19 Oct 2009
Even without much promotion, prepaid cellular phones are gaining popularity as Americans continue to look for ways to cut costs. AP Personal Finance Editor Trevor Delaney explains. (Feb. 20)
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Everyone knows that cell phones can be expensive. Newer cell phones can demand a cool $600, depending on make and model. Now, you can get a special rebate off the cost of the phone provided you are okay to lock yourself into a multi-year contract, but that also means that you are putting yourself at the mercy of that carrier. What if your reception is not up to par? What if the customer service is worse? Worst case scenario, what if that cellular you’ve tied yourself to for the next 2 or 3 years turns out not as great as you anticipated? These are all valid concerns, but in today’s piece, I’m going to reveal how to avoid all of these bugaboos and buy used cell phones, saving yourself a ton of dough overall.
Your first order of business is pick out a decent carrier. You might think to kick things off by picking a phone, but this is a mistake. To start off, determine which carrier is right for you, because if the customer service reeks or the coverage area is inadequate, you are going to wish you had a way out. Think about where you will be using your cell phone most – in the car, at the office, at home, or in class. The next thing is to ask some of your friends about their service provider and their personal experience. Listen closely for a carrier with good coverage in the places that matter to you most. Of course, good prices and good customer service should be there as well. If you’ve found a good one, then you need to look for a phone.
The next step is to buy a used cell phone. Besides saving some serious dough, there are additional reasons why buying a used cellular phone is a good thing to do. For instance, you get 100% of the functionality of the phone at a pittance. Also, it’s also a smart way to ensure that the cell phone doesn’t get dumped in some land fill somewhere. And because the price is low, you can economically try another one if the one you bought isn’t as good as you hoped, since you aren’t locked into anything.
When buying used cell phones, keep your preferred carrier in mind. Either pick a phone that is compatible with your service provider, or ensure it is an unlocked GSM phone. What this means is that the cellular phone isn’t locked to a particular cellular network. By changing the SIM card inside, it’s possible to easily change the phone from one service provider to another. Basically, an unlocked phone is the best choice, but if you are only going to use your phone in your neighborhood, then a compatible phone is also an option.
Once you’ve purchased your used cell phone, the time has come to activate it with your preferred service provider. Just call them up and tell them the make and model of your cell phone. The operator give you instructions on how to activate your phone with their company.If you purchased the phone second hand, you didn’t bind yourself to a particular contract, giving you the flexibility to select the monthly plan you want, or go with a prepaid plan. This way, you get a great used cell phone for a great price, while maintaining the greatest flexibility when it comes to cell phone plans.
Where are the recommended places to buy used cell phones? For the answer, point your browser to Buy Used Cell Phones (http://buyusedcellphones.org). This blog is the Internet’s best resource on locating and purchasing used and refurbished cell phones and cheap prices.
If you want to get used cell phones, check out Buy Used Cell Phones and save a fortune!
Sony Ericsson S500i Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Micro Slot--U.S. Version with Warranty (Mysterious Green)
This unlocked cell phone is compatible with GSM carriers like AT full-function Walkman digital audio player; access to personal email
The camera takes nice pictures and videos, and even has a feature to turn the photos landscape, which is good because the screen is rectangular. Really a beautiful, sturdy phone.