Many kinds of cellphones are available on the market. This article will cover how to purchase two kinds of cellphones. The first kind of cellphone is called pay as you go. The second kind of cell phone is a subscription service or cellphone plan. The first plan I call saving money. The second plan I call spending money. There are major differences between the first and second plan and it is the commitment. The saving money cellphone plan doesn't require anything more than the necessary purchase of a cellphone and minutes. The spending money plan requires a longer-term of the commitment of not only the cellphone but also signing an agreement from 1-2 years of monthly payments, which are applied to cellphone minutes, the phone, and other features.
For this article, we will presume you are over 18 and not considered a senior, and you are purchasing a regular cellphone.
If you plan to purchase a cellphone plan, you will need credit scores anywhere from poor to excellent credit. Most cellphone carriers have excellent cellphones that will fit any need and any budget. Sometimes a company will require a deposit to be put down on the purchase of a cellphone plan. Requiring a cellphone deposit depends upon which carrier you use and whether you have any outstanding bills with the cellphone company you are seeking to purchase a cellphone.
Returning to the original distinction between the two types of cellphone purchases, we can now discuss further. What is the purpose of your purchase, and how much do you plan to use your cellphone? Do you plan to use your phone for personal or business use? Do you plan to use your cellphone 1-5 times a day or 5-50 times a day? Do you expect to receive phone calls on your phone 1-5 times a day or 10-100 times a day? Do you plan to use your cellphone for phone calls only or also for media use like listening to music, searching the internet, and watching movies? The reason for these questions is for you to understand you need a less powerful cellphone or a more powerful cellphone. The less powerful cellphone always falls within the save money plan. The need to have a more powerful cell phone requires a cellphone with more features and a cellphone provider with more extensive features.
By spending less money on your cellphone, you will save money and only purchase the features and minutes you need to take care of all your obligations. Most major cellphone providers have two different fee structures and plans for their customers. The first fee structure is called pay as you go. The second fee structure is called a contract phone. Both fee structure is not limited to the features of the phone, but to the ongoing minutes, you can have at any time on your phone. All of your major phone carriers sell many different kinds of phones for different needs. There are hundreds of cellphone providers that have walk-in outlets throughout the country, which offer free consultation to customers to help them find a phone. Each one of the major cell phone service providers has many kinds of phones to choose a plan. Once you've decided upon your needs and how much you have allocated to spend per month, you can purchase a policy through any one of the four below.
Besides purchasing a phone directly from a significant cellphone provider, you also have the option of buying a new, used, or refurbished phone and plan from smaller companies. A smaller company does not mean less quality of service, but often more options for different needs. Companies lie Tracfone, Cricket, Puretalk, Tello, Pronto, and Mint cater to a different kind of user. Some people need a cellphone for a certain amount of time. Then they retire the phone for several months before using it again, so they only purchase a phone with a limited amount of minutes with no obligation to purchase more minutes until needed. These cellphone providers fall into the first-class discussed above called save money plans. One single phone can last them for 10-15 years without the need to upgrade, and minutes can be added at any time by making an online minutes purchase. No contract plans work best for these customers. Regardless of the features of the phone, this ability to have the best or fewest features but with the obligation of signing a long term contract is a feature these frugal shoppers need.
The last question to answer before purchasing your cellphone is what coverage do you need? Will your phone calls be restricted to your city, state, or country, or will most of your phone calls be international? All four of your significant carriers above will provide global connectivity anywhere you call for an additional fee to your 1-2 year contract. Smaller companies may or may not have international calling available, and you may need to ask them before you make your purchase. Your smaller companies will provide local connectivity but may have pockets where it is harder to reach certain national cities throughout the day.
Now that you know what kind of plan you want and how much you want to spend you can now begin to visit the various websites or visit some of the major cell phone carriers stores throughout the city and speak to a representative to tell them your needs and what you are willing to spend. The professional cellphone representative will help you to narrow down to the best cellphone for yourself. If, after visiting several stores and you want to consider a pre-paid phone as mentioned above, visit local shopping centers or grocery stores. Otherwise, companies like Tracfone, Tello, Cricket, and Smarttalk can also be found in shopping centers like Wal-Mart or Target.
As a word of caution to a new cellphone purchaser, all transaction documentation must be saved for at least 30 days in the case that you would like to return your purchase. Being unhappy with your purchase is not a problem, since all purchases from major outlets are guaranteed a 30-day money-back guarantee. Frequently and from time to time a purchase needs to be returned. The reason for the return is because a used phone that comes with a warranty has a defect. In the case that you do have to return your phone, it will be necessary you have your original documentation of purchase as well as identification of yourself to the vendor for your purchase. With these documents, you will be able to get a full refund or return your cellphone for another one or a different kind.
All new phones come with manuals to help customers become familiar with using their merchandise. Manufacturers put much effort into making a cellphone manual in different languages for consumers. Troubleshooting your cellphone should be possible by using the 800 number given to you by your manufacturer. Call the number to speak to a professional person trained in the technology of the phone to get the help of getting your phone working for your needs. If the phone is found to have a defect, the technicians may have you return the phone for a new one.