Archive for October, 2008
Contract vs. Pay As You Go Cell Phone Offers
Posted by admin in pay as you go cell phone offers on October 25, 2008
In the U.S. cell phone contracts are the norm, with customers being tied to a year or more contract paid on a monthly basis. The theory behind contracts is that by being a consistent customer the company can offer you better rates. Thus, as a contract customer you should pay less than someone who uses pay as you go.
However, in Europe especially, pay as you go cell phones are becoming an increasingly popular option, and it’s getting more common in the U.S. too. If contracts are meant to be cheaper, then why could this be?
People have chosen pay as you go for a variety of reasons for a long time now. One common reason is that they do not like to be bound to a contract which charges disconnection fees should they wish to cancel early. It can also be because of concerns over keeping up with payments. If a payment bounces because there isn’t enough money in your account when the payment is due then you’ll end up getting charged for both the contract charge and by the bank for the bounced payment.
Another common reason people choose to stick to pay as you go is that they can more easily manage their finances and control their spending if they have to top up their phone before they can use it. On the contrary, if you are on a contract and you go over your plan’s agreed limitations you will be charged without warning for the infringement.
Still, contracts have largely been the more popular choice as they save money. But now it seems this is changing, with pay as you go plans and prepaid cell phones beginning to fall below the contract prices offered by the same company. In comparing Virgin Mobile pay as you go and contract prices we see a clear example of this.
400 minutes on Virgin Mobile contract will cost you $49.99, but on pay as you go the cost is just $30. With figures like these you no longer need to consider which is more cost effective. It seems pay as you go is a contender for the mantle of all-round best option for mobile phone users.
Find the best deals on Straight Talk phones and plans at Wal-Mart.com
Alltel Prepaid Cell Phones
Posted by admin in alltel prepaid cell phones, prepaid cell phones on October 23, 2008
Alltel are a large carrier which have recently starting offering their own prepaid cell phone plans known as U Prepaid.
Plans:
There are three prepaid plans offered by Altel. The first plan features pay per minute calls which are charged at 15 cents per minute. The minimum amount you can pay initially is $20, and for every month that you do not use your phone you will also have to pay a fee of $4.
If you choose the pay per day plan this costs 75 cents each day which works out at around $22-$23 each month, and there is also a minimum of $20 initial balance for this plan. You are then able to add two out of the following options to your plan: unlimited night time and weekend calls, unlimited mobile to mobile calls, unlimited text messages or unlimited calls to your favorite number. A third feature can be added for an extra 25 cents a day, or a fourth feature for an extra 25 on top of this. Any calls that are not covered by the plan are charged at 10 cents each minute.
Pay per month plans are made especially to resemble traditional contract plans, but without the hassle of credit checks and signing a contract. The first plan is charged at $29.99 every month and includes 1,000 off-peak (night and weekend) minutes as well as 200 peak minutes for use at all other times. Calls above this will be charged at 35 cents a minute.
The $39.99 plan offers 400 peak and 2,000 off-peak minutes, with extra calls at 15 cents. And the $69.99 plan includes 700 peak and unlimited off-peak minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile calls and unlimited text messaging. Any other calls are again charged at 15 cents a minute. For an extra $5 users can also add unlimited favorite number calls on top of all these features.
Pros:
These prepaid plans are extremely flexible and will not leave you tied down which is great. The choice available is also extremely good, where you can either pay by the minute, by the day or by the month.
Cons:
While you have many options for prepaid cell phones, once you work out the true cost they can still work out quite expensive. It will behoove you to do a little research into the costs of cell phone offers you may be considering. Dig out your old bills and compare your minutes used and your monthly payments to any new plans you may be considering.
Metro PCS Prepaid Cell Phones
Posted by admin in prepaid cell phones on October 19, 2008
Metro PCS offer cellphone service in a number of areas and with a money back guarantee for any customers who are not satisfied within 30 days.
Metro PCS Prepaid Cell Phone Plans:
Plans offered by Metro PCS are at a flat rate with unlimited calling. Each play gives different features, with the $30 plan including unlimited local calls; the $35 plan giving unlimited local calls long with long distance calls and the $40 providing users with unlimited text messaging, which can include web access and picture messages for $45 each month. For $50 users will get all of these features as well as unlimited email and access to the AOL Instant Messaging service.
Pros:
The Metro PCS plans are simple and easy to work out due to the fact that they include a flat rate, with unlimited minutes so that you will never overspend, or need to worry about what the various charges are for extra minutes. One of the things you want from prepaid cell phones is cost control.
There is also no contract or credit checks required for any of the plans, so you will get all the benefits of pay monthly without worrying about the billing. There are also a wide selection of phones on offer to purchase with these plans, all of which have color screens and many of which include cameras.
Cons:
Whilst unlimited calling makes things cheaper, there are extra fees for features that are considered standard with other cell phone services. These features which are charged include caller ID, call waiting and three way calling. There is also quite limited coverage in certain areas, where the service is only available in parts of California, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Michigan. However, the service should be expanding soon which will improve these problems.
On top of these features you can benefit by paying automatically in advance each month or in any retail locations. Unlimited text messaging can be included at an additional $3 dollars per month with the $35 which is a good price, though it is free with the more expensive plans.
Read some reasons you should consider a prepaid cell phone.
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