fall winter <strong>2007</strong> <strong>2007</strong> 86 usaa.<strong>com</strong> super cell c a l l a h e a d f o r t h e b e s t d e a l s o n c e l l p h o n e s a n d m o r e . e d i t e d B y s h a r i b i e d i g e r
when young and old lined up at AT&T® and Apple stores over the summer, it wasn’t the latest-greatest wireless plan they were after. The iPhone mania is just one more example of consumers’ endless appetite for high-tech wireless gadgets loaded with features. Before you run out to buy the next hot item, your first priority should be choosing the carrier and plan, says David Wood, a consumer tele<strong>com</strong>munications expert with ConsumerAffairs.<strong>com</strong>. If you time it right, you may be able to get that latest-greatest device on sale. Follow these tips to make sure you get what you want at a price you can afford. iPhone TM is a trademark of Apple, Inc. O p p o s i t e : d r e a m s t i m e ; T h i s p a g e C l o c k w i s e f r o m t o p : i S t o c k , D r e a m s t i m e , i s t o c k question your motives. Before choosing or renewing a plan, answer these questions: • How often will you use the phone • Where will you use it • What percentage of your use will be calls vs. texting • Will the majority of your calls be during the day, evening, or weekend • Will people be calling or texting you often usaa.<strong>com</strong> When you know the answers to these questions, you’ll have a better idea of what you really need. Use it or lose it. If you won’t be using the phone often, consider a prepaid plan. You won’t be required to sign a contract or pass a credit check. But you should still read the small print. Some plans charge $1 a day even if you don’t use the phone. read the fine print. Ignore the sales pitch or online bargain, and read the terms and conditions before you do anything else. It seems obvious, but if there are problems later, the only thing that will matter is what’s in the contract. Do your homework upfront to avoid disappointment later. try it out. A carrier’s coverage map is only a basic guide and not a guarantee of service in every area. In fact, service is not guaranteed at all. Most carriers offer a 14- to 30-day trial. Test it everywhere you plan to use it. If you return the phone during the trial, you won’t pay a cancellation fee. If you return the phone within three days, the activation fee is usually waived as well. know thy minutes. You can get in trouble fast by underestimating how many minutes you’ll need. Each minute over your plan can cost as much as 45 cents, so it’s better to overestimate. The same goes with other services. If you use text messaging, learn about the different package deals and charges. Many consumers are shocked when they receive a bill for hundreds of dollars due to text messages they send and receive. If you text a lot, unlimited texting may be the way to go. Your phone might already be activated for text messaging and Internet service. If you don’t want these options, have them deactivated. make a deal. You can almost always get a better deal on electronics such as cell phones and mobile devices through a dealer or online, as opposed to buying directly from the carrier’s Web site. A dealer, however, might have different terms and conditions Log on to usaa.<strong>com</strong>/magazines to sign up for e-mail alerts to keep track of your <strong>USAA</strong> account activity. Hold the phone ! remember that any price quoted won't include taxes, fees, and other service charges, which can bump up your monthly cost by more than 15 percent. for the plan than the carrier. Make sure you read the details. prepare for change. Know what happens if you change your plan in any way because it might extend your contract. What happens if you want to cancel your contract early Some plans charge fees as high as $200 per phone number to get out of your contract. Some dealers will add their own termination fee, which can take your termination fee as high as $600. "Free" can cost you. Some carriers offer a free phone when you sign up for their plan. You might discover this free phone is free only after a customer loyalty rebate. So you might have to wait as long as six months to submit the rebate (if you remember), and then it might take another three months to receive the rebate. Some rebates require that you’ve been a customer in good standing for 12 months before you can submit the rebate. Miss a payment, and you’ll lose the rebate. winter <strong>2007</strong> 9 usaa.<strong>com</strong>
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