need a replacement phone in Lyon. which one?

Posted by Joel (Sacramento, CA USA) on 04/26/15 08:06 PM

I lost my phone somewhere in the city today and need a new one quick. I am supposed to be in Paris tomorrow night.

I HAD a Google Nexus 5 with a T Mobile SIM card. It has worked perfectly on the TMobile unlimited data roaming plan. I don't suppose that I can get anything like that here and now. And if I get a smartphone replacement it will need to work in the US.

I am in Caluire (outside Lyon) and have a huge "Auchon" store nearby that has electronics so maybe phones. But I certainly do not speak French enough to understand a cell phone plan !

What with the physical loss and of course all of my personal stuff at risk my brain is a bit scattered. Any suggestions on how to proceed will be appreciated. Thanks.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

04/26/15 09:18 PM

32202 posts

Joel,

The first thing I'd do is ask the staff at my hotel where to find the nearest mobile phone shop. There always seem to be one or two stores even in the smaller towns. Lebara will probably be the least expensive option, but I doubt you'll be able to get a Nexus 5 at a cheap cost.

A few that I found with a brief search.....

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/boutique-sfr-caluire-et-cuire

http://www.phonehouse.fr/

http://www.electrodepot.fr/nos-magasins/magasin-lyon-st-priest.html

Posted by Kim

Paris

04/27/15 05:45 AM

9565 posts

Remember that whatever you get, you need it to be unlocked, or it will be no good when you come back to the States.

Honestly for your needs, you might just get a simple phone now (not an actual replacement for your Google Nexus 5), just something to get you through the next few days/weeks (how much longer are you in Europe)? Do you really need smartphone capabilities for what you're doing in Europe? or would the ability to call/text get you what you need?

Auchan would be a nightmare, I can't imagine trying to get any help in there.

Have your hotel call a PhoneHouse or an Orange or SFR boutique or somewhere near and ask if they have any English speakers that can help you. Then go to that specific store to seek out the person who can help.

Posted by Joel OP

Sacramento, CA USA

04/27/15 06:34 AM

38 posts

Thanks for the support. I am in paris for 4 days then UK and Ireland for 4 weeks, then Benelux and finally Germany in June, when I return to US. So I will be moving around.

I brought a laptop so if I can get internet to work I can do email and web. But not Google maps (which I have come to depend on). The car has GPS but Google has proven to be much better. .

So, I suppose either the cheapest smart phone and a good data plan or a throwaway dumb phone for texts. It is amazing how linked to my unlimited data and smart phone I have become.

I am told there is an Orange store in the Auchon mall. Don't know if they speak English. And I am not in a hotel so I can't ask for that help. I do have a French speaking friend I can call upon later in the day which could be my best route.

Any suggestions as to the availability of really good data plans for Europe general?

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

04/27/15 01:32 PM

32740 posts

Be sure you get hold of your plan provider back home and get that plan stopped. Whoever has the phone may have an interest in international calls, etc.

Also, get the data wiped and the phone shut down so that whoever has it doesn't have access to anything confidential you may have on it like account numbers, passwords, etc.