Editorial: Why I’m Buying My Nexus 4 From Fido Today

A few weeks ago, Fido updated their phone inventory on their website to include the Nexus 4, revealing a pricing point of $100 on a two-year contract or $425 outright. Shortly after however, the information was removed from the page. The only reference to the Nexus 4 on Fido.ca was the fact that the phone could be ordered for pick-up in a store through Fido’s online reservation system.

Well, thanks to a tip from a reader on our Google+ page, I am happy to report that the Nexus 4 is now officially available from Fido. The phone is available to order off the site and will be in stores starting on February 26th – next Tuesday.

When we’ve reported on the Nexus 4’s availability through Wind, Videotron, Virgin Mobile, and Fido in the past few weeks, comments on AiC as well as on Google+ keep asking why people would ever want to buy this device in stores when they can get the phone cheaper from Google Play.

Well, to me, it’s rather obvious. Many people have no problem saving $300 to get the phone for $100 on a two-year contract or a tab deal. Two years is a lot more sensible than the three-year terms we’ve been seeing in the past.

Also, I don’t know about you, but I hate ordering things I want now from the Internet. The standard two-weeks wait time to get things delivered is just pure torture. I would happily pay a premium to be able to get something I want as soon as I want it, and in Fido’s case, here is how it breaks down compared to Google Play:

As you can see, you are paying $57.07 extra to buy the device outright from Fido. Keep in mind, this allows you to skip the two weeks shipping time as well as gives you the option to return the device to the store and get your money back if you’re not satisfied with the phone (within 14 days or 30 minutes talk time).

I am not biased or getting anything from Fido by writing this information, I just don’t see what all the fuss is about. Remember, Fido is a business and they are entitled to make money on selling phones to customers in addition to their services.

Now, I haven’t even talked about Fido Dollars. I know I am a rare case, but currently I have amassed over $200 in Fido Dollars, which will bring the cost of my Nexus 4 down to $276. I would assume that most customers with Fido now have a Fido Dollars amount that would at least bring the cost of the phone on par with what they can buy it for over at Google Play.

As such, by paying a $57.07 premium for the Nexus 4 at Fido, I am able to use my Fido Dollars as well as skip the two-week shipping waiting period. I know I could have ordered the phone weeks ago from Play, but of course, I have been waiting to make use of my Fido credits.

In summary, I think all of our readers know that they will save money by buying the phone straight from Google Play. However, this is the fact when dealing with a lot of products. There is normally a premium to pay when getting something from a retailer rather than straight from the manufacturer.

If you happen to be a Fido customer, you can be thankful that your provider is not like Wind, asking $549.00, or T-Mobile down in the States, asking $549.99 off-contract. No, Fido is only looking to make $57 off the Nexus 4, minus whatever you have stored up in your Fido Dollars balance. As such, I have no problems getting my Nexus 4 from them, and as I was called yesterday to be informed my phone is ready to be picked up in store today, will be replying to any comments on AiC or Google+ from my brand new vanilla Android phone!