THE TRUTH ABOUT CELL PHONE COMPANIES! DON’ T SIGN THAT CONTRACT!

My cell phone died about a month ago and I have been frantically trying to replace it.  I am not in my free replacement period and I refused to pay the overpriced charges of the cell phone company’s boutique stores. The phone that I wanted was 400.  There was no way that I was going to pay full price for that phone.  So I did nothing at first. 

I tried to get the phone company, which I will call V, to get me a discounted upgrade but it seems that the last time my phone needed replacement, they tricked me into signing a new 2 year agreement.  So I was not eligible for a new phone. 

At some point in this process it occurs to me that the only reason we sign contracts with them at all is to get a free or cheap phone.  Then they charge you 20-35 bucks to "activate" the phone.  What a rip off.  Did you know that you don’t have to sign a contract?  Did  you know if you use the company’s website to activate your phone it is free?  I didn’t.  But now you know.

There is no need to sign a contract.  It is a scam.  You could pay full retail price for the phone and not get a contract or you could do what I did and go on eBay and buy a second hand phone for next to NOTHING!  I settled on a newish blackberry for 150.  It was 400 in the store and it had all the cool features that I do use, like navigation and email access.  My husband bought the palm treo for 150 and he loves his. 

There are loads of phones that are basic models if you don’t want all the fancy features.  Buy the phone online, activate it online and you will have your phone ready to go 5 minutes after it arrives in the mail.  it could not be easier.

There are some things to watch out for.  One buy from an ebay cellular shop.  I used Just Cellular and Unlimited Cellular for my purchases.  You want to look for "Stores" on ebay or listings from power sellers with a ton of feedback.  You want someone who will take it back if there is a problem. 

1.  make sure the phone has all the features you need before you buy.  Like if you want a navigation system make sure the phone has that capability.

2.  make sure that the ESN  Electronic Something Number is "clear"  when a phone is sold or stolen it might be blocked from activation.  Make sure that the ESN is clear.  You can ask the seller for the ESN number or for them to guarantee activation.  Most will do it .  If they don’t, don’t buy it.  You can call the phone company and ask them if the ESN on the phone is clear or if you are an existing customer, then make sure you can go to their website to do it.  Just look under your phone style and there will be an "activation" or "upgrade your phone"  option.  The ESN is located behind the battery on the phone.

3.  If you are an existing subscriber then make sure the phone you buy is working on that carrier.  Verizon phones work on Verizon, At&t on At&t. etc.  Search on ebay by your carrier name and the phones will appear.

Also remember to check if the phone comes with all the cables and chargers.  You will need it to use it down the line.  But if it doesn’t for some reason, like mine didn’t, it is a few dollars for the cables on eBay where in the stores it can be any price they like.  Don’t buy any accessories at the stores.

Do get a cover for your phone.  I have a little rubber cover for mine and a holster that sits in my purse.  If I take really good care of it, in a year I will be able to sell it on eBay and make most of my money back to buy a newer phone. 

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to share this information with you all.  Please send me your ideas for betting they system.

Remember, all systems have flaws, we just have to find them.