Would you sign a two year contract?

[cpals]

I'm going to be going to buying a phone soon and was looking at the Verizon store to see what the ones currently on the market were. If I renewed my current plan (only one month into) for a two year contract I could save at least $100 or more. I'm not too concerned about seing a better deal at a different company... I've been pretty satisfied with Verizon for the couple years I've been with them.

Here's how I see it:

Pros:
- Better phone for cheaper
- New every two deal (get a new phone after two years?)
- Can go up and down the price/minutes plan without affecting contract (sales rep told me this..)

Cons:
- Stuck with current company no matter what for two years
- Have to renew my contract again (but only lose one month)

Am I missing anything?

I was looking at the phones and these were the ones that caught my eye:
1. LG 4500 - I like speakerphone feature
2. LG 6000 - Heard good things about this one. Can get it for $129 w/2-year contract
3. v60
4. Kyocera slider - Looks cool, not sure about function though.

I would try and go with eBay, but I kind of need a phone replacement right now.

Any comments on either the two year contract or the phone choices?

 

[DaWhim]

Do NOT sign any contract that's longer than a year. the company wants to keep you as long as possible. just do NOT.

 

[jsbush]

Two years is a long time, keep that in mind.

 

[bmacd]

two years is a LONG time with a cellular service. You'll end up saving by letting your contract run out and having them practically BEG for your business.

-=bmacd=-

 

[minendo]

I signed a two year contract quite some time ago. Got $200 in rebates and have no complaints.

 

[NutBucket]

I look at it this way. I signed a 1 year contract years ago. Worked out great. After that I signed a 2 year (I forget why, but I know I got a new plan). Then about a year after I signed that plan I got myself a much better deal and $100 a new phone. I renewed my contract for a new 2 year term at that time. Just a few months ago I bought a new phone so I reupped for 2 years to get a price break on it. Basically, I've been very pleased with my service and have no qualms about signing long contracts. I would not recommend it if you've not used that provider before, however. That way you don't have to sit and wait 2 years with a crappy company for your contract to run out.

 

[cpals]

Okay, let's look at it this way:

One Year Plan Contract
Buy phone for $100-$150 more...

Two Year Plan
Buy a nice phone that is $150 cheaper than the one year plan.

If something happens and you want to leave, pay the around $150 cancellation fee and you're back to the same price you would have paid for the 1-year plan. Plus, if something happens in the one year plan and you want to cancel, you'd be out the extra $100 or so you paid extra for the phone AND the cancellation fee.

Just thinking out loud before I make a decision tomorrow...

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

My friend signed up for a two year contract and he's always regretted it because he broke his phone about a year into his contract and had to wait almost another full year to get a new one.

I went to talk to my cingular rep about possibly renewing my 1 year contract which expires in a month, and she was practically falling over herself to keep me locked in a contract. Well, she wasn't really falling over herself, but she did admit that I have a lot more pull now that I'm not obligated to stay with them.

imo, 2 years is a long time, but if you get a good phone that will last you for those two years and lock in a good rate plan, there's no reason no to

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: bmacd
two years is a LONG time with a cellular service. You'll end up saving by letting your contract run out and having them practically BEG for your business.

-=bmacd=-

Well, I just renewed my contract (1-year) last month so I don't think I can wait 11 months to get a phone for my plan.

 

[Vic]

I've been with Verizon (previously Airtouch, previously US West Cellular) for 10 years now (yes, my 1st phone was the Motorola flip brick with the 3" thich battery) and have signed more than one 2 year contract with them (last time I got a free high-end phone and tons of goodies for doing so).

No complaints ever. They are THE best cell phone provider. Period.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: ChinamanatNCSU
My friend signed up for a two year contract and he's always regretted it because he broke his phone about a year into his contract and had to wait almost another full year to get a new one.

So he didn't use the phone for a year? I'm kind of in the same situation, but the guy said I could just renew my contract as of today and I would get a price break for the two-year contract.

 

[thraxes]

I have renewed my original mobile contract twice now. If your phone co. can give you a very sweet deal with excellent rates like they did with me and the company is highly recommended by friends and colleagues I don't see why not.

 

[anxi80]

personally, i wouldnt. i have verizon and im halfway through a 2-year now. i dont plan to leave anytime soon, but i like having the latest phones and gadgets, and the fact that i have to wait until the 22nd month* to get a new phone doesnt seem to appealing. so when it comes to renewal time, i more than likely will sign the 1-year.

*if you are on a 2 year contract, and you want to upgrade to a new technology (ie: camera phone, ptt), you can upgrade 1-year into the 2-year plan as long as you have a plan that is $49.99 and above.

 

[TeenageRiot]

since you guys are already talking about cell phones, whats up with mine? I have an LG6000 with Verizon and it stopped working a couple of hours ago. The phone itself seems fine, i dont think i dropped it, but people cant call it and i cant make outgoing calls. Any ideas? Im about to call Verizon about it

 

[anxi80]

as lame as this may sound...have you tried turning it off/back on? also, what happens when people try to call you? does it go straight to voicemail? or does it ring then go to voicemail on their end?

 

[TeenageRiot]

since you guys are already talking about cell phones, whats up with mine? I have an LG6000 with Verizon and it stopped working a couple of hours ago. The phone itself seems fine, i dont think i dropped it, but people cant call it and i cant make outgoing calls. Any ideas? Im about to call Verizon about it

 

[anxi80]

4 minute difference double post...creepy...

 

[TeenageRiot]

whoa sorry for repost (browser went too far back) anyway, I tried calling my phone from my house and it will ring until it gets to voicemail. So its like im not picking it up

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: TeenageRiot
since you guys are already talking about cell phones, whats up with mine? I have an LG6000 with Verizon and it stopped working a couple of hours ago. The phone itself seems fine, i dont think i dropped it, but people cant call it and i cant make outgoing calls. Any ideas? Im about to call Verizon about it

If it's less than a year old, they'll replace it under warranty.

 

[TeenageRiot]

I just tried powering it off and its stuck at the "goodbye" screen. It wont power off or on at the moment. Should I take out the battery and reset it or something ?

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: TeenageRiot
I just tried powering it off and its stuck at the "goodbye" screen. It wont power off or on at the moment. Should I take out the battery and reset it or something ?

yes, take out the battery and give it a minute.

 

[cpals]

Taking out the battery won't hurt it.

 

[TeenageRiot]

awesome! seems to work just fine, thanks for your help i hate cellphones.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: TeenageRiot
awesome! seems to work just fine, thanks for your help i hate cellphones.

haha, no problem. my lg seems to act weird also if i leave it on for long periods of time. turning it off and on and taking out the battery and turning back on seems to take care if it everytime. glad to hear everythings working fine.

 

[StageLeft]

If I was saving good money up front I MIGHT. I got t-mobile last june and signed for only a year. I've been satisfied, but come june I will be expecting a new phone from them, or else I'll just take my business (and number, thank God) elsewhere. Loyalty is meaningless to me (unless it's Nissan, and that is well founded loyalty ).