Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Sir Finkus]

Could someone explain cell phone math to me?  My contract is up and I'm trying to get a new smartphone.  Preferably I'd like there not to be a contract.  I was told that T-mobile was the cheapest way to go about this, so I went in there last night and this morning.  I got two completely different offers:

1) Unlimited talk + text + 2gb high speed data ($50 a month).  You pick the phone you want, and pay the retail price for that phone - $400.  Then, you pay $20 a month for 20 months until the phone is paid off.  The phone is completely separate from the plan, so you can cancel the plan and just keep paying the $20 a month for the phone.  It seemed like a decent deal, so I decided to sleep on it.

So I go in this morning and get this:

2)500 minutes, unlimited texts, and unlimited data.  The sheet says $67.98 a month, but the salesman said that really meant $82 a month.  You buy the phone at the same terms as in the first offer, so the total bill would be $102(!) a month.  I asked about any additional taxes and fees, and I was told that "there's no way to tell before you're signed up", which sounds like total bullshit.

THEN I checked their website:
3)I pay $369 out of pocket for the phone (that somehow balloons into $419 upon clicking "add to cart"), then ¹$79.99 a month

I've also checked with other providers, and they seem to have similar "deals".  Verizon wants me to pay $1259 for a $650 phone, and doesn't seem to offer any discounts if you byod.  All I want is 2gb + data and like, 250 minutes a month for a reasonable price.  I'm thinking $50.  The first offer sounded great, but I think that ship has sailed.

Who is going to rape my wallet the least?  It's a bit difficult to compare providers for obvious reasons, especially when they won't disclose the actual cost of the service.

¹ Total due monthly: This is the normal amount you will be charged every month for your continued service (it does not include charges for minutes you use over your monthly minutes, or other services, ² taxes, and fees). Not applicable for T-Mobile No Annual Contract customers. Your first month's bill will include a one-time activation fee, a pro-rated monthly charge, and one month's charge in advance. Any non-recurring charges (e.g., overages and app purchases) incurred during your monthly use will appear on the following month’s bill.

² Translation: it isn't $79.99 a month

[Andrew425]

Generally in my experience getting a contract is the way to get the best rate. #1 doesn't seem like it's ship has sailed as you are forced to buy the phone separately so you could probably get that deal if you asked. #2 is more then you want so is probably a bad deal as you'd be buying the phone with these guys.

So you need to decide on two things.

1) Are you okay being in a 2 or 3 year contract? If so you should be able to get a smart phone for no more then $100 If not I see no point in buying a phone through a payment plan unless you don't have the money in which case i'd recommend you reconsider buying a new phone all together.

2) I'm guessing you live in the U.S. so I can't really help you on the pricing and what is fair or not but look around to other places. T-Mobile is asking $50 a month for their data plan. Look at other places and see what you can get. Their are probably other companies that would be more than willing to get you a month by month deal especially if you brought your own phone to them. Also tell T-Mobile about what these other companies are offering you. They will likely try to match it, more so because you are a returning customer.  If nothing bites try to delay getting a phone for a few months until you see a better plan being offered

[LordBucket]

One possibility to consider:

http://www.republicwireless.com/

$259+tax, $19/month, no contract



Note that this is a wireless rather than cell-based service. Read how it works before you buy.

[Sir Finkus]

Generally in my experience getting a contract is the way to get the best rate. #1 doesn't seem like it's ship has sailed as you are forced to buy the phone separately so you could probably get that deal if you asked. #2 is more then you want so is probably a bad deal as you'd be buying the phone with these guys.

So you need to decide on two things.

1) Are you okay being in a 2 or 3 year contract? If so you should be able to get a smart phone for no more then $100 If not I see no point in buying a phone through a payment plan unless you don't have the money in which case i'd recommend you reconsider buying a new phone all together.

2) I'm guessing you live in the U.S. so I can't really help you on the pricing and what is fair or not but look around to other places. T-Mobile is asking $50 a month for their data plan. Look at other places and see what you can get. Their are probably other companies that would be more than willing to get you a month by month deal especially if you brought your own phone to them. Also tell T-Mobile about what these other companies are offering you. They will likely try to match it, more so because you are a returning customer.  If nothing bites try to delay getting a phone for a few months until you see a better plan being offered

I can buy the phone outright, but the first plan has me paying less money per month with the payment plan and I'd get the phone at the same price as retail.  I've already been back and forth with Verizon (the stores are right next door to each other) and neither seem to be willing to negotiate much.  I've looked at sprint and att online, and neither seem to offer anything compelling.  I'd prefer not to have a contract, but it isn't a deal breaker if the price is right.

One possibility to consider:

http://www.republicwireless.com/

$259+tax, $19/month, no contract



Note that this is a wireless rather than cell-based service. Read how it works before you buy.

Interesting, but I already know which phone I'd like and it isn't that one.  I'm looking at this $30 a month plan through tmobile at Walmart, but apparently the coverage isn't all that good, and the advertised price seems to have little bearing on the actual price.

[Zrk2]

Let me give this a shot:

Costs you more=Good

Costs you less=Bad