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Thinking about dumping your current mobile service to get the iPhone with Verizon?
Beware the contract cancellation fees. It’s common for cellular service companies to require contracts, and traditionally canceling those contracts is pricey.
The key to good mobile service at a good price is reading that find print carefully. Cell phone plans can be confusing and the phones themselves are becoming more complex by the day with a seemingly endless array of features.
Consumer ratings service Angie’s List offers eight tips to save money on your cell phone bill:
• Check for promotions. If you’re in the market for a new phone or carrier, check for special prices, promotions or rebates. Ask about a business discount, which some carriers offer. You can also get significant savings on the cost of a new phone if you sign a contract with a certain carrier.
• Understand your contract. Always read the fine print before you sign any contract. Look for hidden charges, including text messaging, activation and upgrade fees or insurance. Know when your contract ends and any early termination fees. If want to negotiate a new contract, you should first know how much it would cost you to get out of the contract. Most providers now prorate early termination fees based on how much time you have left in a contract.
• Track your usage. There are multiple ways to check your minutes used and available, either by going online to the provider’s website or by checking directly from your phone. Sign up for alerts that let you know if you’re about to exceed your allotted minutes. Also, review your usage monthly. If you consistently find yourself going over your allotted minutes – and paying high overage fees as a result – then it’s time to upgrade your plan. If you’re not using the minutes you’re allotted, then it might be a good time to downgrade or switch to prepaid. If you’re using a majority of your minutes calling a few select numbers, consider joining a friends and family or in network type of plan.
• Eliminate unnecessary services. Analyze the breakdown of fees on your monthly bill. Are you being charged for services you don’t need or want? You can find significant savings by ridding your plan of the “extras” like ringtones, text messaging fees, Internet, roadside assistance and others.
• Insure it? Talk to your provider about the cost of insurance, the coverage period, the length of the manufacturer’s warranty and any deductible. If the insurance deductible is more than replacing a lost or damaged phone – coupled with the recurring monthly charges – you may be better off saving the insurance premium.
• Bundle services. Consider combining phone, Internet and cable/satellite services, which can result in discounted fees by the provider and more savings. More people have cell phones now than landlines, so if you seldom use your landline, lose it and save yourself some money.
• Watch those calls. Each time you dial 411, you’re being charged a premium fee, so use free options like the Internet, a free directory assistance service or dig out that phonebook you’re currently using as a table leg. Remember, you are charged for the minutes you use when calling a toll-free number from your cell phone. If you need to debate a charge with your credit card company, do it from a landline or during off-peak hours, so you’re not wasting valuable minutes because you’re on hold.
• Don’t be afraid to bargain. Keep an eye out for special promotions. Have examples of one or more competitor’s lower prices or better service deals and call the company’s consumer retention department. Record the name of the person you’re speaking with and note the date and time you called. These details will increase your credibility if you need to follow up later. Be prepared to end your service if you can’t get a better deal, but be sure it’s worth it to pay any early termination fees before you do.
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