T-Mobile has officially kicked off a buy one, get one or BOGO deal for the Samsung Galaxy S8, but things are not quite as they seem.
BOGO deals typically involve purchasing one device and getting the other for free, and a BOGO promotion for one of the hottest smartphones on the market definitely sounds appealing. With T-Mobile's latest offer, the BOGO takes an odd turn.
T-Mobile Galaxy S8 BOGO Deal
While it sounds exciting, T-Mobile's Galaxy S8 BOGO deal is not quite the BOGO offers we're used to. Instead of offering the second device for free, T-Mobile is offering a prepaid card amounting to the Galaxy S8's value.
Interested customers who want to take advantage of this limited-time deal will have to purchase the Galaxy S8 from T-Mobile and sign a two-year contract to be eligible for the prepaid card. At the same time, the deal applies only for T-Mobile One customers, so those with other plans in place can't get this offer.
T-Mobile Galaxy S8 BOGO Tricks
The more you look into this deal, the more it becomes apparent that it's riddled with caveats. First of all, to be eligible for the offer you need to put down a $30 down payment (fees and taxes not included), sign a two-year contract agreeing to a $30 per month plan, and then wait.
If you're hoping to leave T-Mobile's store with two Galaxy S8 smartphones thanks to this BOGO deal, you'd better have plenty of cash at hand. T-Mobile will apply the rebate to a Prepaid MasterCard from Citibank, but the card doesn't feature any cash access and the rebate takes up to eight weeks to apply. To use the card, you'll have to swipe it at participating stores, anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
"You'll get a prepaid card covering the cost of a second Samsung Galaxy S8 (that's $750 bucks!) when you purchase them both on T-Mobile's no-interest Equipment Installment Plan and add a line," notes T-Mobile.
Simply put, if you want two Galaxy S8 smartphones at once, you'll have to pay for both and then wait for up to eight weeks for T-Mobile's rebate to kick in. Then, should you cancel the service before the two-year contract expires, you'll have to pay the remaining balance on the $750 Galaxy S8.
T-Mobile also notes that the smartphone must be "active and in good standing when the card is processed." What if you break it in the meantime? Does the rebate no longer apply? Apparently not.
"Financing agreements, qualifying credit and new line of service required. Full tax on both devices due at sale," the carrier further mentions in the fine print.
If this still sounds like a good deal, you can purchase the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus and get a $750 credit, equal to the value of the Galaxy S8.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are available in Orchid Gray, Midnight Black or Arctic Silver color options and cost $30 down and $30 per month for 24 months ($750 in total) or $130 down and $30 per month for 24 months ($850 in total), respectively.
T-Mobile says this is a limited-time deal for Mother's Day, but doesn't mention just when exactly it will expire.
