to go by car as I live in Pattaya.I've done it once by bike but if you have done the sukhumvit Chonburi-Bangkok you are not suitable anymore to mix between other people without taking a shower first.

Keep us updated on Saturday as I will wait to make a maybe unneeded trip.The only reason I want to go is for a Note,but it should be worth the roundtrip.

Can you describe your goal? Are you trying to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note? What is your target price? It seems like this is holding at 22,900 but some shops go as low as 22,500. All of the published promotions for the Note involve financing, or reduced price post-paid data plans.

It may be less expensive for you to buy in Pattaya and save the transportation costs to come to Bangkok?

The SGS2 for 17,400 is a decent deal, it can be had for 16,500 in most box-shops these days; what was the make/size of the uSD card? What were the "few other things"? Were supplies limited?

[beano2274]

I do not have the specific details lomatopo as my wife bought it for herself yesterday, and she just showed off with it.

I notice on the jaymart website they have the note for 22,900 baht, am sure my wife said it was cheaper there yesterday.

I have been to the shows many times and there has never been a problem with supply, except for the soft toys you get with the phones, or the table speakers.

here is the jaymart page to the expo, I think they have run out of the shitty red bag and give you the 4GB card advertised on LG phones. The prices seem not to correspond to the price that my wife paid, so maybe there are discounts for using credit cards as well.

http://www.jaymart.co.th/mobileexpo2012.asp

Edited January 27, 2012 by beano2274

[janverbeem]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

Thanks for the update,unfortunately i will have to go by car as I live in Pattaya.I've done it once by bike but if you have done the sukhumvit Chonburi-Bangkok you are not suitable anymore to mix between other people without taking a shower first.

Keep us updated on Saturday as I will wait to make a maybe unneeded trip.The only reason I want to go is for a Note,but it should be worth the roundtrip.

Can you describe your goal? Are you trying to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note? What is your target price? It seems like this is holding at 22,900 but some shops go as low as 22,500. All of the published promotions for the Note involve financing, or reduced price post-paid data plans.

It may be less expensive for you to buy in Pattaya and save the transportation costs to come to Bangkok?

The SGS2 for 17,400 is a decent deal, it can be had for 16,500 in most box-shops these days; what was the make/size of the uSD card? What were the "few other things"? Were supplies limited?

Indeed I want to buy a Galaxy Note.I understand that the price will not be much different but a free bluetooth for example would be very handy and already have a value of at least 2000 Baht.Add to that a 500 Baht discount and maybe an extra memory card or cover and it would make it worth to consider the trip as free day out.

I understand from the expo page that you can get up to 20% discount by using a certain credit card,but unfortunately I'm not the holder of a Thai Credit card.

[lomatopo]

Indeed I want to buy a Galaxy Note.I understand that the price will not be much different but a free bluetooth for example would be very handy and already have a value of at least 2000 Baht.Add to that a 500 Baht discount and maybe an extra memory card or cover and it would make it worth to consider the trip as free day out.

I understand from the expo page that you can get up to 20% discount by using a certain credit card,but unfortunately I'm not the holder of a Thai Credit card.

Understand that the uSD cards and BT headsets they give away are not necessarily the highest quality?

Note that the "up to 20%" is not a discount per se, you get 5%, (points, not sure about cash-back) if you finance and 15% (again points, not sure about cash back), again with certain cards.

You could probably go to a retailer in Pattaya and ask them match the price you'd expect to get at the show, and save yourself a lot of money. If you've never been to a show and need a day out then go for it. Expect massive crowds. There is parking in the adjacent Thai Tobacco Monopoly, but you may have a longish walk. We did have heavy, heavy rain this morning so some of that parking may be flooded?

If daring, wait until Sunday afternoon and try to bottom-feed; saves them of having to pack it up and transport it out. But many others do the same.

[lomatopo]

A decent overview (in Thai)...

[janverbeem]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

I guess the BTS had issues also since you haven't been online yet to update.

[thaicbr]

dunno. i went today by car....DON'T DO IT.THE CAR PARK IS TINY.

I drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a space gave up and went home.. Use the MRT if ya going.

will try again saturday..but will USE BTS and MRT.

I guess the BTS had issues also since you haven't been online yet to update.

Hi i've been playing with my new cheap wellcom a90+. 4,000b with 4 months 1/2 price 899 package true 3h. i got it for the 850mhz 3g my old phone had 900mhz 3g. Now i can decide between my existing dtac package or the true one.. so far true is winning as i have 3g at home. whereas i havent on the dtac.

There was a huge interest in the Samsung 7.7 tab... The deals were fairly light on the ground.. i think you would probably get a better deal at MBK. because it's mainly as detailed on this page and the droidsans video... the place is to small for the event and is packed 100% of the time.