Comments on: Rentobile gives junkies their fix, offers handset rental service

By: David A

David A — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:33:41 +0000

everyone who says its to expensive your obviously not the clear voice of the internet, they are out of stock of every phone they control.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:19:26 +0000

I think insurance covers damage only…i don’t know…

By: yourmami

yourmami — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:57:53 +0000

If you loose a phone is there a deductable like there would be with any other type of insurance?

By: yourmami

yourmami — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:55:34 +0000

I guess if they get rid of the ss issue I would try it to compare two differant phones side by side. Cause I tried upgrading for one modle and then had to wait over a month before they would reverse the upgrade for me to get something else. So this would save me that hassle and make it easier for me to dised what phone to upgrade to.

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:41:16 +0000

I posted same comment on engadget to….
I have rented storm from rentobile.com but didn’t have any problem.

and I also asked them about SSL & SSN issues…..but they already took out SSN# field from registration process and said they are middle of updating their site with SSL….

it seems ok for me.

By: Gregory

Gregory — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:26:05 +0000

I asked why they needed an SSN and they said this.

“SS# is needed for fraud and scam prupses. Please question if you have more.”

Sounds like some scammers using a translator.

By: Sammysam

Sammysam — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:48:01 +0000

This reminds me of an old episode of Martin…

‘Rental spoons! We give them the soup for free, but they gotta rent the spoons!’

Lmao… classic

By: vlangs

vlangs — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:15:36 +0000

yea it’s a novel idea and maybe something carriers will pick up?? but then we’d be renting phones from the carrier instead of owning it much like a lease..

i shudder to think what might happen if that day comes…

By: andy

andy — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:14:23 +0000

I registered with fake CC# but it got rejected when I was up to checkout.
so I entered real CC# and it went through.
just rented BB Bold for a month.

By: Atomic2Mod

Atomic2Mod — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:24:05 +0000

Big NoNo not having my SSN info secured. Read through their privacy policy etc…. Pretty sad.

Looked up who owns this little experiment – it’s easily found through WhoIs, phone number and all.

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:23:24 +0000

Unlocked iPhones have been out for a while, even straight from the factory. Just not here in the U.S…

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:43:20 +0000

I thought it was a decent idea.. But the mis spelled words got me! Also I don’t believe they really have unlocked iphone 3G’s just yet!Since its not until tonight!!!

By: NRG

NRG — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:21:31 +0000

Well it’s like you’re required to give them your REAL SS#… I’m sure they have no way of knowing, what you type in, is actually a real number

By: gvegas864

gvegas864 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:01:04 +0000

Also notice that the pages for your SSN and CC# are NOT https. I sent a message to them last night (Mobility Today had this up earlier http://mobilitytoday.com/news/mobile_phone_rental_service.html ) No response yet.

The concept is great. This is for people who early adapters wanting the newest tech, and not as price conscience. But I agree that something is amiss with this site and its lack of professionalism and security.

And OGbigMoneyMIKE, if you don’t like blogs, then don’t read them.

By: Josh Sagnella

Josh Sagnella — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:31:31 +0000

I just went and created an account using 8888888888888888 for my cc and 888888888 for my ss and it created without telling me they we’re valid numbers…. hmmmmm

By: neodorian

neodorian — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:47:20 +0000

Hey it’s like Rent-a-Center–a way for people to spend lots of money living outside of their means. Why not *gasp* get a good device and keep it for a couple of years before shelling out for another one? It may sound like heresy but if you can’t afford to buy a new phone every year you probably don’t need to be renting them either.

By: OGbigMoneyMIKE

OGbigMoneyMIKE — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:44:01 +0000

Just read their site some more, this is a fucking scam. The English is HORRIBLE throughout and they have no office address listed. This is the problwm with Blogs instead of being REAL news outlets. A Journalist would actually use the service undercover, contact the owners and do actual fucking research, instead of just “UPDATE: Looks like we are wrong, our bad. Sorry you got fucked”.

By: OGbigMoneyMIKE

OGbigMoneyMIKE — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:39:25 +0000

Yeah, the Social Security thing is HUGE. Who owns these guys and are they signed up with Verisign or a comparable, reputable service that offers a gurantee?

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:17:06 +0000

This caught my interest, but after seeing their selection, no thanks. Their unlocked section is a joke with the prices they have.

By: Skyler Loth

Skyler Loth — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:00:25 +0000

When I tried to sign up, it asked me for my social security number. I don’t feel safe giving it to this company… what if it turns out to be a scam???
Why on earth would they need my S.S. number?

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:47:26 +0000

What about data plans? Remember to factor that in if you don’t already have one.

By: ucfgrad93

ucfgrad93 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:45:35 +0000

This seems like a good idea. I’d love to try out a couple of phones for a month or so to see if I want to purchase them.

By: Jason B.

Jason B. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:39:03 +0000

I like the concept, but I am also surprised at the # of typos on the site – within the registration form (continue spelled wrong) – and WHY do they ask for my SS# as part of registration? Doesn’t seem nec. to me. I hope they remove that requirement.

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:17:01 +0000

I really like the idea, but the cost definitely needs to decrease.

By: 1adonis1

1adonis1 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:14:43 +0000

Blah, seems like most of their phones are out of stock.

By: 1adonis1

1adonis1 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:12:02 +0000

It’s a cool idea. People say the prices are crazy, but it’s better than being locked into a 2 year contract every time you want to play with a new gadget.

By: Marin

Marin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:09:50 +0000

I agree the prices are a bit much, but the main problem is the carriers in the U.S. If it was as simple as popping in a SIM card, powering it on, and it works – I could see something like this catching on. But having the ATT and T-Mobile phones SIM-locked is a pain in the ass. For Verizon and Sprint, you have to get them freaking activated – and there’s no telling if the company will do it because they’re not forced to.

By: Jesterhead

Jesterhead — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:55:09 +0000

It really is a rip, I could buy half these phones in 5 months for these prices.

By: Mr Hopkins

Mr Hopkins — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:45:23 +0000

And I thought rent a rims was over the top. Is this the future? Are renting the clothes and sneakers next? Are people really this irresponsible with their credit and money? SMH ¡Ay Dios!

By: Josh Sagnella

Josh Sagnella — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:31:29 +0000

I was excited until I saw the prices. I would love to sign up and rent for around $15-$20/month. But $24+membership fees? Thats just a bit too much.