[Kadekaden]

Hi,

I am looking at buying a blackberry from Ebay (shipping from Hong kong). I don't know much about Blackberry. What is the abc of looking for a Blackberry ? Do I need to get an internet monthly subscription with it and who would offer this at what cost ?
Is there any extra cost associate in using a Blackberry ?

[dankarlinski]

Wirelessly posted (White and Nerdy)

On the top of this page, follow the link to blackberryFAQ. There is a whole page about this. I'd post a link, but I'm mobile. Good luck with your purchase. =)

[ifonline]

Here you go:

Buying a BlackBerry off eBay - BlackBerryFAQ

[NJBlackBerry]

And if you want to use the BlackBerry for e-mail and MMS, you will need to have an extra BlackBerry Data Plan. Costs depends on the carrier used.

[ifonline]

Yep... overlooked that part. Three basic parts to your cell bill would be:

- Voice plan
- Text plan
- BlackBerry specific data plan

Some carriers offer bundles of two or three of the above, but you would need to make sure that you are getting a BB specific data plan (either BIS - BlackBerry Internet Service, or BES - BlackBerry Enterprise Server), not a generic smartphone or multimedia plan. If you get the device and activate it in store, you shouldn't have to worry about this as the CSR should set everything up for you. It doesn't hurt to have the knowledge beforehand, of course, because CSRs do make mistakes.

All that said, a data plan is not absolutely essential, but without it, you will be missing many of the features that makes a BlackBerry what it is. BB ownership isn't necessarily cheap, but the experience is worth it, at least in my opinion.

[Dubdub]

Just make sure you read the FAQ article posted above. Buying a used BB isn't as simple as buying an ordinary cell phone.

Another thing to check on it make sure that if this is an Asian model, that it has the frequencies to operate where you live and plan to use it. Since your profile says ATT, I assume that is the US.

[Codyettie]

Google, RIM, Wikipedia and Telco websites are your friend.

Don't be afraid to do some of your own research there champ.