Saturday, November 13, 2010

How To Get Best Deals on Handsets & Service Plans

Handsets: An expensive phone can be free somewhere else. But in order for you to get the best deal, you first need to become an informed customer.
Once you've decided on the handset that you want, check prices from various online retailers, including the provider's website. Then, try both your provider's brick-and-mortar shop as well as 3rd party vendors. If you find a cheaper price online but don't want to wait to receive a phone, bring in a print out of online offers you've found. Many retailers will match prices.

Plans: Before you go to a store, it's a good idea to do some research on available plans, because some sales people will try to upsell you on a suite of services you may not need - not to mention a bunch of accessories you can't possibly use.
Consider about how you'll be using your phone. If you prefer to use voice service only, stick with a basic plan.
If you're a texter, consider an unlimited data and SMS messaging. You can go to myrateplan.com if you're not sure what you need which can help you select the features that are vital to you and then you compare various carriers' plans side by side.
If your contract is almost expiring, you're in a better position to find a better deal. You can also be proactive. Call your provider and mention that your contract is about to expire; then ask if there are new plans available.
If you're switching providers, you should always ask if activation fee can be waived.

What to do if you want to cancel your plan early:
Early termination fees go as high as $200, so before shelling out that kind of amount, try cellswapper.com or celltradeusa.com.
These sites match individuals who carry contracts they no longer want with people looking for a new plan. Sellers pay about $20 to use the service. Through this process, both parties win; - the seller avoids paying early termination fee and the buyer can pick up a contract with a shorter term and skip the activation fee.

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