Buying Mobile in Doha ,makes sense ?

[THAIPHUKET]

Is a duty free mobile in Doha cheaper than in Frankfurt? Does anyone know?

[Phatcharanan]

I wouldn't think so.

I work in Doha and often fly to Bangkok where I live. I have noticed that some mobiles are actually cheaper at Carrefour in Doha than at the duty free in Doha International.

Generally speaking, the prices of phones here are similar to the UK.

Personally, I now buy my stuff online through a UK company called Clove. Even with FedEx shipping the prices are still much cheaper than in Doha as Clove sends out their stuff free of VAT...........but only if it is to a country outside of the European Union.

Some countries will impose additional taxes etc but that has not been the case for me here in Doha. My most expensive purchase was 600 UK pounds.

[THAIPHUKET]

This info is in many respects helpful

1. it confirms my suspicion that duty-free nowadays is more likely to mean = more expensive

2. I was always hesitant to order something from abroad, don´t like the bargaining with customs. One time was enough. But Clove I will try.

Important=

1.how can I tell it is a free phone , I don´t know the right term, one that I can use without UK contract

2. which ones are good for Europe , USA and Latin America??

BTW when will the new Doha terminal open ? Will be curious to see if they can actually raise even more the already very high standard of the business lounge.

[nanoth]

I fully agree with Phatcharanam!

Some good deals at Carrefour Doha!

[THAIPHUKET]

I fully agree with Phatcharanam!

Some good deals at Carrefour Doha!

It will be only a short stop over

[thaicbr]

I fully agree with Phatcharanam!

Some good deals at Carrefour Doha!

It will be only a short stop over

Are you buying in Doha or New YORK???

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[THAIPHUKET]

Your question is very justified, it occurred too me somewhat late that I will be flying BKK-DOH-FRA-NY, therefore I have several options. I assume price-wise NY is unbeatable.

[keeniau96]

USA prices on electronics are generally best but several cautions: USA phones are very often locked to a specific phone company eg. Verizon. Unlocking is usually simple here by local crackers but currently proving to be almost impossible for a specific T-Mobile phone owned by a friend just returned from the USA. Second, the sales tax is never included in the pice quotations but hits you at time of payment; that tax is almost 10% in NYC, less in other locations. Third, there may be a frequency band problem (USA vs. Thailand), unlikely to be encountered but could be.

[phoneguy702]

A Quad Band GSM pone from the USA is the best way of not having an issue in Thailand. I buy mine from AT&T and they have all been easily unlocked.

[thaicbr]

A Quad Band GSM pone from the USA is the best way of not having an issue in Thailand.  I buy mine from AT&T and they have all been easily unlocked.

But are they not on contract? Only useful if you reside in America. Also why spend money unlocking when you can buy them unlocked here?

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[glassdude007]

Phones in DOHA did not seem cheap to me last I looked..

but

Now that I have over 100K Qatar air Q Miles that I can spend at DOHA duty free I may buy a phone there.

The miles seem no good for anything else as I've tried upgrade to Buissness class many times and always denied for some bulshirt reason.

Last I read Qmiles at DOHA duty free are worth ....

150 Qmiles= 1 USD so 100K Q miles is worth about 660 USD .....can buy a phone or something with that hopefully before the miles expire...

Anybody out there ever spend Q Miles at DOHA duty free?? or know what they are worth now a days at DOHA duty free...??

[yermanee]

Phones in DOHA did not seem cheap to me last I looked..

but

Now that I have over 100K Qatar air Q Miles that I can spend at DOHA duty free I may buy a phone there.

The miles seem no good for anything else as I've tried upgrade to Buissness class many times and always denied for some bulshirt reason.

Last I read Qmiles at DOHA duty free are worth ....

150 Qmiles= 1 USD so 100K Q miles is worth about 660 USD .....can buy a phone or something with that hopefully before the miles expire...

Anybody out there ever spend Q Miles at DOHA duty free?? or know what they are worth now a days at DOHA duty free...??

I did buy some things with my miles in Doha last year. Back then it was 52 miles for 1 Qatari Ryal

Agree that getting upgrades is near impossible but that's the only negative I have with QR flights oh and maybe the bus rides !

Yermanee