Changing Cel Phone Service Provider

[Gonzo42]

On another recent thread was discussion regarding satellite TV providers.

On a similar note, one can really deal with your cell phone provider if you are smart about it.

1. If your contract is ending, you have more leverage. This is the most important point.

2. Remember that Verizon gives you a 'free' phone but the charges for it on your account go forever, while other providers end it after some preset time.

3. You can get a phone for ONE penny on the internet but Verizon will still charge you monthly for it.

4. If you are willing to change Cell phone providers regularly you can keep getting 'free' phones endlessly. You could donate your old one to a charity or sell it on eBay.

I have Verizon for my TV, Internet and Cell and consider them the most reliable and with thousands of TV channels. Their cell coverage has always been superior. I would change if I found the right deal.

[1775]

When our contract was ending I thought that would give me leverage with the cell provider but basically was told - this is how it is now, if you don't like it that is too bad - good bye. The days of negotiating with a carrier are over. There was a time that I would call and say the contract is ending and I would like XYZ to renew for two more years and they would jump to that. No more. Even some of the advertised "deals" from the contract carriers are not really deals when you read the restrictions and limitations.

There are excellent no contract plans now - even ones that offer the Verizon network for both talk and data - at very low prices compared to contract plans. Some will allow you to bring your own phone. Some will sell you smartphones free and clear of further payments for less than $200 - some under $100.

When our contract carrier said "so long if you don't want to pay more" we went to two different no contract plans - one for my wife and one for me. My wife is on the Verizon network through Straight Talk with unlimited talk, unlimited data, and unlimited messaging - all for $45 a month. I took a TMobile plan with unlimited data at 4G up to 5Gb and over 5Gb it is 3G service, unlimited messaging, and 100 mins of talk - and with an 3rd party app, I can make unlimited internet talk calls and never touch my minutes - all for $30 a month. You can't beat that! We have had coverage everywhere we have been.