Why are certain phones not available?

[ClashCity]

For years I've put off upgrading because Samsung got rid of the expandable microSD slot that many of us loved. Then I come to find out that the new S line is available in up to 512 gb. So why then if Samsung makes 512 and 256 gb phones do we only get the option for 128 gb on the Bell website?

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. Often it has nothing to do with Bell. Certain phones may not be available from the manufacturer, so they are not listed by providers. Manufacturers will often do paper launches with a product released many weeks later. If you find the phone you want from a Canadian vendor, you can bring your own device to Bell. It can be risky to buy from a non-Canadian or grey market vendor as the phone may or may not be compatible with Canadian providers. 

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day.

A very good question. Bell carries the most popularly priced products that it's customer have come to expect.

There are numerous factors & variables taken in to consideration when determining what a reseller carries in their inventory. E.g. Affordability, price, demand for the product, inventory level, availability, etc.

There are contracts & committments on product & its delivery that are agreed to between suppliers & resellers. E.g. Bell - Samsung, Apple, etc.

There is no company in this country that would ever commit to carrying all makes, models, colours, & options of every type of device manufactured. They would not be in business very long.

The cost alone to warehouse & market such a vast inventory would be excessive.

Through analytics & marketing research, you carry products that are priced that best meet your customer demands & expectations.

Take care.

[Jaydave]

options are limited, new phone presented is the iphone 14? is this a bug or am I doing something wrong?

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Please elaborate on your question & provide further specific details? Have you checked out the Bell web site? Which manufacturer & model of phone are you looking for?

I have included a complete listing of the devices by manufacturer that are available from Bell in the document below.

Cell Phone Deals - iPhones and Android Smartphones | Mobility | Bell Canada

Have you contact Bell Mobility Customer Service for device details? Call: 1 800 667-0123 or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device.

Take care.

[Stevet100]

Why isn't there an option for 512gb Samsung's not ever listed on its website or app? Bell offered me Samsung 23 ultra 512gb years ago so now time for upgrade it's non existent. It's like I have to look elsewhere when my provider should have this if they want to keep me.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome.

Thank you for posting your question.

Bell, like other carriers, limits its phone selection due to inventory costs. Bell is focusing on high-demand models, balancing customer demand against slow-selling colors & sizes to avoid holding excess stock.

Mobile devices are forever changing. In order to avoid holding excess stock, Bell is required to continually monitor and manage supply chain contracts with its suppliers.

Bell has agreements with manufacturers (like Samsung) and distributors, influencing which devices they commit to carry.

No carrier can afford to carry an all-inclusive inventory supply of every make, model, size & color of device that is available on the market today.

Bell offers a selection of rate plans that encompass "B.Y.O.D". and "Buy a new phone".

Bell does not discourage customers from buying phones directly from Samsung or other retailers (like Best Buy) for a much wider selection & then use them on the on the Bell network.

Take care.

[Stevet100]

The problem with that theory is this I'm on month to month my contract has ended. If this company can't enticed me to upgrade like they once did in 2023 then bell is no used to me if I have to go out of my to a retailer for a phone. 

[Stevet100]

The problem with that analogy you only cater to the majority. I was part of when Bell "had" 512gb phones. An now all of suddenly it's no longer cool to help me out. You have to realize those who own 512gb phones don't revert to 256gb. I'm on month to month if I have to resort and go out of my way to get a phone somewhere else then you guys are useless to me since I'm doing your work. 

[Stevet100]

My apologies if your not an employee. 

[dks]

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your frustration. Community All-stars such as @WelshTerrier , myself and others are not Bell employees nor former Bell employees. We are volunteers. We can not interpret Bell policies or practices. We can only provide information which we have available to us that is in the public domain and point other users to that information. I hope that clarification helps.  

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome.

Thank you for your feedback. I am not an employee of Bell. I am only one member of many members on this website trying to assist others in answering questions, solving problems and providing solutions.

Bell is no different than any other carrier or retail supplier when it comes mobile phone inventory.

There are only so many models, styles and colors that any supplier can carry as part of their inventory.

Bell does not carry every make and model that is available. If you are looking to purchase a specific model of Samsung outright that is not available online with Bell, you can try contacting your local Bell Store, visiting Samsung online, or checking out your choice at a local retailer such as Best Buy, etc. 

Please reference my earlier reply from yesterday morning on this post: Samsung phones. - Bell

Take care.

[Stevet100]

Or I can leave bell and go elsewhere. No reason to have them if I have to go to best buy because they chose decided to change their practices. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for your feedback and comments. I was merely trying to explain the rationale and basis for mobile phone inventory levels.

Unfortunately, it is what it is and there is little else that either one of us can do to change this.

Have a great day.

Take care.

[dks]

Yes, you are right. Any customer can go elsewhere. If you are not under contract, you can take any carrier up on a BYOD (Brig Your Own Device) plan. If you have the resources to purchase a phone you want and that meets your needs, you can bring it to Bell or to any carrier that offers a BYOD plan. I have done that for several years. It does end up being cheaper in the long run as you do keep your phone longer than a year or so and have complete freedom to trade your phone in for a discount off your purchase at any time, if you buy from the manufacturer (thinking of Apple especially).