Possible to Buy a USA Friend a Mobile as a Surprise Gift from AU?

Geekomatic on 20/07/2020 - 14:20

Not sure if this is a mobile or travel forum question, or both.

I want to surprise a friend with a new, ready-to-go mobile. He lives in Florida, I'm in WA, AU.

I've been online looking at mobile (they call it "cell") plans & I'm gob-smacked at how expensive mobile plans are over there?! You'd think with the population, they'd be cheaper than here but it's not (unless I've missed something).

So, the question is actually: can I buy an outright mobile from AU using Paypal or Visa + is it also possible to buy and have sent with the mobile a paid-for SIM of a 12 month activation time as we have here (Boost)?

I'm hoping there are some savvy travellers here who've already solved this riddle.

Thanks, everyone!

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Hybroid on 20/07/2020 - 14:24
    +2

    You need to be careful with the US bands as they can be different and they still operate CDMA on some networks instead of GSM. Also, they could have difficulty with warranty and potentially software updates. Wouldn't really recommend it.

    Chargers are different pins and voltage but that's unlikely to be a real issue.

    You can always buy them something local stock off Amazon USA or similar shipped direct to their address.

  • 87percent on 20/07/2020 - 14:32
    +9

    There’s a 17 year old kid that will sell you one and send it for you too

    • JimmyF on 20/07/2020 - 14:37
      +2

      Oh BURN!

      Poor kid is never going to live that down!

  • Geekomatic on 20/07/2020 - 14:32

    I did mean I want to purchase from a USA shop both a mobile & SIM so that he will receive it together and be able to set it up himself.

    I recall some time back I tried to buy something in the USA (not a mobile, something else for a different friend) and the shop said they only accepted a USA-based credit card.

    • Hybroid on 20/07/2020 - 14:41

      You should be able to buy direct from say Apple.com with international card no problem and have it shipped to him directly. I would suggest to let him sort out SIM card (or using existing etc).

  • ully on 20/07/2020 - 14:51

    Buy from walmart etc, look at dealnews.com or slick deals.net for the best offering.
    Its best to get a prepaid locked phone.

  • bazingaa on 20/07/2020 - 15:27

    Buy phone + sim from Amazon US and send it as gift to you friend's address.

  • Geekomatic on 20/07/2020 - 16:26

    Sorry, I should have stated I boycott Amazon & Walmart. I'm having a look at Bestbuy. They have good item/price ratings but terrible service it seems. Why is it so difficult to have "decent" service anymore?

  • Smulder on 20/07/2020 - 17:04
    +1

    On next week's episode of CatFish…

    Just kidding OP :)

  • Caped Baldy on 20/07/2020 - 17:42

    Can you get a phone from amazon?

    Chances are they already have a phone service so a handset should be enough unless I've missed something. You would need to check if it networked locked.

    • Geekomatic on 20/07/2020 - 19:49

      My friend is very low income and has been unemployed for so long they only have a gov't phone which costs $9.25 per month and limited mins. The issue is that they take those minutes away even if I ring him (my Boost has free int'l). He has no money right now to splurge on anything, so I'm trying to find a way to get a phone to him just so we can stay connected. The other option is for me to ring a relative's landline, but then we'd have to set up the time due to USA being 12-13 hrs behind WA.

  • Geekomatic on 20/07/2020 - 19:36

    Moving away from the phone purchase, is there anything in the USA similar to our Boost mobile 12 months for $130/140/150 ? I don't see anything like it. Everything I look at is crazy expensive?

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