Help? Looking for a cell phone

[BooneRebel]

Any suggestions for a good site to do price comparisons? I've heard that you don't get the best deal directly from a carrier (Verizon, Cingular, etc.). I'm looking for the best deal on a 'basic' local plan with a free phone, 300-400 minutes anytime + some evening/weekend minutes.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I got a cell phone about a year ago, and ended up with a fairly low tech approach.

1) figure out how you think you will use the phone
2) figure out what company best fits your needs
3) figure out what plan you want
4) decide on type of phone

Step number two is what you are asking about. The way I solved this problem is by going into Compusa, CircuitCity, Areawide (Cingular) and collecting plan information for each provider for your area. Like I said, it's a low tech approach, but I never did seem to find a website that listed all of the available plans for my area.

 

[BooneRebel]

<< Step number two is what you are asking about. The way I solved this problem is by going into Compusa, CircuitCity, Areawide (Cingular) and collecting plan information for each provider for your area. Like I said, it's a low tech approach, but I never did seem to find a website that listed all of the available plans for my area. >>



In the past two days I've been to a Cingular and a Verizon outlet. Cingular offered a $30 digital plan with 350 anytime & 3500 night/weekend minutes. Verizon only offered $35 for 300 anytime & an additional $10 to get 1000 night/weekend minutes. Both with a free cheezy phone. But I've got this AT'er bias that tells me that I should be able to get either a better plan (~$20/month) or at least get it with a better phone or one that throws in the accessories (car charger, case, etc.) for free. I know that I could continue driving around to each of the other carriers & vendors in the area and eventually find a better deal, but I've also gotten spoiled by the resources available here in the forums. I hate driving anywhere unless I already know when I get there that I'm going to get a great deal...

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Yeah, i know what you are saying. Unfortunately, I don't think that there is a good (and reliable) source for information. I remember seeing some summary sites, but they didn't include some providers. The few sites that do exist are biased and very likely to be out of date. I tried pretty hard to find what you are talking about and never did. Ended up just doing it by driving around to about 4-5 places.