Newly launched UK2DA.COM provides high quality, affordable mobile phones, accessories and tablets sourced from the UK and shipped to individuals across the Caribbean, but primarily Dominica. It is our vision to offer high quality products, with exceptional, unmatched customer service as compared to what’s currently available in Dominica.
The entrepreneur behind this vision is Sylvester Defoe is from Grand Bay, but has been residing in London since the age of 11. Defoe returns frequently to Dominica and after returning from Dominica in August, the concept behind UK2DA.com was born out of the unsatisfactory level of service personally experienced while obtaining a smartphone in Dominica. In his search for the handset, Defoe notes: “Having found the standard and quality very poor and limited, those that were suitable were very expensive and it was soon discovered that customers had very little consumer protection such as the right to return a product within a certain time frame.”
From this experience came UK2DA.com as a means to source and provide better range of quality products but combined with some level of consumer protection and certain buyers rights. “Given the high uptake of Mobile phones in Dominica and the wider Caribbean, the terrain of most Caribbean Island but especially Dominica, is best suited to Mobile technology, especially Wireless technology. I stood upon Mount Nichols and made a phone call, yet in London could barely do so from an office,” says the budding entrepreneur. “Yet the vast majority of phones sold in Dominica were low quality, 2G or analogue phones, primarily due to the high cost of quality handsets.”
On UK2DA.com only Smartphones, and increasingly WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices are sold. It is Defoe’s hope that as more of the populace take up these devices, then corporations such as banks and utility services will see the added benefits of providing mobile applications enabling Dominicans the ability and convenience to pay utility bills via your smartphone or grocery shopping all from the palm of their hands.
UK2DA.com offers:
- Brand new, original, unlocked and Sim-Free smartphones and Tablets
- 30 days Credit guarantee if you are unhappy with your product, change your mind or the products arrives damaged.
- Inclusive pricing (All prices include Postage, Packaging and shipping insurance)
- 10% off all accessories when bought with a Smartphone or Tablet.
The Dominican has also found a way to give back to the island as 10% of our yearly profits to be donated to the Dominica Education Trust Fund.
Defoe concluded, “We firmly believe there is a distinctive lack of choice, protection and customer satisfaction in the Mobile telephony market right now, which is further exacerbated by the high customs charge that is placed on imported items. As a patriot I understand the charge and the reasons behind it, however, I do feel the pain of the people as a charge of 43% is prohibitive and acts as a barrier to entry creating a duopoly which serves to hinder competition, product innovation and consumer choice.”
To launch this new market to the Caribbean, UK2DA.COM is offering a challenge only through your number one e-paper:
1) The first person to purchase a smartphone/Tablet from UK2DA.com after this article is published will receive $25 Dollars prepaid credit every month for 12 Months (Worth EC$300)
2) The 10th person to purchase smartphone/Tablet from us after this article is published will receive a fabulous good quality Bluetooth headphone/headset (worth EC$200)
UK2DA.COM takes this opportunity to wish all DNO readers and fellow Dominicans and West Indians a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2014.
Good luck with your business venture Mr. Defoe
Your idea can succeed
Good Afternoon/Evening All.
I have been following the comments with interest, and feel I must clarify certain points, though I do appreciate this normally not the done thing.
Firstly, many thanks to all those with good, and positive comments and the many well-wishers on my venture.
I have lived in the UK for over 28 years; I have been to Australia, USA, Jamaica & Ireland, all on my proud Dominican Passport. Even when it meant standing in passport controls for over an hour and even when it meant getting detained in the US due to their ignorance between Dominica & DR.
The point is I am a proud Dominica and could not envisage doing anything that would bring hurt, or exploit my fellow compatriots further than is already being done. A Large proportion of my family including my dear mother leaves in Dominica and would not allow me to be that kind of person.
It is worth understanding, Even if I do not sell a single item, but in the process the incumbent networks and all types of business in Dominica are forced to evaluate how they treat their customers and not merely as cash cow, then that for me and my business would have been a job well done.
On the subject of pricing, I appreciate some items are costly; some prices have recently changed and will continue to do so as I continue to seek the cheapest possible price, and will always pass on any savings. I cannot compete with Amazon neither on pricing or variety, but I can compete with the networks in Dominica which I do not believe are as helpful as all the festive giveaways suggest. Mobile prices change almost on a daily basis including on Amazon. The low price you see today will be gone tomorrow and it is worth noting that an item on Amazon is not necessarily from Amazon but from private individuals. As such Amazon has no control over the quality, longevity or fit for purpose nature of these items. Furthermore, many of the private individuals may not provide you the assurances you seek in regards to warranty or guarantee. It is precisely for this reason that I purchase from reputable suppliers knowing that certain protections, safeguards and assurances are in place, and yes sometimes this makes the product that much dearer.
So rest assured my intentions are clear and straightforward, Dominica could and should be doing much better if only business were allowed to compete evenly and fairly. But primarily, Dominica needs businesses that put the customer first as an individual and not as a cash register.
Thank you.
I applaud anyone that is trying to take on the status quo. DA need options. The product and service provided by incumbents is very poor and only way things will improve is the availability of other players in the market.
So Mr Defoe my advice to you is to keep an eye on your competitors and type of things they might do such as pretending to be consumers relating to this article to put you off.
This is your initial stab in the market, I am sure we will see changes to both prices and service.
BE STRONG, DETERMINED AND FOCUS ON THE MAIN OBJECTIVES.
is a good thing is flashlight phones I buying. good luck anyway
i applaud anyone attempting to do business in dominica…and to give back to the community….but with all due respect you are not going to get anyone to pay $733.00 ec for a blackberry bold 9700…service providers in dominica have always subsidised the cost of the phones and made money on the service…tried making money on the volume….study the market and re evaluate….peace
I am glad there is going to be competition with these thieving companies. I did mention my satisfaction with what was happening back home. This. Top up thing is a sham. One thing I do not understand is, why is the SIM card separate?
Where is your store located? Roseau? Grand Bay?
another labourite chupes
Well done South City man very very good initiative ,wish you all the best in your endeavours
Compare for yourself
http://www.uk2da.com/samsung-galaxy-siii/android-smarphones
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-GT-I9300-Factory-Unlocked/dp/B007VCRRNS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388928139&sr=8-3&keywords=samsung+galaxy+s3
Just c hecked the site and i was not impressed!!!
*the choices are still limited and the latest phones are not available…#no iphones, #no samsungS4,#noZ30
*prices are similar to that of local cell phone providers. And furthur more, there are other online stores such as amazon where the phones are wayyyy cheaper tyan wat u listed
#dominicansarenofools
Guys, when you talk about iPhone and Samsung S4, you have to remember the article….it’s about thinking of the Customs & Duty Charge. The young man is right, no point having expensive phones that cost almost as much to clear. As for prices, who can compete with Amazon? The prices are cheaper than Digicel and Lime, yet everyday their shop is full of people.
These prices are ridiculous even with postage and shipping insurance. I visited the site and notice:
You sell LG Optimus GPro (unlocked) for US$826.39. The very same LG Optimus GPro (unlocked, 32GB, etc) sells on Amazon for $594.00. With skybox options, shipping from the US to DA is very low so shipping included is no big deal. Similarly, you sell the HTC Desire 500 for US$487.95, Amazon sell the very same unit for US$279.99, yes unlocked with all the features.
NICE!
Very good initiative by Mr. Defoe. I particularly like the program 10% of profits being donated to the DEFT. I fully support this program and I hope that Dominicans will take advantage of this program. The consumer protection aspect of it is an upgrade in itself. I hope this thing kicks off.
One Love Dominicans!!!
I need a smart phone tablet. Will try my luck to see how it works.
Good move. Competition is healthy.
PS. Withe Govt. emphasis on education why is there such a high import duty on devices like these?
A quick check on Amazon which is very accessible to Dominicans will show that UK2DA.com pricing is much higher than those of Amazon. If this entrepreneur wants to make a difference, he needs to come better than that.
Yes Amazon is cheaper, but so too is the price of converters, and you still have to pay Customs Duty, and does Amazon give anything back to us? We need to force Digicel & Lime to come better.
so are you saying to we are duty exempt on this?
SoniaB, you speak of converters so obviously you are not resident in Dominica. In any case most phone chargers these days are dual voltage so one hardly needs a “converter” or a transformer. The story indicates that the phones are sourced in the UK and shipped individuals in Dominica so obviously the business is no resident in Dominica and so any one making a purchase from this “online store” will have to pay custom duties etc.
I believe in supporting local businesses but not at a higher cost than other service providers!!!
How many people can beat amazon and eBay? You are not getting online service are you? Your are getting a hard service with good after sales. Amazon and eBay are not this persons direct competition whereas the other shops selling phones on the island are. This is a small enterprise whereas Amazon is multinational turning over billions in a single month. Think about it what you are saying
Why do we as a people always go the extra mile to bring down any business that’s opening in Dominica? Amazon is long a long established entity.This one is just starting up.Does amazon cotrubute anything to any organisation in Dominica? For god’s sake give a local business a chance to grow.It’s a new year, lets all get a mental make over. It’s overdue.
Read the story properly, the business is not being opened in Dominica. The story clearly indicates that the phones are sourced in the UK and shipped to individuals in Dominica. UK2DA.com is not a charitable organization but I am sure, a for-profit entity. Be it local or foreign, Dominicans ought not just sit back and accept overpriced products and services. UK2DA.com items are priced significantly higher than similar products available on Amazon and at the end of the day, the consumer must seek value for money.
I am very weary of any entity, local or foreign promising to make charitable contributions when opening business; I see this merely as a sales and marketing strategy. The proof of the pudding is in the eating; make a contribution and then I will be convinced that this is more than just a sales strategy.
don’t you worry …… is another skerrro!!!!!!!!!! ???????? lol ebeh look bowdel….examine their dem change must come….dem grand bay labourites not easy papa,,,,amazon whats d website nuh….