Tell HN: You want to disrupt an industry? The cell phone purchasing experience

2 pointscl8ton4 comments

I absolutely cringe when I have to go into any cell phone store.

I can buy a new car in less time with less paperwork than is required for buying a cell phone.

After 20 years why can’t they seem to streamline this process better?

You can buy phones of all sorts on eBay, etc. New, unlocked, GSM, 4G, etc. I just bought one last week; it took no time at all.

yup

I believe the OP is talking about the process of setting up the contract with the carrier.

Exactly, which is why this is so silly. Why would a carrier be willing to consent to a marketplace type set-up? They don't want to be commoditized so easily. (I'd argue that their whole reason for being is to non-commoditize themselves.)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com