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Why risk hours wasted at the cell phone store? Sales people pushing the latest cell phone plans with the fattest commissions; limited range of cell phones on in stock; very little choice on carrier plans.
It’s time to get online to seek a good deal on a cell phone. Before firing up the modem, ask yourself these questions:
- 1. Am I just after a cell phone or a cell phone with a service plan?
- 2. What features are essential? Camera? Bluetooth? GPS? PDA functions?
- 3. What accessories do I need?
- 4. What is my planned usage?
It will save time and help you focus your research. However, if you starting from the very beginning, a good way to start is to visit some online forums, blogs and reviews which discuss cell phones and cell phone plans. That will get your thinking about what your cell phone requirements are.
Shopping on line for cell phones provides seven distinct advantages over a store:
1. Reviews and technical information on cell phone models are generally unbiased. Compared this to a store where the newest (and most profitable) cell phone will be promoted heavily.
2. Many websites point out pros and cons of different cell models – not just pushing the pros!
3. If you have the time to research, online sites provide a load of information on features, technical specs from experts and users that have already tried the cell phones. This beats poorly trained store sales technicians who often can’t answer all your technical questions.
4. The online market place has a range of options for purchasing cell phones:
- i) Direct from manufacturer
- ii) On auction sites
- ii) From specialized online retailers and wholesalers who can also bundle phone plans with cell phone buys
- iv) The choice of getting pre-owned phones at a fraction of the cost of new ones
More choices generally means better value and more flexibility for you.
5. Most online cell phone sites have comparison tools which can narrow down your search. You can search out phones according to budget and features required, then compared a selection of phones that fit your criteria. This is a great way to compare cell phones. Physical stores often don’t have the variety of phone and unbiased technical knowledge to help you compare.
6. Online cell phone packages are often heavily involved with other cross promotional deals. You maybe entitled to freebies, accessories, cash back incentives, discount plans and other special deals that can provide heaps of value.
7. Online sites can offer other services besides just selling a cell phone. Free ringtone downloads, free phone screen savers and pictures, software and free sms services just to name a few. There are also help in other ways - like Billshrink.com which ‘goes to work, zapping into the cell phone company websites and doing some cyber analysis’ to find the best value phone plans for your budget. They are also sites dedicated to helping you managing your phone budget and assist with cell phone addiction.
For the discerning cell phone consumer, online cell phone buying has clear advantages over traditional store purchasing. But a word of warning – you need to be patient, diligent and keep your street smarts. Reading through an ocean of reviews and information takes time. Buying online also means you won’t get your cell phone on the day you buy it as delivery times can vary drastically. Oh, you can still get ripped off on-line so; buyer beware!
1CBS Broadcasting Co, KDKA “Website Offers Help To Shrink Cell Phone Bill” Consumer http://kdka.com/consumer/Billshrink.cell.phone.2.952133.html
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