Cell Phone Buying Guide to Help You Get the Best Value For The
Money
Whether it's your
first or umpteenth mobile phone you are planning to buy,
knowing or being reminded of the following tips will surely
better your chances of getting the perfect one.
1. Features from which to
choose:
You may either be
enthralled by the looks of the latest cell phone your friend
is using or fall in love with one that you found over the
Internet. But the choosing doesn't end with how it looks. It
is advisable to mentally dissect the cell phone with regard to
its features. The key is to select one that comes with the
options that will meet your needs. Here are some cell phone
features that you may or may not consider important:
- size and weight
- design (clam shell, PDA, side ways, slide, block)
- screen colors and size
- keypad
- camera
- FM radio, mp3 player
- messaging (MMS, SMS)
- e-mail
- to-do list
- voice commands
- band support
- E911 or enhanced 911
- connectivity (bluetooth, GPRS, infrared, PC sync)
- accessories (face plates, head set, themes, screen savers,
ring tones)
- battery life
- dual mode
After narrowing down your
choice of phones to about 2 to 3 models, research some more.
Research what others have to say regarding the phones you
think you would like to use. Look for reliable sources of
phone reviews.
2. Be rebate alert.
This is for those who are
in a tight budget. If you already are enjoying the service of
a certain carrier, see which phones are offered fre'e with a
rebate. If you have signed a contract, it often entitles you
to discounts and rebates for phones. Better find out which
ones they are.
For a better possible
deal, instead of going to the carrier, surf and see the
websites of the manufacturer for more rebates.
3. Save more by shopping
around.
Checking out if your
choice phone is sold by third-party retailers will help you
get more value for your hard-earned dollars. If you can find
general electronics stores not affiliated with carriers,
buying phones from them is a lot better, too. However, you
have to ensure that your carrier will support the phone. An
unlocked phone that is also compatible with other GSM carriers
will prove to be a good buy, too.
Auction sites may also
help you in this endeavor. However, you have to be really
careful if you choose to search for phones on these sites.
4. Choose a service plan
properly.
Comparison tables
regarding US service plans abound in the Internet. Over 60
plans from the largest nationwide service providers are
available for your perusal. If you do cross-country traveling
a lot, common sense will tell you to sign up for a national
phone plan. Better overestimate the number of minutes you will
use for every sent and received call.
5. There is a reason for
the fine print.
You have to read the fine
print. It is possible that you become liable for an activation
fee. The fine print will inform you of that. Don't forget to
check the policy of your carrier for what happens, in the
event your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.
There you have it. All
you have to do is follow most, if not all, of those bits of
advice and you will see for yourself how cell phone buying
could be a cinch.
| About
David Arnold Livingston is
an entrepreneur with
many years of successful business experience. For tips
on choosing the ideal cell phone, he recommends: Use
Cell Phone |
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