Buying "BLU Advance 4.0L Black" in store | In-store availability | Consumer forum

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Buying "BLU Advance 4.0L Black" in store
August 29, 2016
4:44 pm
RhB_HJ
BC Interior
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I have no idea if it's just the local 7-11, but their deal is considerably more than the online deal i.e. they have you buy more top ups.
As the lady tried to convince me - I showed her the print out from the 7-11 website (https://www.speakout7eleven.ca/prepaid-cellphones/blu-advance-4.0l-black) - this was a US deal.
Anyone else had that experience?

PS I ended up buying the same model from Amazon.ca ..... after I read the reviews. sf-wink_gif sf-smile_gif

https://www.amazon.ca/BLU-Advance-4-0L-Unlocked-Smartphone/product-reviews/B00YCTIL88/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1
Since I have the SIM card from the NOKIA C3 (which took a bath sf-cry_gif) with minutes remaining, I wasn't going to spend more than necessary. sf-wink_gif

HJ

"So it goes."
Kurt Vonnegut

August 29, 2016
4:56 pm
iamdrumming
Niagara Falls
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The people working in the stores can be very clueless abut SpeakOut. They are there to sell Slurpees :)
Staff (and knowledge) of course will vary from store to store. It's good to shop around.

August 29, 2016
5:04 pm
RhB_HJ
BC Interior
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We used to have two 7-11 here in Vernon, BC.
The one with the "good people" closed, the one with the clueless bunch remains. sf-yell_gif

That's why people go shopping online, instead of locally.

"So it goes."
Kurt Vonnegut

August 30, 2016
1:57 am
dennismiller
BC
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Some stores absolutely state that they do not have to participate in the online promotions. One 20km distant is that way. Another 80km distant is excellent.

A few BLU's here have been great(one used by wife) but one died. Good news is that it was sent in to BLU in Florida? and a brand new replacement was provided after a few calls back and forth.

September 1, 2016
9:05 pm
RhB_HJ
BC Interior
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Update: the BLU Advance 4.0L arrived today, inserted the SIM and charged the battery. All A-OK, except now I have to get used to the Android Way of doing things when it comes to settings etc.
Manual? What manual? That item is so rudimentary, it is very close to useless; at least when compared to the manual for my old NOKIA C3.

sf-frown_gif sf-frown_gif

"So it goes."
Kurt Vonnegut

September 3, 2016
11:55 pm
dennismiller
BC
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Being the C3 is 6 years old a lot has changed including not providing good manuals for most stuff!

September 4, 2016
10:55 am
RhB_HJ
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So true, without the Internet I'd still be fuming.sf-wink_gif

In my former life I had the chance to read manuals in various languages to get up to speed on the hardware. Perhaps that upped my expectations. sf-surprised_gif sf-laugh_gif

"So it goes."
Kurt Vonnegut

September 7, 2016
7:17 pm
pdops
West Central Alberta
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RhB_HJ said ...PS I ended up buying the same model from Amazon.ca ..... after I read the reviews.

HJ

Thanks for the link. The one and only 7-11 in town doesn't carry this phone so it even works out cheaper from Amazon once shipping is factored in.

Can you tell me what came in the box? Are you happy with it so far?

September 11, 2016
7:15 am
RhB_HJ
BC Interior
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Contents of the box:

Phone
Battery
USB Charger
USB Data/Charger Cable
Screen Protector
Stereo Earphone
Quick Guide

The screen protector is so-so, I ordered
Cbus Wireless Clear Scratch Proof Thin Temper Glass LCD Film Cell Phone Screen Protector for BLU Advance 4.0 L A010u (Amazon.ca)
Also ordered Cbus Wireless Opaque TPU Silicone Flex-Gel Case / Skin / Cover for BLU Advance 4.0 L A010u - Black
Picked up a 32GB MicroSD at Staples ($10 DEAL)

Yes I like the phone, it does everything I need, is small enough to fit in my shirt pocket and works as expected.
sf-wink_gif No, I'm not married to my phone. sf-wink_gif sf-laugh_gif

"So it goes."
Kurt Vonnegut

September 11, 2016
7:41 am
pdops
West Central Alberta
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Thanks for the info. I agree that the manuals, at least those downloaded from SO, are poor compared to what used to come with electronics.

September 25, 2016
8:38 am
kintaro.oe
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I bought this one:

psc=1

it's the updated version of the one 7-11 has, Android 6, and probably nothing else note worthy :)

September 25, 2016
12:41 pm
pdops
West Central Alberta
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kintaro.oe said
psc=1

it's the updated version of the one 7-11 has, Android 6, and probably nothing else note worthy

Thanks for the link. It works OK with a Speakout SIM?

I'm actually waiting to see what the next promo offer is. Last Nov/Dec it was a free Blu Advance 4.0L and bonus $25 airtime with a $100 top up.

September 26, 2016
5:15 pm
46jimbo
Toronto
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With only 512 mb of ram, you will not be able to install many apps. This will no doubt be frustrating. And the reviews for this phone on GSM Arena are pretty dismal.

September 27, 2016
11:01 am
kintaro.oe
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pdops said

Thanks for the link. It works OK with a Speakout SIM?

I'm actually waiting to see what the next promo offer is. Last Nov/Dec it was a free Blu Advance 4.0L and bonus $25 airtime with a $100 top up.

It works fine for me, I just use it for data though, with whatsapp mostly.
I don't think the new version is that much of an upgrade for most people, so free phone and 7-11 deals are way to go probably. :)

46jimbo said

With only 512 mb of ram, you will not be able to install many apps. This will no doubt be frustrating. And the reviews for this phone on GSM Arena are pretty dismal.

with my new version this doesn't seem to be a problem I am not installing the latest games, which is major factor for ram usages, and just to clarify by ram you mean ram? and not storage? because they both have 4gigs of storage. However, it's more like 1 gig ( I don't know how much is usable), because the system uses most of it, however, the newer version is Android 6, which means you can put a microsd card in it and format it so it can be used to install apps on :) That said you are right not many apps.

Also obviously don't expect all the bells and whistles with 60 dollar phone obviously

September 27, 2016
1:48 pm
pdops
West Central Alberta
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Thanks kintaro.oe. Lower cost and newer operating system make this attractive. Also, the camera appears to be slightly better depending on where you look at the specifications. If the promotion doesn't pan out I'll probably go for the L2.

kintaro.oe said
... Also obviously don't expect all the bells and whistles with 60 dollar phone obviously

Exactly. I know I could get a better phone for more money. For myself, it will be my first venture into the smartphone world so should do just fine.

September 27, 2016
2:53 pm
iamdrumming
Niagara Falls
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The phone is a fine choice for your first smartphone. I just bought the BLU as well. It will be only my second smartphone. My first one was a ZTE Zinger bought at Walmart in the USA for $20 USD. :)

November 4, 2016
1:56 pm
pdops
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I was going to pick up one of these from my local store today but they were out of stock. However they will order one in for me which will save me the shipping costs.

November 4, 2016
2:13 pm
iamdrumming
Niagara Falls
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It might be cheaper getting it on Amazon, but it depends on what the store's selling it for.

November 8, 2016
1:21 am
dennismiller
BC
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An update about the BLU Advance 4,0L. I mentioned one BLU's wifi quit but my sister-in-law did get a replacement from Florida, but now less than a year of gentle use and my wife's died altogether. Not very good experience 2 out of 2 failed.

Just a note. The battery shows 3 volts plus on a meter and should be good. I inserted a prism phone battery in the BLU to check a fully charged situation. It still won't boot and seems to be trying right at the start of the sequence, at times. Appears to be a power supply type problem on a board in the phone.

November 8, 2016
2:35 pm
iamdrumming
Niagara Falls
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That really sucks! Hopefully mine will last a long time. You just never know when buying a phone. A few years ago, I bought a phone (ZTE Zinger) at Walmart in the USA, and it's still going strong. That phone was only $20 USD.

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