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Below are tips on what to consider when selecting a cell phone plan. When you are done, you can return to our home page to shop.

                                

When selecting  cell phone plans there are a number of things to consider to assist you in making a choice that will best suit your needs.  The first step is to really analyze what your needs are and to identify the real costs of the plan.  Below is a listing of some important considerations.

 

1. How will the cell phone be used?
   1. Will the cell phone be used for emergency purposes only?  How many total minutes do you think will be used in a one month period?
   2. Will you need one cell phone, or more for family members?
   3. When will you be making most calls?  Days, nights, or weekends?
   4. Where will you be making and receiving calls from? 

 

2. What does the monthly flat fee cover?
   1. How many minutes are included in the flat fee?
   2. What is the charge for minutes that exceed the monthly plan?  Do unused minutes carryover from month to month?
   3. Do minutes for both calls placed and calls received count toward your allotted minutes? Do minutes spent listening to voice mail count toward your allotted minutes?

 

3. Are there other fees?
   1. What is the "home area", are there fees for roaming?
   2. Are there fees for calling land based lines, calling overseas, calling directory assistance, 1-800 numbers, or 911?
   3. What discretionary charges will show up on your bill?
   4. Are there activation fees or shipping fees for your phone?

 

4. Be sure to check on other services you want and their cost.
   1. Is voicemail included in the monthly fee?  What about caller ID, call waiting, etc.?
   2. Check about charges for internet access, text messaging, picture messaging, and so forth. Does the text messaging limit included both sent and received messages?

 

5. Check to be sure cell phone reception will be good where you live, work, and in locations you will call frequently.

   6.   Check on the terms of the contract.

a.       How long is the cell phone plan contract?

b.      What is the cancellation policy?  What are the associated termination fees?

c.       Are you allowed to change the cell phone plan mid-contract if you find you need more, or fewer, minutes per month?

d.      If you have kids that will be using the cell phone you might consider a pre-paid plan to set a limit on calls/costs.

e.       Find out how you can check how many minutes you have remaining throughout the month.

f.        Ask about a trial period that would allow you to sign up and try the plan for 2 to 4 weeks to determine if it meets your needs.

 

7. Consider "no contract" cell phone plans if you are confident you won't exceed the minutes and want the flexibility of being able to cancel at any time without obligation.  Generally speaking, most "no contract" cell phone plans will not provide the free phone.

 

A possible second step in assessing which plan best suits your needs is to look at how current customers rate the cellular service.  The internet is littered with commercial sites that offer product reviews and consumer feedback.  It is difficult to discern which ones offer unbiased feedback and yet do not require a subscription or charge a fee.  Our best recommendations include the following:

 

            a.   http://www.jdpower.com

   b.  Consumer comments are at:

            http://www.consumerdemocracy.com

            http://www.ratings.net

 

You will also find more buying tips and other cell phone information by referring to our articles.

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