This was posted 11 years 10 months 15 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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HTC ChaCha Smartphone $29 (down from $149) - BigW (Vodafone Locked but Unlocked Free!)

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HTC ChaCha Smartphone $29 (down from $149) - BigW (Vodafone Locked but Unlocked Free!)
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Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 11:39 files.ozbargain.com.au (7554 clicks)
Last edited 20/06/2012 - 15:52

HTC Chacha reduced from $149 to $29.80 as part of BigW's current sale. Is locked to Vodafone, but almost certainly can be unlocked for sub-$10 via Ebay vendors or maybe free via Vodafone site handset unlocker.

Only available instore - NOT online but you might be able to get Dick Smiths or Officeworks to pricematch etc.

Is suitable for usage on the Optus network (combine with LiveConnected $11 plan!) here are full specs:
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_chacha-3787.php

Comes in Black and Silver - fabulous aluminium shell (as used on their top models)construction and has corning gorilla glass screen - I also have a Huawei Ideos X3 and it feels like junk compared to the HTC! Is on Android Gingerbread(v2.3) but am also sure you can flash it with new ROM's will leave for others to confirm.

I'd highly recommend this phone for non-smartphone users making their first smartphone buy or for prolific texters - is also specifically made for FaceBook with a dedicated key etc. The small screen is a small downer but this also gives it great battery life (2 days on stock ROM without tweaking).

At $29 it's a very good buy. My local BigW did not even know about this deal and were amazed they'd been so heavily reduced, so do get them to scan to check. Is a very good buy at this price.

Here's a review, google for plenty more:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-ch…

Oh and full credit to the original spotter of this deal who poster it in the OzB forums, Bamsegod - thank you for sharing and allowing me to post this up. http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/72872

Cheers, Nick :-)

PS. Both handsets unlocked free for me via Vodafone's handset unlocker:
https://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-serv…

PPS. As these have been on sale for a few days (plus staff buying up) they are hard to find, so best to call stores to check before heading out - apologies if you can't locate but quite a few people have. Good luck . :-)

Mobile HTC Android

Related Stores

BIG W
BIG W

closed Comments

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:05
      +12

      Yeah sorry mate - my bad - next time I'll find what looks like a great deal and then I'll personally call a whole bunch of the stores to ensure that there's enough stock for you - if there's enough I'll then post the deal up for you, would that be better.

      Gee - what more do folks want - it bought for them and personally delivered, charged to their door? ;-)

      Its now coming back to me why I've left it a few yrs between posting up 'deals' to many whingers who will get the shytes just because they couldn't get something.

      Seriously its a nationwide deal not some one off local store manager's discretionary deal but staff or members of the public have gotten onto this before it was posted - exactly as was stated right back when I first read about it in the post in the OzB forums.

      I will guarantee you that a bunch of these will be hitting Ebay over the next few days as BigW staff flog them off.

      • nickj on 20/06/2012 - 15:11
        +6

        Don't take it personally - you did the right thing alerting us to the deal, it's up to the buyers to then see if their local place has stock. I'd much rather have a few deals that I can't get, that gets sorted out in the comments, than miss out on some hot deal because we've scared people away. As long as posters are honest, which I certainly believe you have been, then the responsibility shifts to the buyers :-)

      • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:52
        +4

        Not much appreciation for your efforts unfortunately , mate. The mentality on ozbargain is one of entitlement and everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too.

      • cash8 on 21/06/2012 - 09:00
        +2

        no stock simply proves the point that this is a GREAT DEAL. We all know GREAT DEALS DON'T WAIT!!!

  • sino1217 on 20/06/2012 - 14:26
    +1

    thank you Nikko! I didn't get a cha cha but it was good deal
    I really want cha cha…

  • spychiatrist on 20/06/2012 - 15:04

    Galaxy fit $99 vodafone in kmart innaloo - not sure if its cheap. They have chacha at $99 but none in stock

  • nickj on 20/06/2012 - 15:04
    +1

    You know you could actually make $6 profit buying this phone? But it for $29, sell it instantly to mazuma as second hand, use it for a week, then post it off, and get $35 from Mazuma about 10 days after that: http://www.mazumamobile.com.au/sell_mobile_phone.php?action=…

    I think people would be mad to do that though - BUT it does illustrate that you're unlikely to lose much money (even in percentage terms), IF you can find stock (which it appears nobody can!)

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:54

      $6 is insignificant amount of money to go through this motion but I see your point. Also , depreciation value would be essentially negligible on $29.

  • jefrileang on 20/06/2012 - 15:06

    is this deal valid in perth?

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:13
      +2

      Nationwide from what the saleperson told me. :-)

    • m3louis on 20/06/2012 - 15:32

      None left at Mirrabooka, and Karrinyup :(

      • jefrileang on 20/06/2012 - 15:42

        let me know here if you have found any. I rang up belmont, riverton and canning vale. none in stock

    • macduff on 20/06/2012 - 15:50

      Yep, I managed to pick one up (last left at Karrinyup this morning)

  • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 15:07
    +2

    Grabbed one in silver (no black) from my local Big W. Was even ticketed at discounted price (see here).
    Salesperson also said that this price ends tomorrow…
    Thanks to OP for pointing this out. And so far I am yet to see a valid neg… just cause the item isn't in stock somewhere near you doesn't mean the deal is any less valid. You win some, you loose some…

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:13

      Thanks mate - yeah I'm being very defensive but the spoilt brat, "I didn't get one!!! Waaa!!" whinging of some folks is truly beyond me - I don't know if it's an age thing or what but I can't believe folks reactions at times.

      As stated, if it was a one off single store only deal I could understand folks being a lil 'Hmmmm' about it but its a nationwide deal thats alas been on for a few days and ya know sometimes things just sell out.

      Appreciate your post. :-)

    • nickj on 20/06/2012 - 15:13
      +1

      Can you please tell us which state & store this was, and whether they had any more left in stock?

      • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:15
        +1

        ……………………..

        • nickj on 20/06/2012 - 15:22

          ………… blanking response to deleted comment ……….

        • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 15:24

          how did you know his local big W was the one that you got your HTC from?

          He never said what store it was, so not sure why you got so uptight about it. The guy asked a simple question.

          EDIT: I see now that you've deleted that comment…

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:30
          +1

          Its says it super clearly on the receipt I posted - and several posts down I did state I bought it at Coffs Harbour!

          Get it right eh?

          Now I see you've posted without reading or even looking at the receipt posted. Well done.

          EDIT: Posted 3hr 44min ago:
          "As the receipt states, Coff Harbour - they had quite a few still in stock and the deal was NOT displayed - hence probably why!

          Worth calling a few stores if you can to check. Sorry you missed out. "

          I never posted the store eh? So whats that a bowl of goldfish?

        • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 16:37
          +6

          You do realise that the user "nickj" was originally asking the user "Chux" what store he got his HTC in, and not you?…

          Chux never stated what store he got it in, just said "my local big w", hence why I replied to you saying how did you know what store is his local, hence the confusion.

          Chill out man, your seem to be very strung up over this.

      • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 15:15

        grabbed the last one on the shelf. was stoked that there was any left with it ticketed…

    • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 16:01
      +1

      Chux now make sure you get the free unlock code from vodafones website.

  • imahippy on 20/06/2012 - 15:31

    no stock:
    nambour/kawana/noosa

  • bbcw1980 on 20/06/2012 - 15:46
    -4

    time waster!

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:56
      +4

      For you possibly but you're definitely a whinger. If it wasn't a good deal why did you 'waste your time' looking for it? Go play Angry Birds or something else that uses your full cerebral capabilities.

      • Explosions_Hurt on 20/06/2012 - 15:58
        +14

        Wow, you're really defending this deal tooth and nail, huh?

        • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 16:13
          +5

          i think the OP has every right to… when people are neg voting and trying to justify it with comments like "time waister!", its just poor form. like i said earlier… the deal isn't any less valid because some people can get the phone and others cant. for those people to go out of their way to try and get one just proves they think the deal is good, and they get all tantrumy and pull a neg vote when they don't get what they want. its sad really. i'd probably be doing the same thing if i was in the OP's shoes…

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 16:16

          When people write 'time waster' and neg it I do felt a slight tugging to point out the idiocy of their ways. C'est la vie.

        • camelgrass on 21/06/2012 - 17:26
          -1

          Wow, you're really defending this deal tooth and nail, huh?

          I agree, it seems a bit unnecessary and disturbing.

          But then again, I can see their need to. It's been proven that only around half-a-dozen BIG W stores nationwide actually had any stock, and if they did, very limited stock. To put that into perspective, there are around 170 BIG W stores across Australia.

          If this was a deal from COTD or some other retailer with such low inventory, people would have negged the deal into oblivion.

      • bbcw1980 on 20/06/2012 - 16:53

        man, cheer up how about a + now?

      • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:57

        haha, that was an epic insult

  • Explosions_Hurt on 20/06/2012 - 15:56
    +10

    Lol, I called my local store and they replied angrily that there was absolutely no more left. I felt like I was being treated rudely, so I asked them like 3 more times.

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 15:58
      +3

      That stinks, love the sense of humour though. Should call back again with a very thick put on accent and very clumsily ask for them.

      Sorry you didn't get one. :-)

      • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 16:15
        +2

        when i was doing my initial ring-around i kept making up different personas (like a dad trying to find the ChaCha specifically for his daughter cause he had been told to get that, and then being surprised at the great price). kept me from thinking too hard about why i was going to the effort to find a cheap phone when i have a perfectly good iPhone :P

    • annarchon on 20/06/2012 - 18:15

      You were probably the millionth person to call in the last 5 minutes:)

      • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 22:58

        this explains why staff were short and pissy

  • undercut on 20/06/2012 - 16:07
    +2

    Got one! Thanks OP. Dunno why this deal is getting negged

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 16:10

    CHYEAH! Cleaned out QLD today :) Got 4 in Mt Omm, 1 CBD, 1 Garden Ct and 2 under my friends ID at Robina

    Now my whole family will be off their plans and on to RBM!

    • boozler on 20/06/2012 - 16:18

      yeah right.

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 16:20
      +1

      Good for you.

      Sorry to sound out of touch (sad truth I'm denying to myself!) but whats RDM? Thanks in advance. :-)

      • jon on 20/06/2012 - 16:22

        RBM = red bull mobile?

        • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 16:23

          Ah, makes sense sorry. Thanks for that.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 16:24

          Yep…

      • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 16:24

        Personally knew about this before it was posted.

        • sasquire on 21/06/2012 - 07:14
          +2

          I'd give you a medal, but they weren't on special at BIGW :)

    • unity1 on 20/06/2012 - 16:24
      +2

      That's going to get Eanan really fired up!

      • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 16:33
        +1

        Yeah im fuming here at my laptop right now! [/sarcasm]

        I went into Big W CBD today after like 15 mins after this was deal posted as was in the city on my mobile at the time, and the guy behind the counter said they haven't had them in stock for months and I couldn't find any on the shelves either. So not sure who is lying, and not really that bothered to be fair. Its just an average phone after all.

        • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 16:40
          +5

          the point here is this…

          1. for the price point, the phone is anything but average.
          2. your neg vote hasn't ever been justified, apart from you being upset that you couldn't get one. your neg vote says the deal isn't good, when you know if you had picked one up you would be stoked. it's like bad-mouthing the lotto if you don't win… the thing to realize is someone else has 'won'

        • Eanan on 20/06/2012 - 16:53
          +1

          Why are you and the OP specifically getting so uptight about people leaving negative feedback on this deal?

        • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 17:04
          +2

          take some time and read the voting guidelines.
          it's not about this deal, its about neg voting in general. you can't neg vote a deal just cause you didn't get it. if there was something fundamentally wrong, then your neg would be justified. but the comment you made when you negged was "zero anywhere near brisbane…"
          not good enough.
          if you had justified yourself then it would be fine. but you haven't.

        • SrMoure on 20/06/2012 - 18:23
          +1

          I think the neg is because there is not enough stock. I voted (+)ve, because I didn't knew there was not enough stock. If there is not enough stock to back the sale price,I think is valid to neg

        • Chux on 21/06/2012 - 10:14
          -1

          seems pretty obvious its an EOL product. why else would it be so cheap…? they are floggin off old stock. logically, there isn't going to be HEAPS of stock. if there was lots of stock, there wouldn't be this price. so no, it isn't a valid neg reason. but almost all of the invalid negs are gone now so all's well…

    • WatchNerd on 20/06/2012 - 17:45

      Bob Wangkar,how does buying a phone for $29 get you & your family off their plans.
      Also if you want to go on Red Bull they have the HTC explorer for $1.00 when you buy the access 365.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2012 - 11:39

        Well, most of my family finish their plans in less than 3 months. HTC explorer is far inferior to the ChaCha and there is no need to get access 365 when I have plenty of access 60 that i got cheap! :)

        Surprised they would lie to you at CBD BigW. I only had one which WAS on the shelf, hidden behind some nokias.

    • Josh81 on 20/06/2012 - 20:34

      u serious?

      I was at Mt Ommaney 4hrs ago, missed out :(

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 23:00

      Why do the "wangkars" get all the deals for themselves?

  • Afurotsu on 20/06/2012 - 16:18
    +3

    No stock in Gungahlin or Woden.

    • Afurotsu on 20/06/2012 - 17:55
      +3

      Further to that, no stock at Canberra Airport or Civic.

  • Adamiam on 20/06/2012 - 16:32
    +2

    It's a good price, but I also like the quality of your post, and that is why I am giving you a +
    :)

  • sulmar on 20/06/2012 - 16:47

    OP it's nothing against you. Props to you for finding the deal and listing it but i do feel that there's no deal here as there's no stock pretty much anywhere (in Sydney atleast). I wasted quite a bit of time and im sure many others have too. I just don't want more people doing the same thing, so the neg is just a heads up.

    Don't have to get all defensive about it, don't think anyones having a go at you.

    • Daniel Plainview on 20/06/2012 - 16:51

      Point taken and appreciate your articulate reply. That said if folks are negging they've not grasped the simple concept behind the rating system on OzB.

      Like I said, I know where you're coming from and appreciate that whilst it's a good deal it's frustrating when you miss out on these. Thanks for being sensible enough not to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' and neg the deal. Cheers. :-)

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 16:53

    Melb. CBD store sold out all yesterday itself :(
    Good deal though. Happy for the people who bought it

  • ozguy on 20/06/2012 - 16:53
    +2

    Nikko, I do think you need to chill a bit with regards to some of the drop kick comments.

    I wasted some time in search of a true OZB deal, but no luck. Thanks though for the OP and the chance to score a crazy bargain (a + was in order and given)!

    To save others time, no QLD stock at:

    Stafford
    Chermside
    Strathpine
    Taigum
    Mount Ommaney [thanks bob_wangkar for clearing 'em all :( ]

  • urban-turbin on 20/06/2012 - 16:59
    +1

    No stock in my local BIG W in perth, the guy was a bit pee'd off when I asked him about it, no doubt getting hounded with calls. Good deal though! HTC always make solid phones.

    But the comments in this thread is pretty embarrassing. Half of them are people complaining about negative feedback. I'm including the OP nikko in this. Its just virtual points guys, they mean nothing after all :)

    People are bound to be a bit annoyed if they cant get the phone, so perhaps thats why they are leaving negative feedback. I didn't vote either way.

    • Chux on 20/06/2012 - 17:14
      +1

      check out the voting guidelines. if you get more than 2 neg votes on a deal, you cant post again for 5 days. and "if a deal gets a number of negative votes, it is removed from most visitors screens". You've done the right thing by just keeping your vote. if you're not happy with something then keep yourself neutral

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 23:04

      just "virtual points"? It is mainly about reputation and credibility I think, both of the deal and of the OP. I feel sorry for the poor staff who get inundated with calls about the same offer when it goes viral and have to waste time telling everyone it is sold out.

  • EggMan28 on 20/06/2012 - 17:06

    Anyone had any luck getting a price match anywhere ?

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 17:13
    +6

    AND no one trusted me a few days ago when i said bigw selling them for 29

  • TScott on 20/06/2012 - 17:14
    +4

    I am sure many of us use android smartphones now, and this phone is no different( plus/minus some specifications). At the end of the day, ozbargain is a place for sharing good deals, not for becoming upset or annoyed at the poster/deal if you cannot get your hands on one. For those who could not get hold of one this time round, I am sure there will be more opportunities with even better spec'ed phones to be posted here. I myself did not go out to buy one since I already have a u8300, which serves me fine so far. =)

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 23:07

      People on here get too emotional about deals and have a false expectation to have a sense of automatic and instant entitlement/ownership of it.

  • ozb-442 on 20/06/2012 - 17:25
    +1

    Thanks OP, very good price. I shall be happy with my P690f for now.

    Don't know why you got negged either, tbh.

    EDIT: phone also has an 800MHz processor, and a 320 x 480 screen. 2.6" is a bit small, but still quite good for a first smartphone and i guess none of that space would be taken up by an on-screen keyboard.

  • sasquire on 20/06/2012 - 17:43
    +4

    Went to my local country town BIGW (Lavington/Albury) and they had three left. Took two and when they saw the price, a staff member took the last :) Seriously much better than my old IDEOS U8150 and everything runs much faster.

    Blown away by this bargain. Unlocked it for free as mentioned in OP, and there's a 2GB MicroSD card in it. Build feels nice and it works quite smoothly. Screen is a bit small but overall I like the look of it.

    No regrets here :D

  • sriver on 20/06/2012 - 17:47

    Not finding this one in Melbourne.

    Called:

    Sunshine
    Highpoint
    Watergardens
    QV (Melb)
    South Yarra
    Endeavour Hills

    • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 17:51
      +1

      No stock in store at Waverley Gardens, Endeavour Hills, Fountain Gate

  • kazines on 20/06/2012 - 17:56
    +1

    I have got one from Doncaster VIC cheers

    but it cannot be unlocked yet

    My chacha's IMEI is not found on Vodafone website

    i'm gonna wait for a reply

    btw it seems that it is compatible with Telstra's NextG

    it says HSPDA/WCDMA 850/2100 Mhz on the back of the box

  • dorothi_toto on 20/06/2012 - 18:01

    anything in sydney?

  • DaTa on 20/06/2012 - 18:04
    -8

    Once again another bargain for bogan resellers and waste of time of poorer people like myself. Dude bargain

    • Windows7forever on 20/06/2012 - 23:09
      +1

      So you just admitted to being poorer than a bogan?

  • m0nkeycheese on 20/06/2012 - 18:06
    +1

    Good old Park Beach Plaza.. Brings back memories of my child hood :P

  • sajangnim on 20/06/2012 - 18:18
    +1

    Just got back from Warringah Mall, Sydney and bought 2! Took a bit of ringing around but finally got a store with stock! Thank you OP=) As with other stores, this wasn't advertised and I wasn't able to see if they had more stock. afaik I bought the last 2 on the shelf.

    • Kendawwg on 20/06/2012 - 19:41

      damn u, i was going to go to warringah more tommorrow morning to check it out! :(

    • dorothi_toto on 21/06/2012 - 10:41

      gah

  • EggMan28 on 20/06/2012 - 19:18

    No luck price matching at my local DSE. Said someone else came in with same query. It's below their cost.

  • cpho on 20/06/2012 - 19:24

    No stock in SA - TTP and Cumberland Park
    :c

  • tassie Pete on 20/06/2012 - 19:35

    Thanks Nikko, perfect phone for my daughter.

  • Coops1 on 20/06/2012 - 20:20

    Thanks OP, I still got one tonight at 7pm, BigW Moonah Tas…last one though…phew!

    • Coops1 on 20/06/2012 - 20:41

      Wow, unlocked, setup and going within 5 minutes! Daughter is very happy……Nice.

  • Josh81 on 20/06/2012 - 20:22

    No stock at Mt Ommaney, Brisbane. They had the fake display unit in the cabinet, but no stock.

    Same goes for Game of Thrones S1 BluRay, and Spiderman Trilogy, no stock left.

    :(

  • defecat0r on 20/06/2012 - 20:32
    +2

    I got lucky and picked up 2 from big dub booval, ipswich at 5:30pm.
    both unlocked fine and working with tpg(optus) using the vodaphone unlock link in description
    So thoroughly impressed with this phone so far. The small screen excusable as it has a hardware keyboard, and the decent res with small screen makes for a very clear picture. Unlike a lot of low end phones it actually has an LED flash too so hello flashlight app!

    Plus, a $29 phone that can tether is simply unbeatable.

    cheers on posting this!

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/06/2012 - 04:30

      Thanks mate, hearing that good folks like yourself and a few of the other folks above got them has given me a good start to the morning.

      Glad you like the phone (I'm blown away with it's features/quality as well!) and thanks for the quick thanks, it is appreciated after the folks yesterday. :-)

  • [Deactivated] on 20/06/2012 - 20:40

    None at Big W Winston Hills, NSW.

  • billtheconqueror on 21/06/2012 - 00:23
    +1

    Thanks OP.

    I picked up one from South Yarra and when she saw the price the lady was like… "OH." And while she was putting it through for me a staff member called her and asked her to put it aside… Phew - just got there in time.

    Then I thought "I might see if there was another one around…" drove all the way out to Epping, and sure enough, there was one there too.

    These will be great for two friends who are going overseas soon. Nothing like being able to tether on local networks instead of roaming or buggering around looking for wifi. They are both on ridiculous contracts where roaming is just not an option.

    I gather it got a bit competitive today… I think the community should be careful or suppliers might stop doing this kind of thing. I have to say I felt a little bit sorry for the staff.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/06/2012 - 04:38

      No worries mate, glad you got a couple and appreciate the kind words.

      FWIW I find it ironic that nitwits yesterday were openly proclaiming to all and sundry that there was none available in the entire SYD or MEL regions and yet your post is another one that shows clearly there were.

      It also clearly shows what I experienced myself - that being that I believe a very high % of the phones that were onhand (and each store probably had no more than 6-10 of them) were taken by BigW staff before the general public got a sniff of this deal.

      I do think this is kind of bad form and does lead to the negative PR/sentiments - as folks were even wildly throwing around accusations like this was a 'scam' etc - which makes NO SENSE as it wasn't widely advertised (if at all!). It was just a massive price cut to clear the last remaining stock.

      Staff should have access to deal but not in a way where they snaffle all of the very best deals pre-emptively.

      For this reason and that they're paid the same hourly wage regardless I wouldn't shed too many tears for BiGW staff fielding calls on the availability of these phones. Thats part of the job and if the worst part of your job is answering phone calls for products you've sold out of you're doing okay! :-)

      Cheers for your post.

      This deal finishes TODAY….so if there are any handsets still available (regional stores would be the best bet) you'll have to check today. Thanks. :-)

  • barbarella on 21/06/2012 - 08:21

    Hi Nikko :) Do you know if there are any more in Coffs?

  • barbarella on 21/06/2012 - 08:22

    I know I could find out myself, but its too early yet…just thought you may have already checked…x

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/06/2012 - 11:52

      Sorry just saw your post - Park Beach plaza was out but the CBD location might have stock. Good luck. :-)

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