21 replies to this topic

[sal619]

does any one know where i can buy a good cell with a camera on it for a good/cheap price? i was thinking of going to plaza rio.

[the.ronin]

From what I've seen, all electronics in TJ are overpriced compared to what you find in the U.S. ... unless of course its at 5y10 or some swapmeet but who knows if it even works then.

I actually recommend eBay ... its got a pretty good assortment of unlocked GSM phones which should work anywhere.

[bluejeans]

I've bought two used cell phones on ebay. EX thought she had to use them when she was playing in the ocean. Had good service out of both of them. Neither were camera phones, but both were about $40 US ea.

[sal619]

cool! thanks guy's. do you know if i could a mexico phone number on ebay? because the phone is for my girl friend that live in rosarito and works in tijuana....

[TJBlogBoy]

Just go to Plaza Rio to the TelCel store. They have prepaid chips that cost around 120 pesos and it comes with 50 pesos of airtime. Just pop it into the unlocked phone and you're ready to go.

[sal619]

what do you mean by "unlocked" gms phone?

[the.ronin]

what do you mean by "unlocked" gms phone?

Without getting too technical ... GSM is a type of wireless technology. There's various ones CDMA, etc. GSM is more prevalant in other countries. If you want a phone to work in other countries, GSM is the way to go.

Phones you buy here in the U.S. will only work with particular services. If you buy a T-Mobile (GSM) phone, you can use their service only. If you put a Telcel different chip in their, it won't work.

"Unlocked" phones have been tweaked so that it works with any chip.

Go to eBay and search for "unlocked gsm" and you'll find tons of phones. Or just click here.

[bluejeans]

And don't forget to get one with Full Original Accessories.

Phone
Original Wall Charger
Original Battery
Original Earpiece
Case
Original Box Packaging

[groyalc]

I bought a gsm phone off of ebay. I went to telcel, and they say they cannot give me a card. They say it is illegal. Unfortunately my espanol is not great so I did not fully understand what she was telling me.

Any info as to what I need to do?

[zunigan]

So if you get one of these phones and get the chip in tj it just works there right? There are so many on ebay its confusing.

[Chiquito]

You can buy a TelCel sim card (chip) at any independent distributor without a problem. There is nothing illegal about it. The GSM phone you get has to be unlocked though. That is it has to be configured to accept a different services chip. Many come from the cellular service locked onto the service. Most all can be unlocked but some online service that will charge you $5 or $10. I have changed chips from various US services to Telcel 3 times with no problem. They were all gifts for other people so I don't currently have or need one though.

[groyalc]

Thanks Chiquito! I went to a small store in Soler next to tacos Ruso and was able to buy a chip with no problem for like $15.00.

I think Telcel just wanted me to buy one of their phones. Like my gf said, they are rateros.

The phone I purchased was already a unlocked gsm, so I only needed the chip.

[zunigan]

Ok -I am starting to understand. But still some questions. First you must buy a phone already unlocked-got that. Then when you are in tijuana you go and buy the chip right? Does this mean the cell phone is through the same people that you get the chip from.? So once you have the chip you have the service-? I guess I am just more confused than I thought. Can you use your cell phone from here? Say I have sprint-can it be unlocked and used there? Or can you even unlock them? This is getting long. sorry. Can you use them to call the us? And can we call from the us to mexico?

[TJBlogBoy]

Ok -I am starting to understand. But still some questions. First you must buy a phone already unlocked-got that. Then when you are in tijuana you go and buy the chip right? Does this mean the cell phone is through the same people that you get the chip from.? So once you have the chip you have the service-? I guess I am just more confused than I thought. Can you use your cell phone from here? Say I have sprint-can it be unlocked and used there? Or can you even unlock them? This is getting long. sorry. Can you use them to call the us? And can we call from the us to mexico?

Hi Zunigan.

Sprint and Verizon phones can be unlocked, however they don't use the smart chips that we are talking about.

You will need to have a GSM (Cingular, Tmobile, or At&t) phone to use a TelCel Chip on it. Basically the chip is just a small removable 'chip' that sits in a socket and can be found underneath the battery of the cell phone.

Once you have a 'GSM' Phone in your hands, you can take it down to TJ and ask to buy a Telcel chip. Once you purchase it, you need to take out your current provider's chip and replace it with Telcel's. Once you have Telcel's chip in the socket, you now can only receive calls and make calls from your TJ Telcel number. You can call the US, but it costs a lot. When you cross back into the US, you would want to replace your TelCel Chip with your US chip so you can receive calls.

Since you currently have Sprint, you are going to have to buy another phone just for TJ and put the chip in the 'new' phone.

[zunigan]

Thanks I got it now.

[zunigan]

Well maybe not. I went on E bay lots of phones. Ok ready for one more question. If I buy an unlocked phone do I have to first get it activated here with one of the services that work? Or can I just take it to Tijuana buy the chip and then will it just work there.? This is so confusing.

[Chiquito]

If it's already unlocked you don't need to activate it, putting the chip (sim card) in will do that.

[groyalc]

When you get your GSM phone, go buy a telcel chip. When you have that you will need to activate it. I forget the number you need to call, but the instructions will come with your chip along with your new phone number.
Once activated, buy some credits and that is it.

[gymbud]

I got it too now.. very informative..thanks guys!!

[boozr619]

You can get unlocked phones for IUSACELL, or other non smart chip company through craigslist for cheap. Im just riding out my tmobile contract to end so I can get a Cricket plan, suppossedly they work 8 miles south of the border, a close friend vouched for that. Cricket is ideal for me because I spend 60% of my time in USA and 40 % in downtown Tijuana. I think the most expensive plan is $50, the cheapest is $35. Or if u just want a cheap phone get the Telcel Amigo Kit which is prepaid and cheap, Motorola phone for $30 bucks plus 110 minutes air time (local). LD calls to US are a little expensive if you use your phone to chit chat. Or go to centro or zona norte and you will find a wide assortment of unlocked phones at those mini cell shops.