Phone shops in Bangkok and Pattaya - any favorites?

[baobao]

I have a friend now already in Thailand a few days who's old "pre-smart" phone is giving him problems and he's looking to buy a new one.  

 

Can anyone recommend a shop in Pantip, MBK, Tukcom or somewhere to buy a new phone where they've had a good experience. Yes, I know there are tens of thousands of places... that's why I'm asking.

 

Horror stories aren't necessary, thanks. Preferably in Bangkok but he might wait until he hits Pattaya, so either location.

 

I purchased phones for a couple sponsored students last trip, but that was at a shop in the Tesco complex that my friend probably wouldn't find. Hell, I'm not sure I could find it again.

 

Thanks!

[Guest thaiworthy]

Horror stories aren't necessary, thanks.

 

Ha, ha! I wish I had thought of that.

 

While in theory this sounds like a good idea, someone's recommendation is a bit like renting a bar from Budget, still fresh in my mind from another thread. If I say buy your phone at this little shop from MBK, who's to say someone else might think that's bad advice based on their own experience with that same little shop? Horror stories aren't always a requisite.

 

There is no guarantee my recommendation based on my own experience is going to be the same as yours, regardless if someone has shared his horror story, or not. You pay your money and you take your chances. Good luck! I doubt if I'll ever make any recommendations publicly again. If I do, it will be by PM. I won't put my head on the block again!

[Guest abang1961]

I would recommend your friend to buy it from a major retailer, is it Power Buy, that electrical shop.

The mobile phone is an essential but pricey item and you would not want to go back to the dealer every now and then.

 

In Singapore, I get my phone from the 3 main telcos - and never in those shop in a hole.

Likewise, I would not trust the shops in MBK - they are more for buying bootleg copies of handphone accessories.

This is just my observation.

 

Just for smart phones - I switched from Apple to Samsung and never look back.

If your friend is older (just like me), tell him to get the 7.7 inches tablet.

I am using the Samsung Note 10.1 tablet as it also functions as a phone.

Now I don't have to squint my eye looking at the fine letterings.

Everything is magnified....

[KhorTose]

Just for smart phones - I switched from Apple to Samsung and never look back.

If your friend is older (just like me), tell him to get the 7.7 inches tablet.

I am using the Samsung Note 10.1 tablet as it also functions as a phone.

Now I don't have to squint my eye looking at the fine letterings.

Everything is magnified....

I too switched from Apple I to Samsung Galaxy and now to my Note 7.7. I am waiting for the new eight inch note to come out soon as the 10.1 is just to big for me. We definitely have the same taste in electronics.

[KhorTose]

dele

[Guest fountainhall]

I am waiting for the new eight inch . . .  as the 10.1 is just to big for me

 

We learn more about your fetishes every day 

[Guest abang1961]

One thing I need to ask the residents in Pattaya...

Are things generally more expensive in Pattaya than Bangkok?

I meant to ask this because Pattaya is primarily a tourist destination whereas Bangkok is home to the locals.

[Guest thaiworthy]

This isn't about phones, but prescription medicine is cheaper in Bangkok than Pattaya.

 

See this thread:

 

http://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2741&start=10

 

However, the spelling of the pharmacy is wrong. It should be Chula Bhesaj.

[Guest scottishguy]

I have always found that the quickest way to find a phone shop is to off the same boy 2 nights in a row,

[Guest thaiworthy]

I have always found that the quickest way to find a phone shop is to off the same boy 2 nights in a row,

 

That's also a very expensive way.

[Guest abang1961]

I have always found that the quickest way to find a phone shop is to off the same boy 2 nights in a row,

Tell me more.. I have yet to have a first hand experience of offing a boy ..

 

Tell you a secret, over the years in Thailand, I have had the experience when someone mistook me as a Thai boy.

If he is good looking, it is pro bono for me.

Otherwise, I gave him the Norma Desmond look...

[Guest scottishguy]

That's also a very expensive way.

 

Ah but it gets even more expensive after the 4th night, when you are taken to the laptop shop!

[baobao]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far. My friend is currently scuba diving in Phuket, but will be out shopping in Bangkok in about a week, I expect.  Again, he's not looking for anything other than a phone. If anyone else has input they'd like to add (brands, shops, etc.) I'll pass it along.

[TotallyOz]

I have bought over 100 phones over the years and all from New Wave in Tutcom Pattaya.  They are on 2nd Level, very back right after you get off escalator.  No problems over the years with the phones as they are legit phones.  You can talk them down just a bit on the phones. They are the ones that distribute to the other shops in the area. They also have another store at Central Festival but they are much higher there. 

 

Two brothers own the place and are Chinese and get their stuff from Hong Kong.  If they are there, talk to them as they will come down a bit more than the ladies.

[Up2u]

I can recommend New Wave too but unfortunately they do charge a premium for using your credit card.  I prefer the shop at Central Festival.

[firecat69]

I also like New Wave and you should talk to the owner. His English is the best of the 2 Brothers and he works at Central most of the time.

 

The phone might cost you more if you have not done your homework. But if you know about what the price should be then the service especially if anything goes wrong is First Class.  But the ladies will not negotiate.

[TMax]

What about phone repairers. I've a good phone that is not charging (have used a new battery and different chargers with the same result) and I would like to see if I can get it fixed without paying a small fortune. Prefer in Bngkok.

[Guest abang1961]

What about phone repairers. I've a good phone that is not charging (have used a new battery and different chargers with the same result) and I would like to see if I can get it fixed without paying a small fortune. Prefer in Bngkok.

If your phone is more than 2 years old, don't bother to repair it.

Perhaps it is cheaper to get a new one.

 

I have a similar problem some time ago with my first edition Samsung Note.

The connecting part seems to have some teething issues.

I resolved it by buying a bootleg battery (from MBK at THB 400) and a separate battery charger.

Both works... for the past 8 months..

 

So you may want to let the vendors at MBK to inspect the damage.

They may be able to solder the connection and make the phone works within 10 minutes!

[TMax]

Cheers abang, what I may do is look for some sort of external charge that I can slip the battery in to then put the battery bak into the phone. I would like to try and keep this one to use on my trips to Thailand so that I can keep my good phone safe at home, that way if I get drunk and lose it the older phone is lost and not the expensive good one. I'll have a look around at MBK to see what's around.

[ChristianPFC]

I have a closely related request:

 

I am looking for a Samsung SGH-E720 Thai version. I have one that was a gift from a friend (about 5 years ago, in England). Now I am looking for the same model in Thai (so messages from AIS in Thai are displayed correctly), preferably with charger as well (my charger has a UK plug that does not fit into Thai power plugs) and a battery (so I can travel without charger when I take a second full battery with me - they last about 3 days). Does anyone have an idea where I can get this very phone?