| With the popularity of cell phones on the rise, | | | | for a specific customer base. Because of the situation, |
| companies are constantly touting their offers for free | | | | you have the upper hand - at least to some degree. |
| cell phones. But are those offers real? There are | | | | One of the gimmicks these companies use is to offer |
| some things to consider before you grab up one of | | | | free cell phones in an attempt to gain new customers. |
| those offers. Take a look at some facts and some | | | | Before you sign up, get a value for the phone they're |
| options. | | | | offering for free. Ask for the price of the phone if you |
| The majority of free cell phones are offered by | | | | don't sign a contract, and then price that phone with |
| companies that provide cell phone service. These | | | | some other companies. You may find that the phone |
| companies can afford to make the offer because | | | | isn't worth very much anyway and that signing simply |
| they're assured that they're going to have your | | | | buying the phone without signing a contract is a better |
| business for a set period of time. That's because the | | | | decision. |
| only way you're really going to get one of their free | | | | Choosing a cell phone service provider should not end |
| cell phones is by signing a contract that binds you to | | | | at which of those companies will provide the best free |
| cell phone service for a specific period of time. With | | | | cell phones. Evaluate the service past the phone. The |
| that contract, you're agreeing to pay for the service - | | | | price of service, terms of the contract and features |
| usually for one or two years - whether you use it or | | | | (call waiting, call forwarding and voice mail) should all |
| not. | | | | play a role in your decision. When you weigh those |
| But if you price cell phones purchased outright, isn't it | | | | aspects, you may find that buying a cell phone from |
| better to sign that contract than to pay the full price | | | | company A is a better deal that taking the free cell |
| for a phone? Probably, but you should carefully | | | | phones from company B. |
| evaluate your situation and be sure you're going to | | | | There's no doubt that there are free cell phones |
| want to pay for the service for that length of time. | | | | available. But as is true with most things, there are also |
| Keep in mind that there are dozens of companies out | | | | strings attached and terms to be met in order to |
| there providing cell phone service, and they're all vying | | | | qualify. |