Paying in small installments is sooo true.

My parents are still back home and spend everything in cash. From buying brand new cars, to building apartments and anything small.. all in hard cold cash. When they wanted to visit me here in California, they could not get in to visit me because the embassy required credit history. They didn't owe a single cent so was forced to get a credit card just to be able to visit me.

Actually, back home...mobile phone prices is not really the deciding factor of their purchase. They are more of a brand-conscious consumers. They change phones there so fast, it is like changing shirts.