This was posted 12 years 5 months 2 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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HTC ChaCha Smartphone $29 (down from $149) - BigW (Vodafone Locked but Unlocked Free!)

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HTC ChaCha Smartphone $29 (down from $149) - BigW (Vodafone Locked but Unlocked Free!)
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Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 11:39 files.ozbargain.com.au (7562 clicks)
Last edited 20/06/2012 - 15:52

HTC Chacha reduced from $149 to $29.80 as part of BigW's current sale. Is locked to Vodafone, but almost certainly can be unlocked for sub-$10 via Ebay vendors or maybe free via Vodafone site handset unlocker.

Only available instore - NOT online but you might be able to get Dick Smiths or Officeworks to pricematch etc.

Is suitable for usage on the Optus network (combine with LiveConnected $11 plan!) here are full specs:
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_chacha-3787.php

Comes in Black and Silver - fabulous aluminium shell (as used on their top models)construction and has corning gorilla glass screen - I also have a Huawei Ideos X3 and it feels like junk compared to the HTC! Is on Android Gingerbread(v2.3) but am also sure you can flash it with new ROM's will leave for others to confirm.

I'd highly recommend this phone for non-smartphone users making their first smartphone buy or for prolific texters - is also specifically made for FaceBook with a dedicated key etc. The small screen is a small downer but this also gives it great battery life (2 days on stock ROM without tweaking).

At $29 it's a very good buy. My local BigW did not even know about this deal and were amazed they'd been so heavily reduced, so do get them to scan to check. Is a very good buy at this price.

Here's a review, google for plenty more:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-ch…

Oh and full credit to the original spotter of this deal who poster it in the OzB forums, Bamsegod - thank you for sharing and allowing me to post this up. http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/72872

Cheers, Nick :-)

PS. Both handsets unlocked free for me via Vodafone's handset unlocker:
https://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-serv…

PPS. As these have been on sale for a few days (plus staff buying up) they are hard to find, so best to call stores to check before heading out - apologies if you can't locate but quite a few people have. Good luck . :-)

Mobile HTC Android

Related Stores

BIG W
BIG W

closed Comments

  • dy4me on 20/06/2012 - 11:40
    +4

    you name a phone that what do u expect to happen to the price.

    • huu on 20/06/2012 - 12:43
      +4

      hahaha whats with all the negs… Some people willing to pay a lot for a chacha…

      Vodafone…ewww
      i prefer a Virgin chacha

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 12:46
      +5

      haha, I agree. The name sucks. reminds me of lady gaga, enough said.

      • StewBalls on 20/06/2012 - 17:19
        +3

        You know why she uses the name gaga…coz that's the sound you make when you see her face up close! :p

    • dy4me on 21/06/2012 - 08:23
      +3

      All the people negging this comment are too busy enjoying playing with their chacha! ;D

      • StewBalls on 21/06/2012 - 08:26

        They call it their chacha coz it's too small to be called a p….! :p

      • ghostdom on 21/06/2012 - 09:00
        +1

        In chinese, Chacha could mean fxxk fxxk…. good name, HTC..

  • billybob119 on 20/06/2012 - 11:41
    +1

    Where did you get yours? I checked all around Melbourne and they are all sold out :(

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 11:46
      +2

      As the receipt states, Coff Harbour - they had quite a few still in stock and the deal was NOT displayed - hence probably why!

      Worth calling a few stores if you can to check. Sorry you missed out. :-/

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 12:22
      +1

      Which stores did you check in Melbourne? Might be good to list stores that don't have it, to save others calling those stores up.

      • billybob119 on 20/06/2012 - 12:54
        +8

        Box Hill
        (City) QV Village, Cnr Swanston & Lonsdale Streets
        Forest Hill
        Southland
        Keysborough
        Highpoint Shopping
        Doncaster
        Eastland

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 13:02

          Any idea? where else its available in melbourne?

        • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 13:11
          +4

          You must have been misinformed as I just got the last 2 from eastland about 20 minutes ago. Thanks for posting op

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 13:19
          -5

          whr is eastland? is it in melbourne? do they still have stock?

        • billybob119 on 20/06/2012 - 13:28

          Oh damn, Karun. I asked him twice if they had stock. @#$%!

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 13:34
          +1

          billybob119, which stores did you visit, and which ones did you call up?
          wouldn't be too surprised if they answered none over the phone rather than actually checking stock, or keeping some for themselves.

        • billybob119 on 20/06/2012 - 13:40
          +3

          Went to:
          Box Hill
          Forest Hill
          Doncaster
          Keysborough
          Phoned:
          City
          Southland
          Highpoint
          Eastland

        • Bullion78 on 20/06/2012 - 13:48
          +8

          Mate you are keen, what price do you put on your time, not to mention petrol!

        • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 13:56

          No. As I said above I grabbed the last 2.

        • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 13:59
          +1

          I work evenings. Took me 5 minutes from the time I left home until I got to the shop. So it was worth it for the very little time and effort I had to put in.

        • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 14:01

          Staff were not aware of this pricing until they looked up on their computers.

        • diddy50 on 20/06/2012 - 14:22

          confirmed no stock at Southland, shame.

          Discontinued phones, no more stock coming :(

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:18
          +3

          Thanks pal - nice to hear a few people got lucky.

          So much for the bitter neggers saying there's none avaiable nationwide so isn't a deal, you clowns, there's none available near YOU. They ain't the same thing. :-)

        • Brick50 on 20/06/2012 - 16:55
          -3

          http://lmgtfy.com/?q=eastland

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 17:56

          confirmed no stock at either Waverley Gardens, Endeavour Hills or Fountain Gate for the other stores not mentioned in the south eastern side of Melbourne

        • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 18:31

          None in Pakenham either

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 12:57
      -1

      which stores in melbourne did u check?

  • mopo on 20/06/2012 - 11:55

    none at westfield tuggerah

    • wreckedandjealous on 20/06/2012 - 19:39
      +1

      damn… was going to go there in the morning.

      thanks for letting us know

      • mopo on 22/06/2012 - 12:12

        no problem. they only had the htc explorer unfortunately

  • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 11:55
    +1

    Looks like you can get an unlock code for well under $2!
    http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_nkw=htc+chacha+unlock&_sa…

  • sulmar on 20/06/2012 - 11:58
    -3

    called up like 4 stores around my area and none of them had it on stock.

  • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 12:00

    FWIW I just tried to unlock the first handset through Vodafone's unlock and BINGO - unlocked for free!

    Will see if the 2nd one works as well.

  • get-innocuous on 20/06/2012 - 12:00
    +5

    This is about 100x better than any other $30 phone. Full Android gingerbread with a good (albeit small) touch screen and a really easy to use keyboard. Unfortunately no GSM 850 so not Next G/New Network support.

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 12:07

      I might be wrong but it does appear to show GSM 850mHz spectrum support under its specs:
      http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_chacha-3787.php

      I don;t know if ti needs more than this to use on NextG etc. :-)

      Really has great build quality and feels a mile ahead of the other cheapies I've used. Very tactile and feels more like a high end phone. Some folks will really miss the bigger screen but others will prefer the small one with full QwERTY kb.

      • _Bruce_ on 20/06/2012 - 12:10
        +3

        NextG is actaully WCDMA 850, not GSM 850 (not your mistake).

      • get-innocuous on 20/06/2012 - 12:18
        +1

        Oh, yeah my apologies. It doesn't support 3G 850MHz, only 2G (which noone in Australia operates on).

      • bob_wangkar on 20/06/2012 - 13:37

        Compatible with optus 3g but only on the 2100 band. This model is the a310b which is nextg specific.

  • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 12:04

    Yup, 2nd handset unlocks free via the Voda site as well. :-)

    • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 13:17

      Yes both of mine unlocked free of charge from the Vodafone site.

  • bargainhunter on 20/06/2012 - 12:17
    +1

    What's the diff between the Cha Cha S and B on the receipt? Is it colour?

  • voteoften on 20/06/2012 - 12:23

    Anyone know if this will support red laser. My huwei does not.

  • IVI on 20/06/2012 - 12:37

    Did see Samsung Galaxy Note offered for $698 on Big W's site… dunno if they charge S+H on top…?

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 12:56
      +27

      I clearly stated it's NOT available online & is instore only. The battle to combat adult illiteracy continues. ;-)

      Seriously negged because you couldn't find it online? Look forward to seeing what you post up. :-)

  • Augh on 20/06/2012 - 12:46

    Great deal but no stock,
    So no deal.
    Tried at Big W Macquarie and they said no stock at other stores too.
    Dick Smiths said only Penrith has stock. Donno if they will price match.

    • macduff on 20/06/2012 - 13:09

      Unfortunately Dick Smith won't usually price match because they have under their pricematching policy that the item must be above cost. I doubt that $29 would be above cost :(

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 13:18

      DSE and bigw both owned by woolworths so can't see why not.

  • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 12:49
    +1

    I'll put up with a pathetic name for such a crazy cheap priced phone. I got a shock when I saw the specs - 800mhz cpu, 512mb rom/ram, android 2.3, 5mp camera - WOW!
    Now to find stock of this little queer boy.

  • CCDee on 20/06/2012 - 12:50

    Rewind 3 years ago, signed 24 month contract on 99infinte plan for a BB Bold 9700.

    This $29 outright supersedes it. So much facepalm. Great deal.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 12:57
    +1

    is it available anywhere in melb?

  • Kikkoman56 on 20/06/2012 - 13:21

    Called up Mt Ommaney + Mcarthur Central Big W's (QLD) both said they had no stock… Anyone else in queensland, don't be greedy if you find a store that has some in stock. I'm desperately in need of a new phone (stuck with this POS Motorola Flipout).

    • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 14:06
      -2

      Zero anywhere near brisbane. Havent been in stock since last christmas he said.

    • T-man on 21/06/2012 - 00:02

      I visited Garden city, Hyperdome. It was sold out completed, they told me.

  • ltwo on 20/06/2012 - 13:22

    Any in WA?

  • spychiatrist on 20/06/2012 - 13:24

    None in big w karrinyup and mirrabooka wa

    • macduff on 20/06/2012 - 13:40

      Also none in Whitfords, Joondalup or Kingsway

    • spychiatrist on 20/06/2012 - 13:50
      +1

      OzB made me do an impulse drive 20km and none in stock. Dse has one on display at 199 but doubt if theyll price match, since i asked for 3tb seagate pricematch and they said no

    • timpo on 20/06/2012 - 13:55
      -5

      None in Midland

  • MddMdd on 20/06/2012 - 13:25
    -2

    Its a scam. Impossible to get this deal. There are no stock. I did call about 5 stores.

  • camelgrass on 20/06/2012 - 13:28
    +4

    Basically no stock anywhere, so no deal.

    Probably already been hundreds of people wasted their time calling various stores.

    • Coops1 on 20/06/2012 - 20:19
      +1

      I got one tonight, last one from BigW Moonah Tas.!

      • tassie Pete on 20/06/2012 - 21:51

        Good one. They had four left at 3pm this arvo, there must have been a rush.

  • TripleM on 20/06/2012 - 13:29
    +1

    No stock at
    Pagewood
    Rockdale
    Kawana
    Gympie
    Nambour

  • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 13:33
    +5

    Sorry you guys are struggling to find stock.

    There must be a few other stores with stock as the original poster found some and I did as well, perhaps a fluke but almost certainly others out there.

    FWIW I am pretty sure BigW staff are snaffling these. When I arrived there this morning they had around 10 of these on display - I bought 2 but then about 3hrs later decided to go back for another one.

    They had sold all the rest which I found very odd as they weren't displaying the heavily discounted price!

    I asked the sales person if they'd had a big run on them and he went away and brought me back one of them!!!!!

    I got a strong feeling they'd been put away for buying at the end of the day etc.

    As mentioned, being that Dick Smiths is owned by BigW I'd be very surprised if they didn't price match if you asked them and explained the logic to the store manager. Good luck anyway.

    • camelgrass on 20/06/2012 - 13:41

      Dick Smith is not owned by BIG W.

      They are both owned by Woolworths Limited.

      • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 13:59
        +5

        Slip of the tongue - thats what I meant.

        Gee folks are awfully fickle here - without stating the obvious you must have thought it was a decent deal if you went looking for it with the intention of buying - so then JUST BECAUSE it's not at the store near you you go from it being a deal you were interested in to a negative deal is kinda highly illogical.

        Haha or should we only post up deals that are just for 'you'. I can see why folks just CBF'd posting up deals that said most folks even those who have no luck at all getting stock are a tad more intelligent when it comes to these types of things. i.e just as you missed out doesn't make it a dud deal. Go figure. :-/

        • camelgrass on 20/06/2012 - 14:08
          -2

          Don't take it personally, it's just a neg after all.

          The reason I negged the deal is to simply highlight the fact to other OzB users that there is no stock available nationwide, ie. don't waste your time.

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 14:59
          +10

          I understand your point but you seem to not understand the basic concept of a + of a - score - just because there's no stock at your store doesn't mean it's a bad deal - the very fact that you went looking for it CLEARLY illustrates its a good deal.

          But its a good deal not available near you. This is a bummer but it doesn't mean that the right thing to do is NEG it….otherwise the only deals that would get positively marked would be deals that are both good AND AVAILABLE on demand to every person. e.g every expired or sold out deal would and according to you should be negged.

          Like I said, I really would be surprised if you couldn't get DSE to pricematch with a little effort - that aside I'm sorry that you and other more open minded folks missed out on the deal but with your policy of what gets neg's I really do hope you're happy if we apply the same logic to anything you post up. :-/

        • camelgrass on 21/06/2012 - 12:59

          Like I said, I really would be surprised if you couldn't get DSE to pricematch with a little effort

          Do some simple research before you make claims like that. An OzB user (below) has already pointed out that it will be impossible to price match at Dick Smith.

          http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/73038#comment-918233
          User "yaziyo"

          DS Price matching requirements:

          http://dicksmith.com.au/help/price-matching-content
          "Competitor must be in stock (not available for back orders)."
          "Excludes competitor's clearance lines, limited stock offers, price errors or Member/Club/Internet prices."
          "The price must not be below our cost price."

          They're not going to do it. It's obviously a clearance phone, with very limited stock, and it's going to be below cost price.

          Another user has already confirmed it is in fact below Dick Smith's cost price.

          Why you continue to be so defensive in your responses to several user's posts in this thread is cause for concern. I suggest you don't take it it on board so seriously; take a few deep breaths. Everyone has a right to their opinion. In the end if other users don't agree with the neg votes they will neg them down. You seem to take on any neg vote or opinion very personally.

    • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 14:11
      -4

      Cheers for letting us know about the deal and all that, but why do people always need to buy multiple numbers of products when theres a good deal on. Like you bought 3, probably another guy bought 2 or 3, that leaves very few for others who genuinely just want one. I dont see the problem with store workers buying one, or putting one aside for themselves, I just dont like when people buy multiples of an item, just to sell on ebay or at a profit.

      Am I strange that id just have bought the one if there was stock near me?

      • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 14:54
        +11

        As I again clearly stated when I went in this morning there was around ten of these on display. I bought TWO…one for me and one for my wife. Both our handsets are 5yrs+ old and I've only recently gotten an Ideos X3 which is used purely for tethering.

        I then went back around 3hrs later (which was AFTER I'd posted this up) and bought one as my mother who's a shift nurse, asked me to grab one for her.

        So your whinging and implying that I somehow overloaded and greedily bought up multiple handsets is an absolutely baseless BS comment.

        FWIW I completely agree with you in regards people buying up more than they need to ONSELL for a markup but that wasn't the case with me and being that I took the time to post this up (or else chances are you'd never even have known about it!) I find your implication that I bought up an excessive amount of stock!

        Poor form and a shame as it detracts from what also had a fair and reasonable point.

        • Windows7forever on 21/06/2012 - 15:06

          If anything you have a supreme right to buy a truckload of these for yourself(if available) and rightly so because after all, you are the daddy of the deal and were kind enough to share it online. If something is super cheap I will hoard all it for myself before the next opportunistic person comes along who is less scrupulous than myself - we call it capitalism!

        • camelgrass on 21/06/2012 - 15:15
          +1

          If something is super cheap I will hoard all it for myself before the next opportunistic person comes along who is less scrupulous than myself

          Your statement is a little contradictory don't you think?

          You say "less scrupulous than myself" when you have already hoarded everything for yourself. That is really funny.

      • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:47

        I want to buy multiples as cheap presents for family members. At this price, it is good economics to buy more than one!

  • Dobbyd on 20/06/2012 - 13:36

    "As mentioned, being that Dick Smiths is owned by BigW I'd be very surprised if they didn't price match if you asked them and explained the logic to the store manager. Good luck anyway."

    If anyone has luck with this let us know

  • carpecrash on 20/06/2012 - 13:47
    +5

    Has anyone thought of Cha Cha form Curb Your Enthusiasm?

  • boozler on 20/06/2012 - 13:56
    +1

    The staff got first picking I'm sure!

  • Spidey on 20/06/2012 - 13:58

    None at North Lakes QLD

  • sajangnim on 20/06/2012 - 14:00
    +1

    Just called Top Ryde, NSW and they are out of stock. Calling other stores now. Funny when I called Macquarie, her first response was "Did you just call a few minutes ago?"

    edit: Macquarie also out of stock

  • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 14:02
    +1

    If you're going to try and get DSE to pricematch MAKE SURE you ask to speak with the manager - the sales plonker on duty won't care that they're both part of the same company and thus will almost certainly say no simple as it's the easiest thing to do….instead of showing a tiny shred of intelligence.

    You'll be far more likely to have luck with the Manager who you can explain to that they;re part of the same co (Big W and DSE) therefore it's kind of illogical that they don't simply match price.

    Feel free to tell a fib such as a BigW staff member told you that all the staff bought them up as the rationale for getting a pricematch at DSE - it can't hurt and is probably close to the truth!

    Bummer that folks can't seem to find any stock….sorry. :-/

    • camelgrass on 20/06/2012 - 14:10
      -2

      How do you prove the specal price, is it in a catalogue somewhere?

      Just some copy of a receipt is not going to cut it.

      • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 14:13
        -2

        .

      • camelgrass on 20/06/2012 - 14:14
        +1

        People will be just wasting more of their time trying to pricematch with some copy of a receipt.

        • spychiatrist on 20/06/2012 - 14:32

          Phone credit close to zero calling bug w stores who have none in stock. Btw could be true as the lady in the counter told me they sold the last one this morning

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:09

          Original post has link to a forum post that shows the 'instore price tag', the vast majority of stores will accept a pic of a receipt - they'll only reject as they wantr to make it harder for you.

          Failing both of these you can have any retailer call any Big W store who can check the price in their system.

          The item codes for them are 8243161 (silver) and 8243160 (black) - so this way they can verify they are/were selling it for $29.80.

        • camelgrass on 21/06/2012 - 13:12

          See http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/73038#comment-918233

          Another user has already confirmed it is in fact below Dick Smith's cost price. It also fails to meet the other Dick Smith price matching conditions in their price matching policy.

    • zeMof13 on 20/06/2012 - 14:38
      +4

      Dick Smith don't simply price match under the circumstances that they are a part of the same company - Woolworths Limited. Dick Smith and Big W both have different buyers therefore if the price on Big W is below Dick Smith's cost price, Dick Smith have no reason to match - UNLESS under the Area Manager's Authorisation to clear old stock. At the moment Dick Smith are clearing out old stock so you may be in luck. But don't expect them to price match just because they a part of the same brand.

    • yaziyo on 20/06/2012 - 14:42
      +5

      DS Price matching requirements:

      http://dicksmith.com.au/help/price-matching-content
      "Competitor must be in stock (not available for back orders)."
      "Excludes competitor's clearance lines, limited stock offers, price errors or Member/Club/Internet prices."
      "The price must not be below our cost price."

      They're not going to do it. It's obviously a clearance phone, with very limited stock, and it's going to be below cost price.

  • compound on 20/06/2012 - 14:04
    +1

    No stock:

    Liverpool
    Carnes Hill

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:49

      Thanks for the info. Guess I won't find it :(

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 14:04

    Has anyone been to check in Melbourne city - QV BigW? Do they still have stock?

    • superkieu on 20/06/2012 - 16:31

      have checked.
      no stock

      also no stock at
      - Highpoint
      - sunshine
      - airport west

      according to the others on here, it seems there's hardly any stock in the whole of Melbourne.

  • spychiatrist on 20/06/2012 - 14:08
    +1

    Its like chasing the holy grail of bargain phones

  • lostn on 20/06/2012 - 14:10

    Reminds me of Diablo III.

    Big W never have stock for good on sale items. They are like COTD.

    I stop just short of calling it a scam.

  • Dice on 20/06/2012 - 14:21

    None at Tweed City. Great deal if you can find stock. Latest stock should be 850MHz for 3G. I had one of these on purchased through Red Bull mobile which was just Vodafone stock and it was the 850/2100MHz version so can be used on Telstra NextG. Mine from RedBull unlocked on the Vodafone website too.

  • sulmar on 20/06/2012 - 14:23

    Yes its a good price, but what's the point? There's no stock in the whole of Sydney afaik (called up stores in various areas).

    Don't see how that's a deal.

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