Shop Talk
Contract vs Pre-Paid service
Do both have good points? Why should one select one over the other? Is one better? Dose the company/provider have much to do with it? Are the features and services really the same with both? If you have one do you wish you had gotten the other? What would you tell a friend or family member to get and why?
I would like to know your thoughts. Plus, as we have both dealers/agents and the customers/public that are part of these forums, it might help someone else too.
Thanks!
With a contract you can get a free phone, yes, you're locked in for a period of time (typically two years) and you do pay an activation fee. If you are going to use the phone on a regular basis, this may be a better option because you'll have a bill each month, but it can end up being less expensive than Prepaid service.
We have an unlimited voice for $30...but it is not nationwide...
There are two different types of prepay.. The first is "traditional" prepay where you pay a certain amount per minute.
This is the best value for people who want an emergency only phone, or for people who only use their phones infrequently (1-2 times a week. It's also decent for kids (as a way to control spending) or anyone who suffers from poor credit and doesn't want to pay a dealer deposit.
Traditional prepay gets VERY expensive the more a customer uses it.
Then there are "Prepay unlimited" plans, along with Prepay plans (similar to contract plans). These are a much better value, running from 20-100 or so a month. The main difference is that there is no contract involve...
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I have not had a home phone for over four years. My average cost per month is about 30 to 40 bucks. I recal it was a lot more with a contract. New phone no big deal.
I wouldn't recommend it though, for someone whose usage tends to be rather more significant, and whose needs are more constant... unless they somehow have that odd combo of bad credit and money to burn.
If you are a Pimp or a Drug Dealer Prepay.
Everyone else? Contract.