Purchasing a mobile phone plan, questions

[Kirosia]

Hello, I'm buying my first cell phone, and I need some information regarding plans. I'm only 19, and I don't have any credit. I'm told I'd have to make a deposit, how does that work? Is that money put towards the monthly payments or something? Or do I never see it again?

I'm leaning towards cingular's cheapest indiv. plan and live in MA if that matters. (if you think that is a bad idea let me know) Those of you with that specific plan, how much do pay overall monthly (with taxes and hidden fees)? What add-on features did you include?

 

[jpelg]

Deposits are held until you've built enough history with the provider to make other arrangements. That will probaby be a long while. It doesn't go toward your bill(s).

Cingular has always been notorious for the toughest credit standards of any provider. They always offer deposit plans for those with no credit. I guess that hasn't changed.

Do they provide the best coverage in your area? I'd try others. What service do your friends & family have? If you get a plan with mobile-to-mobile added on (free calls to others with the same service provider), you can get a less expensive plan with fewer peak-time minutes.

 

[Elec]

I've got a $39.99 plan with Cingular. I typically pay about $46 a month after taxes and fees. It's never less than $45, sometimes it's a couple bucks more if I've had some text messages or wireless "internet" use. No add-on features. The plan I have no longer exists, but it was 500 anytime 5000 N&W. The current equivalent is something like 400 or 450 anytime but you get free calls to any Cingular subscriber (no minutes used).

Cheaper than that and I think you may have to do the pay as you go plans, which may or may not be a good deal depending on your usage.

 

[Salt Peanuts]

I'm assuming you're still in Massachusetts? In that case, Verizon still has the best coverage, though differences have gotten rather small lately. As for additional features, really depends on what you plan to do with your cell phone. I personally have no fancy features on mines as I use my cell phone solely as a phone and nothing more.

Also, if you have no credit as you say, be ready to put down hefty amount of deposit.

 

[Kirosia]

Ouch. So do I never get the deposit back, even in time? What are we talkin bout like $400+?

Yea, I'm still in Mass. My friends have varying plans, some t-mobile, nextel, etc. I don't really plan on using the phone other than talking, I hope. Never owned one so I can't gauge usage. My cousins have t-mobile, and say to look elsewhere. One told me that cingular is pretty good overall. Plus, I kinda like their phone selection. Guess I'll keep searching around for a bit before taking the plunge.

 

[Elec]

One thing to be aware of with Cingular is that if you don't have a txt package, you pay 10 cents per message. That includes messages RECEIVED, so if you've got friends who are going to think it's cool to text you every 12 minutes, it'll cost you. Even if you don't write back. If you do buy one of the packages, it's just some number of messages a month for a few bucks.

 

[Stephonovich]

When I signed up for Sprint (who I will pimp here - excellent customer service, coverage, and plans), I asked about deposits. I signed up under a parent (not quite 18... few more days...), so I didn't have to put one down, but I was told if I did, it was usually about $100, and it was held for 11 months. I guess if you cancelled or reneged on payments, they kept it. Otherwise, they gave it back.

But yeah. Sprint rocks. Also, when you go shopping, ask about business discounts (assuming you have a job). Sprint gives discounts ranging from 5-25% just for working at certain places. For instance, since I work at Sears, I get a 25% discount. That's a pretty nice bonus. No idea if other providers do this, but it's worth asking.

Definitely shop around, though. I hit every single provider, barring U.S. Cellular (sucks), SunCom (heard horror stories), and Boost Mobile (need I say more?). My mom has Cingular, and I hate them. Their customer service is unhelpful, their coverage isn't all that great once you get out of metro, and they didn't have especially dazzling plans. Verizon rocks, don't get me wrong, but you'll pay for it. I would have gone with them, but Sprint had the discount going for them. Plus, the local rep I bought the plan from is quite possibly the nicest and most helpful sales guy I've ever had. Answered all sorts of questions for a good month before I actually bought the phone, gave me tips on discounts and such, and even charged my phone for me one day while I was at work, (both in the mall) and it was dying. Oh yeah, he rocks

Regarding Elec's bit about texting, yeah. I bought the 500 plan ($8/month) for that purpose. I have idiot friends who like texting. Turns out they apparently have yet to get my number, which is a good thing. But I've started texting like mad anyway, since I have 'em. Also of note, if you think you'll be doing any sort of web usage, and I mean any, buy a plan. Sprint charges $0.02/KB, which you'd think wouldn't be much for a quick Google here and there. Wrong. I racked up $16 my first month. Immediately bought a data plan, which is a whopping $10/month for unlimited usage. First month free, to boot.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elec One thing to be aware of with Cingular is that if you don't have a txt package, you pay 10 cents per message. That includes messages RECEIVED, so if you've got friends who are going to think it's cool to text you every 12 minutes, it'll cost you. Even if you don't write back. If you do buy one of the packages, it's just some number of messages a month for a few bucks.

Yeah, I read about this. Pretty cruddy. But I don't think my friends are the type to . . type. If they are though, I'll just ask em to lay off other than emergencies.

 

[Elec]

Now that I think about it, the deposit is probably because the phones are subsidized. You sign up and get a new phone for 50 bucks. It was a $250 phone. Most of the contracts state that if you cancel the plan within the first few months, you have to give the phone back. That's on top of paying the contract breakage fee. So the deposit is probably to secure the phone in case you destroy it or just refuse to give it back in the event something happens.

 

[AuroraProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg Cingular has always been notorious for the toughest credit standards of any provider. They always offer deposit plans for those with no credit. I guess that hasn't changed.

The flip side to that is if you have good credit (or have been with them for awhile) they bend over backwards for you. I've been with them for 18 months now and they just made me a hell of a deal on a new Razr and a new plan with lots of options. I was an AT&T wireless customer, now I've migrated over to Cingular.

 

[ricardo diaz]

<3 Verizon.


I love Verizon because you can add features on it every month, or remove them. Like text messaging, picture sending, and video sending. Plus, their service is superior to others (at least in the West Coast, but I think the East as well).

The only downside to Verizon to me is their phones; you can't upgrade between the end-of-contract mark without paying full price for each phone if you want to upgrade. My only gripe.

 

[AuroraProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardo diaz The only downside to Verizon to me is their phones; you can't upgrade between the end-of-contract mark without paying full price for each phone if you want to upgrade. My only gripe.

You can upgrade your phone anytime you like, just buy an unlocked phone off eBay, or one of the many cellphone sellers on the net. Just make sure it's unlocked, slap your sim card in and you're good to go.

 

[ricardo diaz]

What? I can get a Razr then?

Sweet!
Unlocked?
What does that mean?

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardo diaz What? I can get a Razr then? Sweet! Unlocked? What does that mean?

unlocked means you can use it with any service provider (as long as the features and stuff are compat) I think. Costs more than the normal "locked" version. (locked as locked for use with a certain provider)

 

[AuroraProject]

Yes, but they're still not cheap. Unlocked means it's not locked to one carriers sim card. Most phones you buy from the cell providers (T-Mobile, Cingular, etc.) are locked to use their sim cards only.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...azr&category0=



That was part of my fabulous Cingular deal I spoke of earlier, they gave me a black Razr V3 for $49.99!