Dockside Chat - Cell phone question

I have a "dumb" question about cell phones, Is there a way or place to purchase phones and then have your provider change you over to the new phone.

I have been with Alltel for years and have decent customer service and I am not a gadget type person but it seems there are many new phones out and unless you want to pay
retail price for one and your 2 yr contract is up you are stuck with what you have.

I did purchase my wife a new phone back in the beginning of the year, had a real asshole of a customer service rep that day and wife's phone was not working and all they would do is a very basic phone
on the insurance claim and it had a $50 deductable with it so I just boat her a new phone which was like $150.

And needless to say you know how the teenagers are on the new phones but wife stopped by Alltel today and they said one of our phones was out of contract 4/20 and we could pick up another then and renew contract.

I have seen phones for sale on ebay and such but never really paid them much attention and I also heard some lady in the Alltel center the other day asking about purchasing phones somewhere else and all the customer service rep would say is "We do not recommend that" ;? ;? ;?

Just looking for some ideas and want to make sure I am not missing the boat ;? :grin: :grin:

Not all phones will work on all networks.

Some are network (provider) specific.

No more analog, only digital, so there are a lot of obsolete phones out there that people are trying to sell.

I'd stick with a provider you like and get their equipment.

Good luck!

Stick with ALLTEL.. I was with them for years and totally satisfied. Recently changed over to AT&T and the phone is ok but customer service sucks. My first bill included over $250. that was caused by thier numnut "associate" setting it up incorrectly. Then my next bill dropped my carryover mins. and said a "contract change" but was actually caused by a software problem they had and knew about. Yep, I'm stuck with a two year contract with em.

Verizon and AT&T allow you to buy just a phone for more money and not get a contract. I've bought at least 5 that way. I also have bought phones only off ebay and had them activated for the account when the old one was lost or damaged. We had so many chargers all of the country replacing the phone and all the chargers was a royal PITA. You do need to work within the offering of your provider.
When I went with a blackberry, I had to do the contract thing and was not happy about it.

Alltel allowed us to buy our daughter a phone she wanted off Ebay and they just transferred the account. Her 2 years were up already and we did not want to sign another one.

SeaNile Boater - 4/6/2008 5:10 PM

Alltel allowed us to buy our daughter a phone she wanted off Ebay and they just transferred the account. Her 2 years were up already and we did not want to sign another one.



That is what I am kind of leaning toward, I did that on my wifes last phone. I just bought it and did not sign or extend contract in fact I did not even fool with insurance on hers either